🔎 Skip Tracer License Requirements by State

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

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 5 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level skip tracer license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $50–$50. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.
StateLicense RequiredExperienceExam FeeMedian Salary
ALAlabama Not Required $37,027
AKAlaska Not Required $52,774
AZArizona Not Required $41,283
ARArkansas Not Required $35,750
CACalifornia Required $50 $58,732
COColorado Not Required $45,964
CTConnecticut Not Required $48,943
DEDelaware Not Required $42,560
DCDistrict of Columbia Not Required $54,476
FLFlorida Required $50 $40,857
GAGeorgia Not Required $39,580
HIHawaii Not Required $57,456
IDIdaho Not Required $40,006
ILIllinois Not Required $44,688
INIndiana Not Required $38,729
IAIowa Not Required $37,878
KSKansas Not Required $37,878
KYKentucky Not Required $37,878
LALouisiana Not Required $38,304
MEMaine Not Required $41,283
MDMaryland Not Required $46,390
MAMassachusetts Not Required $51,923
MIMichigan Not Required $40,006
MNMinnesota Not Required $44,262
MSMississippi Not Required $35,324
MOMissouri Not Required $38,304
MTMontana Not Required $40,857
NENebraska Not Required $38,304
NVNevada Not Required $43,411
NHNew Hampshire Not Required $44,262
NJNew Jersey Not Required $50,220
NMNew Mexico Not Required $38,729
NYNew York Required $50 $55,328
NCNorth Carolina Not Required $39,155
NDNorth Dakota Not Required $40,432
OHOhio Not Required $39,155
OKOklahoma Not Required $37,027
OROregon Not Required $46,816
PAPennsylvania Not Required $41,708
RIRhode Island Not Required $43,836
SCSouth Carolina Not Required $38,729
SDSouth Dakota Not Required $37,452
TNTennessee Not Required $38,304
TXTexas Required $50 $40,006
UTUtah Not Required $41,283
VTVermont Not Required $42,985
VAVirginia Required $50 $43,411
WAWashington Not Required $50,220
WVWest Virginia Not Required $36,601
WIWisconsin Not Required $40,006
WYWyoming Not Required $40,432

Common questions about skip tracer licensing

Do all states require a skip tracer license?

No — 5 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level skip tracer 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 skip tracer license?

Application fees across the states range $50–$50. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a skip tracer 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.