Being a private investigator in Florida is a thrilling, fast-paced, and rewarding career, and the demand for skilled investigators is high. If you’ve ever wondered about how to get your Florida private investigator license, you’ve come to the right place. In Florida, your licensure path will depend on your experience and determine whether you should pursue a Class CC Intern license or Class C license.
To become a private investigator in Florida, you must complete a 40-hour training course, work under a licensed investigator, and gain experience before qualifying for a full license. The process is regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and involves two main license levels. Without two years of investigative experience, you will apply for your Florida Class CC Intern license. If you already have at least two years of professional experience, you will apply for a Class C Independent Investigator license.
In this post, we’ll discuss the requirements to begin training as a private investigator and clearly outline the steps needed to become a licensed private investigator in Florida.
What does a private investigator do?
Private investigators are experienced, licensed civilians who are hired by lawyers, individuals, or organizations to research, document, conduct surveillance, or interview others regarding civil or legal matters.They assist others in these matters by gathering evidence in the form of photographs, video footage, recorded conversations, and more.
Private investigators must have keen observation skills, possess extraordinary patience, and maintain an analytical mind. Private investigators can find plentiful employment opportunities across both private and public sectors, covertly investigating everything from corporate fraud to domestic dishonesty.
Private investigators work in a variety of settings, including:
- Personal investigations
- Undercover and criminal investigations
- Crisis intervention
- Missing person investigations
- Retail loss and prevention
- Employee screening
- Personal protection
- Computer forensics
- Terrorism and intelligence
- Civil investigation
Classes of Florida private investigation licenses
In Florida, private investigation is organized into four classes of legal licenses that indicate your level of experience or role.
- Class CC is the first level of a Florida PI license and is given to inexperienced individuals (less than two years of professional experience) who have completed all training and sponsorship requirements to work for an agency in Florida.
- Class C is the standard license for practicing private investigators in Florida who have completed at least two years of investigative experience and passed a formal state examination.
- Class M is the license that a private investigation agency needs to legally facilitate private investigation in Florida.
- Class MA is required for managers of private investigative agencies in Florida to ensure they are qualified to lead.
Each license is issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and serves as a safeguard to ensure that all private investigations are performed ethically and legally.
Learn more about Florida PI licenses →
How to become a private investigator in Florida
The process of becoming a private investigator in Florida has many steps, but most are simple and straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide breaking down the trajectory to becoming a licensed PI:
Without two years of prior experience:
-
Meet basic eligibility requirements
You must be at least 18 years old, legally authorized to work in the U.S., and have no disqualifying criminal history. -
Complete a 40-hour Florida Class CC training course
This state-required course prepares you for entry into the field and is required before applying for your intern license. -
Secure sponsorship from a licensed private investigator or agency
You must be employed by (or have the intent to be employed by) a licensed Class C, M, or MA investigator. -
Apply for your Class CC Private Investigator Intern license
Submit your application, fingerprints, training documentation, and required fees to the state. -
Gain two years of investigative experience
Work under supervision to build the experience required for full licensure.
With two or more years of investigative experience:
-
Pass the state exam
Some applicants must pass a state-administered exam before advancing. -
Apply for your Class C Private Investigator license
Once qualified, you can apply to work independently as a licensed private investigator in Florida.
Meet the basic background requirements to become a private investigator in Florida
The legal requirements to become a private investigator vary from state to state. In fact, Florida is among the states that require all private investigators to become licensed. But before enrolling in private investigator courses or applying for Class CC or Class C licensure, you must first meet the basic requirements of a private investigator.
The following minimal background requirements are mandated by the state of Florida:
- You must be 18 years of age or older.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
- You must be legally allowed to work in Florida.
- You must not have any disqualifying criminal history.
- You must not have a history of mental illness, drug use, or alcoholism.
- You must be of good moral character.
If you meet the criteria to become a private investigator, you can continue the process.
How to get a Florida Class CC private investigative license
If you want to become a private investigator but don’t have any experience, your new career is only three simple steps away. Here’s how to get your initial license: the Florida Class CC Intern Private Investigative license.
Take a Florida private investigator training course (40 hours)
If you don’t have the two years of experience you need to secure a standard private investigator license, you can start by enrolling in the 40-hour Florida Private Investigator CC Intern Training Course that meets the State of Florida’s Division of Licensing requirement (F.S. 493). Upon completion of the 40-hour training, an approved training provider will fill out a proof of training certificate (FDACS Form #16062) to add to your application.
Do I have to take Florida private investigator training in person?
No, the required 40-hour course for Class CC private investigation interns is also offered through online classes you can complete at your own pace. NITA’s online Florida Class CC training makes it easy to meet Florida’s training requirements and get started in your private investigator career.
Be sponsored by a licensed private investigator
An applicant for a Class CC license must also be sponsored by a Class C, M, or MA licensee.
For your Florida CC Intern application, you need to have the intent to sponsor form (FDACS form #16026) completed and secure employment with a licensed Investigative Company in Florida that can fill out this form. Florida Class CC Intern licensing classifies you as a Private Investigator and allows you to gain experience during employment with a licensed private investigation agency.
Apply for a Class CC private investigative license in Florida
Once you’ve completed your 40 hour pre-licensing training and have employment with a licensed agency, you can complete your application for the Class CC license. As mentioned previously, you’ll need to include FDACS form #16062 as your proof of training, the intent to sponsor letter, a recent color photograph, a copy of your fingerprints, and any applicable fees. You’ll need to mail all of the above to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Licensing. Additionally, you can submit your application in person at any Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' regional office. Just make sure to schedule an appointment and most regional offices can complete your fingerprinting and take your color photo.
How to become a Florida Class C private investigator
You can become a Florida Class C private investigator after you gain two years of investigative experience. After obtaining the experience, you can apply for a Class license, pass the state exam and submit your PI application. Let’s break those steps down:
Step One: Have verifiable investigative experience
An applicant for the Class C Private Investigator License must have two years of lawfully gained, verifiable, full-time experience to qualify for the license. If you have two years of verifiable experience or have completed your two years of experience as a Florida CC Intern licensed Investigator, you can apply for a Class C Private Investigator License. As updated from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' website, this experience can be acquired through:
- Private investigative work or related fields of work that provided equivalent experience or training;
- College coursework related to criminal justice, criminology, or law enforcement administration, or successful completion of any law enforcement-related training received from any federal, state, county, or municipal agency, except that no more than one year may be used from this category; and
- Work as a Class CC licensed private investigator. This position is completed at a licensed private investigative agency.
If you have two years of verifiable investigative experience, then you can immediately apply for a Class C Private Investigator license. Prior to completing your application for the Class C license, you need to pass the state-administered exam.
Step Two: Pass the state-administered private investigator examination
With two years of full-time investigative experience, you then become eligible to take the state-administered exam for private investigator licensure in Florida. We recommend taking an exam prep course to make sure you are fully prepared for the exam and understand Florida’s legal guidelines and ethical expectations, as well as a review of state statutes and administrative codes. An exam prep course not only gives you an advantage when taking the exam but also provides more training and insight into being a private investigator.
Also, note if you have two years of experience from your Florida CC Intern licensure, you are not required to complete the state examination and can apply for the Florida C license once you have all of your progress reports submitted to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It is a common misconception that you must take both the 40-hour CC training course and the state exam.
Once you’re ready to take the exam, you can do so online or in person. The state of Florida has partnered with Prometric Inc. to proctor the examination. To register, you must call the Florida Public Inquiry Center at (850) 245-5300. A fee of $63 is required to take the exam. Once you pass the exam, Prometric Inc. will provide documentation that you passed (which is required for your licensure application).
Step Three: Apply for a Class C private investigator license in Florida
After passing the exam, you’ll then need to complete the application to become a Class C Private Investigator in Florida. In addition to the application, you must include a recent, passport-sized photo of yourself, a completed Affidavit of Experience (Form FDACS-16023), the certificate of completion, and your passing score on the exam, proof of completion of training/experience, a copy of your fingerprints, as well as any application fees. You’ll need to mail all of the above to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Licensing. Here, too, you can submit your application in person at a regional office where they can take your photo and complete your fingerprinting at the local office. Just remember to make an appointment!
Beginning your career as a licensed private investigator in Florida
Once you’ve passed your exam and your application has been approved, you can now begin practicing as a licensed private investigator in Florida. There are plentiful resources out there to help you find jobs and advance your career. You can join professional organizations that provide advocacy and networking opportunities for private investigators in Florida, like the Florida Association of Licensed Investigators or the Florida Association of Private Investigators. Additionally, there are online job boards available for private investigators to help you find the job of your dreams.
View NITA's Private Investigator & Security Job Board→
How long does it take to become a private investigator in Florida?
You can start working as a private investigator intern as soon as you apply for your Class CC license. Completing the 40-hour training course is the first step, but you are not licensed to work until you submit your application. After two years of investigative experience and passing a state exam, you can apply for a Class C private investigative license and become a fully licensed private investigator.
How much does it cost to become a private investigator in Florida?
In Florida, it currently costs $612.75 to become a Class CC private investigator and $302.75 to advance to a standard Class C private investigator. The first step in your PI career is acquiring two years of investigative experience as a PI intern with a Class CC license, after which you can then apply for your Class C license and begin practicing private investigation independently.
Class CC license costs
- Florida Investigator Intern Pre-Licensing Course (through NITA): $450
- Class CC license application fee: $50
- License fee: $60
- Fingerprinting fee: $0-40*
- Fingerprint processing fee: $42
- Fingerprint retention fee: $10.75
Total Class CC license cost:$612.75-652.75
Class C license costs
- Florida Investigator State Exam Prep (through NITA): $125
- State-administered exam: $63
- Class C license application fee: $50
- License fee: $75
- Fingerprinting fee: $0-40*
- Fingerprint processing fee: $42
- Fingerprint retention fee: $10.75
Total Class C license cost:$302.75-342.75
*Fee will vary by location and method
Note: Some application fees are waived for veterans or spouses of veterans in Florida.
How much does a private investigator make in Florida?
Private investigators in Florida currently make an average yearly salary ranging from $41,644 to $56,289. Salaries at individual companies in Florida range widely, and there is significant potential for growing your salary and expanding your professional opportunities through hands-on experience, specialization, and professional development.
What’s the best private investigator training in Florida?
When choosing your Florida private investigator training program, it’s essential to look for a provider that offers the full Florida Class CC Intern Training Course approved by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Not all programs are created equal: some offer only general investigative training or continuing professional development, and others may not meet the full legal training requirements set by the state.
How to Choose the Right Florida PI Training Program
Not all training options are structured the same way. Here’s what to consider:
1. Does it meet the full 40-hour requirement?
Florida requires a complete 40-hour training program for Class CC licensure. Some providers split this into multiple courses, which can slow down your progress.
2. Is the course flexible?
- Online, self-paced programs allow you to start immediately and learn on your schedule
- In-person programs may require fixed schedules and travel
3. Does the provider support your full career path?
Many providers only offer entry-level training. Look for programs that also include:
- Exam preparation
- Professional development and industry-related training
- Career development resources
4. Is the curriculum aligned with Florida law?
Training programs must cover Chapter 493 Florida Statutes and investigative procedures to qualify for licensure.
Here’s a comparison of some of the most well-known Florida PI training providers:
Why do students choose NITA for their PI licensing?
While multiple providers offer Florida PI training, many students prefer NITA because it offers:
- A complete 40-hour Class CC training course in one program
- Fully online, self-paced learning
- A clear path from entry-level training to exam prep to professional development
- Instruction from experienced professionals in the field
- State approved course curriculum that ensures compliance and thorough training
How NITA helps you launch your Florida private investigator career
Immersive, fully online Florida Class CC Intern training
The National Investigative Training Academy, Inc. (NITA) is currently the only training provider among these options that offers the complete 40-hour Florida Class CC Intern Training Course required to apply for your Class CC license. In addition, NITA provides a Class C Exam Prep Course to help you prepare for the state-administered exam when you're ready to upgrade your license. All courses are online and self-paced, so you can start and continue to develop your PI career on your own schedule, without sacrificing a high-quality education and professional introduction.
Dynamic continuing education and professional development
Class C Private Investigator licenses must be renewed every two years. NITA also offers a full online catalog of industry-related professional development to enhance it. With tailored online classes, you can renew your license and continue your private investigator training on your own time. NITA also offers expert professional development to help PIs sharpen their skills, expand their knowledge base, and become more competitive in the job market through specialization.
All of NITA’s online courses are taught by seasoned experts, so you can be sure you’re receiving the best training possible.
Proven online learning from NITA
The National Investigative Training Academy, Inc. (NITA), an online provider of state-approved private investigator training classes, offers a variety of resources that can help you decide if becoming a private investigator would be a positive career choice. Learn more by exploring our CC intern pre-licensing course or exploring our PI professional development courses.
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