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Become a Private Investigator or Detective
What is a private investigator?
Private investigators and detectives, using techniques such as surveillance, searches, interviews, and background checks, gather evidence and verify facts about individuals or companies.
What do investigators and detectives do?
Private detectives and investigators may provide assistance in civil liability and personal injury cases, insurance claims and fraud, child custody and protection cases, martial infidelity cases and premarital screening. They also offer pre-employment verification and executive, corporate, and celebrity protection. Detectives may make phone calls or visit a subject's workplace to verify facts. In missing persons and background check cases, investigators often interview people to gather as much information as possible about an individual.
What kind of training will I need to become a private investigator or detective?
While there are no academic requirements for this field, a two-year associate’s program or a four-year bachelor's program in a criminal justice-related area is helpful to aspiring private detectives and investigators. Most corporate investigators must have a bachelor's degree and some corporate investigators have master's degrees in business administration or law. Corporate investigators hired by large companies may receive formal training from their employers on business practices, management structure, and various finance-related topics.
Where can I earn my criminal justice degree?
You can earn your degree online through one of these nationally recognized, fully accredited schools.
Online/Distance Programs
Bachelor's
Criminal Justice Studies
Bachelor's
Criminal Justice
Associate's | Bachelor's
Criminal Justice, Paralegal, Public Administration
Associate's | Bachelor's
Administration of Criminal Justice, Corrections, Law & Society, Law & Public Safety
Associate's | Bachelor's | Master's
Criminal Justice, Paralegal
Certificate | Associate's | Bachelor's | 2+2 Bachelor's
Criminal Justice, Crime Scene Technology, Terrorism and National Security Mgmt
Certificate | Associate's | Bachelor's | 2+2 Bachelor's
Paralegal
Bachelor's
Criminal Justice Administration
Online Bachelor's
Criminal Justice
Online Master's
Forensic Science
Master's
Justice Administration
Online Master's
Criminal Justice
Master's
Criminal Justice
Associate's | Bachelor's
Criminal Justice Administration, General Studies
Bachelor's | Master's | MBA
Economic Crime Investigation, Economic Crime Management, MBA in Fraud Management
You can also earn your degree on-campus.
What are the licensing or certification requirements for private investigators?
Most states require private detectives and investigators to be licensed. Requirements vary widely, but convicted felons cannot receive a license. In California, detectives and investigators must be at least 18 years of age; have a combination of education in police science, criminal law, or justice, and three years (6,000 hours) of investigative experience; pass an evaluation by the Federal Department of Justice and a criminal history background check; pass a state examination covering laws and regulations; and meet requirements for a firearms permit.
There are many organizations that certify investigators. The National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI) confers the title Certified Legal Investigator to licensed investigators who specialize in negligence or criminal defense investigation and meet experience, education, and continuing training requirements.
What is the salary range for private investigators and detectives?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, salaries of detectives and investigators ranged between $20,040 and $38,240. According to a study by Abbott, Langer & Associates, security/loss prevention directors and vice presidents had a median income of $77,500 per year in 2000; investigators, $39,800; and store detectives, $25,000.
How do I get started with my career as a private investigator?
First, find schools with programs that interest you. Then, request info from the departments to get started on your new career.
Browse Featured Criminal Justice Schools.
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