How to Become a Private Investigator

GETTING STARTED:
There are several routes to becoming a private investigator. The two primary options you have are working for a licensed private investigations agency or working for yourself as a licensed private investigator. There are other possibilities for those starting a career as an investigative agent such as working for the Federal Bureau of Investigations or the Central Intelligence Agency. Working for the CIA or FBI does not offer the same level of independence and flexibility often associated with private investigation, it is however a practical and reputable means to becoming a trained and respected investigator.

LICENSING:
To begin working for yourself, you need to consider the private investigator licensing requirements for the state you live in, and the level of training you will need in order to become a private investigator and survive as a private investigator. All but a few states require a state issued license to begin working as a private investigator. The education and training requirements vary from state to state. Some states may simply require a state approved course, whereas others may require formal education, coursework, exams or years of investigation related work experience. You may be required to obtain liability insurance with “errors and omissions” coverage.

TRAINING:
Obtaining the proper training needed to work efficiently as a private investigator will be your priority far before you consider the requirements for obtaining a state license. If you do not have the experience or desire to work as an independent private investigator you will need to begin your career with an established agency. Most private investigation agencies will look for some level of training undertaken on your part, before they will even consider offering you a position. The good news is, training is widely available and affordable. Many states offer programs for newcomers to the industry.

THE RIGHT STUFF:
Now that you know a little more about the basic requirements for becoming a private investigator you should ask yourself an honest question, “do I have what it takes to work as a private investigator?” Consider a typical work day for a private investigator. You’re new client wants you to follow an workman’s compensation claimant from his home beginning at 6:00 am. Around 10:00 am you’ll have to drive across downtown to interview a witness. At 11:30am you must pickup the trail of your workman’s comp claimant and make a telephone call to your boss to give an update of your progress. As you’re talking to your boss a stranger pounds on the car window demanding to know what you’re doing. You have no time for lunch as you rush back to the office to write up the report a client is expecting at 1:00pm. At 2:00pm you look at the rest of your day’s schedule and realize the day has just begun.

This is not an exaggerated scenario. A typical workday for a private investigator can easily stretch into a 14-hour workday. Then there are the busy days. Family or personal demands will quickly come into conflict with the investigative demands. There is no calling in sick or relying on a work buddy or assistant to help you catch up. You are the company. Private investigators are self-starters who can think quickly and come up with clever solutions to circumvent obstacles and challenges. Besides the work itself, you also have to run your office, keep your files organized, promote your business and constantly be reading and networking to stay informed of the developments in your area.

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Private investigators must be ethical and free of a criminal history. When you apply for a state license a background check will be conducted. If you have a criminal record or a history of immoral behavior you will likely not receive your license. You need a clear criminal record.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
A degree in Criminal Justice is not required to obtain a license, though some states will accept a degree in criminal justice, police sciences or administration of justice in place of the minimum experience requirements. In fact, most private investigators do not have a college degree. You will however, need to posses basic writing skills. A private investigator must be able to properly report the details of what he or she has been researching and investigating. No matter how clever, resourceful or skilled you are at investigative work, if you cannot deliver a properly written case report you will not succeed in the business. Take an honest assessment of your writing skills. Many local colleges offer writing courses for those wishing to improve their writing skills.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
We each have our unique paths to follow in life. If you are drawn to a career in Private Investigation and are determined to be successful, you will indeed succeed. It is not really difficult to get started, but it is not that easy to maintain and grow a successful practice. The requirements listed above are not obstacles, and should not be viewed as such. The Private Investigative industry needs you, and encourages you to begin the process to becoming a license private investigator.