STATES' REQUIREMENTS FOR

PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR

(DETECTIVE) LICENSING

Private Investigation Sites & Resources

Government Resources 

Become a Private Investigator or Detective

Warning Signs of Covert Eavesdropping or Bugging

*Types of Wiretaps, Bugs and Methods

What are the licensing or certification requirements for private investigators?

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?

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.

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.