| Alabama |
Minimum age 21 |
Background check required |
License issued by Alabama PI Board |
| Alaska |
No statewide license |
Local municipalities may regulate |
Business license required |
| Arizona |
Minimum age 21 |
3 years experience or equivalent |
Exam & license required |
| Arkansas |
Minimum age 21 |
Background check & fingerprints |
Exam required |
| California |
Minimum age 18 |
3 years investigative experience |
Exam & BSIS license required |
| Colorado |
No statewide license |
Local regulation applies |
Business license required |
| Connecticut |
Minimum age 25 |
5 years law enforcement/PI experience |
License from Commissioner of Emergency Services |
| Delaware |
Minimum age 21 |
Sponsored by law enforcement agency |
License from State Police |
| Florida |
Minimum age 18 |
40 hours state-approved training |
Class C license required |
| Georgia |
Minimum age 18 |
Employed by licensed agency |
License issued by Georgia Board |
| Hawaii |
Minimum age 18 |
4 years investigative experience |
License issued by Board of Detectives |
| Idaho |
No statewide license |
Business license required |
Check local regulations |
| Illinois |
Minimum age 21 |
3 years experience or criminal justice degree |
Exam required, licensed by IDFPR |
| Indiana |
Minimum age 21 |
Background check required |
License issued by State Board |
| Iowa |
Minimum age 18 |
Background check & insurance required |
License from Dept. of Public Safety |
| Kansas |
No statewide license |
Business license required |
Local regulations apply |
| Kentucky |
Minimum age 21 |
Background check required |
License from Kentucky Board of Licensure |
| Louisiana |
Minimum age 18 |
Background check required |
License from Louisiana State Board |
| Maine |
Minimum age 21 |
Background check required |
License issued by Chief of State Police |
| Maryland |
Minimum age 25 |
5 years law enforcement/PI experience |
License from Secretary of State Police |
| Massachusetts |
Minimum age 18 |
3 years experience or law enforcement background |
License from State Police |
| Michigan |
Minimum age 25 |
3 years PI/law enforcement experience |
License from Michigan Dept. of Licensing |
| Minnesota |
Minimum age 18 |
Pass background check |
License from Board of Private Detective Services |
| Mississippi |
No statewide PI license |
Business license required |
Local regulations may apply |
| Missouri |
Minimum age 21 |
Background check required |
License from Board of Private Investigator Examiners |
| Montana |
Minimum age 21 |
3 years investigative experience |
License from Board of PI & Security |
| Nebraska |
Minimum age 21 |
Background check & fingerprints |
License issued by Secretary of State |
| Nevada |
Minimum age 21 |
5 years experience or equivalent |
License from Private Investigator Licensing Board |
| New Hampshire |
Minimum age 18 |
2 years experience |
License from State Police |
| New Jersey |
Minimum age 25 |
5 years investigative experience |
License from NJ State Police |
| New Mexico |
Minimum age 21 |
6000 hours investigative experience |
License issued by NM Regulation Board |
| New York |
Minimum age 25 |
3 years experience or law enforcement |
License from Department of State |
| North Carolina |
Minimum age 18 |
3 years experience or training |
License from Private Protective Services Board |
| North Dakota |
Minimum age 18 |
Pass background check |
License issued by ND PI Board |
| Ohio |
Minimum age 21 |
2 years investigative experience |
License from Private Investigator & Security Board |
| Oklahoma |
Minimum age 18 |
CLEET training required |
License from CLEET Board |
| Oregon |
Minimum age 18 |
1500 hours investigative experience |
License from Department of Public Safety |
| Pennsylvania |
Minimum age 25 |
Background check required |
License issued by County Court |
| Rhode Island |
Minimum age 18 |
Background check required |
License issued locally by city/town council |
| South Carolina |
Minimum age 18 |
Background check required |
License issued by State Law Enforcement Division |
| South Dakota |
No statewide PI license |
Business license required |
Local regulation may apply |
| Tennessee |
Minimum age 21 |
Training & exam required |
License from Tennessee PI Board |
| Texas |
Minimum age 18 |
3 years experience or degree |
License from Texas Department of Public Safety |
| Utah |
Minimum age 21 |
2000 hours investigative experience |
License from Bureau of Criminal ID |
| Vermont |
Minimum age 18 |
2 years experience or training |
License from Department of Public Safety |
| Virginia |
Minimum age 18 |
60 hours state-approved training |
License from Dept. of Criminal Justice Services |
| Washington |
Minimum age 18 |
2000 hours investigative experience |
License from Department of Licensing |
| West Virginia |
Minimum age 18 |
Background check required |
License from State PI Licensing Board |
| Wisconsin |
Minimum age 18 |
Pass exam & background check |
License from Dept. of Safety & Professional Services |
| Wyoming |
No statewide PI license |
Business license required |
Local regulations may apply |