How to Apply for a Private Investigator's License

The education and training required to become a private investigator depend on the state of residence. Colorado, Idaho and Mississippi do not require a license. South Dakota and Alaska require only a current business license. The cities and towns in Wyoming, city of Fairbanks, Alaska, and the cities of Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama, issue their own licenses. Many states allow individuals to work under a licensed P.I. without requiring each operator to obtain a license.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Security checks
• Bond
• Fingerprint card
• Letters of reference
• 2 portrait photographs
• Blank application
• Official form for experience or training
• Transcripts
• License fees
• State, city or county business license and fees

1. Locate the appropriate state office to apply for the license. Titles of official offices vary from state to state. Some states require applicants to submit through the Bureau of Licensing, Department of Professional Regulation, Administrative Services, Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Investigation, Licensing Division, State Police Licensing Unit, Office of Homeland Security, Council on Law Enforcement, Department of Commerce and Insurance or the Commission on Private Security, Law Enforcement Services, or the Armed Security Services.

2. Meet the state requirements for licensure. All states limit licenses to adults (individuals over 18 or 21 years). Many only license state residents and U.S. citizens. The license also requires that the applicant be "of sound mind." This requirement is met in a variety of ways. Some states require character reference forms from five to eight individuals; blood relatives and in-laws cannot be included as references.

3. Obtain transcripts or certificates for required coursework and training. Some states require an internship or a certain number of hours of experience to be completed before application. Official forms or affidavits are available as documentation that these requirements have been met. Many PI applicants have prior law enforcement experience that meets the state education and experience requirements. Official employment documents, or a letter from the supervisor, meet this standard in some states.

4. Obtain a criminal record check and be fingerprinted by an official state agency: some state agencies require an official FBI background check. States limit licenses to individuals with a clear criminal record. Most states require fingerprinting to be done on official state imprinted cards. Be sure to ask how to obtain a card before the day of the fingerprinting, since some cards are provided only online or from the application office. All states charge a fee for the printing procedure. The amount depends on the state and the type of prints taken, as a simple print card and an additional computerized file usually require additional fees. The exact amounts are available from the state website. Most law enforcement agencies will take prints, but usually hours and days are limited. Most fingerprint cards have a line for the personal signature, and some require one or two recent photographs to be attached to the fingerprint card.

5. Obtain an official application or print a copy from a website. Some states require a photograph to be submitted with the official application. It must be recent and adequately resemble the applicant's personal appearance.

6. Obtain bonding. Most states require private investigators to be bonded before a license will be issued. A copy of the bond must be attached to the application. All signatures for this process must be notarized.

7. Pass the required test. A small minority of states require passage of a written test before a license will be issued.

8. Pay the official fee. Most states require a non-refundable deposit and a fee that ranges from $150 to $600 for licensure to operate for one year.

Tips & Warnings

• It is advisable for private investigators in all states to join a professional organization. In states without licensing requirements, it is strongly advisable to join the statewide or national private investigator associations since clients will have no other way to evaluate credentials.
• If applying for an armed PI permit, some states require proof that the weapon is licensed and the operator has had firearms training resulting in proficiency certificates.

Resources

• General PI Career Information

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