West Virginia Code
Article 18. Private Investigative and Security Services
§30-18-8. Prohibitions

(a) No person shall engage in the private investigation business or security guard business without having first obtained from the Secretary of State a license to conduct such business.
(b) All licensed persons, including private detectives, private investigators, security guards, private detective or investigative firms and security guard firms, are prohibited from transferring their licenses to an unlicensed person, firm or agency. This prohibition includes contracting or subcontracting with an unlicensed person, firm or agency to conduct the private investigation business or security guard business.
(c) It is unlawful for any person subject to the provisions of this article to knowingly commit any of the following:
(1) Employ any individual to perform the duties of an employee who has not first complied with all provisions of this article and the adopted regulations;
(2) Falsely represent that a person is the holder of a valid license;
(3) Make a false report with respect to any matter with which he or she is employed;
(4) Divulge any information acquired from or for a client to persons other than the client or his or her authorized agent without express authorization to do so or unless required by law;
(5) Accept employment which includes obtaining information intended for illegal purposes;
(6) Authorize or permit another person to violate any provision of this article or any rule of the Secretary of State adopted for this article.

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