Common Reasons for a Delay in the Processing of an Application

To better assist applicants and licensees and streamline the processing of their applications for a registration, license, certificate, or permit, the Bureau has compiled a list of common reasons the processing of an initial or renewal application is delayed. Please review the information below prior to submitting your application to prevent any unnecessary delays:

Initial Applications: Common Delays

Renewal Applications: Common Delays

Initial Applications: Common Delays

  1. The application submitted is outdated (i.e. did not use the current version on the Bureau’s website).

  2. The application is incomplete (i.e. required information is missing or the application is not signed).   

  3. The name on the application form does not match the name entered by the Live Scan Operator. For example, using “Don” and “Donald” or hyphenated and unhyphenated names. TIP: Use the same name on your application that is on your Driver’s License.

  4. The personal identifier information (social security number, individual taxpayer identification number, or date of birth) listed on the application does not match the personal identifier information entered by the Live Scan Operator.

  5. The live scan form used does not match the application type (i.e. using a “proprietary private security officer” live scan form instead of a “security guard” live scan form when applying for a security guard registration).  

  6. The fee amount paid is incorrect.

  7. DOJ and/or FBI rejecting the fingerprint responses due to poor quality. Fingerprint rejections require the applicant to resubmit fingerprints.    

  8. Delays in DOJ and FBI fingerprint responses. The Bureau has no control over the time it takes the DOJ and FBI to provide their responses to the Bureau.

  9. Criminal history information received on an applicant from DOJ and/or FBI requires Bureau staff to review it in its totality to determine the applicant’s fitness for licensure.  

Working Pending Receipt of Your Approved   Registration, Certificate, or Permit

Current law authorizes the following license types to work with a hardcopy print out of the approved license from the DCA License Search website along with a valid picture ID while waiting to receive a hardcopy license in the mail:  

  • Security Guard
  • Firearm Permit ONLY FOR a Security Guard
  • Repossession Agency Qualified Manager
  • Repossession Agency Employee
  • Proprietary Private Security Officer  

Renewal Applications: Common Delays

  1. Failing to submit your renewal application and payment to the Bureau at least 60 days before your current license’s expiration date. Security Guard, Locksmith Employee, Alarm Employee and Repossession Employee registrants are required, by law, to submit their renewal applications at least 60 days prior to expiration of the current registration. However, the Bureau is unable to process renewal applications received more than 90 days expiration.

    NOTE: While not required by law, all other license types should submit their renewal applications to the Bureau at least 60 days, but not more than 90 days, before expiration to provide sufficient time for the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Cashiering Office and the Bureau to process the renewal application before expiration.

  2. Make sure you are using the current version of the renewal application for your license type. An outdated form may be considered deficient and may require the Bureau to request the applicant to complete the renewal on the current application. Current renewal applications for every Bureau license type are available on the Bureau’s website.

  3. Notify the Bureau timely of a change of address. Do not wait to update your address at the time of renewal. By law, a Bureau licensee (including registrants, permit holders and certificate holders) is required to notify the Bureau of a change in his/her address within 30 days. Providing the change of address on the renewal application will likely cause a delay in the renewal process. If you renew your registration/license/permit and update your address online at the same time, the licensing system may mail your renewal to your old address.

  4. Upload or mail all required documentation. Make sure to read the online BreEZe renewal screens or the hard copy application to ensure all supporting documentation required at the time of renewal is submitted. A renewal application without the supporting documentation required for the renewal is deficient and will require the Bureau to request and obtain the missing information before the renewal can be processed.

  5. Pay the correct renewal fee amount. Application renewals postmarked after the license expiration date are delinquent and subject to a delinquency renewal fee. A renewal application submitted with insufficient fees is delinquent and will require the Bureau to request and obtain the additional fee amount before the renewal can be processed.

  6. Sign the renewal application form or automated renewal coupon. Renewal application forms and coupons received without the required attestation signature are treated as a deficient application, which will delay the process of your renewal.

Working Pending Receipt of Your Renewed   Registration, Certificate, or Permit

If the Bureau has processed the renewal application, current law authorizes the following license types to work with a hardcopy print out of the current license showing the new expiration date while waiting to receive the hard copy renewed license in the mail. A hardcopy print out may be obtained from the BreEZe License Search website.

  • Firearm Permit ONLY FOR a Security Guard
  • Locksmith Company Employee
  • Repossession Agency Qualified Manager
  • Repossession Agency Employee
  • Proprietary Private Security Officer
  • Alarm Agent