Private investigators (or professional investigators) conduct investigations for individuals, attorneys, insurance companies and other groups. There is no formal training required to become a private investigator, though some may have a degree in criminal justice. Many private investigators are former police officers or government agents. The majority of states require private investigators to have a license.
Function
Licensing requirements ensure that private investigators meet the minimum educational and training requirements needed to enter the profession.
Geography
Of the 50 states, 43 require private investigators to have a license.
The ones that do require a license are: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Seven states--Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri and South Dakota--do not require private investigators to have a license.
Types
Some private investigators may seek out additional certifications. For example, the National Association of Legal Investigators offers a Certified Legal Investigator program.
Considerations
In all states, private investigators are required to meet additional licensing and permit requirements to carry a firearm or concealed weapon.
Fun Fact
In New York state, private investigators must be at least 25 years old, have passed a private investigator exam and have 3 years of experience to be licensed officially by the state.
Famous Ties
The Pinkerton National Detective Agency, founded in 1850, once had more agents than the U.S. Army and helped to track down criminals like Jesse James and Butch Cassidy.
