Do you need a license to be a private investigator?
Whether you need a private investigator license depends on your state, and in some cases city or county. Licenses are often needed to pursue certain activities and use tools of the trade, such as record and database systems.
Be sure to research the law as penalties for noncompliance can be steep. For example, a Mississippi resident received payment in Texas as a private investigator. Although Mississippi doesn’t require industry-specific licenses to conduct private investigations, Texas does. The individual was found to be in violation of the Texas Occupations Code which prohibits private investigative services without a license. The man was charged with a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison and a $4,000 fine.
Meet state prerequisites
If you are applying for a private investigator’s license you must meet certain eligibility requirements. These may include:
- Minimum age: In most states, the minimum age for a private investigator is 18. In New York, it’s 25.
- Experience: Applicants must meet a minimum number of years and/or hours of relevant experience.
- Criminal justice degree: You may be able to skip the experience requirement if you have a criminal justice degree from a college or university accredited and recognized by the state.
- Personal history: States require that applicants for a private investigators license should not have received a criminal conviction or be found to be incompetent by a court due to mental disease or defect.
- Military history: You cannot receive a license if you’ve been dishonorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces.
Fulfill state licensing requirements
Most states require private detectives and investigators to have a license. Licensing requirements and eligibility prerequisites vary by state but may include the following:
- A private investigator examination
- Fingerprint screening
- Credit report
- Criminal check. You may need to undergo an FBI background check
- A surety bond
- Liability insurance
Basic business licenses and state business entity registrations may also apply.
Is there state reciprocity for private investigator agency licenses?
There are some instances when a private investigator may work in another state without obtaining that state’s license. These are limited exceptions, and, in most cases, the agency and agents should obtain the state license.
Some states do have reciprocal licensing agreements. These allow currently licensed private investigators to come into the state for a specific period of time. For example, North Carolina has reciprocal agreements that allow currently licensed private investigators from states to come into North Carolina for a specific period (30 days maximum, except for Tennessee, which is 15 days) to work a case that originated in their home state. Likewise, licensed North Carolina investigators may enter that state to work a case originating there. Investigations exceeding the time limits must be handled by a private investigator licensed in the state.
If you intend to operate in the state on a longer-term or permanent basis, you will likely need to obtain that state’s license. The licensing process can take four weeks to three months, depending on the review by the state agency and the complexity of the application.
Common requirements include proof of insurance, surety bonds, and a detailed business plan. Individual investigators and owners of the company must often provide fingerprints, photos, references, and employment history so that the state may run a background check.
How to become a private investigator
In addition to obtaining the appropriate licenses, follow these steps to becoming a private investigator:
