How to become a Private Investigator in New Hampshire?

To work as a Private Investigator in New Hampshire, you need to possess a license issued by New Hampshire Department of Safety Division of State Police. *On July 13, 2010 the New Hampshire Private Detective bill, HB 651, was signed into law and becomes effective January 1, 2011. This bill adds certain exclusions from regulation of private investigative agencies, security guard agencies, and bail enforcement agencies. It replaces “the term detective agencies” with “private investigative agencies”, and requires the commissioner of safety to regulate private investigative agencies, security guard agencies, and bail enforcement agencies. The link to the bill is: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB0651.html

The Basic requirement to become a private investigator in New Hampshire is that you must be at least 18 years of age and must be a resident of United States. While, New Hampshire residency or US citizenship is not required. You will have to undergo a thorough background criminal as well as moral check. You need to have an associate or bachelor's degree in criminal justice and two years of practical experience in private investigation field as a licensed investigator. A criminal justice degree includes coursework in law enforcement, criminal behavior, the court system, investigation and corrections. You can obtain your license without proper education but obtaining experience is must. You should have a minimum of four years as a full-time firefighter and certification by the International Association of Arson Investigators or a minimum of four years practical experience as a full-time law enforcement officer or a minimum of four years employment as a full-time licensed private investigator. This criterion applies to an individual or an agency but not to an employee of an agency.

Your next step is to request your license through an application form. You can download an application form from here. Application form must be completely filled, duly signed and notarized. Along with the application form, you must file a surety bond worth$50000 and two sets of fingerprints (do contact your local police department or contact sheriff’s office). Firearms training certificate is to be attached if you need an armed private investigator license. Your qualification documents are to be attached along with.

After you get your license, you need to get your continuing education requirement fulfilled. Armed private detectives are required to meet minimum requirements in the use of firearms at least once per year including four hours of instruction in firearm techniques and safety. Do remember to renew your license every two years.

Please Note: - New Hampshire does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states.

Contact Information:

Website: http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/licertoccs/privatei.htm

New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police Permits and Licensing

Unit, 10 Hazen Drive, Concord, 03305

Phone: (603) 271-3575

Fax: (603) 271-0306

Citation Statute:

CHAPTER 106-F-F:1

Website: http://www.nhli.net/pilaw.asp

Fees: Private individual (biennial license) $100.00

Criminal background check $25.00

Agency employing more than one person (biennial license) $400.00

Agency fees: Employee license $5.00

Investigation fee $10.00

Investigation fee (in addition to above) $10.00

FBI fingerprint check (armed private detective applicants) $30.00

How to become a Private Investigator in Mississippi?

Many states in United States do not require a person to possess a license to work as a private investigator. One among them is Mississippi. To work as a private investigator in Mississippi, simply gain your professional education that will guide you in the route of private investigator.

Take courses that will prepare you for your carrier as a private investigator. There is no specific requirement as to education. You can study in your area and field of interest. Any degree program that learns investigative techniques and research can be useful for you in your sight as a private investigator. In Mississippi, you can complete your education from 15 different community colleges and 17 different four-year institutions such as Southwest Mississippi Community College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and East Mississippi Community College. Four-year institutions include the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Mississippi Valley State University and Jackson State University.

You can work with other private investigation firms to gain the necessary experience to become a good private investigator. An experience of two to three years is good for your self business. Private Investigator Agencies in Mississippi are C & C Investigations in Canton, Investigation and Recovery Services Inc. in Jackson, Lark Professional Security Consultants in Jackson, LAW Investigative Group in Ridgeland, NightWerx Investigations, Inc. in Southaven, P. I. S. in Laurel, Professional Investigations & Consulting in Oxford and The Lone wolf Group Legal Investigation & Consulting in Booneville.

Do protect yourself from liability insurance in order to be safe from actions that you will face in your investigation. Start your own business either by joining experienced private investigators or your own private investigator agency. Here are some tips that will be helpful to you in tough times of your business. Do follow South Dakota statutes in order to be a successful private investigator in South Dakota. Always keep a bird’s eye on the changes in laws, rules and regulations to carry out your work more effectively. Some investigators in Mississippi will help you find your way.

Laws and Regulations:

Mississippi State Statutes

How to become private investigator in Michigan?

In order to become a private investigator in Michigan, you need to possess a license issued by Department of Labor and Economic Growth. The basic requirement to become a private investigator in Michigan is that you must be a citizen of America and must be at least 25 years of age. You must have a high school degree or equivalent to it as considered by the Department of Labor and Economic Growth. Michigan requires that licensed private investigators posses a Bachelors degree criminal justice or police administration. You will have to undergo a thorough background criminal check.

You must not have been convicted of a felony, or a misdemeanor involving dishonesty or fraud, unauthorized divulging or selling of information or evidence, impersonation of a law enforcement officer or employee of the United States or a state, or a political subdivision of the United States or a state, illegally using, carrying, or possessing a dangerous weapon, two or more alcohol related offenses, Controlled substances as defined under the Michigan Public Health Code, indulged in an assault, has not been dishonorably discharged from a branch of the United States military service.

You must have a practical experience of minimum three years. Call IBT (State vendor for Fingerprints) and fix an appointment with them to get fingerprinted. Do request to get your fingerprints on two cards. The total cost for fingerprint will invite you around $49.25.

Your next step is to fill an application form and request for a license. Your application form should be duly filled and notarized. Also, you will have to attach two fingerprint cards, two colored recent passport photographs along with the application form. Do not forget to attach $100,000 bond assured in your favor by a state certified insurance company. Also, you will have to provide a documentary proof of your three years practical experience and five personal references that are notarized. Attach a copy of the company's articles of incorporation if you have a company. Else, attach a copy of an Assumed Name Certificate or Doing Business as form that you can obtain at your county clerk's office.

Submit these documents along with the application form with license processing fee $750. Do remember that Michigan does not have reciprocity with other states.

Reference Website: http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-35299_35414_35470---,00.html

Contact Information:

Website: http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-35299_35414---,00.html Email: bcslic@michigan.gov

Licensing Division, P.O. Box 30018, Lansing, Michigan, United States, 48909 Phone: (517) 241-9288

Fax: (517) 373-3085

Associations: Michigan Council of Private Investigators

Citation Statute: Michigan Legislature 338.821-338.851

Professional Investigator Licensure Act

Act 285 of 1965

Website: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(ux5nra55d4krizyb1a2mr0np))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl-act-285-of-1965&queryid=2065916&highlight

Fees: Sole Proprietor/LLC/Corporation Application $750.00

Fingerprints $49.25

Branch Office Application $125.00

Renewal Information: Sole Proprietor/LLC/Corporation Renewal $300.00

Sole Proprietor/LLC/Corporation Relicensure $750.00

Branch Office Renewal $125.00

Forms: http://www.cis.state.mi.us/dms/results.asp?docowner=BCSC&doccat=Private+Detectives&Search=Search

How to become a Private Investigator in Massachusetts?

In order to become a Private Investigator in Massachusetts, you need to possess a license issued by the colonel of Massachusetts State Police. You will have to undergo through a thorough background criminal as well as moral check. You cannot become a private investigator in Massachusetts if you have ever been convicted of a felony, such as murder, assault or financial fraud, within the United States.

You must have at least three years of practical experience in private investigation field. You may be a former member of an investigative service of the United States or a former police officer of a rank or grade higher than that of patrolman, of the commonwealth, any political subdivision thereof or an official police department of another state or a police officer in good standing formerly employed for not less than ten years with the commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof or with an official police department of another state. For some more licensing requirements please click here.

Your next step is to fill an application form requesting for grant of private investigator license. The application form is available for download here. The application form must be duly filled, signed and notarized. Also, you will have to get three personal references in back of form; duly signed by all three of them. Do not forget to attach your experience certificate. You will also have to attach $5000 surety bond issued in your favor by a state certified insurance company. Do take a writing class because as a private investigator you will have to write reports.

Also, you will have to renew your license when the validity expires; such validity is for one year. One important thing is that the colonel of the state police may annually renew and may at any time for cause, after notice and a hearing, revoke, any such license. An application for a renewal shall be on a form furnished by the colonel.

Please Note: - Massachusetts does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state.

For some more information on how to become a private investigator in Massachusetts please click here.

Contact Information: Website: http://www.mass.gov/

Massachusetts State Police, 470 Worcester Road, Framingham, Massachusetts, United States, 01702

Phone: (978) 538-6128

Associations: Licensed Private Detectives Association of Massachusetts, Inc

Citation Statute: M.G.L. Ch. 147, Sec 22 – 30

Website: http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/147-22.htm

Fees: $550.00 License Fee $150.00 Renewal fee

How to become a Private Investigator in Maryland?

In order to work as a private investigator in Maryland, you need to possess a license issued by Maryland State Police. You must be of good moral character and must undergo a thorough background criminal check. If found faulty, you will not be eligible for private investigator license in Maryland. The Basic requirement is that you must be at least 25 years of age.

You must have at least three years of practical experience in private investigation field at state or federal level. If you are non-detective grade law enforcement officer, you will have to complete a five years of work experience along with a course approved by the Maryland police training commission. If you are employed by a recognized detective agency for at least last five years, even then, you become eligible to get the license. Your next step is to fill an application form requesting for a license.

State of Maryland has two types of licenses. One for an individual license and an agency license. The application form must be completely filled, signed and notarized. The application form is available for download here. Along with the application form, you must include a set of fingerprint cards, one purple CJIS-015 card for state records and one blue and white FBI card for the federal check. You may also use Live Scan digital fingerprints via an approved vendor.

If you are applying for a license as a corporate investigator, you will have to provide articles of incorporation and proof of a general liability insurance policy for at least $50,000. If you are an agency and wishes to employ five or more investigators under your license, you will have to provide liability policy for at least $1 million. Each member of the firm is subject to a background investigation. Do not forget to attach two recent passport size photographs with white background.

Do follow Maryland statues if you wish to become a successful private investigator in Maryland.

Please Note: - Maryland does not have reciprocity agreements with any other state.

Contact Information: Maryland State Police Licensing Division, 1111 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, Maryland, United States, 21208 Phone: (410) 653-4500 ext. 3

Associations: Maryland Investigators and Security Association

Professional Investigators Alliance of Maryland

Citation Statute: 29.04.08.01-29.04.08.11

Website: http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/idq_files/search.idq

Fees: New Agency Private Investigator not incorporated $242

New Agency Private Investigator incorporated $417

Renewal Information: One must request a renewal Packet by calling (410) 653-4500 ext. 3 to speak with the Private Investigator licensing division.

How to become a Private Investigator in Idaho?

Working as a private investigator in Idaho does not require a license as a private investigator. Hence, to become a private investigator in Idaho, 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. Idaho possesses an agricultural economy and it affects the type of investigative practice. Some examples of investigative specializations in private investigators for Idaho are workers compensation, personal injury defense, theft and pet detection.

First of all, decide which specialization best suits your background i.e. in which specialization will be able to work with more interest. Understand Idaho Rules, laws and regulations that might affect private investigators. Do keep in mind other statutes such as Chapter 14 Burglary, Chapter 67 Communications Security and Chapter 70 Trespass and Malicious Injury to Property.

To be successful private investigator in Idaho you will have to be in company of private investigators in Idaho. Hence, join private investigators association of Idaho. This Association consists of three types of memberships as non-member, active and associate. This private investigators association 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 association or 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.

Association:

Private Investigators Association of Idaho

Statutes:

Idaho Statutes: Title 18 Crimes and Punishments

How to become Private Investigator in Hawaii?

In order to become private investigator in Hawaii, you must possess private investigator license issued by Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The basic requirement to be a private investigator in Hawaii is that you must be at least 18 years of age and be legally entitled to carry out your profession in United States of America. You must be of good moral character and must undergo a thorough background check. There are two types of private investigator license in Hawaii: - Individual and agency. Then you will have to fill the application form. The application for should be fully and correctly filled. You can download the application from Hawaii government.

Along with the application you will have to attach the documents such as fingerprint cards which can be obtained from Hawaii board of Private detectives and guards by calling (808) 586-3000. Then, you will have to provide a criminal background from a location where you have lived for the past ten years. You will have to provide a copy of high school diploma or its equivalent or your college degree. It is necessary that you have four years of practical experience as a full time private investigation worker. You will have to provide a statement from the employer under whom you have been working. You will have to attach your recent passport size photograph on the space provided in the application. You will have to pass an examination conducted by the Hawaii government. Then you will have to pay a fee of $50 as application fee and fee of $50 as examination fee and fee of $25 as F.B.I fingerprint check fee along with the application. The fee should be paid in the form of money orders.

Then the application and the fees should be enclosed in the packet and it should be mailed to:

Board of Private Detectives and Guards

DCCA, PVL Licensing Branch

P.O. Box 3469

Honolulu, Hawaii’s 96801

In order to get the license for an agency you will have to fulfill the requirements such as that you will have to employee a detective who will be responsible for the management and control of employees of the agency. You will have to provide the employment record of all the employees since last ten years. You will also have to provide criminal record of all the employees for last ten years. If your organization is trademarked then you will have to provide all the documents on the trademark. You will have to provide the address of the place where your business will be conducted. You will have to provide a surety bond of $5000, 00. All this you will have to attach along with the application. You will have to pay a fee of $100 as an application fee. And you will have to pay a fee of $260 as a license fee. For more information you can visit this website.

The forms are available here

Contact Information: Website: http://hawaii.gov/dcca/pvl/boards/private/ DCCA-PVLAtt: PDG, P.O. Box 3469, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, 96801 Phone: (808) 586-2705

Citation Statue: Chapter 463 Title 1-17 Website: http://hawaii.gov/dcca/pvl/hrs/hrs_pvl_463.pdf