|
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 surveillances 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. |
