Do you need a branch office license if you open a second PPO office less than 1 mile from your first location?

When operating as a Private Patrol Operator (PPO) in California, it is essential to understand the licensing requirements related to branch offices. A branch office license is indeed required regardless of the proximity between your existing location and the new location. The regulation does not provide exceptions based on mileage, meaning that even if the new office is less than one mile from the original, it requires its own branch office license.

This requirement is in place to ensure that all locations operating under a single business entity are properly licensed and can adhere to the state's regulatory standards, which are designed to maintain the integrity and professionalism of security services. Each branch office must be individually licensed because it can operate independently and requires its own compliance with local and state laws. This ensures that the services rendered maintain a level of accountability and oversight, which is crucial in the private security industry.

Consequently, establishing a new PPO office—even if it is close to an existing one—necessitates obtaining a specific branch office license to comply with the California Private Security Services Act.