How to Become a Private Investigator in Alabama: Ultimate Guide

If you want to become a private investigator in Alabama, this article will cover the process in an easy-to-follow outline including links to the application and other important locations. Alabama makes the process to become a private investigator simple though the process is not easily deciphered from the Alabama Private Investigation Board website. This explanation will make an easy process even easier to understand.

Alabama Private Investigator Licensing Application Process

1. Complete the Alabama Private Investigation Application (and Notarized)
2. Provide a Copy of Proof of Citizenship
3. Provide Passport Size Photo
4. Provide Fingerprints
5. Get Approved and receive an “Exam Eligibility Notice”
6. Schedule Exam (Study Guide Here) (Complete Idiots Guide to Private Investigation)
7. Receive Approval
8. Pay Licensing Fee (This can be paid ahead of time with application)
9. Receive Private Investigator License

Alabama Private Investigator License Requirements 

According to the Alabama Private Investigation Regulatory Act – Section- 34-25B-12 (effective August 1, 2013)

• You must be at least 21 years of age
• Have not been declared by a court incompetent by reason of mental defect or disease unless a court later declares the applicant competent.
• Must not have been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude.  The board will have the final say as to what is interpreted as moral turpitude.
• You can not have been convicted of a felony crime.
• You must pass an examination twice a year by the board to measure your competency and knowledge. 

Complete Alabama Private Investigator Application

Assuming the private investigator applicant qualifies to apply to become a private investigator in the state of Alabama, an application will need to be completed.  The Alabama Private Investigation Application (License by Credential) can be found here. 

Application Information Must Include The Following:

• Full Name
• Place and Date of Birth
• Residence History (Past 5 Years)
• Occupation History (Past 5 Years)
• 3 Sets of Fingerprints from Approved Locations
• List of Convictions, Pending Charges (Felony or Misdemeanor any Jurisdiction)
• Proof of Citizenship

Fingerprinting (3 Sets)

You must submit your fingerprints with your application and fingerprinting must be done at an approved location.

The ALEA Identification Unit is located at 834 Adams Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36104 (334-353-4340) in one approved location however you can also be fingerprinted at a police station or sheriff’s department. It should be noted that not all law enforcement locations provide fingerprinting so it is recommended that you call ahead of time.  

A list of law enforcement locations where fingerprinting is done can be found here. 

You should be given 3 sets of fingerprint cards upon completion of the fingerprinting process by the aforementioned law enforcement agency.  You will send these in along with your aforementioned completed application and a money order made out to ALEA for $38.25.

It should be noted that the latest information indicates live scan fingerprinting is not accepted currently.  The Blue Applicant Card is utilized for licensing.

Proof of Citizenship

You must provide proof of citizenship in the private investigation application. Approved forms of proof include the following:

• Alabama Driver’s License or Identification issued by the Department of Public Safety 
• Driver’s License from other states that required proof of lawful presence 
• Birth Certificate indicating U.S. Birth 
• Valid U.S. Passport 
• Military Identification showing the United States as the place of Birth 
• Naturalization documents 
• Certificate of Citizenship 
• Consular report of birth abroad of U.S. Citizen 
• Bureau of Indian Affairs Identification 
• American Indian Card issued by Homeland Security 
• Final adoption decree showing person’s name and place of U.S. Birth 
• A valid Uniformed Services Privileges and Identification Card 
• Extract from a United States hospital record of birth created at the time of the person’s birth indicating the place of birth in the United States 
• Certification of Birth Issued by U.S. Department of State

The application does provide a section if you are not a United States Citizen but are legally in the United States.

Submitting Photographs

An applicant is required to submit a photograph of themselves 2″x 2″ (Passport size). Write your name and date of birth on the back of the picture lightly so as to not alter the photo itself.  

It is recommended that you get passport photos taken instead of attempting to take the photo yourself as this will be placed on your private investigation license. They will deny the acceptance of the photo if it is not taken correctly. 

Criminal Background Check

Taking the information an applicant provides on the application, a background check of the applicant will be conducted.  This is conducted to help protect the public overall from individuals that should not be licensed to conduct investigative work or have access to sensitive information. 

The money order provided with the fingerprint cards covers both the state and federal background check costs. 

Receive Invitation to Sit for Examination

If an applicant’s application is approved and the applicant clears a background check the applicant will receive an invitation to schedule their examination date.

Testing locations are currently in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Mobile, Alabama.

Why Do You Need to Take a Test for an Alabama Private Investigation License?

Alabama does its due diligence by testing a future private investigator’s competence and knowledge of the private investigation field which will include laws common to the private investigation industry.

Send Results to Alabama Private Investigation Board

After the completion and passing of the exam, the applicant will send $300 to Alabama Private Investigation Board (If not already done in advance) along with the test results.

Receive Alabama Private Investigator License

If the applicant passes the examination provided by PSI and all fees have been paid, the applicant and now private investigator will receive a credit card size laminated private investigator license and a certificate.

Fees to be Paid Throughout Alabama Private Investigator Licensing Process

• $100 – Application Fee – Fee to be paid along with the submission of the application.
• $38.25 – Background Check Fee – Fee for both state and federal background checks.
• $100 – PSI Testing Fee (Paid Directly to PSI)
• $300 – Licensing Fee – If approved, the fee to receive the private investigation license.
• $300 – Renewal Fee – Private investigation license renewal fee every 2 years. 

Median Private Investigator Salary in Alabama

The median salary for private investigators in Alabama is $63,590 with 120 private investigators being employed within the state in 2021.  The population in Alabama as of 2020 is approximately 5 million.  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Alabama makes it easy to become a private investigator. It should be noted that in Alabama, all investigators have their own licenses.  No investigator can work under another private investigator license.  

Investigators are encouraged to secure private investigation licensing in surrounding states such as:

• Tennessee
• Georgia Private Investigator Licensing Information
• Florida Private Investigator License Guide
• Mississippi

Important Locations

How to Become a Private Investigator

How to Start a Private Investigation Business

Cost of Starting a Private Investigation Business

Alabama Private Investigator Association

State of Alabama Private Investigation Board Website

List of Non-Fiction Private Investigation Books

Private Investigator Salary Guide

For additional assistance, you can email the Alabama Private Investigation Board at – theaustingroupapib@gmail.com.