🕵️ Private Investigator License Requirements by State

Compare private investigator license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$75	$51,460
AKAlaska	Not Required	—	—	$73,346
AZArizona	Required	—	$75	$57,375
ARArkansas	Required	—	$75	$49,686
CACalifornia	Required	—	$75	$81,627
COColorado	Required	—	$75	$63,882
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$75	$68,022
DEDelaware	Required	—	$75	$59,150
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$75	$75,712
FLFlorida	Required	—	$75	$56,784
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$75	$55,009
HIHawaii	Required	—	$75	$79,852
IDIdaho	Not Required	—	—	$55,601
ILIllinois	Required	—	$75	$62,107
INIndiana	Required	—	$75	$53,826
IAIowa	Required	—	$75	$52,643
KSKansas	Required	—	$75	$52,643
KYKentucky	Required	—	$75	$52,643
LALouisiana	Required	—	$75	$53,235
MEMaine	Required	—	$75	$57,375
MDMaryland	Required	—	$75	$64,473
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$75	$72,163
MIMichigan	Required	—	$75	$55,601
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$75	$61,516
MSMississippi	Not Required	—	—	$49,094
MOMissouri	Required	—	$75	$53,235
MTMontana	Required	—	$75	$56,784
NENebraska	Required	—	$75	$53,235
NVNevada	Required	—	$75	$60,333
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$75	$61,516
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$75	$69,797
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$75	$53,826
NYNew York	Required	—	$75	$76,895
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$75	$54,418
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$75	$56,192
OHOhio	Required	—	$75	$54,418
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$75	$51,460
OROregon	Required	—	$75	$65,065
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$75	$57,967
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$75	$60,924
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$75	$53,826
SDSouth Dakota	Not Required	—	—	$52,052
TNTennessee	Required	—	$75	$53,235
TXTexas	Required	—	$75	$55,601
UTUtah	Required	—	$75	$57,375
VTVermont	Required	—	$75	$59,741
VAVirginia	Required	—	$75	$60,333
WAWashington	Required	—	$75	$69,797
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$75	$50,869
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$75	$55,601
WYWyoming	Not Required	—	—	$56,192

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Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.