How to Get a Private Investigator License in Pennsylvania
Becoming a private investigator could be wise career decision if you have a predisposition toward investigative services or police work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of available jobs for private investigators should increase by about 22 percent from 2008 to 2018. The median salary of private investigators was $41,760 as of May 2008, according to the bureau. Some states require private investigators to be licensed. In the state of Pennsylvania, licensing is determined by a county judge in accordance with state law.
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Instructions
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Meet the requirements mandated by the state of Pennsylvania. According to the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas, you must be at least 25 years of age and have a minimum of three years of experience at a rank higher than that of a patrolman in a city police department. You can also qualify if you are already a member of the Pennsylvania State Police, an agent for a federal law enforcement agency like the FBI or a sheriff.
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Complete the necessary qualifications in order to qualify as a private investigator. If you have not worked in one of the necessary law enforcement capacities in order to qualify, you will need to seek employment until you have met the necessary qualifications. In order to work for a law enforcement agency, you usually need to complete at least two years of college courses, a physical fitness test, written examination and psychological evaluations, and pass a medical exam. You must also complete training at a designated training facility like a police academy.
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Submit an application along with any applicable application fees to the clerk of judicial records for your county. A copy of the application is then forwarded to the court administrator, who then files a certificate of service before scheduling a hearing through the district attorney's office.
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Contact the clerk of judicial records to obtain a fingerprint card and then set up an interview through the district attorney's office. A fee of $17.50 for fingerprinting was required as of 2010. Once a criminal records check has been completed, a hearing can be scheduled.
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Pay the appropriate licensing fee, which was $200 as of 2010. The licensing fee is good for the first two years that you hold the license. Once all fees and paperwork have been filed, the court clerk will send the application to a county judge who will the review the paperwork and approve your license. The license will be sent to you by the clerk of judicial records.
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