How To Become A licensed Private Investigator In California

Get ready for the Department of Justice and the FBI

To become licensed by the California Department of Consumer Affairs as a private investigator or qualified manager, you need to meet these requirements. The examination is given at least every other month in Northern and Southern California.

Requirements for Licensure

A private investigator is an individual who (1) investigates crimes, (2) investigates the identity, business, occupation, honesty, etc. of a person; (3) investigates the location of lost or stolen property, (4) investigates the cause of fires, losses, accidents, or damage or injury; or (5) secures evidence for use in court. Private investigators may protect persons only if such services are incidental to an investigation; they may not protect property. An individual, partnership, or corporation licensed as a private investigator may employ a qualified manager to manage the business on a day-to-day basis. To be eligible to apply for licensure as a private investigator/qualified manager, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be 18 or older.
  
• Undergo a criminal history background check through the Department of Justice and the FBI, to be evaluated on an individual basis.
  
• Have three years (2,000 hours each year, totalling 6,000 hours) of compensated experience in investigative work; or a law or police science degree plus two years (4,000 hours) of experience; or an AA degree in police science, criminal law, or justice plus 2 1/2 years (5,000 hours) of experience. Experience must be certified by your employer and have been received while you were employed as a sworn law enforcement officer, military police officer, insurance adjuster, employee of a licensed PI or repossessor, or arson investigator for a public fire suppression agency. [Work as a process server, public records researcher, custodial attendant for a law enforcement agency, bailiff, agent who collects debts in writing or by telephone after the debtor has been located, or person who repossesses property after it has been located is not considered qualifying experience.]
  
• Submit your completed application with two recent photographs, two fingerprint cards (FD 258), $106 ($50 application and examination fee, $32 Department of Justice fingerprint processing fee and $24 FBI fingerprint processing fee) to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002.
  
• Pass a two-hour multiple-choice examination covering laws and regulations, terminology, civil and criminal liability, evidence handling, undercover investigations, and surveillance. The examination is administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs at least every other month in Northern and Southern California. It may be taken orally by prior arrangement. Examination dates are included with the application package. A copy of the Private Investigator Act will be sent with your exam notification.
  
• Upon notification that you have passed the examination, you must submit a licensing fee of $175 to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002.

Bureau Of Security and Investigative Services

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