Sunday, May 15, 2011

How to become a Private Investigator in Wyoming?

Working as a private investigator in Wyoming does not require a license as a private investigator, although a private investigator in Wyoming is regulated by local jurisdictions. Hence, to become a private investigator in Wyoming, it's reasonable to define the type of investigations to specialize in, understand state statutes, laws and regulations that affect private investigators, purchase any necessary equipment and carry on the business. Some examples of investigative specializations in private investigators for Wyoming are workers compensation, personal injury defense, theft and pet detection, civil litigation, background investigations, etc.

First of all, decide which specialization best suits your background i.e. in which specialization will be able to work with more interest. Understand Wyoming Rules, laws and regulations that might affect private investigators.

To be successful private investigator in Wyoming you will have to be in company of private investigators in Wyoming. Hence, join an experienced private investigator in Wyoming. These private investigators will be a source for customers because many people contact them for investigative services and also beneficial for you as it will show your commitment towards your profession.

Start your own business either by joining experienced private investigators or your own private investigator agency. You will have to request for a business license for regulation your own private investigator agency. Purchase your equipments as necessary. The next step is then to market your business by advertising. Do create a website and blogs so that people may come to know of your profession. You can also follow other marketing ideas such as business cards, memberships in private investigator associations. Enroll your profession through online registration in private investigator sites such as Einvestigator.com and PImall.com. Here are some tips that will be helpful to you in tough times of your business.

Do follow Wyoming statutes in order to be a successful private investigator in Wyoming. Always keep a bird’s eye on the changes in laws, rules and regulations to carry out your work more effectively.

Statutes:
Wyoming Statutes

Friday, May 13, 2011

How to become a Private Investigator in West Virginia?

A Private Investigator in West Virginia needs to be licensed. Hence it is important for a person who wishes to work as a private investigator in West Virginia to possess a license issued by West Virginia Secretary of State Licensing Division. West Virginia does have some requirements to fulfill before you get a license as a private investigator. The basic requirement is that you must be at least 18 years of age. You must be a citizen of United States of America or an Alien legally entitled by law to carry on your business or work in United States.

You must be of good moral character and your previous private investigator license must not be revoked or denied by any state if you have applied for so. You will have to undergo through a thorough background check which scrutinizes your criminal as well as moral conduct history. Even you must not have been illegally using, carrying or possessing a pistol or other dangerous weapon, making or possessing burglar's instruments, buying or receiving stolen property, entering a building unlawfully, aiding an inmate's escape from prison, possessing or distributing illicit drugs, any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or for which dishonesty of character is a necessary element. For more eligibility requirements please refer here.

There are two types of licenses in the state of West Virginia, an Individual Private Investigator license as well as a Private Investigator Firm license. If you want to set up your own business individually, do prefer an individual license, else, you will have to go for a firm’s license. The next step is to get the application form and fingerprint cards. The fingerprint card must be official West Virginia fingerprint card. Approach your local police department or sheriff’s office and get your fingerprints. Do request them to have two sets of your fingerprint cards. Call (304) 558-8000 to request an application packet with the correct fingerprint cards. You can also get an application form for here. The form must be completely filled, duly signed and notarized.

Obtain a surety bond worth $2500 in your favor by a state certified insurance company. A power of attorney must be attached to the surety bond and your signature as principal and the agent’s signature must be notarized.

You will also have to submit five reference letter forms. Do get them from people who know you from last five years or more and who are not related to you by blood or marriage. Your application will be delayed and withheld for processing without these five reference letters.

Along with the application form do provide your training and experience documentary proofs. For some more information on documentary proof, please log on to http://www.sos.wv.gov/business-licensing/licensing/Pages/ApplyingforanindividualpiLicense.aspx. Do follow West Virginia rules and regulations if you want to become a successful private investigator in West Virginia.

Contact Information:
Website: http://www.sos.wv.gov/business-licensing/licensing/Pages/Licensing.aspx
West Virginia Secretary of State, Private Investigator & Security Guard Licensing, Building 1, Suite 157-K 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, West Virginia, United States, 25305
Phone: (304) 558-6000

Associations:
Private Investigators and Security Professionals of West Virginia

Fees: A $50 non-refundable processing fee is included in the fee. If your license is denied, the remainder will be refunded.
One-year license and processing fee for individual:
$150 West Virginia Resident
$550 Non-Resident of WV

Laws and Regulations: West Virginia Statutes

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

How to become Private Investigator in Vermont?

In order to work in Vermont as a private investigator, you need to possess a license issued by Vermont Board of Private Investigative and Armed Security Services Office of Professional Regulation. As a like every state has some licensing requirements the state of Vermont does so. The basic requirement to be a private investigator in Vermont is that you must be at least eighteen years of age and be legally entitled to conduct your business in United States of America. You will have to go through a thorough background criminal and moral check.

You have to complete 2,000 hours of practical experience in private investigation field in the three years immediately preceding application or 4,000 hours of practical experience in the three years immediately preceding application if you want to opt for qualifying agent as a combination of private investigative and security service.

Your next step is to fill the application form and request a license from Vermont Board of Private Investigative and Armed Security Services Office of Professional Regulation. The application form must be duly filled, signed and notarized. It must be submitted with all the relevant documents and fees. The application form is available for download here.

You will then have to attach a statement regarding Child Support, Taxes and Unemployment Compensation Contributions which must be signed and dated. Also, a character certificate is needed to be attached which is to be completed by the person who is providing your character reference. If you are requesting a firearm status, then, you have to provide training certificate by firearms training director. Do not forget attach your experience certificate duly certified by your employer under whose supervision you were working.

You then have to undergo an examination conducted by the state department at their board office in order to get your license hassle-free. This examination consists of objective, multiple choice questions and the applicant must be thoroughly familiar with the Vermont Statues and the Administrative Rules of the Board of Private Investigative and Security Services. If you fail this exam in first attempt, there is a restriction that you cannot reappear for examination more than twice during any twelve month period for the same license category. If you are opting for the Private Investigative Qualifying Agent’s examination, you should be thoroughly familiar with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Public Records in Vermont. General knowledge obtained in practical experience and studies is also tested which is quite necessary.

Please Note: - Please remember that Vermont does not have reciprocity to work with any other state.

Contact Information:
Email: pskinner@sec.state.vt.us
Board of Private Investigative and Armed Security Services Office of Professional Regulation, 109 State St., Montpelier, Vermont, United States, 05609-1101
Phone: (802) 828-2837

Associations:
Vermont Association of Licensed Detectives

Fees: Detective agency $250.00
Initial license $ 20.00
Application for employee registration :-
Unarmed registrants $ 50.00
Armed registrants $100.00
Transitory permits $ 50.00

Renewal Information: Biennial renewal
Detective agency $275.00
Unarmed registrants (agency employees) $ 80.00
Armed registrants (agency employees) $100.00
If an individual fails to renew in a timely manner, he or she may renew the license within 90 days of the renewal date by satisfying all the requirements for renewal and payment of an additional late renewal penalty.

Citation Statute:
Title 26: Chapter 59 Private Investigative and Security Services.
Website:
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/fullchapter.cfm?Title=26&Chapter=059

Sunday, May 8, 2011

How to become a Private Investigator in South Carolina?

The State of South Carolina allows a person to work as a private investigator only if he possesses a license issued by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The basic requirement is that you must be at least 18 years of age and be legally entitled to work in United States of America. You will have to undergo a thorough background check which scrutinizes your criminal and moral history. If found guilty, you will be disqualified from possessing a license.

You must have three years of practical experience in private investigation field. Also, you must be under the supervision of a licensed private investigator. If you have no experience in security, police or investigative work, your application will be denied.

The next step is to fill an application form (the disclosure of principal form and form PD/PS-9). The Disclosure of Principal Form is a statement signed by all people who exercise operational control of a company, and Form PD/PS-9 verifies the nature of the company. Have all three forms notarized and duly signed. Attach a statement verifying from count’s clerk that you have no civil judgments against you.

Then you have to insure yourself from a security bond from an insurance agency that is licensed to do business in South Carolina. Next step is to get fingerprinted from a local police station. You must request two fingerprint sets. Along with your two recent passport colored photograph, mail your completed application form to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. If you have any doubts regarding the licensing process please call Sled’s information number 803-737-9000.

Also, after you obtain a license, continuing education is also required. For more information on continuing education, please click here. South Carolina has reciprocity agreements with Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee.

Contact Information:
Website: http://www.sled.sc.gov/PI.aspx?MenuID=PI
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division C/o Regulatory Department, P.O. Box 21398, Columbia, South Carolina, United States, 29221
Phone: (803) 896-7014

Associations: South Carolina Association of Legal Investigators

Citation Statute:
48-18-20 through 48-18-150
Website: http://www.sled.sc.gov/documents/PI/pilaw.doc

Fees: $350.00
Renewal Information: $350.00 annually

Forms: http://www.sled.sc.gov/PIPrivate.aspx?MenuID=PI