Private Investigation (PI) Course

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 Are you thinking about becoming a private investigator? Here’s the good news: It’s a much safer job than it might seem like on TV—private investigators rarely get into shootouts or car chases. The even better news is that it’s an interesting and viable way to make a living, with the potential for a solid salary and excellent job opening forecasts.

However, the smart first move is to learn how to be a private investigator, including the licensing requirements for the job. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a basic understanding of the most important requirements for becoming a private investigator, including how to get a Private Investigation Training. 

Private investigators work in many different environments doing many different tasks. Investigators tackle a such as:

• Surveilling people for evidence in civil proceedings, including divorce or child custody cases
• Locating missing individuals or property
• Checking someone’s background
• Investigating insurance claims for fraud
• Reinvestigating cold cases
• Serving legal papers

Anyone considering becoming a private investigator should consult their state’s licensing laws since many states require private investigators to have a state-issued license. Private investigators need to follow strict standards because their work often has significant legal and personal ramifications for other people. A state licensing process for private investigators ensures investigators can be held accountable to those standards.

Private investigator jobs usually don’t require a college degree. Most private investigator jobs essentially begin as apprenticeships, in which a senior investigator shows a trainee how to become a private investigator. However, many private investigators also get a degree in a subject like criminal justice, which can provide a good foundational understanding of the law and open doors to higher-level jobs in the industry.

In most states that require private investigator licenses, the process for how to get a private investigator license looks something like this:

1. Make sure that you meet the requirements for getting a private investigator’s license in your state. Typical requirements include being 18 or older, having a high school diploma, residing permanently in the state, and having a clean criminal record. In some states, you might also need proof of having completed additional training, such as private investigator classes. 
2. Check whether your state requires a a private investigation license In many states, you’ll need to pass an exam to certify that you have a basic knowledge of the law and private investigator ethics. Register for and take the exam if it’s required.
3. Apply to the office of the Secretary of State or the professional licensing department through which your state licenses private investigators. 
4. Obtain a private investigation certificate  in the coverage amount that the state requires and submit the bond paperwork to the state government. 
5. Wait to receive the state’s confirmation that your license application has been approved.