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How to Get a Private Investigator License (50 State Guide)

|Sandra von Eschenbach

Thinking about becoming a private investigator? Before you dive into surveillance work or background checks, it’s important to understand that licensing requirements vary widely across the U.S. Some states have strict guidelines and exams, while others don’t require a license at all. This guide breaks down what you need to know state by state so you can start your investigative career on the right foot.

General steps for obtaining a private investigator license

While licensing requirements vary by state, there are several common criteria that most applicants must meet to become a licensed private investigator in their given state.

Minimum age

Most states require applicants to be at least 18 or 21 years old, with 21 being the most common minimum. 

U.S. citizenship or legal residency

Applicants generally must be U.S. citizens or legal residents authorized to work in the United States.

Education

There is no universal education requirement; however, many states require a high school diploma or a GED. Some may substitute formal education (such as a degree in criminal justice) for a portion of the required experience.

Professional experience

Many states require applicants to have relevant investigative experience, which can include: 

Some states accept experience thresholds based on hours (e.g., 2,000–6,000 hours) or allow a combination of education and experience to qualify.

Background check

A criminal background check is almost always required. Most states disqualify applicants with felony convictions or crimes involving moral turpitude. Some may also consider recent misdemeanors or restraining orders.

Fingerprinting

Applicants are usually required to submit fingerprints for a state and/or FBI criminal history check and pay the associated fees.

Examination

Many states require private investigators to pass a licensing exam that tests their knowledge of state laws and regulations, surveillance techniques, report writing, and ethical conduct, including privacy laws. This ensures investigators understand both the legal boundaries and professional standards expected in the field.

Learn more: The Ultimate Guide to the Private Investigator Test by State

Liability insurance or surety bond

Some states require PIs to carry liability insurance or post a surety bond, often ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the scope of work.

Application and fees

Applicants must complete a formal license application and pay associated fees, which can range from $100 to $500 or more, depending on the state and license type.

Business license or agency registration

If the applicant plans to operate their own firm, they may need to apply for a separate business license or agency license and meet additional requirements, such as having a physical office location or appointing a qualified manager.

Learn more: How to Start a Private Investigation Agency 

Private investigator license requirements by state

Alabama

  • Regulatory board: Alabama Private Investigation Board (APIB)
  • Experience and training required: 
    • Standard license: 2 years investigative experience OR education including 120 hours field experience
    • Apprentice license: 40 hours of board-approved training and 260 supervised field hours under a licensed PI
  • Exam required: Yes
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: 16 hours every 2 years

View course: Alabama Investigator Apprentice Pre-Licensing Training

Learn more: How to Get Your PI Apprentice License in Alabama

Alaska

  • Regulatory board: Varies by city
  • Experience required: None
  • Exam required: No
  • Term of license: N/A
  • Renewal requirements: N/A

Arizona

  • Regulatory board: Arizona Department of Public Safety DPS
  • Experience required: Minimum 3 years full-time investigative experience or equivalent training
  • Exam required: No
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: Completed application

Arkansas

  • Regulatory board: Department of Arkansas State Police (ASP)
  • Experience required: 2 years investigative experience
  • Exam required: Yes
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: Completed application

View course: Arkansas Investigator State Exam Prep

California

Learn more: How to Become a Private Investigator in California

View course: California Private Investigator State Exam Prep

Colorado

  • Regulatory board: None - managed at the city level
  • Experience required: None
  • Exam required: Yes
  • Term of license: N/A
  • Renewal requirements: N/A

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Learn more: How To Become a Private Investigator in Florida | Types of Private Investigator Licenses in Florida Explained

View course: Florida Investigator CC Intern Pre-Licensing Course | Florida Investigator State Exam Prep

Georgia

Learn more: How to Become a Private Detective in Georgia

View courses: Georgia Private Detective Pre-Licensing Course | Georgia Investigator State Exam Prep

Hawaii

View course: Hawaii Investigator State Exam Prep

Idaho

  • Regulatory board: None - managed at the city level
  • Experience required: None
  • Exam required: No
  • Term of license: N/A
  • Renewal requirements: N/A

Learn more: How to Become a PI in Idaho

View course: Idaho Certified Private Investigator Program

Illinois

Note that PIs in Illinois must first obtain their PERC (Permanent Employee Registration Card) before applying for their private investigator license.

Learn more: How to Become a Private Investigator in Illinois

View course: Illinois Private Detective Basic Training

Indiana

  • Regulatory board: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
  • Experience required: 2 years investigative experience
  • Exam required: No
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: Complete application

Iowa

  • Regulatory board: Iowa Department of Public Safety
  • Experience required: None
  • Exam required: No
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: 12 hours continuing education

Kansas

  • Regulatory board: Kansas Attorney General’s Office
  • Experience required: None
  • Exam required: Yes
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: 12 hours of continuing education every 2 years

Kentucky

View course: Kentucky Investigator State Exam Prep

Louisiana

View course: Louisiana Investigator State Exam Prep

Maine

  • Regulatory board: Maine State Police Special Investigations Unit
  • Experience required: 3 years related experience OR have 60 academic credits from an investigative assistant sponsorship
  • Exam required: No
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: Completed application

Maryland 

Massachusetts 

Michigan 

Minnesota  

Learn more: How to Become a Private Investigator in Minnesota

View course: Minnesota Private Detective Pre Assignment Training

Mississippi

  • Regulatory board: None
  • Experience required: None
  • Exam required: No
  • Term of license: N/A
  • Renewal requirements: N/A

Missouri   

Learn more: How to Become a Private Investigator in Missouri (Licensing Explained)

View course: Missouri Investigator State Exam Prep

Montana   

  • Regulatory board: Montana Board of Private Security
  • Experience required: Minimum 5,400 hours investigative experience
    • 2,700 hours can be substituted with relevant education
  • Exam required: Yes
  • Term of license: 1 year
  • Renewal requirements: Completed application

Nebraska   

  • Regulatory board: Nebraska Secretary of State's Licensing Division
  • Experience required: 3,000 hours investigative experience OR 2,500 hours with related degree
  • Exam required: Yes
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: Completed application

Nevada   

  • Regulatory board: Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board (PILB)
  • Experience required: 5 years (10,000 hours) investigative experience
    • A portion of the experience can be fulfilled with a related degree
  • Exam required: Yes
  • Term of license: 1 year
  • Renewal requirements: Completed application

View course: Nevada Investigator State Exam Prep

New Hampshire   

  • Regulatory board: New Hampshire Division of State Police
  • Experience required (one of the following): 
    • 4 years investigative experience
    • 2 years investigative experience AND associated degree
    • 4 years employment at an investigative agency
    • 4 years full time firefighter experience
  • Exam required: No
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: Completed application

New Jersey 

New Mexico 

  • Regulatory board: New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department
  • Experience required: 6,000 hours of investigative experience
  • Exam required: Yes
  • Term of license: 3 years
  • Renewal requirements: 4 hours of continuing education a year

New York 

Learn more: How to Become a Private Investigator in New York

View course: New York Investigator State Exam Prep

North Carolina

  • Regulatory board: North Carolina Private Protective Services Board
  • Experience required: 3 years experience in security OR government agency
    • A portion of the experience can be fulfilled with a related degree
  • Exam required: No
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: 12 hours continuing education

North Dakota

Ohio

View course: Ohio Investigator State Exam Prep

Oklahoma

  • Regulatory board: Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET)
  • Training required: 
    • Phase I: 20 hours basic security training
    • Phase III: 35 hours private investigator training
  • Exam required: Yes
  • Term of license: 3 years
  • Renewal requirements: 16 hours continuing education per license period

Oregon

View course: Oregon Investigator State Exam Prep

Pennsylvania

  • Regulatory board: Court of Common Pleas - County Level
  • Experience required: 3 years investigative experience
  • Exam required: No
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: Completed application

Rhode Island 

  • Regulatory board: None - managed at the city level
  • Experience required: Varies by city
  • Exam required: No
  • Term of license: 1 year
  • Renewal requirements: Completed application

South Carolina

  • Regulatory board: South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
  • Experience required: 3 years investigative experience
    • A portion of the experience can be fulfilled with a related degree
  • Exam required: No
  • Term of license: 1 year
  • Renewal requirements: 12 hours of continuing education every two years

Learn more: South Carolina Code of Laws

South Dakota

  • Regulatory board: None
  • Experience required: None
  • Exam required: No
  • Term of license: N/A
  • Renewal requirements: N/A

Tennessee

Learn more: How to Get Your Tennessee Private Investigator License

View course: Tennessee Investigator State Exam Prep

Texas

  • Regulatory board: Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
  • Experience required: 3 years investigative experience
  • Exam required: Yes
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: Continuing education: 18 hours for PIs with fewer than 15 years of experience; 12 hours for PIs with more than 15 years of experience; and 8 hours for owners, partners, and shareholders.

View course: Texas Private Security State Exam Prep

Utah

Vermont

  • Regulatory board: Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR)
  • Pre-licensing hours: 40 hours for PI’s and 8 hours for employees
  • Experience required: 2 years investigative experience
  • Exam required: Yes
  • Term of license: 2 years
  • Renewal requirements: Completed application

Virginia

Washington

  • Regulatory board: Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL)
  • Experience and training required: 3 years investigative experience AND 4 hours of pre-assignment training
  • Exam required: Yes
  • Term of license: 1 year
  • Renewal requirements: Completed application

View course: Washington Investigator State Exam Prep

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

  • Regulatory board: None - managed at the city level
  • Experience required: None
  • Exam required: No
  • Term of license: N/A
  • Renewal requirements: N/A

Frequently asked questions about PI licensing

What if my state doesn’t require me to have a PI license?

Even if your state doesn’t require a PI license, it’s still important to have relevant training and investigative experience. Many clients look for private investigators with a background in law enforcement, security, or criminal justice. Completing coursework or certification programs can boost your credibility, help you work ethically within the law, and improve your chances of getting hired—especially in competitive or high-risk cases. Plus, some cities may still require a local business license or registration.

Looking for a way to boost your PI skills? Check out our on-demand investigative courses →

Can I work as a private investigator in multiple states?

Only if you meet the licensing or registration requirements in each state. Some states offer reciprocity, but most require separate applications.

Is there a national private investigator license?

No. PI licensing is handled at the state level (or local level in some states), and each jurisdiction sets its own standards and processes.

Can I become a PI without a law enforcement background?

Yes. While law enforcement experience is common, many states accept alternative experience or education. Some also allow entry-level licenses under supervision.

Do I need a separate license to carry a gun as a PI?

Yes. If allowed, it typically requires a firearms permit, additional training, and background checks in addition to your PI license.

Can I start my own PI agency right away?

Usually not. Most states require additional experience (e.g., 5,000 hours) and separate licensing or registration to operate a PI business or employ other investigators.

PI licensing made simple

Private investigation is a rewarding field, but it comes with serious responsibilities, and licensing is a key part of that. Whether your state requires a license or not, having proper training, experience, and a solid understanding of legal boundaries will set you up for success. 

At NITA, we make it easy to take the next steps. With dozens of online, on-demand courses, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence you need to launch or grow your investigative career—without the hassle. 

View private investigative courses from NITA →

View continuing education courses from NITA →

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