How to Become a Private Investigator

Private investigators are contractors who gather information for the clients they are employed with. They offer a variety of services, from background checks to finding missing persons to investigating claims of infidelity. Some private investigators choose to specialize in one field of P.I. work such as cybercrime, while others may offer a more generalized service. Most private investigators will work for private investigation agencies, but some will operate as independent operators running their own practice. Private investigators work with both public sector clients and private sector clients. The majority (78%) of private investigators work with law firms and attorneys during their career, fewer (55%) work with individuals, and fewer still (41%) work with private companies with smaller percentages working for insurance firms (37%) and corporations (35%).

The population of private investigators consists of individuals who come from a number of backgrounds. That being said, most private investigators are ex-law enforcement officials or ex-military officers who have retired after 20-25 years of service and have taken up the profession. Most private investigators hold a license, which allows them to conduct investigations and surveillance, and each state has different licensure requirements for becoming a private investigator. But some states like Alabama do not have a license requirement. In such states, however, some of their cities and jurisdictions will require that private investigators hold a license in order to do P.I. work.

Since the licensing process varies from state to state, anyone wishing to become a private investigator must first check the licensing requirements of the state they live in. It should be noted, however, that though the requirements for becoming a private investigator varies from state to state, the process is similar.

Private investigators must have at least a high school diploma, but educational requirement depends on the type of work a private investigator will be doing. Some types of P.I work may require that the private investigator possesses a bachelor’s degree. For instance, computer forensics investigators must have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or criminal justice to do their work. Another requirement, which varies from state to state, is that of age. States require that all individuals interested in becoming a private investigator be at least 21 or 25 years old. You must also be a U.S citizen, must not have been dishonorably discharged from the military, and have no felony convictions or misdemeanors.

Candidates are also required to have previous working experience. Experience may come from being previously employed as a director of security for a company, a law enforcement officer, a military officer, a paralegal, director for a licensed security service, or a claims investigator. All states allow their candidates to substitute education for work experience. For instance, having a degree in criminal justice may account for two years of experience in some states.

As stated before, some states require that candidates obtain a license before becoming a practicing private investigator. Candidates in those states must file for a state license. They must then take and pass state jurisprudence examinations before they are given a license. And although certification is not required, some candidates may choose to become certified through a professional organization. This shows employers that they are competent at their trade and oftentimes allow private investigators to advance their careers.

Some states allow private investigators to carry firearms. In those states, any private investigator wishing to carry a firearm must first receive firearms training from an accredited institution.