(a) Except as provided under subsection (b) of this section, an individual shall be certified by the Secretary as a private detective before the individual personally may provide any private detective service in the State.

(b) An individual who is not certified as a private detective may provide private detective services in the State if:

(1) the individual is employed by or has applied for employment with a licensed private detective agency;

(2) the licensed private detective agency has submitted to the Secretary the application of the individual for certification as a private detective, fingerprint cards, and fees required under § 13-403 of this subtitle;

(3) after a preliminary background investigation, the Secretary determines that the provision of private detective services by the individual would not result in a potential threat to public safety; and

(4) the Secretary has not denied the application.