What is the primary purpose of requiring a license for WGP agencies?

The primary purpose of requiring a license for Watch, Guard, or Patrol (WGP) agencies is to ensure compliance with state laws. Licensing helps establish a framework that dictates the legal and operational standards that agencies must follow, encompassing aspects such as employee qualifications, training requirements, and ethical practices. This regulatory oversight is crucial for maintaining public safety and trust in security services, as it holds agencies accountable to both state regulations and the expectations of the communities they serve.

In the context of this question, options like standardizing the hiring process or controlling operational costs may be secondary outcomes of licensing, but they do not encapsulate the primary intent. Licensing is not primarily about limiting competition; rather, it aims to ensure that all operating agencies maintain a baseline of quality and legality in their services, which ultimately benefits the public and the industry as a whole.