How to become a private investigator in Washington?

To become a private investigator in Washington, you have to get the necessary license which is provided by the Washington State Government and Licensing Board. The basic requirements for getting a license is that you must be at least 18 years of age and must a citizen of America or resident alien of united states. But in order to become an armed private investigator the age should be of 21 years. You must not be convicted of crime in any jurisdiction. The director could with held the license if your crime comes in any way in your work of investigation. Washington has four types of licenses: a Private investigator agency license, an unarmed private investigator license, an armed private investigator license, and a certified trainer license.

You have then to fill up the application form requesting for license. The form can be obtained from the Washington state department of licensing forms website. It should be fully filled and all the information mentioned in it should be correct. Along with the application form you will have to pay a licensing fee of $200 for unarmed private investigator license and $100 in addition to for armed private investigators license. Then you have you have to undergo a thorough background check. All applications to become an investigator should be approved by the department.

Mostly those belonging to military service undertake private investigation as a profession but it is not the requirement. Mostly those having degree in criminal justice and experience in law enforcement are generally proffered to be a prospective private investigator. It is also necessary that you have been employed or have an employment letter from a private investigator agency or it is necessary that you may be licensed as a private investigator agency.

You have to also submit a completely filled fingerprint card. You can take the help of sheriff or police department. The card should be of 10 digits. Submit a fully completed application that includes proper identification on a form prescribed by the director for each company of employment. You will have to submit two recent photographs. In addition, you will need to file and keep in force throughout the duration of your license a bond of no less than $5,000. A detailed structure on fees is available here.

State Government and Licensing Board conduct an examination in order to qualify you as a private investigator. For more information on exams please click here.

The gun laws do not allow the private investigator to carry a weapon but by meeting some of the requirements you can get the permission to have a weapon.
For more information please log on to http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/pi/

Contact Information:
Website: http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/pi/
Email: security@dol.wa.gov
Private Investigator Licensing Department of Licensing, PO Box 9048, Olympia, Washington, United States, 98507-9048
Phone: (360) 664-6611
Fax: (360) 570-7888

Citation Statute:
Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
Title 18: Businesses and Professions
Chapter 165: Private Investigators

Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
Title 308: Department of Licensing
Chapter 17: Private Investigative Agencies and Private Investigators

Revised Code of Washington (RCW)
Title 18: Businesses and Professions
Chapter 235: Uniform Regulation of Business and Professions Act

Website: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.165