Investigate our archives to find articles by veteran private investigators about cases they’ve worked, tech tools they love, and how they became PIs. It’s a great place to learn about the incredible variety of work they do, from surveillance to criminal defense investigations to adoption searches. In our virtual pages, you’ll learn about niche work and investigative techniques like OSINT, K9 evidence, and trash pulls. And at our YouTube channel, you’ll find a deep archive of webinar interviews with P.I.s who share their wisdom every month.
Scroll down to find basic information about the licensing statutes in your state and helpful links to regulatory agencies and PI associations. Many, but not all, states with licensure statutes also require continuing education. We have that! Check out our sister site, PI Education, to find courses approved in your state.
State licensing requirements are always changing, so think of this database as a starting point for your research and not the final word. The links for each state should lead you to more current and detailed information, including fees, applications to download, state laws, and license renewal schedules. Although statutes vary, most states that require licensure have a minimum age (usually 18 or 21, sometimes 25), will ask you to provide a photograph, proof of citizenship, and fingerprints (for a background check), and you’ll possibly need to pass an exam. Fees for the application, licensure, renewals, and background check vary widely.
A criminal record, history of drug abuse, or mental health issues may delay or preclude your licensure. Many statutes include language about “good moral character” and require personal references. Some states require previous investigative experience or education as well and may have separate agency and individual licensure. Several have entry-level employee registration or trainee licenses that let you work as an agency employee to gain the needed experience.
A private investigator license is required in Alabama. Applicants must be 21 and pass a written exam. Costs include application fee ($100) a fee for background checks ($37) and a $300 license fee every two years. Instructions and a checklist are here.
Alaska doesn’t require a P.I. license, but you’ll need a state business license to operate. Anchorage and Fairbanks have their own licensing requirements.
Anchorage requires an agency license.
Application: Anchorage Private Detective Agency ($100 fee every 2y)
Fairbanks requires a P.I. license, a city business license, liability insurance (a $10,000 surety bond), and a criminal history background check.
Regulatory agency: Fairbanks City Clerk
Application: Fairbanks Private Detective License (application fee $75; $400 license fee every 4y)
Arizona’s statutes require both individual P.I.s and agencies to be licensed. Applicants for a private investigator license must be 18 (qualifications here). An agency license is issued to the “Qualifying Party” (QP), who must be 21+ and show proof of three years of investigative experience.
You can work as a P.I. without the three years of experience if you register as an employee of a P.I. agency. Then you’d gain your three years as an apprentice before going solo.
Regulatory agency: Arizona Dept. of Public Safety (All the fees are listed here.)
AZ law: AZ ARS Title 32 (Go to Chapter 24 – PI Law)
PI association: AALPI (This site has an FAQ about licensure.)
Investigators in Arkansas must be licensed, and the state has reciprocal licensing agreements with TN, LA, and OK. Applicants need to be 21 and have two years of investigative experience in law enforcement or working for a P.I. firm before they can qualify for a P.I. license.
Regulatory agency: Arkansas State Police
Anyone conducting investigations in California must be licensed. To apply, you’ll need to be 18, pass an exam, and have three years of investigative experience or a degree in law or certain criminal justice topics, as specified at the BSIS site. The state also requires a license for a “Private Investigation Qualified Manager.” Each P.I. company license must have one person designated as the qualified manager. And a private investigator LLC must have a liability insurance policy — coverage limits depend on the number of managing members.
This site explains the process in detail and includes helpful checklists and fee schedules. Scoll to the bottom pages for applications and forms.
CA law: Information about Licensing – scroll down for application form ($340 application/exam fee & $385 license fee – $725 total)
Colorado’s private investigator licensure statutes have been in flux of late. The state enacted mandatory licensing in 2015, but that licensing program ended in summer of 2020 — and the legal battle rages on. For now, licensing is set to expire on August 31, 2021. Keep an eye on this, as it may change yet again. The PPIAC site posts frequent updates.
An investigator in Connecticut must be licensed. Connecticut statute 29-153 requires that any person or firm wishing to conduct business as a private detective or security service must first obtain a professional license. (This ruling defines that category in greater detail.) The requirements are tough: minimum age to apply is 25(!), and you’ll need 5 years of investigative experience at a minimum. The agency site has the details and a great checklist of what you’ll need to apply.
An investigator in Delaware must be licensed. Applicants need 5 years of investigative experience and must be employed by a private detective agency. (See this FAQ.) To apply for the initial P.I. license, you’ll fill out an employee application; there’s a separate procedure and application for an agency license. There’s a good checklist here that includes requirements and fees.
An investigator in Florida must be licensed. Florida has three categories of license: Class “C” is for a private investigator, Class “CC” for an intern, and “MA” for an agency manager.
“CC” intern applicants need 40 hours of training in Florida Ch. 493 statutes and investigative techniques. See requirements here.
Applicants for Class “C” need some combination of investigative experience, college coursework, or internship with an agency. This page explains the process in detail, and this pdf breaks down the exam requirements.
See requirements for an “MA” agency manager license here.
The Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies only issues investigative licenses to companies; the company license holder must be an owner, partner, or officer of the LLC or corporation who has the required qualifying experience or education. To work as a private investigator in Georgia without opening a company, you’ll need to get hired by a licensed agency and be registered as an employee — the hiring agency will submit an application for employee registration within 30 days of hiring you.
No matter what path you choose, every applicant (regardless of experience and qualifications) must successfully complete a 70-hour basic training course taught by a Board-approved instructor; you may attend Board-approved training classes on your own prior to being hired by a licensed company.
You’ll also have to pass a state exam to apply for a company license.
Still have questions? Go the Georgia Board of Private Investigator and Security Agencies website (link below) to find detailed checklists and requirements.
Applications: Employee Registration Forms (fee: $45; if armed, $70)
An investigator in Hawaii must obtain a license. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs regulate private investigators. You’ll need a high-school diploma or GED and four years of investigative experience in government, law enforcement, a law firm, or a private investigations agency to qualify. You can apply some training programs toward this experience. Exams are given monthly on Oahu.
You’ll find a list of requirements here (and at the application link below).
The state of Idaho does not have a license requirement for private investigators, but some cities have their own regulations. Among them are:
Pocatello The Private Investigator Association of Idaho is a good resource and also offers a Certified Private Investigator Program — a voluntary certification that proves you’ve studied the skills required to be a professional investigator.
An investigator in Illinois must be licensed. Applicants must be 21 and have 1 to 3 years of qualifying experience to be eligible to take the exam. Qualifying experience may include a combination of a relevant baccalaureate degree and full-time investigative experience for a corporation, government agency, the military, or a licensed investigations agency.
Which brings us to the famous PERC. All PIs need the Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) in order to work for a licensed detective agency. Within 30 days of employment (or before you’re hired), you must have completed 20 hours of basic training. This training may be completed in a classroom or online with a qualified instructor.
Regulatory agency: Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (Great page! Very organized & includes a study guide )
Applications: PERC Card ($55 fee)
An investigator in Indiana must be licensed. The licensing board requires two years (4,000 hours) of investigative experience or a criminal justice bachelor’s degree (details here).
Anyone operating a private investigation business in Iowa must be licensed. There’s no education, experience, or examination requirement. This FAQ explains the process.
An investigator in Kansas must be licensed. A licensed P.I. can work independently, but anyone wishing to operate a business employing other investigators needs an agency license.
KS law: Chapter 75. Article 7b & Regulations: Private Detective Act
In Kentucky, individual investigators must be licensed and must pass an examination (test fee: $156; study guide here). Anyone planning to run a private investigations company also needs to apply for a company private investigator license.
KY law: KRS 329A.010 to 329A.090 & Regulations: 201 KAR 41
Application: Private Investigator Company License (fees: $400 company license or $100 for sole proprietorship license and $33.25 for fingerprints & background check)
An investigator in Louisiana must be licensed; an examination and 40-hour approved training course (schedule here) is a prerequisite. A private investigation agency license requires three years of experience working in an investigative capacity. Three other levels of licensure issued are a private investigator license (for agency employees), an “apprentice license,” and a “private investigator journeyman license.” Fee schedule is $350 for agency licensure and $200 for private investigator or apprentice license.
A list of states with full and limited reciprocity agreements is here.
Applications: You’ll find all 4 application types at the LABPIE site.
An investigator in Maine must be licensed. The criteria to qualify are pretty stringent and include a high-school education plus varying combinations of apprenticeship, academic credit, and investigative experience — the options are outlined here. You’ll need to pass an exam, but the state may waive some of these prerequisites if you’ve held a license for 3+ years in another state with similar requirements.
An investigative assistant must be licensed and sponsored by a licensed investigator, and has to finish 1,200 hours of training to then qualify for the P.I. license.
Applications: Initial Application for Professional Investigator License (fees: $71 to apply; $450 when license is issued)
An investigator in the state of Maryland must be certified and employed by a sponsoring licensed agency. If you plan to open a business that provides private detective services, an agency license is also required. You can apply as an individual or as a firm. Experience requirements are here, and a fee schedule is here.
Regulatory agency: Maryland State Police
Applications: Download the form here. (Private Detective Agencies & Private Detective Certification applications are on the same form. You’ll need the latest Adobe Acrobat to open the PDF.)
An investigator in Massachusetts must be licensed. Requirements include 3y experience as an investigator or experience as a police officer or federal investigator. You’ll also need statements from “3 reputable citizens of Massachusetts” certifying that you are an honest and overall decent human.
Application: To apply online, go to the MSP Certification Licensing site to create an account and log in. ($550 fee)
PI association: Licensed Private Detectives Association of Massachusetts
Michigan requires licensure for private investigators. Minimum age is 25y, and prerequisites include a high-school education, 3 years of investigative experience or related higher-ed study (details here), and a $10,000 insurance policy.
Fees are a little steep — $750 for a corporation application.
An investigator in Minnesota must be licensed. Requirements include 6,000 hours of investigative employment experience and five references. Fees are high — $1,000 for an individual license, on up to $1,900 for a corp/LLC. See fee schedule here. And the application isn’t even free to download — you’ll have to send away for it and enclose a check or money order for $25. Minnesota doesn’t play.
Anyone whatsoever can operate as a P.I. in Mississippi — even felons, according to this 2015 Clarion-Ledger article by legendary investigative journo Jerry Mitchell. All you need is a business license in the city or county where you live or do business — at a cost of around $25,
Richard A. Brooks, past president of the MPIA, has long championed licensure. He lobbied hard for a 2015 bill (HB 713) to license and regulate MS PIs. It passed the state House but died in the Senate Judiciary Committee…RIP.
That means it falls to you to regulate yourself, learn the trade, and do business ethically. We recommend you join the MPIA and seek out colleagues — or better yet, a mentor — who can answer your questions about techniques, marketing, and investigative ethics.
In Missouri, a private investigator must be licensed, and anyone wishing to operate a firm that employs other investigators also needs an agency license. These are two separate applications. Applicants for the private investigator license must be 21 and show proof of $250K of business liability insurance and worker’s comp insurance. If you have investigative experience, you can include proof of your work history (e.g., references, copy of the business license, etc.). If you have little or no experience, that’s OK — the board director will review your application and decide whether you’re good to go or need to first pass a written exam ($80) to be approved for licensure.
Although you may apply for the individual and agency licenses simultaneously, the board will approve the individual license first, then review the agency license. This requires a separate application (and fee) and a physical address for your business. If you want to work for an agency, you’ll use the investigator employee application. That qualifies you to work for a specific agency. If you leave that agency, you’ll have to apply all over again for work for a different one.
You can find all the application instructions, applications, and other necessary forms on this page.
An investigator in Montana must be licensed. Applicants need to be 21, have a $500K commercial liability policy, pass a written exam, supply character references, and demonstrate a GED and the requisite combo of investigative experience (3y) and/or education — all prerequisites and required documents are detailed here.
Private investigator trainees also need a license. Applicants must be 18 and include with the application a commitment from a licensed PI to hire and supervise them. Requirements are here.
MT rules: ARM 24.182.5
Applications: Private Investigator, armed or unarmed ($250 fee; online app login is here.)
PI association: Montana Association of Private Investigators (no site)
Nebraska requires licensure for private investigators, private investigator agencies, and “plain-clothes investigators” (as defined here – in plain English, this latter term just means an agency employee without a full P.I. license).
Applicants must be 21 and “shall have such experience and competence in the detective business or otherwise as the secretary may determine to be reasonably necessary for the individual to perform the duties of his or her position in a manner consistent with the public interest and welfare.” What that entails, only the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Licensing Division knows. Basic requirements and fees are listed here.
Applications: Request them by phone, mail, or email from the Licensing Division at this site.
An investigator in Nevada needs a license. Applicants must be 21, pass a written exam, have a $200K insurance policy, and show 10,ooo hours of investigative experience “or the equivalent thereof, as determined by the Board.” (A related degree can count toward some of that experience.)
Requirements are listed here. If you plan to work for an agency, you’ll apply for a work card instead.
Some motivated soul put together a marvelous License Booklet here that explains everything rather well.
Application: Email Shelly at slancaster@pilb.nv.gov. Seriously.
New Hampshire requires licensing for individual private investigators, P.I. agencies, and agency employees. Applicants must be 18, and P.I. & agency applicants need a $50K (minimum) surety bond and 4y investigative experience or a related degree. (Employee applicants don’t need the experience or education prerequisites.)
Requirements and fees (for applications & background checks) are outlined succinctly here.
NH law: RSA 106-F
NH rules: Saf-C 2200
New Jersey requires private investigators to be licensed. Applicants must be 25 and have 5y of investigative experience. Expect a background and a credit check. To work for an agency, you’ll just need to register, fill out this employee statement, and submit fingerprints for a background check. Agencies must also submit a statement. There’s lots of good info (w/ links) here.
Private investigator agencies can file for business registration at business.nj.gov.
Application: Private Detective License ($250 fee)
New Mexico requires licensure … and it’s kinda complicated. Applicants must be 21, show 6,000 hours of recent investigative work experience, and have a $10K surety bond and $1m liability policy. Agency license applicants have to prove there’s a New Mexico licensed PI manager running a physical office in NM where records are kept on site. This manager needs a PI license and proof of employment at the agency (s)he is managing. Form links are here and fees are listed here.
NM rules: NMAC 16.48 – Private Law Enforcement Practitioners
Applications: Private Investigator License ($400 fee)
New York requires private investigators to be licensed. Applicants must be 25, be a principal in the business entity, pass a written exam, prove 3y investigative experience (or 20y LEO service), and have a $10K surety bond. Detailed requirements are listed here.
Application: Private Investigator License ($400 fee; $500 for a business license)
North Carolina private investigators must be licensed. Applicants need to be 18 and have five references and 3y relevant investigative experience — details are here and a checklist of required documents and fees is here. An investigative business (except a sole proprietorship) must have a business license issued by the Board.
Reciprocal agreements with these 7 states allow licensed P.I.s from those states to enter NC for a limited time to investigate cases that originate in their state.
Regulatory agency: NC Dept. of Public Safety – Private Protective Services Board
NC law: Chapter 74C. – Private Protective Services.
Application: Have documents ready, and then go here to start the application process. ($188 fees)
An investigator in North Dakota must be licensed. Applicants must be 18, pass an examination, and have a GED and 2,000 hours of experience as an investigative agency employee.
An investigator in North Dakota must be licensed. Applicants must be 18, pass an examination, and have a GED and 2,000 hours of experience as an investigative agency employee.
To employ other P.I.s, you’ll need an agency license, and the agency must have a qualifying agent who, in effect, calls the shots. Anyone who conducts investigations for an agency, but is not licensed, must register as an employee with the Board.
Applications: See fee schedule and download private investigator & agency license applications (and all other required documents) here.
Ohio requires private investigators to have “Class B” licenses. Applicants need 4,000 hours (2y) investigative experience, or equivalent experience in law enforcement or military police. A criminal justice degree can substitute for some of this experience. You’ll also have to pass an exam and have a “good reputation for integrity.”
Applications: Detailed instructions for applying for a license are here.
An investigator in Oklahoma must be licensed. Self-employed investigators must have an agency license; otherwise, you’ll need to be affiliated with an agency to apply. Applicants must be 18 (or 21, if armed). You’ll need to complete a two-phase (55h) CLEET training regimen (plus an additional training phase for an armed PI license) and pass a state exam. Agency license applicants need to maintain an Oklahoma place of business with a physical address and phone number, plus proof of liability insurance.
OK law & code: 59-1750.1. and Title 390, Ch 35
Application: Initial PI license application is here ($50, or $100 if armed); agency license application ($300) here.
An investigator in Oregon must be licensed. To qualify you’ll need to show proof of 1,500 hours of experience (some educational substitutions may apply) and take an examination through the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST). If you don’t ahve the requisite experience or education, you can apply for “provisional private investigator” instead. FYI: the fees don’t change.
The licensing fee is a little steep — $550, and you’ll also need a surety bond or E&O insurance to start an agency ($5,000 minimum). The DPSST site is straightforward and clear, with great FAQs and checklists in each category – new license, renewal, etc. All the forms are here.
OR rules & statutes: OAR 259-061 & ORS 703
You’ll need a license to work for yourself as a private investigator in Pennsylvania, although you don’t need one to work as a P.I. agency employee. Applicants must be 25 years old, have three years of investigative experience (as a P.I. or in law enforcement), and obtain a surety bond for $10,000.
License fees are $200 for an individual and $300 for a partnership or corporation. You’ll submit a written application/petition to the clerk of court in the county where you do business. To find application procedures, search the clerk of courts site in your county of business.
Application: See your county for petition guidelines.
An investigator in Rhode Island must be licensed. Applicants need five years of experience in law enforcement or working as a private detective OR have a criminal justice degree (or equivalent experience and training). To apply, contact the city or county where your principal place of business is located. Cost is $150 annually.
South Carolina requires private investigation companies to be licensed. There are separate applications to operate as a P.I. business and to register as an employee. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, have three years of experience as an investigator or in law enforcement, and post a $10,000 statutory bond.
The state is apparently sick of getting consumer complaints about contracts, so they’ve instituted some interesting requirements: investigative agencies must issue their clients written contracts that specify the fees, scope of work, and report to be provided. SLED offers guidelines, a checksheet, and a downloadable sample contract. SLED is also strongly in favor of written reports.
Links to forms, statutes, sample contracts, and an FAQ are here.
Applications: Company license ($350 fee); Employee registration ($350 fee)
There’s no license requirement to become a private investigator in South Dakota, but you’ll need a sales tax license with the Department of Revenue to operate a business there. Check on local ordinances in the city or county where you plan to operate before hanging a shingle.
An investigator in Tennessee must be licensed. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and pass a written test. A rule change in July of 2021 removed the requirement for P.I.s to be affiliated with an investigative agency, but applicants still have to document 2,000 hours of investigative experience or a year of related experience or education.
Requirements and application/licensure fee schedule are all here. In this video, a disembodied monotone voice walks you through how to apply for any kind of license on the state site.
An investigator in Texas must be licensed. You’ll need to either qualify as an agency manager or find a licensed agency to hire and train you. Agency managers must be 18+ and have at least three consecutive years of investigative experience (or a combination of relevant education and experience). You’ll then need to pass a manager’s exam and show proof of liability insurance.
To be hired as a private investigator, you must be at least 18 and meet the other requirements (no criminal history, etc.). These are laid out in detail at the TALI site. A fee schedule is here. The site also offers detailed instructions for filling out an individual license application and a company license application.
TX laws & regulations: 37 TAC Part 1, Chapter 35 & Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702 (See all statutes, rules, and legal updates at this site.)
Utah requires licensure for private investigators. Applicants must be at least 21 and legal residents of Utah. A “registrant” applicant needs at least 2,000 hours of investigative experience, and an “apprentice” just needs to work for a licensed PI agency. Both need a $10,000 surety bond. (fees: $143.25)
Applicants for an agency license need 5,000 hours of experience and a $500,000 bond. (fees: $243.25)
An investigator in Vermont must be licensed. Applicants to become a private investigator “qualifying agent” (i.e. the person responsible for a detective agency) need 2,000 hours experience in the two-year period before applying and must pass a written exam. To apply for an agency license, you’ll need to list a qualifying agent. All PIs employed by an agency must complete a Board-approved 40-hour training program.
Links to all forms and application instructions are here.
In Virginia, individual private investigators must be “registered,” businesses must be licensed, and compliance agents must be “certified” (more on this below). Applicants for the PI registration must be at least 18 and complete an 60-hour training course offered by a Certified VA DCJS training school. Registered private investigators must be affiliated with a licensed agency.
Requirements for the initial registration are listed here, and a fee schedule is here. To register as an individual PI or apply for a business license, create a user name, log in, and apply at this site.
This page explains how to apply for a PI business license. You’ll need to designate and certify a person as a compliance agent for the business. The PIAVA and VAPISA sites have useful overviews of all these thorny details.
Application: Initial registration ($39)
VA codes & statutes: VA Administrative code, Title 6. Agency 20, Chapter 174 & § 9.1-141 of the Code of Virginia
Investigators in Washington State must be licensed and be employed by a licensed PI firm. Requirements and fees vary for unarmed vs. armed licensure — all require a written exam.
This page guides you through applying for a business license through the Dept. of Revenue and the Private Investigative Agency Endorsement addendum to the business license application. Agency owners, partners, or qualifying agents must be at least 18 (or 21 if applying for “armed license”).
The WA Dept. of Licensing site wins a prize for thoroughness and clarity. You’ll find everything here: fee schedule, exam resources, an FAQ, and all relevant applications and forms. There’s even a helpful chat bot popup.
WA laws & rules: Links to all PI regs
An investigator in West Virginia must be licensed. Eligibility requirements include a minimum age of 18, five character references, and at least one year of experience and/or training in the areas listed here.
The agency site has great instruction pages to walk you through applying for an individual PI license (including a checklist and fees) and the PI firm license (which you’ll need if you plan to hire other investigators). To operate a firm, you’ll need a surety bond of $5,000 naming you, the applicant, as principal.
WV code: §30-18
Applications: Initial PI License (Fees are listed on the application.)
An investigator in Wisconsin must be licensed. Applicants must be 18+, have a high-school diploma or GED, and pass a written exam. You’ll need to apply under an existing licensed private detective agency or apply for your own agency license.
Steps in the application process are listed here.
Wyoming doesn’t require private investigator licensure. But some local jurisdictions may have their own regulations, or may require a business license. For example, Cheyenne has a special business license for detective agencies ($140).
