DisclaimerDisclaimer

Please note that this Power Point presentation is an educational tool that is general in nature.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive review of the Department of Public Safety’s laws and regulations and is not intended to provide legal advice.  Materials presented in this presentation should not be considered a substitute for actual statutory or regulatory language.  Always refer to the current edition of a referenced statute, code and\or regulation for precise language.  

Commonwealth of MassachusettsCommonwealth of MassachusettsDepartment of Public SafetyDepartment of Public Safety

S-License ProgramS-License ProgramPresented by:

Commissioner Thomas G. GatzunisTodd M. Grossman- Deputy General Counsel

The “New” S-License ProgramThe “New” S-License Program

Formerly known as the Security Systems Contractor License.

Name change spurred by potential confusion related to Board of State Examiners of Electricians’ “systems contractor” license

Goal: to fully implement M.G.L. c. 147, §§57-61

Must be renewed every two years.

Two Components:Two Components:

The S-License: – must be obtained by the individual or company

“engaged in the business or occupation” of installing wires, conduits and appliances for fire warning or security system purposes;

The S-License Employee Certificate of Clearance: – must be obtained by the S-Licensee for each employee, regardless of the employee’s position within the company.

Requirements for S-Licensure:Requirements for S-Licensure:1. Electrician’s License1. Electrician’s License

All applicants for S-Licensure must submit a legible copy of their valid electrician’s license.

Any class license is acceptable.

2. Criminal Background Check2. Criminal Background Check

All applicants for an S-License must undergo a criminal history background check, or CORI, performed by DPS.

This is not a new requirement. Applicants must complete and sign a CORI

Request Form, included with the application. Individuals convicted of a felony,

wiretapping, or secretly overhearing jury deliberation are presumptively disqualified from licensure.

3. Citizen Certification3. Citizen Certification

Applicants must submit 3 attestations, each signed by a reputable citizen of the Commonwealth residing in the community where the S-License applicant either lives, operates or will operate his or her business. Each attestation must certify:

That the citizen has known the applicant for at least 3 years; That the citizen has read and believes the statements included on the S-

License application to be true; That the citizen is not related to the applicant by blood or marriage; and That the applicant is honest and of good moral character.

A standardized Citizen Certification Form will be included with the application, and may be reproduced.

4. Identification4. Identification

All applicants must submit a legible copy of a photo i.d. bearing the applicant’s signature, such as a driver’s license or passport.

Applicants who wish to have the license issued in the name of the company instead of the individual may do so, but must note it on the initial application.

General Grant of AccessGeneral Grant of Access

S-licensees are given a general grant of access by CHSB to conduct CORI checks on employees.

Grant entitles S-licensees to expedited CORI authorization process.

Certificates of Clearance for Certificates of Clearance for Individuals Employed by S-Individuals Employed by S-Licensees:Licensees:All individuals employed by an S-

Licensee must obtain a Certificate of Clearance, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 147, §60.

The Certificate of Clearance is valid for 2 years or until the employee leaves the employ of that S-Licensee. Certificates are non-transferable.

Requirements:Requirements:1. Attestation for Certificates of 1. Attestation for Certificates of ClearanceClearanceThe S-Licensee must complete a

separate Attestation for each employee.

Available on-line at:

www.mass.gov/dps

Click on the “S-license” link towards the bottom of the DPS homepage.

2. Performance of the Criminal 2. Performance of the Criminal Background CheckBackground Check

S-Licensees must perform a criminal background check on each applicant for employment.

Authorization granted through CHSB:1. Submission of an “Individual Agreement of

Non-Disclosure and Statement of CORI Certification Compliance;”

2. Requires adherence to CHSB record keeping requirements;3. DPS may conduct audit to ensure compliance with security check requirement.

3. CORI Request Form3. CORI Request Form

Prospective employees seeking a Certificate of Clearance must agree to undergo a criminal background check by completing and signing a CORI Request Form.

Form forwarded to S-licensee by CHSB upon approval of grant.

Reviewing the CORIReviewing the CORI

1. Individuals who have been convicted of a felony or crime of moral turpitude are disqualified from employment by an S-Licensee, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 147, §60.

2. Individuals convicted of a crime of moral turpitude may appeal the disqualification and a Certificate may issue at the discretion of the Commissioner.

The “S-license- Crimes Classification The “S-license- Crimes Classification Chart” identifies all felonies and crimes Chart” identifies all felonies and crimes of moral turpitude in Massachusetts.of moral turpitude in Massachusetts.

4. Photo Identification4. Photo Identification

All applicants for a Certificate of Clearance must submit a legible copy of a government issued photo i.d. bearing a signature, such as a driver’s license or passport.

5. Signatures5. Signatures

All applications must include the signatures of both the S-Licensee and the employee on whose behalf the Certificate of Clearance application is submitted.

Final Points:Final Points:

All applications shall be submitted directly to DPS, instead of through the Board of State Examiners of Electricians, as was the previous protocol.

Applications, information, and the crimes chart is available on-line at www.mass.gov/dps. Click the “S- License” link on the bottom of the homepage.

DisclaimerDisclaimer

Please note that this Power Point presentation is an educational tool that is general in nature.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive review of the Department of Public Safety’s laws and regulations and is not intended to provide legal advice.  Materials presented in this presentation should not be considered a substitute for actual statutory or regulatory language.  Always refer to the current edition of a referenced statute, code and\or regulation for precise language.