How do I become a private investigator?

Most P.I.s come from a law enforcement background of some kind.  With this type of "related work experience" the accreditation process is usually quick and easy.  However, for those without appropriate experience, the path to a P.I. license can be time-consuming, expensive and frustrating.  It may involve a lengthy stint as an intern (translation:  unpaid slave) at an established agency, extensive classroom work in a certified training program, difficult, written exams, or all of the above.  Requirements are set by the individual state and vary considerably so check with the governing authority (e.g., State Division of Professional Licensing) in your state for specifics.

I definitely agree with Robert- you have to be licensed in just about every state.  A strong way to get your PI career in high gear is to gain some knowledge about what a criminal investigator does by getting a degree from an accredited online college or local college.  Here are some other reasons why you should earn a criminal justice degree that are explained in this video: If you need some more help trying to decipher how to become a private investigator, you can always check out a great authority on careers and education- here is a link to one of these authority sites for how to become a private investigator or criminal investigator: http://www.mycollegesandcareers.com/career-industries/criminal-justice/criminal-investigators-and-special-agents/how-to-become-a-criminal-investigator/ Best of Luck! KWR :)

There are differing state processes for licensing private investigators, check the internet to identify the appropriate state agency (Dept of Public Safety in Texas) for licensing requirements, and for a state PI association that sponsors training. A licensed agency may employ individuals as trainees. Many PIs are retired or former law enforcement. A first step might be how to use a search engine online.http://privateinvestigatoredu.org/, http://privateinvestigatoredu.org/license-requirements/http://www.crimetime.com/licensing.htmhttps://www.einvestigator.com/how-to-become-a-licensed-private-investigator/http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Private-Investigator

Most answers below cover the education and licensing requirements well. The only thing that I would add, especially if you plan to "strike out on my own," is a few writing and business courses (or equivalent experience); or, perhaps even better, complete a communication or business degree while working for another agency. If you're doing anything worthwhile in the profession, then you're going to be writing a lot of reports. These reports can be used by attorneys and may, in certain circumstances, end up in court. You also have to produce reports for your domestic, business, or attorney clients. High profile ones will like the reports to be professional and intelligible. A lot of PI work is pretty mundane and boring stuff, actually. If you're running your own firm, then you'll also need some businesses knowledge and skills. Accounting, marketing, contracting, expensing, strategic planning, managing employees, and so on, will be a lot easier and cheaper if you know how to do this stuff. I know a lot of fantastic private investigators who did good work, but went out of business because they just couldn't get grips on the business side of the enterprise. In many states, it takes three years working for someone else (two years fewer with a M.S./M.A. or Ph.D. and one fewer with a B.S./B.S.), so I'd learn the craft and legal requirements while on the job with another agency and, therefore, focus on communication or business as a major in college.

Absolutely the only way, in my opinion, is to join a private investigation firm or an investigative unit within a large corporation. If you have some relevant experience, or can demonstrate smarts and an aptitude for learning, you can get an entry level job with a P.I. firm. The work is so nuanced and skills so subtle you can't possibly learn enough in a classroom. A good start would be looking through each state's P.I. organization. In CA it's California Association of Licensed Investigators (http://cali-pi.org). Good luck!

You may need to meet some education and training criterion to qualify as a professional Investigator. You can earn a bachelor's, associate or a master's degree in Law or Criminal Justice. Upon completion of your degree, you can get enrolled in an internship with a law firm or a Private Investigation company. You need to have complete knowledge of fraud investigation and interrogation techniques to become an investigator. You might get a relaxation in internship based on your experience if you are an ex-FBI person or from law enforcement agency.

If you are serious in getting into private investigation business, you need to follow the below steps. Step 1 Take courses in private investigation. Taking classes will give you knowledge about the technical and legal aspects of being a private investigator, also called a PI, as well as the various types of work a PI does. Step 2 Check with your state regarding requirements to becoming a licensed private investigator. In some states, a license will not be issued to your start-up agency if you don’t have prior experience in the investigation business. Consider working for another licensed agency until you have accumulated the necessary work hours to apply for a license for your own company. http://balidetective.com Step 3 Specialize in a small number of services. This will help you focus your marketing efforts and sharpen your skills. Step 4 Survey agencies in your region and find out what they charge for similar services in order to help you to devise your own rate schedule. Step 5 Purchase necessary equipment. Start with basic PI tools such as a camera, tape recorder and home computer with high speed Internet access. Step 6 Obtain private investigator software. Online research is one of the tricks of the PI’s trade. Online services can help you perform tasks like searching for missing persons and finding unlisted phone numbers. Step 7 Write and rehearse the sales pitch you will give to prospective clients. Make sure you present an image of reliability and professionalism. Step 8 Network with local law firms to find corporate clients. Have business cards and brochures printed to send to insurance companies. Focus on the skills you have that make your service stand out.

The usual requirement necessary to become a licensed P.I. is a minimum of three years of investigative experience with either a local, state, or federal government agency. Some states give an examination and some issue licenses based upon experience only. To become a private investigator in any state, an individual must have a clean record. If you want further details about your query, do visit this awesome link I just found while doing the research. http://bit.ly/1Np9R9Z Best

Main requirement for private investigator is Licensing. All states has required different Necessities for this degree. if you achieved minimum requirement you can apply.  for more reading please click link below http://www.learninglaw.com/careers/how-to-become-a-private-investigator