How to Obtain Private Investigator Training for a License in Texas
Training as a private investigator can be found in a variety of locations; offered by detective agencies or private security companies, or even in your living room. A private investigator undertakes investigative services for individuals or companies that are not government or law enforcement. Online coursework that meets the requirements for the Texas Department of Public Safety will usually also include an application to the department so that you can become registered and can then find work as an investigator with a company.
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Things You'll Need
- Private investigation training course, online or given by an accredited training school.
Instructions
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Know Where to Look
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Contact vocational schools and detective agencies in your phone book or online to find a well-recommended training course. Be sure that where you receive training is a qualified school. This can be done by contacting the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS) Private Security Section headquarters in Austin, TX at 512- 424-2000. Once one is selected, enroll in the course.
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The training will encompass many areas of investigation. Training will center on the gathering of information from a variety of sources; public records, Internet searches, government offices and many specialized databases, many which are subscription based or pay for search. Domestic and adultery issues provide a large amount of work for private investigation companies and this is another area covered in training.
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Learn all that you can and read materials in addition to the class studies. Surveillance will be an area that training will include. Criminal aspects of investigation will be involved as well. Read more about all aspects of investigation. Determining if there has been a crime and searching for missing persons as well as fraud investigation are valuable areas of study.
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After completion of the course, submit an application to the TDPS. They will conduct a background check. Fingerprint cards can be attained by contacting their office or the state police. Submit fingerprints that are collected by a trained fingerprint intake officer. Send the fingerprints to the the TDPS with your application and the applicable fee.
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If approved, the department will provide you with a letter of commission as a security officer. Take this letter to the driver's license office and receive your ID card. Now you can be hired by a Licensed Private Investigation Business. You must, however, only work for a company that employs you. You cannot work as a private contractor without a business license.
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References
Resources
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