LAS VEGAS — Nevada lawmakers have asked the Legislative Auditor to conduct a full review of the Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board (PILB) after receiving citizen complaints that the board may have issued licenses without completing required training and background checks.
Allegations raise public safety questions
Legislative Commission Chair Sandra Jauregui filed the request after reports from Nevadans suggested the PILB issued private investigator credentials and firearm-related permissions without verifying statutorily required safeguards. In a press release, Jauregui said the claims raise the possibility that people with disqualifying criminal records might have been licensed and in some cases gained access to guns — actions that would conflict with Nevada law if confirmed.
The board’s responsibilities include ensuring private investigators and armed security personnel meet training requirements, undergo background checks and comply with legal standards before they are permitted to carry firearms or work in communities across Nevada.
Board defended current practice at June meeting
At a June 30 meeting of the Legislative Commission, the PILB presented proposed regulations that would set an eight-hour training minimum for guards authorized to carry shotguns and automatic rifles. PILB executive director Vincent Saladino told lawmakers that security firms in Nevada already deploy shotguns and rifles in their operations despite the lack of explicit statutory language authorizing those weapons.
"The reason we implemented the use of rifles and shotguns into this program was, currently, we do have licensed security companies that have employees that are utilizing these tools in the performance of their duties," Saladino said. "We have no statutes at all for any minimum training at this time. We were under the assumption to have at least a state minimum for training, if these companies are already going to carry them and there's no other laws on the books that speak to it. It doesn't say they can't. It doesn't say they can."
Saladino described the proposed training standard as a response to on-the-ground practices rather than an attempt to expand authority beyond current law.
What investigators will look at
The Legislative Auditor, if the review proceeds, would assess whether the PILB complied with statutory requirements when approving licenses and firearm permissions. Key areas of focus are:
- Verification of mandatory training hours before licensing
- Completion and evaluation of background checks
- Procedures for authorizing armed status and access to weapons
Lawmakers said the allegations came from Nevadans who contacted legislators with concerns about potential shortcomings in board processes.
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| June 30 | Legislative Commission reviewed PILB proposed regulations including training for shotgun/rifle carriage |
| July (request filed) | Chair Sandra Jauregui requested Legislative Auditor investigate PILB (per press release) |
For residents and clients who rely on licensed private investigators and security firms, the review aims to clarify whether current licensing practices protect the public and follow Nevada statutes. The outcome could affect licensing rules, training requirements and oversight protocols for security personnel statewide.
News Block will follow the Legislative Auditor's next steps and report on any findings or recommendations that emerge from the review.
