How to become a private investigator in New Mexico?

In order to become a private investigator in New Mexico you have to fulfill the requirements of that state. New Mexico has many requirements for providing the license to become a private investigator. You have to fill the application form requesting the license from the Bureau of Private Investigators and New Mexico Polygraph Advisory Board. The application form is available at http://www.rld.state.nm.us/PrivateInvestigations/forms.html. The basic thing is you must be at least 21 years of age and should attach the proof of age along with your application.

The application form must be complete, signed and provide all the correct information regarding applicant's name, address, phone number, birth date, Social Security number, sex, height, weight, eye color and hair color. You have to attach two current colored passport size photos to the application form.

You will have to complete two fingerprint cards, in addition to the documents listed above. Fingerprints must be on Regulation and Licensing Department/Private Investigations Advisory Board coded fingerprint cards. To obtain those cards, please contact RLD at (505) 476-4650 and they will be mailed to you, or, you may go to the office located at the Toney Anaya Building, 2550 Cerrillos Road, Second Floor, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Complete the card with signature, date of birth, place of birth, height, weight, social security number and license type. Fingerprints must be taken under the supervision of and certified by a New Mexico state police officer, a county sheriff, a municipal chief of police or by comparable officers in the applicant’s state of residence if the applicant is not a resident of New Mexico or a RLD approved private agency or individual. You will have to pay $44 fingerprints fee in favor of “NM Department of Public Safety”.

You must have at least three years of experience in investigative work in past five years. A thorough background check is conducted by the F.B.I to check your criminal history.

You have to truthfully answer the questions as whether you have ever used a name other than the name in which you are applying and certain other questions of this criterion.

Also, you need to pass written examination conducted by the administration. An examination fee for the first attempt is $50. In case, you did not qualify the exam, you have to pay $75 as second attempt fees and subsequent exams. Licenses need to be renewed by June 30th of every odd-numbered year for a fee of $100.

Complete all the above formalities and send your application form along with application fees $100.You will have to follow the rules and regulations of New Mexico. Please click here to know about it.

Contact Information:
Private Investigations Advisory Board,
550 Cerrillos Rd.,
Santa Fe,
NM 87505
Fax Number: (505) 476-4615
Email Address: PIPolygraphBd@state.nm.us

How to become Private Investigator in Nevada?

The basic requirement to become a private investigator in Nevada is that you should be at least 21 years of age. You may be a citizen of United States or must be lawfully entitled to carry out your profession in United States. State of Nevada will not allow you to work legally until you possess a license under Nevada Private Investigating Licensing Board. You must undergo thorough criminal background check through Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Nevada Highway patrol.

You must have five years of investigating experience totaling 10000 hours i.e. 2000 hours each year. An associate’s degree in Police Science or Criminal Justice is the equivalent of 8 months or 1,333 hours, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science or Criminal Justice is the equivalent of 18 months or 3000 hours of experience. If you do not have any experience in private investigation; still don’t be upset, choose a private investigator that will sponsor you. You will get some help here.

You will have to fill State Investigators license application form. You need a passport size photograph, child support information certificate, birth certificate or passport and three years tax returns with w2s, k1s or 1990’s. Copy of a bachelor’s degree in police science or criminal law should be attached with the application form in order to avail month’s credit. Experience must be certified by your employer in the application form.

If you are requesting a license as a corporation, submit articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation and certificate if good standing from the state you are incorporated in as well as list of corporate officers and directors. Do not forget to provide a certificate of qualification to do business in Nevada signed by Nevada secretary of State only if your company is incorporated in any other state than Nevada.

You need to provide two fingerprint cards along with a cashier's check or money order for $51.25 in favour of Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP). Along with this, you have to provide a fingerprint card and cashiers cheque or money order amount $32 to the California Department of Justice (CDOJ) if you have ever lived in or visited the state of California.

The licensing board requires six notarized certificates of recommendations: three of which support Experience and Qualifications from former employers or clients who can attest to the applicant’s experience, and other three supports Personal References. It would be advisable to have professional or prestigious references as personal references than references from family or friends.

License consists of two categories: Primary and secondary. Primary category is compulsory but secondary consists of canine handler, polygraph examiner, private investigator, private patrolman, process server, and re-possessor. It is up to you which secondary category prefers you to work on. Give a cashier's check or money order for $750 for the first category of license, plus $250 for each secondary additional category. An individual applicant who is a resident of Nevada is liable for the entire cost of the investigation up to a maximum cost of $1,500 for the first category of license and $500 for each additional category of license for which application is made. A corporate applicant or an individual applicant who is not a resident of Nevada is liable for the entire cost of the investigation.


Pay $100 fee for the Nevada State board examination which is conducted quarterly in Las Vegas and Carson City. You have to pass this examination which focuses on Nevada Revised Statutes and Regulations. For some rules and regulations refer http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-648.html

Citation Statute: 648.110-648.335

For more information please log on to http://nevadapilb.glsuite.us/

Contact Information:
Website: http://nevadapilb.glsuite.us/
Email: pilbinfo@ag.state.nv.us
Nevada Private Investigator Licensing Board, 3476 Executive Pointe Way, Suite 14, Carson City, Nevada, United States, 89706
Phone: (775) 687-3223
Fax: (775) 687-3226


Also you so not need a Private Investigator license to if you fall in following category:

http://www.ipiu.org/forums/showthread.php?7305-PI-LICENSING-Nevada

How to Become a Private Investigator in Florida?

One needs to do a lot of preparation if one wants to become a private investigator in Florida. You need to get a license to work as a private investigator in Florida. Therefore will have to pass the required exam and submit the fee to work professionally. It is said that the demand for the information collected by the investigators is going to increase. In Florida the investigators are either self-employed or the combination of self employed and agency workers. The investigators are licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Licensing. Private investigators in Florida require a Class "C" license to work as investigators or a class "A" license to operate their own private investigation agencies. You have to undergo a thorough background check.

Undergo Class “CC” Private Investigator intern training 40 hour programme accredited by Florida department of Education which teaches the basics of private investigation. After completing 24 hours training you can apply for Class “CC” exam. Then appear for Florida private investigation examination by paying $100 as exam fees. This exam covers parts of Florida law that deals with private investigation. These exams are conducted at FDACS division of licensing regional offices twice a month.

Find a fully licensed private investigator that is willing to take you on intern for two years and sponsor you. Attach the letter of intent provided by private investigator to the application for license.

Then apply for a "CC" Private Investigator Intern License. The application for license is available at FDACS division of licensing website. You must provide appropriate information on your address, employment and criminal histories. Attach the certificates describing the training requirements you have met and a letter of intent provided by a license private investigator, passport style photograph and a set of finger prints. The application can be submitted at the FDACS division of licensing regional office, the application fee is $152.

Then complete full time two years as a private investigator intern under the supervision of your sponsoring private investigator. You may be able to reduce the time of requirement if you have done investigative work in the past or have law enforcement training.

After completing your two years internship you can apply for a class “C” private investigator license. Provide all the background information similar to that requested in the “CC” application. Along with it, provide evidence of completion of your two year internship. The application can be submitted at FDACS division of licensing regional office along with an application fee of $167. Along with it, follow Florida State Laws on Private Investigation Industry.

How to become a Private Investigator in Arkansas?

You need to be licensed to work as a private investigator in Arkansas because The State of Arkansas won’t allow you to earn as a private investigator until you possess license issued by Arkansas State Police Department and Arkansas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies. You will have to go through a thorough criminal background check which will cost you $41.25. If you fail in this criminal background check, you will be disqualified for getting a private investigator license.

The basic requirement for requesting a license is that you must have minimum two years of practical experience in private investigation field under the supervision of a private investigator. That concerned private investigator should be licensed and must be working in any of Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana or Oklahoma. Arkansas share reciprocity with Tennessee, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. The licensed private investigator under whom you will be working will have to provide a written confirmation of your working time to the Arkansas police Department when you apply for license with the Arkansas State Police Department.

You also need to pass the State Board Exam conducted by the Arkansas Board of Private Investigator and Private Security Agencies. You need to successfully clear this exam in order to get your private investigator license hassle-free. Please contact Arkansas Board of Private Investigator and Private Security Agencies for any questions regarding Examinations.

Now, the next step is to fill an application form requesting for a license. The application form should be completely filled and duly signed attached along with the required documents such as two year experience certificate from your licensed private investigator. All the application forms are available for download here. The application for license (fees) will cost you $225. Also, license renewal will cost you $150.

Contact Information:

Website: http://www.asp.state.ar.us/divisions/rs/rs_index.html#private
Email: info@asp.arkansas.gov
Licensing Division Arkansas State Police Headquarters, 1 State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States, 72209
Phone: (501) 618-8600

Citation Statute:

Arkansas Statutes 17-40-101 – 117-40-107

How to become private investigator in Montana?

As estimated by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry Research and Analysis Bureau, the need for private investigators in Montana will increase by nearly 22 percent through 2018, creating close to 10,000 new jobs in the state during that time frame. For working as a private investigator in Montana, you will need a private investigator license. The Montana Board of Private Security offers two levels of licenses: one for trainees and one for investigators who can work independently without supervision.

The basic criteria to request a private investigator license is that if you are a trainee licensee your age must be minimum 18 and that of full investigator licensee, your age should be minimum 21. Also, you must be a citizen of United States or a resident alien in USA. You will have to go a thorough background check conducted by Montana Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. No additional requirements are mentioned for trainee license but, they only have to submit an application along with an application fee $125 to Montana Board of private security. The trainee license application is available here. The full private investigator license to work independently is available here.

To request a full private investigator license The Montana Board of Private Security conditions all candidates to meet minimum education and experience requirements to qualify. All applicants must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. You need to have a minimum of three years of practical work experience in private investigation with a trainee license in Montana or outside of the state. You can include 18 months of experience as a law enforcement or peace officer toward the three-year requirement. If you do so, you need not undergo full practical experience of three years. You can also educate yourself at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy or a post-secondary college or university and add it towards the practical experience condition. At least half of the experience must come from private investigation.

But the case is different for full private investigator license. The Montana Board of Private Security requires that all applicants must undergo the Private Investigator Board examination and achieve a minimum score of 70 percent. This exam is a multiple choice test and costs only $20. You must obtain a minimum of $500,000 of general commercial liability insurance prior to licensing. Along with the application you have to submit three letters of recommendation. Pay an application fee of $225.

The given license is subject to validity only for one year. Then the trainee and full licensees have to renew their licenses at a cost of $75 and $150 respectively. To inquire into more details please click here.

Reference Website: http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_boards/psp_board/board_page.asp

Contact Information:
Email: dlibsdpsp@mt.gov
Board of Private Security Patrol Officers and Investigators, 301 S Park, Room 430 PO Box 200513, Helena, Montana, United States, 59620-0513
Phone: (406) 841-2387
Fax: (406) 841-2309


Citation Statute:
Title 37 Chapter 60

Website: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/mca_toc/37_60.htm

How to become a Private Investigator in Wisconsin?

Working as a private investigator in Wisconsin sounds good but, is only valid if you possess a license as a private investigator to work therein. If you are interested in becoming a private investigator in Wisconsin, then you must request for a private investigator license from the Wisconsin Department of Regulation & Licensing who issues it. Before getting your private investigator license, you will have to fulfill some requirements. Basic requirement is that you must be at least 18 years of age. You must undergo a thorough criminal background check. You must be qualified at least to a high school diploma and be employed by a licensed private investigator agency in Wisconsin. You must have a liability insurance of $2000.

The next step is to apply for a license through an application. The application for license is available for download here. To let your license be processed hassle-free, do pay Wisconsin State Taxes or child support. If you are irregular in paying these taxes in your history, your license will be automatically denied.

Then you need to be fingerprinted. Wisconsin requires fingerprints of all the new applicants and the application requesting for license been submitted within 14 days of been fingerprinted. In order to get your fingerprints you need to fix an appointment with L-1 Identify Solutions. Contact L-1 Identify Solutions on 1-866-416-4896.

Along with your application, you will have to attach your fingerprints and other additional documentations such as a release for federal bureau of Investigation and Information, photograph and conviction charges form. The information related to conviction charges form can be obtained from http://drl.wi.gov/docview.asp?docid=406&locid=0.

Next step is to appear for State Licensing Exam which consists of 100 questions covering Wisconsin statutes and administrative code, as well as investigative practices relevant to functioning as a private investigator. The Examinations are conducted via computer upon appointment. It is necessary that you pass the examination before submitting the application for license to the Department. The completed Application for Private Investigator License must be submitted within one year of passing the examination. To purchase a copy of the Private Detective Code Book, call 608-264-9419.

Contact Information:
Website: http://ww2.wisconsin.gov/state/license/
Email: web@drl.state.wi.us
Department of Regulation and Licensing, PO Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin, United States, 53708
Phone: (608) 266-2112

Citation Statute:
Wisconsin Statutes
Chapter 440: Department of Regulation and Licensing
Subchapter II: Private Detectives, Private Security Persons

Website: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/stats.html

How to become a private investigator in Tennessee?

In order to become a private investigator in Tennessee you will need to acquire the license from Tennessee private investigation and polygraph commission. The main requirement for obtaining the license in Tennessee is that you must be employed or associated with any licensed private investigator company. You must be at least 21 years of age. You must be citizen of United States and of good moral character. You must not be convicted of any crime. You will have to undergo a thorough background check conducted by the Tennessee bureau of investigation and federal bureau of investigation. Then you will have to get your fingerprints. For getting your finger prints you will have to contact cogent systems at 877-262-2425. The fee for fingerprints is $48.

Then get the application form for obtaining license from Tennessee private investigation and polygraph commission. Complete the application form correctly and attach the finger print cards and the application fee of $150. Then the next step is to undergo the written exam. The examinations are conducted by prometric services in seven cities such as Chattanooga, Clarksville, Cordova, Franklin, Knoxville, Madison and Memphis. You will have to register online and fix the time. At the time of exam you will have to provide your photo identification. The fee for examination is $94. The exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions with two hours of time period. It consists of 80 percent Tennessee laws and 20 percent of Tennessee rules. The exam results are displayed at the end of the exam. The minimum marks for passing are 70%.

After the exams, if you pass the exam then, the testing agency will inform the commission about you passing the exam which will then issue you the necessary license. But if you fail then you will have to wait for at least 2 weeks and then retake the exam. But if you fail the second time also then you will have to request for review for your last exam. The review for last exam will cost $50. You also have to request for strength and weakness report before retaking your exam. The fee is $20.

You need to renew the license two years after its issuance. If the license had expires for less than thirty days late fee is requires. If expired for more than 30 days the license will not be renewed. You will have to complete 12 hours of continuing education in the renewal period. The commission recommends that at least one of 12 hours should be a course in ethics.

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Contact Information:
Website: http://tennessee.gov/commerce/boards/pi/
Department of Commerce & Insurance Private Protective Services Division, 500 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37243-1158
Phone: (615) 741-6382

Citation Statute:
Title 62 Chapters 26 – Private Investigators
Tennessee State Law

Forms: http://tn.gov/commerce/boards/pi/forms.shtml