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This Q & A section
provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about
becoming a private investigator. Before getting into specific
questions, please consider the following:
There are two levels of licenses in most state: One for owners
and managers of investigation agencies and another for
investigators licensed to conduct investigations under their
direction.
Although many agency owners and managers have completed some
college courses, and perhaps a greater number have undergraduate
degrees, state licensing departments have no minimum education
requirements. From a practical standpoint, to be successful in
this field you must have good common sense, the ability to
communicate effectively with people at all social and economic
levels, have a well-rounded education and above average computer
skills.
There is certainly nothing wrong with book learning, and if and
when you get into this field, you will find your nose glued to
books you never heard of in college or anywhere else, but ...
investigation is an art - not a science. The techniques,
methods, procedures and skills required cannot by developed by
reading or through academic studies. The secrets of
investigation, research, and how the application of
investigative procedures are used professionally, cannot be
found between the covers of any book!
One can only learn to be a private investigator by getting
hands-on experience. To do this one must get an entry-level job
with an agency operator who has the patience and time to teach
and guide them.
This field is not for everybody. It takes a very special person
to undertake the task of gathering evidence for citizens who
require legal investigative services. Your goal should be to
eventually own and operate your own agency. In your beginning
years you will quickly learn that people who call on
investigators are usually in serious trouble and require
understanding and guidance. Lawyers and legal specialists who
hire investigators depend heavily on them to produce facts that
will make their cases. If you believe you have a strong enough
will and the acumen to succeed, then go for it!
This is the best advice I can give to anyone who wants to become
a private investigator. Now, for your specific questions:
Q. What are the requirements and what do I have to do to become
a private investigator?
A. You must be a good citizen with a clean record, over the age
of 18 years, and apply for employment with an investigation
agency. Once hired, you will receive a license to serve under
the owner or manager of the agency as a Licensed Private
Investigator. You will be required to pay fees for your criminal
background check, identification photographs, finger printing
and related registration costs. These are set by licensing
authorities and average around $50.00.
Q. What does a license entitle me to do?
A. It allows you to conduct investigations under the direction
of a licensed owner or manager of a private investigation
agency. As an employee, you are not permitted to enter into
contracts with anyone on your own to provide investigative
services. For you to receive a license, the owner or manager
must request a state-licensing agency to register you under his
license.
Q. What kinds of qualifications do investigation company owners
or managers consider when hiring a trainee investigator?
A. This depends largely upon the size and type of services
various agencies provide. Agencies providing pre-employment
background checks may hire persons with good clerical and
computer skills, those providing criminal defense services may
only hire applicants who have extensive criminal investigation
experience, those specializing in civil cases, may hire persons
with investigative, paralegal or related work experience, such
as previous employment with a collection agency, an auto
repossessor, or a bail bond company, etc.
Q. What do you recommend for preparing for a career in private
investigation?
A. Those who are serious about a career as a private
investigator should check out library books on investigative
subjects and study them intensely. The best ones are written by
criminal defense lawyers, investigative news reporters and
insurance adjusters. College libraries are the best source.
Generally, correspondence courses are of limited value and are
often over-priced. Check carefully before you purchase a home
study course, even those offered by private investigators.
Attending approved continuing education courses provides an
opportunity to interact with practicing investigators while
receiving valuable and very applicable instruction. This, along
with book-learning, is the best way to prepare for entering the
field of private investigation.
Q. How can I get recognized experience before seeking employment
with an investigation agency?
A. Gain employment with any business in the following
categories: Security department of any business, a collection
agency, a bail bonds company, a process service firm, the claims
department of any company, any type of public record research
firm, an automobile or property repossession agency, or the
screening division of a personnel department of any large
company, or a clerical position with a credit agency. These are
the most common.
Q. What do I have to do to become licensed to operate my own
investigation company?
A. Generally, in most states requiring licenses, you must be a
good citizen, over the age of 18 years, have a clean record, and
prove that you have had three consecutive years of investigation
experience immediately prior to applying to take the licensing
examination from licensing regulators in the state in which you
reside. Upon successfully passing the examination and/or other
requirements, paying the required fees, and obtaining the
required insurance or posting the required bond, a license will
be issued.
Q. What does this license entitle me to do?
A. This license entitles you to enter into private contracts
with anyone to provide investigation services and to hire and
register investigators under your license. It also authorizes
you to advertise your services and to solicit business.
Q. Is private investigation work dangerous?
A. By and large, no. But in some instances it can be.
Apprehending persons wanted for serious crimes is probably the
most dangerous. But conducting surveillance in areas of high
crime may be equally as dangerous. Danger arises when subjects
of investigations learn the identity of the investigator. Safety
and secrecy go hand-in-hand.
Q. Do private investigators carry handguns?
A. Those engaged in personal protection are always armed while
on duty. In certain instances and while on dangerous
assignments, many investigators carry concealed weapons and
those who do must have concealed weapon permits. Most
investigators seldom if ever carry guns.
Q. What is the average annual income of a trainee level
investigator working full-time?
A. An average of $26,000 per year based on working an average of
5 days a week, and 8 hours per day over a twelve-month period.
Q. What is the average annual income of a manager or owner of a
private investigation agency?
A. The average annual income of an investigation agency owner or
manager is around $75,000.00.
NOTE: Many private investigators who work alone and use other
licensed agency operators to work with them when needed, may
make from $100,000 to $150,000 per year, or more. How much an
investigator receives for his services and how much he earns,
depends upon the individual investigator's reputation, ability,
and the kinds of cases he specializes in. |
