How to Become a Private Investigator in the United States

Written by Andrew in Private Investigator Career

how to become a private investigator

If you were wondering how to become a private investigator, you have arrived at the right place.  You will learn the steps not generally covered to understand what you need to do and how to prepare for the occupation of a private investigator.  

The information in the article will set you up for success in becoming a private investigator and the process for becoming one.

A great starting place is my recently published book – Want to Become a Private Investigator? Tips and Things I wish I would have known before becoming a Private Investigator.  This will share some insights that aren’t normally discussed in the private investigation industry. 

Things you should know before you become a private investigator
https://amzn.to/3qDDPTr. If you want to become a private investigator, read this book first

Contents

What is a Private Investigator

Let’s be clear about what a private investigator does so we can take care of any misconceptions you may have had before arriving here.

A private investigator occupation is not glamorous by any stretch of the imagination.  It is not a Magnum P.I. lifestyle by any means.  

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a private investigator as,” a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons).” 

The definition isn’t wrong by any means but it certainly doesn’t provide a complete definition of what a private investigator does or the role it plays in society.

So what is a private investigator and what do they do? Here is the best definition of a private investigator that I can give to you today. At the very core of what a private investigator does is collect and document information on behalf of their client and then provide that information to their client through legal and ethical means.

Private investigators are information collectors.  The definition is not as glamorous as you might have thought; however, they provide an important function for a society that requires a variety of special skill sets to truly be efficient in the investigation role.

Private Investigators work for a variety of clientele including but not limited to lawyers, private citizens, insurance companies, corporations, and government entities.  

For each of those potential clients, investigators find themselves locating hard-to-find people, serving papers, investigating fraud, and doing background checks to name just a few things.  

For more information in detail on this topic click on the title of this section.

Private investigator templates
Great for new and veteran investigators

Why do you want to become a private investigator?

Now that you have some understanding of what a private investigator is and does, one of the most important questions to ask yourself is this. Why do you want to become a private investigator? What do you find attractive about this occupation?  Why do you think you would be a good fit for this occupation or if the occupation would be a good fit for you?

When I started in the investigation industry, it was because I was financially motivated.  I had military and loss prevention experience; however, the Loss Prevention job I was in didn’t pay very well. So for me, I was looking for an occupation that took my investigation skills, which is what I was good at, and applied them to a job where I could make more money and grow within an organization. I had a young family and I was doing the best I could to provide for my wife and child.

So here is what I recommend you do before you read on.  Sit down and write down the reasons you would like to become a private investigator.  Not all your reasons have to be noble.  My reason I guess was noble because I just wanted to provide a better life for my family.  But it was very much financially motivated. 

Weigh out the pros and cons of how being a private investigator will affect your life. Envision what your life will be like if you enter the industry or stay in the investigation industry (depending on where you are when you read this).

If I could share some quick opinions on why Not to become a private investigator I would say this. Don’t become a private investigator for namesake or because you feel as though it makes you look cool.  Many people fantasize about becoming a private investigator for all the wrong reasons.  And in my experience watching many folks come in and out of this occupation they all crash and burn very quickly.  

The other tip I could give ya is don’t get into this business thinking you’re gonna make a quick buck. As an investigation employee, there are no quick bucks to be made (I can assure you of that).  The industry is not very forgiving in many ways.  

What is Needed to Become a Private Investigator (Private Investigation Licensing)

Every private investigation licensing authority will have different requirements to be licensed as a private investigator.  There will be requirements to work under another company’s license (a private investigation companies agency license) and there will be requirements for you to have your own business with your agency license.

Check your state requirements for private investigation licensing

One of the first things you want to do is find your state’s investigator licensing requirements.  This takes the guesswork out of figuring out the pathway to becoming a legal and licensed investigator in your state.

2 Types of Private Investigator License

Generally speaking, there are two types of licenses private investigators have (which I eluded to earlier).  There is the type of license where you work under a company’s license and in many cases, it does not require any testing or background check.

The second type of license is the private investigation agency license.  This is a license for you to work independently as a business owner and you take on the liability as well if something goes wrong.

General Requirements (to be prepared as you research)

Usually, there is a variation to some degree with requirements that are needed to work as a private investigator in some states or to own your agency.  Some of these may apply in your state and some may not. There are many reasons for private investigators to be licensed that you can read here.

Background Checks

A background check most likely will be conducted in the state you wish to work in as a private investigator either as an employee or a business owner.

Experience Needed

In some cases, previous related experience may be needed to be a private investigation business owner (Agency Owner).  When I was licensed in the state of Washington they needed to know how many years I had worked for an investigation company before my private investigation agency license was granted.

Education Needed

Related education can be a substitute for the experience needed when applying for a private investigation license.

Test May Be Needed

Some states allow you to apply for your investigation agency license without experience by taking a test to show your competency and knowledge.

No Criminal Record

Most licensing entities require that you are not a felon or have criminal records

Private Investigation Salary Expectations and Outlook

I mentioned in the section above how I was motivated to enter the private investigation industry.  I was working 2 jobs before I became a private investigator and my goal was to just work one job (being a private investigator). I entered the industry earning $15 an hour, plus mileage and performance bonuses (that were extremely hard to reach).

Over the past few years, the minimum wage has increased in our country which I believe has had some impact on how much companies have to pay investigators.

Companies are now paying approximately $20 to $30 an hour generally speaking for field investigators.  When you search popular sites like indeed.com there are a variety of companies nationwide looking for private investigators. Many of those companies will provide incentives for you to join their team. 

Some will provide training and equipment while others will not. 

The U.S Bureau of Labor and Statistics indicated that the median pay in 2020 was $53,320 per year or $25.64 per hour. This number may change for the better or worse as 2020 was a COVID-19 year and I know that many private investigators were out of work during that time.

A cool function they have on their site is the state-by-state expectation for salary in the private investigation occupation and that can be found here. Choose a Major occupational group as protective service and an Occupation as Private Detective and Investigator.

As a private investigation employee, it is reasonable to think you can earn anywhere from $20 to $25 an hour depending on experience.  As a private investigation business owner who subcontracts work from other companies, you can expect to make anywhere from $35 to $50 an hour.  And as a business owner (depending on the structure of your business and clientele, you can expect to earn anywhere from $50 to well over $100 an hour in some cases. 

The unspoken part about all of these hourly wages and why they are deceiving is that you are truly not guaranteed any amount of hours in investigation work.

You can be assigned to conduct surveillance for 8 hours or more each day for 3 days consecutively, only to find out the subject you are there to conduct surveillance on is not home.  You might end up working 4 hours, driving home, and not having work for the rest of the week.  Or if you are compromised during a surveillance assignment, you will have to pull off the assignment and there might not be another assignment for you to fall back on to get the hours you need to make a living. 

So take these hourly wages with a grain of salt.  A workday as a private investigator is always secure. So no matter what a company promises you regarding salary or benefits, the true

How to Become a Private Investigator With no Experience

Anyone can become a private investigator with no experience. While many private investigators have some law enforcement experience, some of the best private investigators I have had the pleasure of working with over the years had no background to support an investigation career.  So if you’re worried about becoming a private investigator with no experience, don’t worry about that, I will help you navigate those waters.

The goal is to put you in the best position and make you attractive to companies that are looking for quality candidates.

Work in a Complementary Industry to Investigations

One thing you can do is work in a complementary industry.  I came into private investigations from the loss prevention industry. Many folks that I have worked with over the years were first loss prevention agents.  Loss prevention folks learn how to function covertly within locations without being noticed and learn how to investigate internal and external fraud. 

Take Private Investigation Courses

Another way to show you are serious about becoming a private investigator and working for a company is to take courses.  20 years ago when I entered the industry, colleges were not providing any courses related to private investigation, but today there are plenty like Penn and Foster Online and other major colleges providing courses related to the private investigation industry.

Taking courses outside of “college coursework” may be a good idea as well to get a base knowledge for certain things like conducting surveillance.

Look for Private Investigation Apprentice or Internship Opportunities

Many companies are looking for inexpensive labor and are looking for new investigators without committing to them.  So look for opportunities to be an apprentice to gain access to a company and show them how good of an employee you are.  If they like what they see they will be likely to hire you on to a full-time position.  The company gets to see what you are like and you get to see what the industry, as well as the company, is like. 

Join a Private Investigation Association

Many private investigation associations allow folks that aren’t private investigators to become members. The reason to join an association would be to network with other investigation business owners. Once they get a chance to know you, your work ethic, and your seriousness about becoming a private investigator, they may take a chance on you and hire you. In addition, you are becoming a part of a community that cares about the profession and you will learn a lot about the industry and industry-specific to your state or general area.

Have Private Investigation Equipment 

As I mentioned before, some companies will provide you with some equipment when working for their investigation company, but not all companies will.  Having some equipment on hand makes it easier for companies to decide whether you are a good candidate. Companies have been burned too many times with potential employees indicating they will purchase the needed equipment after being hired by a company. Companies later find out that their new employees do not have the financial means to purchase the basic items needed.

I recommend having a few things on hand already as you start to apply for investigation jobs.  Here is the private investigation equipment I recommend having on hand.

A video camcorder for video surveillance assignments

This doesn’t have to be an expensive item. The video recorder I recommend purchasing is the Canon Vixia HF R800 is a perfect camera for investigators in the surveillance industry. It is the last camera I purchased and it has served me well over the years. You may find it in your local camera or electronics store including Best Buy.

You will want to have a reliable surveillance vehicle

Companies will want to know you have a vehicle that can get you to your investigation assignments without issue. You are likely going to be traveling quite a lot. I share more on surveillance vehicles in the topics below.

You will need a computer for investigation work

Whether writing reports, conducting background searches, conducting preliminary searches, or potentially editing video documentation, you will need a computer.  You can not work a private investigation business using your phone or iPad. 

Audio Recorder

This does not cost a great deal and will be important to have if you interview folks or conduct recorded statements.  I have used a Sony Digital Recorder and have reviewed and tested the EVISTR Digital Recorder. Both are inexpensive and will get the job done for interviewing folks.  Here is the EVISTR Digital Audio Recorder.

Spy Camera

If you are conducting surveillance in the field, a suitable covert portable surveillance camera will be needed.  This doesn’t have to be an expensive purchase and I do recommend a spy pen from iSpy Pens that has been incredibly reliable for me over several years.  

private investigator surveillance vehilce
Surveillance vehicle

Private Investigator Vehicle Considerations

A suitable and reliable vehicle to get yourself to and from assignments is incredibly important for employers to see. While I am sure some companies may be looking for a private investigator to do research from their home, most will be hiring field investigators. 

In a perfect world, you will have a tinted, comfortable, and fuel-efficient vehicle to travel and sit in for extended periods.

I have compiled some research and rated possible surveillance vehicles as you choose the right surveillance vehicle for you. 

Terminology Private Investigators Use (Have some knowledge)

Knowing common words or phrases that private investigators use can be very helpful especially when being interviewed by an investigation company.  I still remember doing a ride-along interview with a field supervisor and using a phrase that was used in surveillance that was also used in loss prevention and the field supervisor was a little impressed by that.

Click the title link to get more words to use but here are a few that I would know in case it comes up in your interview.

Case 

This would be an assignment provided by a client that you would be working on.  If the assignment is to conduct surveillance efforts on John Doe for 3, 8-hour days, that would be considered the case you are working on.  It could also be called an assignment.  

Pretext

Definition of a pretext: A ruse or story was given to an individual to disguise the reason for one’s true intentions.

Example of a Pretext- I will knock on the door of my subject’s home to inquire whether a house in the neighborhood is available for sale. The true reason to knock on the door to see who is currently home. 

You will pretext for a variety of reasons as a private investigator.  Later in this article, I will share the laws associated with conducting a pretext. 

Claimant

An individual who has filed a claim with a self-insured company or insurance company. Often, you will refer to these individuals as claimants when the context is insurance claim-related. If working for an insurance investigation company, this term will be used often to represent the subject of an investigator (assignment/case).

Dictionary definition of claimant from Merriam Webster- “One that asserts a right or title <a claimant to an estate>”

Knowing what a Private Investigator can not do (private investigator laws)

I was fortunate that when I was hired on with a private investigation company, part of the training was going over some case law and the legal minefield of the investigation world. It wasn’t an extensive lesson in law or case law but it was enough to keep me out of trouble as I was beginning. 

I don’t know if the company you first start working for is going to cover this but it is incredibly important to have some fundamentals to know what you are allowed to do and what you are not allowed to do.

Here is a quick list however you can click on the title of this section to read in more detail

  • A private investigator can not work without a license (In states that require it).
  • A private investigator can not impersonate law enforcement.
  • A private investigator can not break the law.
  • A private investigator can not trespass.
  • An investigator can not break into homes or offices.
  • A private detective can not mess mailboxes or mail.
  • Can not record without permission (in some states).
  • Can not film inside someone’s home.
  • Can not hack into personal accounts.
  • Can not run a credit check without consent.
  • Can not make an arrest.
  • A private investigator can not obtain phone records without consent.
  • Investigators do not have police powers or authority.
  • Can not lie about evidence.
  • Can not run license plates without reason.

Get Your Private Investigation Resume Ready

Having a well-thought-out resume can make or break whether you get to move along in the employment process within an investigation company. Companies more and more have processes that help filter out candidates.  

These are some quick tips to assist you in creating a resume. For more in-depth descriptions of the below tips, click the topic for this section.

  • Don’t Lie on or Embellish on Your Resume
  • Tailor Your Resume for the Job
  • Sometimes They Don’t Need Your Entire Employment History
  • No Pictures on Your  Private Investigator Resume
  • Format Your Resume in Chronological Order
  • No Objective in Your Resume
  • Don’t Mention What High School You Attended
  • Don’t Provide Previous Salaries in Your Resume
  • One Page Resume (at the most two)
  • Consider a Cover Letter
Private investigator jobs
Finding a private investigator job

Where to find Private Investigation Jobs

We have discussed a few ways to get hired as a private investigator with no experience and by clicking the title of this section, you will be taken to the more detailed information on this topic.

20 years ago the internet was still young and newspapers were a good option for finding private investigator job opportunities.  Though you never know, you may find an opportunity there.

Today there are much more mainstream and easy ways to quickly find job postings. Below is a quick list of locations to start looking.

For employment websites, you can search and build profiles within them so hiring companies can find you (that is always nice right).  

Interviewing for Private Investigation Jobs and List of Important Questions to Ask

When you get your interview (and I know you will) it is important to prepare the best you can. I have found that investigation companies don’t have as many ambiguous questions during an interview but they still may.

Like tell me a time when you had a difficult decision to make and what did you do. (Yeah, not a big fan of these questions)

But more importantly during an interview, it is a good time to ask questions about the company or culture of the investigation agency.  You want to see if it is a good fit for you as much as they are looking to see if you are a good fit for them.

Start a Private Investigation Business

Starting a private investigation business quite frankly would be my ultimate goal for you.  It is very difficult to move up within a small or large investigation company. And even if you do, your compensation will be limited or capped in some way. However, being a business owner opens up endless opportunities for you should you decide to take advantage of them and put in the work.

As previously discussed there will likely be specific licensing requirements in your state (if your state regulates investigation licensing) which may or may not require previous experience. For a more detailed explanation of how to start a private investigation business click the title of this section.

In most states the following requirements need to be met to start a private investigation business:

  • You must be 18 years or older
  • You must have a specific amount of transferable experience or actual experience
  • You must have a clean criminal record
  • Be a United States citizen

Considerations when starting your investigation business:

Purchasing errors and omissions insurance – 1 million dollars

Determining your business structure

  • Sole proprietor
  • Limited Liability Corporation
  • S-Corporation

State requirements and Taxes

What services will you offer?

Joining a private investigator association

Continuing your education

Networking with others in the investigation industry

Private Investigator Licensing For Each State

Conclusion

Well if you have made it this far, I hope this information served you well. Clicking on individual topics within this article will lead you to even more detailed information about each topic that will be updated often.

I recommend purchasing my book, “Want to Become a Private Investigator” if you are trying to figure out if this is the right occupation for you.

And whether you are a new, aspiring, or veteran investigator I have created an affordable investigator template bundle for you with some video explanations that can be found here.

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