Introduction
The field of law enforcement offers many unique job opportunities. Private investigation is one such field that stands out with its unique approach to criminal justice. Whether you have retired from law enforcement and are seeking an opportunity in the private sector or are a fresh college graduate, it is important to conduct thorough research on the requirements and process for becoming a private investigator.
In this article, we explore the role of a private investigator, how to become a private investigator and what are the pertinent requirements in this regard.
What do Private Investigators Do?
Private investigators are not affiliated with any official law enforcement agency; rather they work in a private capacity. They usually work on behalf of clients who want to unearth information that is otherwise hard to obtain. They cater to a wide spectrum of clientele including businesses, enterprises, attorneys, individuals, etc. From collecting and examining crucial personal, legal, or financial information to conducting surveillance, running background checks, and facilitating missing people’s searches; private investigators provide a myriad of services.
When it comes to their daily nature of work, the activities that PIs perform may vary depending on the nature and requirements of the case. Generally, they do the following:
- Meeting with the clients and conducting interviews with individuals involved in the case.
- Running background checks on individuals including reviewing their employment status and history, financial stature and personal history, etc.
- Collecting, verifying, and examining evidence
- Conducting surveillance or observing criminal activity
- Carrying out research via public records, computer records, and other such resources to gather important information relevant to the case that may help in conducting an investigation.
- Preparing reports and case summaries for the clients
How to Become a Private Investigator?
Owing to the sensitivity of the profession, becoming a private investigator requires considerable time and effort. You must have the requisite educational background and also acquire hands-on experience to become a proficient PI.
Before we delve into the required steps to become a private investigator, it is pertinent to mention that the process of becoming a private investigator may vary according to the state or jurisdiction where you work. Therefore it is important to research for state-specific PI requirements. In most cases, individuals must follow the following process to advance in their career as a PI.
Educational Requirements
The educational requirements for private investigators may vary by state- while some states require candidates to have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, in some instances this is followed by a requirement for a college degree and field experience.
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in criminal justice or a relevant field like forensic psychology or forensic science can be beneficial once you start your job search. It is because there is a growing demand in the industry for PIs with degrees in these disciplines and they are given preference when it comes to hiring.
Get Private Investigation Training
To become a private investigator you must possess an extensive skill set, for which training is crucial. Numerous employers offer hands-on training opportunities but the training prerequisites may differ based on the job role and your prior work experience. Training usually covers the following aspects:
- Procedures and protocols for conducting interviews
- Approaches for gathering and assessing evidence
- Techniques for reconstructing accident scenes
- Surveillance methodologies
Gain practical experience
Hands-on experience can help aspiring candidates develop and hone their skills once they enter the profession. A significant number of private investigators have prior experience in law enforcement. This is because individuals in law enforcement normally tend to retire after 20 or 25 years of service. In such an instance, private investigation becomes an appealing career option after retirement. Moreover, paralegals, process servers, and collections agents may also opt to work as private investigators as a second career option.
Get PI license
To work as a licensed private investigator you must secure licensure in accordance with your state requirements. Here is how to become a licensed private investigator;
- Must be a legal US citizen
- Fulfill educational requirements
- Meet professional experience standards
- Pass the licensing examination
- Have a clear criminal record
The licensing exam is regulated by the respective licensing body and may vary as per location but generally includes topics such as federal or state regulations for investigator conduct, criminal laws, protocols and procedures, court preparation, information collection, and documentation among others.
Get Certification
While private investigator courses and certifications are not mandatory to pursue a career as a PI, they can validate your knowledge and expertise and add value to your profile. There are two prominent private investigator certifications available in this regard.
- Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) ® by the National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI):
- Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) ® by ASIS International:
CLI is an esteemed professional certification that verifies the knowledge, skills, and experiences of private investigators through a rigorous process. The eligibility criteria include working for specific organizations, fulfilling state licensure requirements, having a minimum of five years of professional experience as a legal investigator (or equivalent education), submitting a 1,000-word white paper, and committing to continuing education.
More detailed requirements can be found on NALI’s CLI requirement page.
PCI certification primarily focuses on security investigations and requires expertise in case evaluation, surveillance, interview techniques, and interrogation strategies. The eligibility criteria include having three to five years of investigative experience (depending on education level), at least two years of case management experience, no prior criminal convictions that could reflect negatively on the profession, and adherence to ASIS’s Code of Conduct and policies.
The PCI examination consists of 125 scored multiple-choice questions and may include 15 unscored pretest questions. Candidates have 2.5 hours to complete the exam which covers domains such as case management, investigative techniques, and case presentation.
For the most current requirements, you can consult ASIS’s eligibility requirements page.
How long does it take to become a private investigator?
By now you may be wondering how much time the entire process would take. On average it may take anywhere between two to four years to become a private investigator. It is pertinent to mention that this period may also include the duration of paid work experience essential for obtaining a private investigator license or the duration needed to complete a law degree or earn a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Private Investigator Requirements
Now that you understand the steps to becoming a private investigator, let’s look at some skills that can help in career growth and success.
Private investigators must possess a certain set of qualities if they want to be successful in their careers. This primarily pertains to different soft skills that can have a positive impact on how well the private investigators work. Here are a few requirements.
- Communication skills: Good communication skills are a significant prerequisite. PIs need to ask different questions to uncover important information and listen attentively to the answers taking care not to miss out on any important details. At the same time, it is important that they are considerate and show compassion, particularly towards individuals facing a difficult time.
- Initiative and self-direction: A proficient PI must demonstrate the ability to take initiative and self-direction so they can make effective decisions when the occasion demands.
- Problem-solving and critical thinking: These skills are also vital as PIs often need to think quickly and make the most out of the available resources.
- Patience: Patience is a virtue but in the case of PIs, it is a necessity! They often need to conduct surveillance that can take a lot of time with minimal activity.
- Computer skills: Computer skills are an important requirement as private investigators often conduct investigations online or access databases for information. They must also be proficient in writing and documentation for report-making purposes.
- Resourcefulness: It helps to have convenient access to resources for information purposes. For instance, access to public record databases containing criminal records or personal history may prove to help solve cases.
Prior experience in the field of law enforcement can help aspiring PIs refine their essential skills. Some individuals in this profession acquire their skills through advanced education programs as well.
Private Detective Salary and Career Outlook
As per the BLS data, private investigators had a median national salary of $52,120 in 2022, while the hourly rate was $25.06.
Getting a degree in criminal justice can make way for more lucrative positions for individuals who aspire to become private investigators. Moreover, the hourly rates can significantly increase with more experience, while geographical location and the specific industry in which they work can also impact their potential earnings.
According to the BLS, job prospects for private investigators are expected to increase by 6% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the national average growth rate for all occupations. Hence, aspiring PIs can expect to enter a job market with a growing demand.
Final Thoughts
Despite a promising job market, individuals aspiring to become private investigators should be prepared for competition. Many retired law enforcement and military personnel retire at a fairly young age and seek post-retirement employment, adding to the competition.
In such a situation, it is important to distinguish oneself through a combination of strong experience, proficiency in computer skills, and relevant law enforcement degrees, all of which can be valuable assets in the field of private investigation.