# W. Va. Code § 30-18-8: Prohibitions

> West Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S8

## Section

- **Citation:** W. Va. Code § 30-18-8
- **Heading:** Prohibitions
- **Jurisdiction:** West Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WV Code / Chapter 30 / Article 18 / Section 8

## Text

(a) No person shall engage in the private investigation business or security guard business without having first obtained from the Secretary of State a license to conduct such business.

(b) All licensed persons, including private detectives, private investigators, security guards, private detective or investigative firms and security guard firms, are prohibited from transferring their licenses to an unlicensed person, firm or agency. This prohibition includes contracting or subcontracting with an unlicensed person, firm or agency to conduct the private investigation business or security guard business.

(c) It is unlawful for any person subject to the provisions of this article to knowingly commit any of the following:

(1) Employ any individual to perform the duties of an employee who has not first complied with all provisions of this article and the adopted regulations;

(2) Falsely represent that a person is the holder of a valid license;

(3) Make a false report with respect to any matter with which he or she is employed;

(4) Divulge any information acquired from or for a client to persons other than the client or his or her authorized agent without express authorization to do so or unless required by law;

(5) Accept employment which includes obtaining information intended for illegal purposes;

(6) Authorize or permit another person to violate any provision of this article or any rule of the Secretary of State adopted for this article.

## Nearby sections

- [W. Va. Code § 30-18-1 §30-18-1. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S1.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 30-18-2 §30-18-2. Eligibility requirements for license to conduct the private investigation business.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S2.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 30-18-3 §30-18-3. Application requirements for a license to conduct the private investigation business.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S3.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 30-18-4 §30-18-4. Requirements for employees conducting the private investigation business under a firm license.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S4.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 30-18-5 §30-18-5. Eligibility requirements to be licensed to conduct security guard business.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S5.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 30-18-6 §30-18-6. Application requirements for a license to conduct security guard business.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S6.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 30-18-7 §30-18-7. Requirements for employees conducting security guard business under a firm license.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S7.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 30-18-8 §30-18-8. Prohibitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S8.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 30-18-9 §30-18-9. Renewal of license.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S9.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 30-18-10 §30-18-10. Authority of Secretary of State.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S10.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 30-18-11 §30-18-11. Penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S11.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 30-18-12 §30-18-12. Action for damages.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S12.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 30-18-13 §30-18-13. Disposition of fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C30_A18_S8. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.