FAQs for Service Providers
Answers to the top FAQs
FAQs
Not sure where to start? Check out our FAQs for answers to our most popular questions.
FlashlightNOW is the first online marketplace and business platform created to make it easy and enjoyable for new and existing customers to find, hire, schedule, and then pay you for services that you choose to offer in the marketplace. FlashlightNOW P.O.D. is a mobile application that licensed providers of security and protective services can use to deliver On Demand guarding and protective agent services.
Listed below are the family of providers and service types that customers are seeking to find and hire on the FlashlightNOW marketplace. We want your new and existing customers to have a delightful experience finding and hiring the verified, qualified providers of the services that keep us all safe and sound. If you are a provider of any of the following services, we were made for you!
- Licensed Security Companies and all related services.
- Licensed Private Investigative Companies and all related services.
- License Executive Protection Companies and all related services.
- Public Safety/Law Enforcement Training and Consulting Services.
- Emergency Management Training and Consulting Services
- Crisis/Critical Incident Response Training and consulting.
- Companies that provide the unique and special services like Drone Operators, K9 and Search and Rescue Services.
FlashlightNOW’s marketplace was built for your use and benefit. Our role is to create, manage and continuously improve the platforms that make it easy, beneficial, and enjoyable for you and your customers to do business. We will help you get more of what you want from your business.
No, we created FlashlightNOW to make it easier for new and existing customers to do business directly with you. We do not interfere with your business. Our marketplaces and software were designed to eliminate administrative hassles, save time, money, and make your customers happy and loyal to you. Your new and existing customers will enjoy the improved convenience, simplicity, and efficiencies. We will help you grow your top line, bottom line, and enterprise value. FlashlightNOW will never be a direct provider of services like yours and will never compete with you.
You get free, no obligation use of the online marketplace, cloud business apps, and if applicable, the On Demand protection and guarding mobile app and service. Membership to the first locations where you and your customers can feel confident that only legal and legitimate providers are allowed to do business. Some of the features and benefits include:
- Local and nationwide marketing presence and connection to new customer segments.
- Online web app and mobile app enabled marketplaces that connect you to customers both locally and nationwide.
- Azure cloud based custom business software that will streamline your administrative work, save you time, money, and delight your staff and customers.
- Mobile app enabled Protection and Security On Demand services that offer great margins along with flexible and convenient service options for your customers and work opportunities for your employees.
- Help with attracting and retaining qualified personnel
- Easy connection with fellow Providers on FlashlightNOW that you can collaborate with to take on bigger jobs and keep your staff busy and earning.
- A no initial cost platform to help you start a new business or open additional locations.
It only takes minutes to create your free account. When you create your account, you will also create your own public facing provider page that will appear in the marketplace. You can edit and update your account and provider page whenever you want. After you have created your account, you will need to set up your free Stripe account to both invoice and receive payment from customers. Our Customer Success team will then work to validate the information that you have provided and activate your account. Our Customer Success Team is available and happy to help answer any questions you have or assist you with the account creation process.
As a Provider of these regulated, licensed services must meet and maintain certain qualifications. These include:
- Possess the appropriate licenses for the states and areas where you operate and offer services.
- Following all relevant laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels for the delivery and performance of your services.
- Meet state requirements related to training of personnel, background checks, drug screenings, fingerprinting, pre-assignment, and refresher training.
- Bonded and insured as required by your area.
- You must immediately notify us if you no longer meet any of the above requirements.
When you create your account, our customer success team verifies valid licensure with your state board or licensing authority. We then perform periodic audits to make sure account holders are complying. Providers who do not possess or maintain valid licenses, or other standards will be excluded from joining, or deactivated from all FlashlightNOW platforms and marketplaces.
We take the safeguarding of your personal, business, and customer data very seriously. We use advanced technologies to ensure maximum security. Our platform operates on the secure Microsoft Azure Cloud platform and uses supporting software that have received the highest ratings for their security standards, business practices, and support. For instance:
- Our software host is Microsoft Azure Cloud services. This service enables and protects our software while guarding your information and data.
- We chose Stripe to facilitate, manage, and guard all payment operations and related data. Stripe is the global payment processing platform preferred by millions of people and companies. Stripe has achieved and maintains PC1 level security. The highest level of security in the payment card industry.
- We will never sell your information or data. Your information is only utilized within the system to offer you the best possible service. Please visit our data privacy policy for more information.
Consultants, trainers, and other skilled service providers like drone operators and K9 experts are qualified to deliver services because of an earned combination of experience, education, and certifications. They have developed a demonstrable expertise in one or more areas. We verify your advertised certifications prior to activating your free account. We then periodically review the certifications that you have listed on your provider account page.
To the founders of FlashlightNOW, values like integrity, honor, and service matter. It is evident in our personal and professional work histories. It is in our company DNA. We value your trust and satisfaction more than anything else. We do not use any tricks or gimmicks to get more money from you, or providers. We never impose paywalls, hidden fees, sell your data, require in-app purchases, or other methods that compromise your experience. We commit to you that we will work hard every day to create more value for you and your customers.
We have a simple and transparent business model that puts your needs and those of your customers first. We believe that we should only earn money when you and your customer have successfully connected and worked together. Our software automatically collects a small, fixed percentage-based fee of 10% when a customer pays and invoice that you have your created and sent from your confidential business dashboard and integrated Stripe account.
All payments are made to you via your integrated Stripe account, the worldwide payment processing platform for online businesses. Stripe is integrated into both you and your customers online web accounts and where applicable, the protection and guarding on demand platform.
Invoices generated by you and sent to customers via your online web account for scheduled services are made via ACH. Payments by customers using the On Demand Guarding and Protection are automatically calculated and charged to their pre validated credit card. We are in the process of enabling new Stripe features that will give customers more ways to pay you. with more flexibility.
Just a reminder, creating your Stripe account on FlashlightNOW is free and part of setting up your provider account. It is also free for your existing and future customers. Stripe has earned the highest PCI security certification and is used by millions of customers around the globe. Your payment data is encrypted and managed by Stripe.
FlashlightNOW is committed to keeping everyone’s information private and secure. We will never sell your information or data. Your information is only utilized within the system to offer you the best possible service.
We use technologies that are among the absolute best in existence. Our platform is built on cloud and software services that have earned the highest ratings for best security protocols, business practices, and support. All information and data are housed and guarded by Microsoft Azure cloud services. Stripe protects all payment processes and related data. Stripe is a PCI security level 1 global payment processing platform used by millions of companies and their customers worldwide.
For more information, please visit our data privacy policy here.

Photo courtesy of Homeland Executive Protection in Houston, Texas.
FAQs for FlashlightNOW's Protection On Demand App
Questions and answers specific to the FlashlightNOW Protection On Demand (FNPOD) mobile app for providers.
The FlashlightNOW P.O.D. app is the first and only mobile app and service to enable people, businesses, event organizers, and more to summon your licensed company’s designated security guards or protective agents for immediate, in person protection and/or security guarding. Your new ability to respond to the unplanned safety and security needs of customers will prevent dreadful things from happening to people, and all that matters to them. You will change the future!
The guards and agents are your verified employees.
When a customer uses their FlashlightNOW P.O.D. app, their service request is conveniently sent to the closest available guard or agent. Within seconds, your available guard/agent can use their mobile device to accept a request. When accepted, your guard/agent receives information about the client, nature of the request, mapping, and navigation. When your guard accepts job invite on their mobile device, the customer will instantly receive verified information on the P.O.D. including:
- The name of your licensed security guarding and/or protective agent company.
- Name and photo of your qualified guard/agent.
- Vehicle information and photo of license plate
- The estimated time of arrival as calculated by geolocation.
- Phone number and messaging feature within the app to communicate and share details about the job.
- Automated calculation and credit card payment to your bank account via Stripe immediately after the service event has been completed.
When you set up your provider account, you can choose whether your company wishes to participate in FlashlightNOW P.O.D. and designate which employee(s) will perform the service.
Consumers can use their mobile device to summon immediate assistance in any of the following five categories of service:
- Personal Safety Escorts
- Business Security
- Residential Security
- Place of Worship Security
- Special Event Security
The P.O.D. software identifies and assigns the guard or agent that is available and nearest to the customer’s service location. The invited guard must accept the request on their app before it is officially assigned. If the guard declines or does not respond to the offer, the software invites the next closest guard. When a guard accepts, the customer receives a notification that the guard is on the way along with an estimated time of arrival.
Protection On Demand is the only offering where the high value (to customers) and high margin (to you) pricing is set by FlashlightNOW. The purpose is to maintain the integrity, stability, value, and accessibility of the platform for all. All calculations and payments are automated and completed at the conclusion of the service. FlashlightNOW auto collects a small percentage-based fee as the customer's payment is electronically delivered to the Licensed Security Provider’s account.
Your employees work for you and should be paid in a manner that you have already established. However, we do require that guards performing On Demand receive a minimum of $20 per hour. As the platform host, we ask that you assign your highest performing employees and take advantage of the margins in P.O.D. to pay $20 or more. All other wage consideration is yours, including the decision to pay additional money to high performing employees. We encourage you to do so!
It depends on how close you Security Guard or Protective agent is to the requesting customer. Our software identifies and assigns the Security Guard that is available and nearest to the customer’s service location. The invited guard must accept the request on their app before it is officially assigned. If the guard declines or does not respond to the offer, the software invites the next closest guard. When a guard accepts, the customer receives a notification that the guard is on the way along with an estimated time of arrival.
Note: The guard and customer can text and/or call each other within the app. To protect privacy, the generates phone numbers for both the guard and customer that only work for that specific event.
Customers may select cancel within two minutes of placing the order. When the customer selects cancel, the protective agent will receive a cancellation notification. When the cancellation is acknowledged by the protective agent, the customer will receive notification that their order has been cancelled.
The software will automatically charge the customer account a nominal fee if they cancel two (2) or more minutes after the guard has accepted the order. The cancellation fee for personnel safety escorts is $10, and $20 for all other security guarding services.
The clock starts once a protective agent has arrived at the service location. When the service has concluded, the protective agent selects “end service” in their application and the clock stops. The payment method the customer provided is then automatically charged the appropriate amount.
FlashlightNOW encourages customers and providers to communicate directly and resolve any disputes amicably. However, if a dispute cannot be resolved, FlashlightNOW may investigate and take appropriate action. In the case of a dispute, customers may contact help@flashlightnow.com with a detailed explanation of the issue, including relevant order and service details. FlashlightNOW will review the complaint and investigate the matter to the best of its ability. The provider may be asked to provide additional information or evidence to support their side of the story. FlashlightNOW will make the final determination and take appropriate action, if necessary, which may include refunds or penalties against the provider's account.
FlashlightNOW is committed to creating a marketplace where only legitimate companies do business. Maintaining this standard will attract good customers and further promote the important services provided by true professionals.
Companies that create an account on FlashlightNOW must attest to and then maintain the following:
- Meet all applicable business credentials, qualifications, and licensing requirements set forth in the state and area in which you and your company are registered and/or in which you will provide services.
- Agree to follow all federal, state, and local jurisdictional laws and regulations as they relate to the delivery of all security, training, and consulting, private investigative, and/or executive and close protection services wherever you are legally authorized to provide those services.
- Follow all mandated requirements in the respective area in which you and your company operate as it relates to the hiring, onboarding, and training of personnel. Where applicable, this includes, but is not limited to, conducting pre-employment criminal and civil background checks, drug screenings, fingerprinting, and pre-assignment and refresher trainings.
- Comply with mandated regulations in your area regarding being bonded and insured.
- Agree that if you and/or your company are no longer able to attest to meeting the requirements of FlashlightNOW, or any others as required by law, you will immediately cease using the FlashlightNOW and FlashlightNOW Protection On Demand platforms and immediately notify FlashlightNOW of non-compliance.
Each state has different statutory requirements that providers of these services must meet to obtain and maintain licensure. Only providers that meet all requirements as described in state statutes, regulations, and/or local regulations, where these services are delivered, can do business on FlashlightNOW.
FlashlightNOW verifies that required license(s) are valid during the account creation process, and then performs periodic verification audits to ensure that the licenses are still valid. Failure to maintain valid license(s) will result in a provider’s suspension or removal from the FlashlightNOW marketplace. Allegations of gross or illegal misconduct may lead to the suspension of your account, referral to the state’s licensing board, and if criminal, referral to the proper law enforcement agency. Repeated and valid customer complaints may also result in the suspension and/or termination of the account.
Legal Requirements and Licensing for Providers
Questions and answer regarding the legal and licensing standards for all service providers on our FlashlightNOW platform.
FlashlightNOW is committed to creating a marketplace where only legitimate, law-abiding companies do business. Maintaining this standard will attract good customers and further promote the important services provided by true professionals.
Companies that create an account on FlashlightNOW must attest to and then maintain the following:
- Meet all applicable business, credentials, qualifications, and licensing requirements set forth in the state and jurisdiction in which you and your company are registered and/or in which you will provide services.
- Agree to follow all federal, state, and local jurisdictional laws and regulations as they relate to the delivery of all security, training, and consulting, private investigative, and/or executive and close protection services wherever you are legally authorized to provide those services.
- Follow all mandated requirements in the respective jurisdiction in which you and your company operate as it relates to the hiring, onboarding, and training of personnel. Where applicable, this includes, but is not limited to, conducting pre-employment criminal and civil background checks, drug screenings, fingerprinting, and pre-assignment and refresher trainings.
- Comply with mandated regulations in your jurisdiction regarding being bonded and insured.
- Agree that if you and/or your company are no longer able to attest to meeting the requirements of FlashlightNOW, or any others as required by law, you will immediately cease using the FlashlightNOW and FlashlightNOW Protection On Demand platforms and immediately notify FlashlightNOW of non-compliance.
- Each state has different statutory requirements that providers of these services must meet to obtain and maintain licensure. Only providers that meet all requirements as described in state statutes, regulations, and/or local regulations, where these services are delivered, can do business on FlashlightNOW.
- FlashlightNOW verifies that required license(s) are valid during the account creation process, and then performs periodic verification audits to ensure that the licenses are still valid. Failure to maintain valid license(s) will result in a provider’s suspension or removal from the FlashlightNOW marketplace. Allegations of gross or illegal misconduct may lead to the suspension of your account, referral to the state’s licensing board, and if criminal, referral to the proper law enforcement agency. Repeated and valid customer complaints may also result in the suspension and/or termination of the account.
Creating your free account only takes a few minutes. As you create your account, you also create your own public facing provider page that will appear in the marketplace. You can edit and update your account and provider page whenever you want. After you have created your account, you will need to set up your free Stripe account to receive payment from customers. Our customer success team will then quickly validate the information that you have provided and activate your account. Our team is available and happy to help answer any questions you have or assist in the account creation process.
You can find our full terms of service here.