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🕵️ Private Investigator License Requirements by State
Compare private investigator license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.
Last updated 2026-05-08
By the numbers: 46 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level private investigator license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $75–$75. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.
| 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 |
Common questions about private investigator licensing
Do all states require a private investigator license?
No — 46 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level private investigator license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.
How much does it cost to get a private investigator license?
Application fees across the states range $75–$75. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.
How many apprenticeship hours does a private investigator license typically require?
Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.
Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.