How to become a private investigator: license rules in every state
Each state sets its own rules for private investigators. Pick a state for who issues the license, training and exam rules, fees and the steps, all from official state sources.
| State | State license | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | 2 years; 16 hours of continuing educatio |
| Alaska | No | |
| Arizona | Yes | Agency license 4 years; employee registr |
| Arkansas | Yes | 2 years |
| California | Yes | Renew before expiration |
| Colorado | No | |
| Connecticut | Yes | 2 years |
| Delaware | Yes | 5 years; expires on your birthdate |
| District of Columbia | Yes | 17 DCMR 2000 |
| Florida | Yes | 2 years (biennial renewal, s |
| Georgia | Yes | Registrations expire August 31 of each o |
| Hawaii | Yes | 2 years; renews by June 30 of even-numbe |
| Idaho | No | |
| Illinois | Yes | Licenses expire May 31 every 3 years |
| Indiana | Yes | Licenses expire October 1 every four yea |
| Iowa | Yes | Licenses expire two years from the date |
| Kansas | Yes | Licenses expire two years from issue |
| Kentucky | Yes | Licenses run two years from the date of |
| Louisiana | Yes | 1 year (licenses renew annually); appren |
| Maine | Yes | Initial term 2 years, then renewable eve |
| Maryland | Yes | 3 years (certification) |
| Massachusetts | Yes | 1 year |
| Michigan | Yes | 3 years |
| Minnesota | Yes | 2 years; To renew: 6 hours a year of boa |
| Mississippi | No | |
| Missouri | Yes | 2 years; To renew: 16 hours of continuin |
| Montana | Yes | 1 year; all licenses renew by March 1 |
| Nebraska | Yes | Licenses renew by June 30 of each even-n |
| Nevada | Yes | 1 year; expires June 30, renew May 15 to |
| New Hampshire | Yes | 2 years; To renew: armed investigators m |
| New Jersey | Yes | 2 years; renewal form SP-415 due at leas |
| New Mexico | Yes | 3 years; at least 2 hours of approved co |
| New York | Yes | |
| North Carolina | Yes | 2 years; 12 hours of continuing educatio |
| North Dakota | Yes | 1 year; expires September 30 |
| Ohio | Yes | 2 years for licenses issued on or after |
| Oklahoma | Yes | 3 years; 16 hours of continuing educatio |
| Oregon | Yes | 2 years; 32 hours of continuing educatio |
| Pennsylvania | No | 2 years for the first license; renewals |
| Rhode Island | No | 1 year |
| South Carolina | Yes | 1 year; 12 hours of SLED-approved contin |
| South Dakota | No | |
| Tennessee | Yes | 2 years; 12 hours of continuing educatio |
| Texas | Yes | 2 years |
| Utah | Yes | |
| Vermont | Yes | 2 years, expiring May 31 of odd years |
| Virginia | Yes | Up to 24 months |
| Washington | Yes | 1 year |
| West Virginia | Yes | 2 years |
| Wisconsin | Yes | 2 years; renews by August 31 of each eve |
| Wyoming | No |