How to Report Unlicensed Security Activity in Texas

Licensed private-security professionals and companies invest time, training, and resources into meeting Texas requirements. When someone provides regulated security services without the proper credentials, it can put the public at risk, undercut licensed businesses, and weaken trust in the industry.

Texas gives individuals and businesses more than one way to report suspected unlicensed activity. Reports can be submitted directly to the Texas Department of Public Safety or through ASSIST, where the information can be reviewed before further action is taken.

What Is Unlicensed Security Activity?
Why Reporting Unlicensed Activity Matters
Examples of Possible Unlicensed Activity
How to Check a Texas Security License
What Information Should You Collect?
How to Report Unlicensed Activity Through ASSIST
How to Submit a Complaint to Texas DPS
What Happens After You Submit a Report?
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Unlicensed Security Activity?

The Texas Department of Public Safety regulates the private-security profession under Chapter 1702 of the Texas Occupations Code and related administrative rules.

The regulated private-security profession includes:

Armed and unarmed security officers
Personal-protection officers
Private investigators
Alarm-system installers and monitors
Armored-car couriers
Electronic-access-control installers
Locksmiths

DPS licenses and regulates both individuals and businesses working within these areas. Individuals generally must also be affiliated with a company or other entity licensed by the department, with limited exceptions for certain instructors.

Unlicensed activity may occur when someone performs, advertises, or offers regulated services without the credentials required for that work.

Why Reporting Unlicensed Activity Matters

Unlicensed operators are not simply avoiding paperwork. They may be operating without the required training, background checks, oversight, insurance, or accountability expected of licensed professionals.

This can create several problems:

Members of the public may unknowingly hire an unauthorized provider.
Licensed companies may lose work to competitors that avoid regulatory costs.
Clients may have fewer options for resolving complaints.
The reputation of the wider private-security industry may be affected.

DPS states that it investigates complaints, takes disciplinary action against licensees, and may seek criminal prosecution against people who perform private-security services without a license.

ASSIST also recognizes unlicensed operators as a serious concern because they can undercut legitimate businesses, put the public at risk, and make it harder for licensed professionals to do their jobs with credibility.

Examples of Possible Unlicensed Activity

A possible violation may involve:

A person working as a security officer without an active license
A company offering guard or investigative services without the proper company license
An unarmed officer performing armed-security services
A person advertising regulated services without authorization
A business employing individuals who are not properly licensed
A licensed person performing duties outside the scope of their credential
Someone claiming to be a private investigator without the required license
A company using another business’s license information

Not every unusual situation is automatically a violation. The services being performed, the type of credential held, the person’s employer, and applicable exemptions may all affect whether licensing is required.

A report should explain what you observed rather than presenting an assumption as a confirmed fact.

How to Check a Texas Security License

Before filing a report, you may be able to check whether the person or business appears in the Texas Online Private Security system, commonly known as TOPS.

The TOPS license-search function allows users to search for individuals and companies licensed through the Private Security Program. DPS recommends using multiple search criteria when possible, such as the person’s name, license number, ZIP code, state, or license type.

When reviewing the results, pay attention to:

The spelling of the individual’s or company’s name
The license type
The license status
The expiration date
The company connected to the individual
Whether the credential covers the services being advertised or performed

A missing search result does not prove that a violation occurred. Names may be entered differently, records may be associated with another business name, or the work may fall under an exception. License-search results are simply one piece of information that can be included in a report.

What Information Should You Collect?

The more complete your report is, the easier it may be for ASSIST or DPS to understand the concern and determine the next step.

Helpful information may include:

The individual’s name
The company name
The company or individual’s address
The location where the activity occurred
The date and approximate time
A description of the work being performed
The company’s website
A phone number
Social-media profiles or advertisements
Uniforms, badges, vehicle markings, or business names
Screenshots of online advertisements
Photographs that were lawfully obtained
Business cards, contracts, invoices, or proposals
Names and contact information for witnesses
Results from a TOPS license search

Keep the information factual and specific. Explain how you discovered the suspected violation and separate what you personally observed from what someone else told you.

You should not trespass, impersonate a customer, provoke someone into performing a service, or place yourself in danger to gather evidence.

How to Report Unlicensed Activity Through ASSIST

ASSIST provides a dedicated online form for reporting possible unlicensed activity in Texas.

The form allows you to provide:

The region
The suspected offender’s company name
The individual’s name
The offender’s address
The company website
A phone number
Details about how you discovered the alleged violation
Your name and phone number
Supporting photographs

ASSIST asks users to include as much detail as possible because more complete information gives its team a better opportunity to review and act on the report.

After a report is submitted, the ASSIST team reviews the information and determines the appropriate steps for addressing it. ASSIST also states that a reporter’s information will not be shared with DPS unless the person specifically authorizes ASSIST to do so.

This option can be helpful for licensed professionals who want to bring possible unlicensed activity to the attention of an organization that exclusively represents Texas private-security and private-investigation professionals at the State Capitol.

Suspect unlicensed activity? Submit a report to ASSIST and provide as much information as possible so our team can review the situation.

How to Submit a Complaint to Texas DPS

Reports may also be submitted directly to the Texas Department of Public Safety Regulatory Services Division.

DPS accepts complaints involving possible violations of Chapter 1702 by licensed or unlicensed individuals and companies.

Submit the Online Complaint Form

The DPS Regulatory Services Division offers an online complaint form for the Private Security Program.

The form asks for information about the regulated individual or business, the nature of the complaint, and the person submitting it. DPS advises complainants to be as complete as possible because the information is evaluated to determine whether the department has jurisdiction.

Submit the PSP-22 Complaint Form

You may also complete the PSP-22 Complaint Form and mail it to:

Texas Department of Public Safety
Regulatory Services Division
P.O. Box 4087
Austin, Texas 78773

The PSP-22 is the complaint form listed for the Texas Private Security Program.

What Happens After You Submit a Report?

The next step depends on where the report was submitted.

After Reporting Through ASSIST

ASSIST reviews the submitted information and determines what steps may be appropriate. Your information will not be shared with DPS unless you specifically authorize ASSIST to do so.

After Reporting Through Texas DPS

A staff member from the Regulatory Services Division reviews and evaluates the complaint. The assigned staff member may contact the person who submitted it to ask questions or request additional information.

Submitting a report does not guarantee that a violation will be found or that enforcement action will be taken. The reviewing organization or agency may need to determine:

Whether the reported work is regulated
Whether a license was required
Whether the person or company had valid credentials
Whether an exemption applies
Whether enough information exists for further review
Whether the matter falls within the agency’s authority

Your responsibility is to provide an accurate account. You do not need to investigate the situation yourself or prove that a violation occurred.

Supporting a Fair and Professional Industry

Reporting suspected unlicensed activity helps support the professionals and companies that follow Texas licensing, training, and compliance requirements.

It also helps protect clients who may not know how to verify whether the person or company they hired is authorized to provide the service.

ASSIST works to protect the integrity of Texas’s private-security and private-investigation industries by helping members report unlicensed activity, understand regulatory obligations, prepare for DPS-related challenges, and stay informed about the laws governing their work.

When something does not appear right, document what you can, avoid making public accusations, and submit the information through ASSIST or Texas DPS for review.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I report unlicensed security activity directly to ASSIST?

Yes. ASSIST has an online form specifically for reports of suspected unlicensed activity. You can provide information about the individual or company, describe how you discovered the alleged violation, and upload photographs.

2. Will ASSIST automatically send my information to Texas DPS?

No. ASSIST states that your information will not be shared with DPS unless you specifically authorize it to do so.

3. Can I report an individual as well as a company?

Yes. Texas DPS accepts complaints involving potential Chapter 1702 violations by both licensed and unlicensed individuals and companies.

4. Do I need proof before submitting a report?

You do not need to prove that a violation occurred, but you should provide as much factual information as possible. Names, dates, locations, websites, advertisements, photographs, and a clear explanation of what you observed can help the reviewing organization understand the report.

5. What should I do if the activity presents an immediate danger?

Do not confront the individual or place yourself at risk. Contact the appropriate local emergency or law-enforcement agency when there is an immediate threat. The ASSIST and DPS complaint processes are intended for reporting possible licensing or regulatory violations, not for emergency response.

This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice.