PPO License

[black knife]

Who here has a PPO license? What are the advantages of having one and what does it take to get one?

[Geo]

It allows you to employ others. But remember Black you need insurance. Which in Ca is expensive.

[black knife]

It allows you to employ others. But remember Black you need insurance. Which in Ca is expensive.

So it is better to work for others?....less stressful

[Local Talent]

A PPO also allows you to sub(contract) for other PPOs, meaning that you'll work for yourself as an independent contractor and market/bill your services directly to companies. They'll get the contracts - you'll do the work.
You'll have to buy your own health insurance and pay in full your social contributions and taxes, but you won't have to hustle to get clients and you'll get more money (employers save by being able to circumvent labor laws, which they can only do legally if you're a PPO yourself). And having your own business has tax advantages.
So subbing can be a step toward running your own show while you get all your ducks in a row to start a full-on company.

There'd be a lot to say about all this (like the fact that most companies will be afraid that you'll "steal" their clients once they know you're licensed), but the real question, only you can answer: do you prefer the "stress" of going out there and making your own way to the one of being at the mercy of bosses handing out their own policies, favoritisms, etc.? Are you a leader or a follower?
Some guys bitch all the time about how clients should be handled, or how the job should be done, or how they should get the cushy assignments, and keep taking this song from employer to employer. I say either you accept that you work for somebody else and it's gonna be on their terms, or you go fly solo and make the rules.

Bottom line is: if you're simply looking to make more money, a PPO is not going to be the miracle cure - being the best agent possible and marketing yourself aggressively is.
The PPO status will naturally present itself to you as clients request your services directly and you feel it's time for you to own your professional life (by becoming self-employed).

[Lone Wolf]

Well said LT.. I believe you are right. I pretty much work for myself however I have found a loophole within the Florida Statutes to do so.. It isnt easy but hey it works. I work when I want how and where I want to the majority of the time. I havent been able to quite justify a full blown company of my own, yet every day that starts a new is just one day closer to that day... Meaning I think about retiring almost every day but I just dont see that happening.. HMMM that sucks but hey it is what it is...

Back on subject..
There are both pros and cons to opening your own agency...

[Local Talent]

There are both pros and cons to opening your own agency...
I agree, the minimum legal requirements (license & insurance) have been addressed here, but it's actually more of a lifestyle question that no one can really answer for you, I feel.

And when you prepare for the PPO test, you'll realize that running a company goes beyond the professional issues we all know. You'll have to be up on your labor laws, in particular, and preferably have some business training.

Some guys cannot work for anybody else and have lots of drive and ambition, while others are perfectly content to go where told and to only collect a share of the contract's take.
I'm personally on the fence as I'm not a good salesman or very aggressive, but have been around too long already to blindly follow orders and policies that I know to make no sense. I have subbed before and am working on doing it again - it's a good middle ground in my view: more independence and pride, but I still don't have to go out there to market my services or deal with employer/employee headaches.

[Local Talent]

Wanted to add something about the insurance rates, since Black Knife and I have been discussing this via PM and it can be of interest to all: PPO insurance is required by the BSIS with a minimum coverage of $1M ($500,000 for one loss due to bodily injury or death, and $500,000 for one loss due to injury or destruction of property). They state it's if armed personnel are employed, but don't say anything about unarmed services. For bodyguarding... count on a $1M policy.
The potential liability coming from the use of firearms probably explains why PPOs are so expensive to ensure, compared to PIs for example.

And BSIS FAQs can be found here: http://www.bsis.ca.gov/customer_service/faqs/ppo.shtml

[Lone Wolf]

Ive looked into it both in Florida and in Cali and I gotta say its expensive regardless of where you are... Florida isnt to far behind the requirements for Cali Florida requires a min of $300K and honestly if you have less than $500K most potential clients wont look at you or even take time to talk to you...