The licensing of contractors operating in the enforcement guard sector will commence on the 31st March 2023. From this date all contractors providing enforcement guard services and their employees* will require a licence from the Private Security Authority (PSA).
You must hold the appropriate PSA licence if you;
– remove people from any premises or place in order to take possession of the premises or place,
– control, supervise or restrict entry to any premises or place in order to take possession of the premises or place,
– seize goods or other property in lieu of an outstanding debt.
We have published a standard for the licensing of enforcement guard contractors “PSA Licensing Requirements – Enforcement Guards (PSA 91:2023)”. Contractors seeking to provide enforcement guard services should consult the standard, make an application for a licence to the PSA and be in possession of a PSA Enforcement Guard Licence before undertaking any enforcement guard services.
Contractors seeking an Enforcement Guard Licence will be audited against the new requirements document by PSA inspectors.
*Employees providing enforcement guard services for a PSA contractor or any other employer will require a door supervisor or security guard licence until a new employee enforcement guard licence issues in 2024.
An employee must be registered with the Revenue Commissioners as an employee of the person engaging them to provide the enforcement guard service. In all other circumstances, the PSA will deem the person(s) to be providing the services as a contractor and requiring a PSA Enforcement Guard Licence.
From the 31st March 2023, it will be an offence to provide an enforcement guard service without a licence. It will also be an offence for a person to employ or contract an unlicensed enforcement guard contractor. A conviction can result in jail or a fine.
Contact [email protected] for any enquiries.