In many states, passing the private investigator test is a requirement to begin your new career. In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the private investigator test in order to prepare you for what’s to come. We'll take a look at questions that candidates may encounter and provide guidance on how you can prepare for the test ahead of time.
What is the Private Investigator Test?
Nationwide, there is no standardized private investigator test that applies universally. However, many states around the country require applicants to pass a written examination as part of the licensing process.
The requirements for becoming a licensed private investigator, including the need to take a test, vary state by state. Currently, twenty-three states have an exam as part of the license process. Each test has a unique set of questions specific to that state’s laws and regulations.
What to Expect on the Private Investigative Test
In general, private investigative tests are given in a multiple-choice format. However, you should still have a strong working knowledge of various rules, regulations, and laws relevant to the PI industry. Here are a few examples of questions and concepts that you’ll likely need to know for the private investigative test in your state.
Legal Knowledge
- What is the legal definition of surveillance, and under what circumstances is it permissible?
- Explain the concept of reasonable expectation of privacy.
- List the key elements required for obtaining a search warrant.
Investigative Techniques
- Describe the process of conducting a background check on an individual.
- How do you gather information from witnesses without compromising the investigation?
- Explain the importance of maintaining accurate and detailed case notes.
Ethics and Professional Conduct
- Provide examples of ethical dilemmas that a private investigator may face and how they should be handled.
- What are the potential consequences of engaging in unethical behavior as a private investigator?
- How do you maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information?
Surveillance and Observation
- Describe the principles of effective surveillance.
- What precautions should be taken to avoid detection during surveillance?
- Explain the importance of documenting time, date, and location during surveillance operations.
Learn more: 9 Surveillance Techniques for Private Investigators
Interviewing Skills
- Outline the steps you would take when interviewing a potential witness.
- How do you handle uncooperative or hostile interviewees?
- What techniques can be employed to detect deception during an interview?
Learn more: How to Conduct an Investigative Interview
Report Writing
- Provide a sample format for a comprehensive investigative report.
- How do you ensure clarity and objectivity in your investigative reports?
- Explain the significance of accurate and timely reporting in the investigative process.
Learn more: Expert’s Guide to Writing Investigative Reports
Technology and Equipment
- What types of surveillance equipment are commonly used by private investigators?
- How can digital forensics be applied in an investigation?
- Describe the legal and ethical considerations when using technology in investigations.
Laws and Regulations
- Familiarize yourself with local, state, and federal laws relevant to private investigations.
- What are the restrictions on obtaining and using personal information in an investigation?
- How do privacy laws impact the work of a private investigator?
Details About Each Private Investigative Test Per State
See below for details about the private investigator tests in each state.
Alabama Private Investigator Test
The Alabama Private Investigation Board (APIB) requires applicants to pass an exam to become a licensed private investigator in the state.
Exam Length: One hour
Exam Fee: $100
Passing Score: 75%
If you don’t pass the initial test, you can apply for reexamination with APIB without having to pay the $100 fee again. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the Alabama Private Investigator test.
Prepare for the test with our Alabama Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
Arkansas Private Investigator Test
The Arkansas Department of Public Safety oversees the private investigator exam for prospective PIs in the state.
Exam Length: 100 questions
Exam Fee: $500 (included in license application)
Passing Score: 70%
You’ll need to pay a reexamination fee of $50 if you do not pass the initial exam. If the examination is not successfully completed after two (2) attempts, the pending application will be canceled. In the event of cancellation, the applicant must submit a new application and is obligated to pay the necessary application fees.
Prepare for the test with our Arkansas Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
California Private Investigator Test
The California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) requires individuals to pass a written examination to become a licensed private investigator. The exam covers California laws and regulations, terminology, civil and criminal liability, evidence handling, undercover investigations, and surveillance. There are five versions of the test administered at random, so applicants should be familiar with all possible questions.
Exam Length: Two hours
Exam Fee: $340 (with application)
Passing Score: 75%
If you don’t pass the PI test, you can submit an application to retake the exam and submit the reapplication fee ($60).
Prepare for the test with our California Private Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
Florida Private Investigator Test
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services oversees PIs in the state and requires a written examination for licensure as a private investigator. The exam includes questions about Florida law directly related to the private investigative industry, as well as the legal obligations of both individuals and agencies operating within this sector.
Exam Length: Two hours
Exam Fee: $63
Passing Score: 70%
You can retake the Florida PI exam if you don’t pass the initial test. However, you must pay the $63 exam fee again.
Prepare for the test with our Florida Private Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
Learn more: How To Become a Private Investigator in Florida
Georgia Private Investigator Test
The Georgia Board of Private Detectives and Security Agencies mandates prospective PIs pass an exam as part of the licensing process for individuals wishing to open their own private investigative company. The test includes questions related to Georgia laws, observation and surveillance, gun safety, evidence, interviews and interrogations, and more.
Exam Length: 90 minutes
Exam Fee: $125
Passing Score: 80%
Prepare for the test with our Georgia Private Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
Learn more: How to Become a Private Detective in Georgia
Hawaii Private Investigator Test
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs oversees private investigators and mandates applicants must pass an exam before receiving licensure in the state. Tests are given once a month on Oahu.
Exam Length: unknown
Exam Fee: $50
Passing Score: 75%
If you fail the test twice in a row, you cannot retake the test until 90 days after the last test of the exam period.
Prepare for the test with our Hawaii Private Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
Illinois Private Investigator Test
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation requires applicants to pass an examination as part of the private investigator licensing process.
Exam Length: 90 minutes
Exam Fee: $298.00
Passing Score: 70%
Learn more: How to Become a Private Investigator in Illinois
Kansas Private Investigator Test
The Kansas Attorney General’s Office oversees licensing for private investigators in the state. PIs are required to pass a private investigator test before being eligible to legally work within the state.
Exam Length: 20 questions
Exam Fee: $250 (included as part of application fee)
Passing Score: 90% (18 questions)
The test consists of five true or false questions, five fill-in-the-blank questions, and ten multiple-choice questions. To successfully pass, you need to answer 18 out of the 20 questions correctly. If you fail the first test, you must retake the exam within thirty days of the first test. If you fail the second test, you must retake the third test within thirty days of the second test. If you fail all three, you must wait one year before reapplying for a PI license in Kansas.
Kentucky Private Investigator Test
The Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators requires prospective PIs to pass an examination in order to receive licensure in the state. Examinees receive a scaled score between 150-300, with 260 or higher being a passing score.
Exam Length: unknown
Exam Fee: $156
Passing Score: 260
Prepare for the test with our Kentucky Private Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
Louisiana Private Investigator Test
The Louisiana State Board of Private Investigators oversees the licensure of PIs in the state and requires them to pass an exam.
Exam Length: unknown
Exam Fee: $50
Passing Score: 75%
Prospective PIs can retake the exam after 30 days of the initial test. They must pay a $25 reexamination fee.
Prepare for the test with our Louisiana Private Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
Missouri Private Investigator Test
The Division of Professional Registration oversees the licensure of PIs in Missouri and requires them to pass an exam in order to receive licensure in the state. The exam consists of 100 questions: 50 on Missouri statutes, 25 on rules for private investigators, and 25 on general investigative practices.
Exam Length: Two hours
Exam Fee: $80
Passing Score: 70%
Prepare for the test with our Missouri Private Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
Montana Private Investigator Test
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry oversees the licensure of private investigators in the state. Prospective PIs are required to pass an examination in order to receive licensure. The test consists of specific Montana laws and regulations that relate to the private investigative industry.
Exam Length: 80 questions
Exam Fee: $20
Passing Score: 70%
Nevada Private Investigator Test
The State of Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board oversees licensing for Nevada private investigators. The Nevada PI test consists of 100 questions and is a mix of true/false, multiple choice, and fill-in-the-blank questions.
Exam Length: 2 hours
Exam Fee: $100
Passing Score: 75%
Prepare for the test with our Nevada Private Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
New Mexico Private Investigator Test
Prospective private investigators in New Mexico must pass a jurisprudence exam in order to receive their PI license. There is no time limit to taking the test–you can simply print the test at home and submit it with your PI application.
Exam Length: 23 questions
Exam Fee: $100
Passing Score: unknown
New York Private Investigator Test
The New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, requires applicants to pass a written examination to become licensed as a private investigator. The exam is multiple choice and covers topics like investigative techniques, report writing, New York criminal law, and more. Results are valid up to two years after you take the test.
Exam Length: 2.5 hours
Exam Fee: $15
Passing Score: pass/fail
Prepare for the test with our New York Private Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
North Dakota Private Investigator Test
The North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board oversees licensing for PIs in the state and requires them to pass an exam as part of the licensing process. The tests are administered on an individual basis once the application process has been completed and requirements are met.
Exam Length: 150 questions
Exam Fee: $100
Passing Score: pass/fail
Oklahoma Private Investigator Test
The Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training requires prospective PIs to pass an exam in order to become licensed in the state.
Exam Length: unknown
Exam Fee: $25
Passing Score: 70%
Oregon Private Investigator Test
The Oregon Department of Public Safety oversees the licensure of PIs in the state and requires applicants to pass an exam as part of the licensing process. The test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and is completed online.
Exam Length: 50 questions
Exam Fee: none (included in application fee)
Passing Score: 86%
Prepare for the test with our Oregon Private Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
Tennessee Private Investigator Test
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance oversees the licensure of private investigators in the state and requires applicants pass an examination. Prospective PIs can take the test online through PSI Services, LLC.
Exam Length: 2 hours
Exam Fee: $140
Passing Score: 70%
Prepare for the test with our Tennessee Private Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
Texas Private Investigator Test
The Texas Department of Public Safety regulates private investigators, and candidates must pass an exam as part of the licensing process. The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions. You can retake the test as many times as you need to within your 90-day application window.
Exam Length: Two hours
Exam Fee: $100 re-exam fee
Passing Score: 70%
Prepare for the test with our Texas Private Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
Learn more: How to Become a Private Investigator in Texas →
Vermont Private Investigator Test
The Office of Professional Regulation oversees the licensure of PIs in the state of Vermont. Applicants are required to pass a jurisprudence exam as part of the application process.
Exam Length: 20 questions
Exam Fee: none
Passing Score: 14 correct answers
Washington Private Investigator Test
The Washington State Department of Licensing requires applicants to pass a private investigator exam in order to receive their license. The test is administered online.
The Washington state private investigator exam covers:
- (45%) Washington law on private investigators, encompassing privacy, campaign finance, the Washington criminal code, etc.
- (30%) Federal laws, including the Federal Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, Federal Wiretapping Act, etc.
- (7.5%) Court systems, involving questions on the Judiciary, Judiciary procedures, etc.
- (10%) Legal procedures and definitions, with questions on the Washington State criminal code, civil procedures, evidence, etc.
- (7.5%) Other public information resources, including the Code Reviser’s office, worldwide locator, computer databases, and pertinent Federal and state laws on the internet.
Exam Length: unknown
Exam Fee: $25
Passing Score: 85%
Prepare for the test with our Washington Private Investigator State Exam Prep Course →
Wisconsin Private Investigator Test
The Department of Safety and Professional Services in Wisconsin requires applicants pass a private investigator examination in order to receive licensure in the state. The test consists of state statutes and administrative code chapters specific to the investigative industry.
Your private investigator test results are good for one year, so you should try to complete the entire licensing process within that year. Otherwise, you’ll need to retake the test again. You may take the exam as many times as you want, but you will need to pay a $75 re-exam fee each time.
Exam Length: unknown
Exam Fee: $127
Passing Score: 84%
Frequently Asked Questions About the PI Test
Here are some commonly asked questions about the private investigator test.
How Much Does it Cost to Take the PI Test?
The exam fee for the PI test ranges between $100-$500, depending on the state. You’ll need to check with the specific organization that oversees PI licensing in your state.
How Long is the PI Test?
The PI exam is usually timed between one and two hours. Some states have longer, more comprehensive exams than others. For example, the California private investigator test has five versions with 150 questions each and has a time limit of two hours.
Where Do You Take the PI Test?
In general, most PI exams are conducted at in-person testing sites across the state. States will usually partner with third-party testing organizations that coordinate the tests.
What is a Passing Score on the PI Test?
Each state has its own criteria for what a passing score is on the PI test. However, passing scores are generally in the 70-80% range, meaning prospective private detectives need to answer over two-thirds of the questions correctly in order to pass.
Can You Retake the PI Test if You Fail?
Yes, most states allow prospective PIs to retake the test, though you’ll likely need to pay the exam fee each time you retake the test. Some states, like Arkansas, have a limit on the number of times you can retake the test before you must restart the application process.
Decoding the Private Investigator Test
Many states require applicants to pass a private investigator test in order to become licensed PIs in the state. The good news is that you’re not on your own when it comes to preparing for the test. At NITA, we offer several state exam prep courses for prospective PIs to take to better prepare them for the private investigator test in their state. These courses greatly increase your odds of passing the test and also enhance your knowledge of the PI industry. What’s not to love?
Browse all Investigator Test Prep Courses from NITA →
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