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Discuss private investigation licensing issues in our new Private Investigation Forum.

Private Investigator Licensing, Training, and Services

Following is guide to assist you in learning how to become a 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.

Overview of the Private Investigation Occupation

A 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 claims. Many private investigators are hired 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 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) is also required, 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 someone'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 absconding 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 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 and seedy 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 published a useful article in the 2004-2005 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook for Private Detectives and Investigators. The guide 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

• View a list of potential private investigator services

• View Private Investigator training courses and training books

• View a list of Private Investigator books in our book store

Getting Your Private Investigator License

Following is a state-by-state listing of contact information for obtaining your private investigator license.  Some states do not require a license specifically for private investigations, but they may require a business license.  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 being licensed in all states that you do business in.

Related Private Investigator Licensing Agencies:

• International Homicide Investigators Association

• National Association of Legal Investigators

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

• National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators