Disclaimer

1
Disclaimer

• 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 Safetys 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.  

2
Commonwealth of MassachusettsDepartment of
Public SafetyS-License Program

• Presented by
• Commissioner Thomas G. Gatzunis
• Todd M. Grossman- Deputy General Counsel

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The 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.

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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 employees position
  within the company.

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Requirements for S-Licensure1. Electricians
License

• All applicants for S-Licensure must submit a
  legible copy of their valid electricians
  license.
• Any class license is acceptable.

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2. 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.

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3. 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.

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4. Identification

• All applicants must submit a legible copy of a
  photo i.d. bearing the applicants signature,
  such as a drivers 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.

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General 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.

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Certificates of Clearance for Individuals
Employed by S-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.

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Requirements1. Attestation for Certificates of
Clearance

• The 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.
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2. Performance of the Criminal Background 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.

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3. 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.

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Reviewing the CORI

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

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The S-license- Crimes Classification Chart
identifies all felonies and crimes of moral
turpitude in Massachusetts.
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4. 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
  drivers license or passport.

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5. 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.

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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.

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Disclaimer

• 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 Safetys 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.