How to Become a Private Investigator in Dallas, Texas

The application process for becoming a private investigator requires the submission of fingerprints.

Private investigation is a regulated private security service. Private security service in the state of Texas is supervised by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Those working in the field must be registered and then employed by a license-holding business. An individual or entity holding a license as a private investigation business can register employees, or investigators, to perform regulated tasks in the private security field.

Instructions

1. Train in a school that meets the Texas Public Safety Department's (DPS) required curriculum. Courses are offered by many trade schools and colleges.

2. Send an application for licensure to the DPS. The application form may be provided by your trainers, but is also available on the DPS website at txdps.state.tx.us/psb/. You need to submit a copy of your fingerprints along with your application in order that the DPS could perform a criminal background check on you. Upon approval of your application, DPS will register you as a Commissioned Security Officer, and provide you with an identification card (ID). With this registration, you can be hired, and work for a licensed private investigation company.

3. Apply for a position as private investigator in different detective agencies, or Private Investigation (PI) firms. PI firms are companies that hold a private investigation business license issued by the DPS. They can also register employees as "Investigators" through the department as part of the application process for the job. An applicant can only do investigative work for a licensed company.

4. Train with the company that you work for. Different agencies may have different specializations and you can gain valuable knowledge from them.

5. Join a Private Investigators' Association. This will advance your trade knowledge and facilitate your advancement through such groups. Most have an annual due or fee. A good organization to join is the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators (TALI). Other professionals in the field form a community that is a pillar in the industry. Success depends on networking with other professionals.

Tips & Warnings

• You must always have your ID while working as a private investigator. If you do not have the ID while working then you may suffer a penalty, and possibly lose your commission.

• A registered security commission through the DPS is not a business license. You should be hired by a company to work as an investigator. In order to be a freelance private investigator, you must have your own business license.

References

• Texas Department of Public Safety
• Texas association of Licensed Investigators
• Texas Administrative Code; Chapter 35; "Private Security"