Private Investigator Guidelines for Virginia
Private investigators are hired by civilians and organizations alike to perform investigations related to missing persons, claims of adultery, and insurance fraud cases. Private investigators work in the field of law enforcement but do not work for police departments or law enforcement agencies. As a result, they must follow the guidelines of the states in which they operate. In Virginia, these guidelines regulate the terms by which individuals can become private investigators.
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Eligibility Guidelines
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In order to become a private investigator in the state of Virginia, an individual must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. Additionally, individuals must be United States citizens or legal resident aliens. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services also mandates that all applicants for private investigation licenses must register with the department and complete its application along with submitting fingerprinting cards and the application fee, which is nonrefundable. Temporary registrations for as long as two years as a private investigator may be issued until training and additional application forms are required.
Training Guidelines
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Several schools in the state of Virgina offer the 60 hours of training that is necessary for private investigators to become licensed. The Criminal Justice and Security Institute of Virginia, Stingray Enterprises, Alliance Criminal Justice Academy and the American Millennium Program are a few of the schools that provide this training. Under Virginia law, private investigators are required to learn the following: criminal law and due process, interviewing, research, and surveillance techniques and strategies, photography and reporting, and the various types of investigation (accident, insurance, employment, etc). Training must be completed within the two-year temporary registration period.
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Additional Application Guidelines
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Most private investigators carry firearms in their daily operations. As such, the state of Virginia requires that private investigators satisfy the guidelines noted in the Firearms Endorsement. To begin, private investigators must be trained in basic handgun use and shotgun use. After training, private investigators are required to complete the Firearms Endorsement application. Other forms, such as the Criminal History Supplemental Form, must be completed if private investigators have a record of felony convictions or a military court-martial. Finally, those who have completed training in previous years or have prior law enforcement experience may waive part of their training requirement by completing and filing the Partial Training Exemption Application.
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