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How To Become a Licensed Private Investigator
Private Investigator Licensing, Training, and Services
Following is guide to assist you in learning how to become a licensed private investigator. This reference guide
includes a state-by-state listing of contact information for obtaining a private investigators license, links to private investigator training
courses, a list of potential services you might provide as a private detective, and more.
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What is a Private Investigator?
A licensed private investigator, or PI, is a person who undertakes investigations, usually for a private citizen or
some other entity not involved with a government or police organization. Licensed Private Investigators often work for
attorneys in civil cases or on behalf of a defense
attorney. Many licensed private detectives work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious
or fraudulent insurance claims. Many private investigators are hired to obtain proof of adultery or other illegal conduct
to establish grounds for a divorce. Collecting evidence of
adultery or other bad behavior by spouses and
partners is still one of the most common and profitable activities that licensed
private investigators perform. |
Many jurisdictions require PIs, or private eyes, to be licensed, and they
may or may not carry firearms depending on local laws. Some investigators are ex-law
enforcement officers. Investigators typically keep detailed notes during each case and
often testify in court regarding their observations on behalf of their clients. Licensed private detectives take great care to remain within the law (e.g., being forbidden
to trespass on private property or break into homes) on pain of losing their licenses as well as facing criminal charges. Irregular
hours may also be required when performing surveillance work (e.g., outside
a subject's house during the early hours of the morning).
Private detectives also undertake a variety of work that is not usually associated
with the industry in the public's view. For example, many PIs are involved in process serving, the personal delivery of summons,
subpoenas and other legal documents to parties in a legal case. The tracing of debtors can also form a large part of a PIs work load. Many agencies
specialize in a particular field of expertise. For example, some PI agencies
deal only in skip tracing. Others may specialize in technical surveillance
countermeasures, which is the locating and dealing with unwanted forms of electronic surveillance (for example, a bugged boardroom for
industrial espionage purposes).
Increasingly, modern Private Investigators prefer to be known as "professional investigators" rather than
"private investigators" or "private detectives". This is a response to the
negative image that is sometimes attributed to the profession and an effort to establish and demonstrate the industry to be a
proper and respectable profession.The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes an article in the Occupational Outlook Handbook for Private
Detectives and Investigators, which describes the nature of private investigation work, working conditions,
qualifications, employment, training and advancement, earnings, job outlook, and related occupations. If you want to become a private detective,
this is a great place to begin.
Private Investigator Services, Training, and Reference Material
Getting Your Private Investigator License
Following is a state-by-state listing of contact information for obtaining
your private investigator license, or to find out if a private investigator is properly licensed. Also included are links to various state private
investigator associations, and a link to our Private Investigator directory for each state if you are interested in hiring a
private investigator.Some states do not require a license specifically for private investigations, but they may require a business license, or have
other legal requirements such as training or certifications. Many states also require that you pass a test to become a licensed private
investigator.
If you conduct business in more than one state, you may want to consider getting a private investigator license in all states that you do business in.
State Private Investigator Licensing Requirements
| Alabama No requirements. Business license may be required.
Alabama Private Investigators Association
For a list of Private Investigators in Alabama, see our
Alabama Private Investigator Directory |
| Alaska No requirements. Business license may be required.
Alaska Investigators Association
Hire a Private Investigator in Alaska |
| Arizona
Dept. of Public Safety, Licensing Division
Arizona State Law
Hire a Private Investigator in Arizona |
| Arkansas Arkansas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies
Hire a Private Investigation Agency in Arkansas |
| California Licensing Division, Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
California State Law
Hire a Private Investigator in California |
| Colorado No private investigator license requirements. Business license may be required.
Hire a Private Investigator in Colorado |
Connecticut
Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police
The Connecticut Association Of Licensed Private Investigators
Hire a Private Eye in Connecticut |
| Delaware
Detective Licensing, Delaware State Police
Hire a P.I. Firm in Delaware |
| Florida Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Florida Association of Licensed Investigators
Florida Association of Private Investigators
Hire a Private Investigator in Florida |
| Georgia
Georgia State Board of Private Security Agencies
Georgia Association of Professional Private Investigators
Hire a Private Detective in Georgia |
| Hawaii Board of Private Detectives & Guards
Hire a Private Investigator Agency in Hawaii |
| Idaho No private investigator license requirements. Business license may be required. |
| Illinois
Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation
Hire a Private Investigator in Illinois |
| Indiana
Private Detective Licensing Board
Find a P.I. in Indiana |
| Iowa Administrative Services Division, Iowa Department of Public Safety
See also: Iowa Association of Private Investigators
List of Private Detectives in Iowa |
| Kansas
Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Kansas Association of Private Investigators
Kansas Association of Licensed Investigators
Find a P.I. in Kansas |
| Kentucky
Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators
Kentucky Professional Investigators Association
Hire a Private Eye in Kentucky |
| Louisiana
Louisiana State Board of Private Investigators Examiners
Louisiana Private Investigators Association
List of Private Investigators for Hire in Louisiana |
| Maine State Police Licensing Division
Maine State Law
Maine Licensed Private Investigators Association
List of Private Detective Agencies in Maine |
| Maryland Maryland State Police, PI Licensing Division
Professional Investigators Alliance of Maryland
View a list of P.I.'s in Maryland |
| Massachusetts Massachusetts State Police
Special Licensing Unit
Licensed Private Detectives Association of Massachusetts
Massachusetts Private Investigator Directory |
| Michigan In Michigan, a license is required when engaging in the business of furnishing, for hire, fee or
reward, professional investigator or private detective services, including locating individuals and investigating damage or crimes.
Contact the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Commercial Services at (517) 241-8720 for licensure information or visit
the Michigan Private Investigator License website at www.michigan.gov/pi.
Visit Michigan Council of Private Investigators for more information.
Michigan Private Detective Directory |
| Minnesota
Department of Public Safety Private Detective & Protective Agent
Services Board
Minnesota State Law
State Private Investigator Association
List of Private Investigators in Minnesota |
| Mississippi No Private Investigator license is required by the State of Mississippi.
Mississippi Professional Investigators Association
Hire a Private Investigation Agency in Mississippi |
| Missouri
Board of Private Investigator Examiners
Missouri Association of Private Investigators
Hire a Private Investigation Firm in Missouri |
| Montana Board of Private Security Patrol Officers and Investigators
Find a Private Detective Firm in Montana |
| Nebraska
View the Nebraska Private Investigator Directory |
| Nevada
State law
Nevada Private Investigator Directory |
| New Hampshire State Police Division of Licenses and Permits
State Law
New Hampshire Private Investigators |
| New Jersey State Police Department of Law & Public Safety
New Jersey Licensed Private Investigator's Association
New Jersey Private Investigator Directory |
| New Mexico
New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
View a List of Private Investigation Firms in New Mexico |
| New York
Department of State Division of Licensing Services
State Law
Associated Licensed Detectives of New York State (ALDONYS)
Hire a Private Investigator in New York |
| North Carolina
Private Protective Services Board
State Private Investigator Association
North Carolina Private Investigator Directory |
North Dakota
Private Investigative & Security Board
North Dakota Private Investigator Directory |
| Ohio Ohio Department of Homeland Security
State Law
State Private Investigator Association
Ohio Investigator's Association
Ohio Private Investigator Directory |
| Oklahoma
Council on Law Enforcement Education & Training
State Law
Oklahoma State Private Investigator Association
Oklahoma Private Investigator Directory |
| Oregon
Department of Public Safety Standards and Training
State law
Oregon State Private Investigator Association
Oregon Private Investigator Directory |
| Pennsylvania |
State Private Investigator Association
Pennsylvania Private Investigator Directory
| Puerto Rico Policia De Puerto Rico |
Rhode Island
State of Rhode Island
State Law
Licensed Private Detectives Association of Rhode Island
Hire a Private Investigator in Rhode Island |
South Carolina
State Law Enforcement Division
State Private Investigator Association
South Carolina Private Investigator Directory |
| South Dakota No Private Investigator license is required, but a business license through Department of Revenue is
required.
State Revenue Offices
Hire a Private Investigator Agency Firm in South Dakota |
| Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance
Private Protective Services Division
State Private Investigator Association
Tennessee Private Investigator Directory |
| Texas
Texas Commission on Private Security
State Private Investigator Association
Hire a Private Detective in Texas |
| Utah Department of Public Safety & Law Enforcement Services
Bureau of Regulatory Licensing
State Law
State Private Investigator Association
Utah Private Eyes |
| Vermont Board of Private Investigative and Armed Security Services
Office of Professional Regulation
State Law
Find a Private Detective Firm in Vermont |
| Virginia Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Private Security Section
Private Investigators Association of Virginia
Private Investigator Agencies and Firms in Virginia |
| Washington Department of Licensing, Public Protection Unit
State Private Investigator Association
Private Investigation Agencies in Washington State |
| District of Columbia Security Officers Management Branch, Metro Police
Find a Private Investigator in Washington D.C. |
| West Virginia
Secretary of State - Private Investigator Licensing
Private Investigators in West Virginia |
Wisconsin
Department of Regulation & Licensing
View a List of Private Investigation Agencies in Wisconsin |
| Wyoming Local requirements
Wyoming Private Investigator Directory
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Related Private Investigator Licensing Agencies:
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