| In this article about private investigators we're | | | | for licensing vary from state to state but seven |
| going to discuss the training that's required as well | | | | states, Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, |
| as other qualifications.Unlike most other jobs there | | | | Mississippi, Missouri, and South Dakota, have no |
| are no formal requirements for education to get a | | | | licensing requirements. Some states have very |
| job as a private investigator. In spite of this, | | | | few requirements. Many states however, have |
| many private investigators do have college | | | | very strict requirements and it is very difficult in |
| degrees. Most private detectives and investigators | | | | those states to get a private investigator's license. |
| do have some kind of related experience in | | | | A number of states now have mandatory training |
| another profession such as in law enforcement. | | | | programs. For example, in California a person |
| Some may have worked for insurance | | | | must be 18 years old, must be educated in |
| companies, collection agencies, in private security | | | | criminal law, police science and justice, and have a |
| or even as paralegals. Some may have served in | | | | minimum of 6,000 hours of investigation |
| some sort of government position such as a | | | | experience. Then on top of all of that they have |
| federal intelligence job with the FBI or the CIA. | | | | to pass a criminal history background check by |
| Many private investigators may have even | | | | the California Department of Justice and the FBI. |
| served in the military where many skills are | | | | They then must take a 2 hour exam and pass |
| taught that come in quite handy when tackling the | | | | with a minimum score. Then if they want to get a |
| job of a detective.What is very common is for | | | | gun permit there are additional requirements for |
| people who work in the public sector, who are | | | | that as well.Then to get hired, many firms look |
| able to retire after 25 years of service, to | | | | for people with certain characteristics such as |
| become private investigators. These people are | | | | ingenuity, persistence, and assertiveness. Job |
| usually still relatively young, in their mid 40's, and | | | | applicants can't be afraid of confrontation, should |
| find it hard to retire at that age. Those who have | | | | be able to communicate well and be able to think |
| been exposed to jobs that would assist them in | | | | on their feet. They also need good interrogation |
| becoming investigators find it an easy transition to | | | | and interviewing skills. A good investigator also |
| go from the one job to the other. For these | | | | must be able to present the facts in a detailed, |
| people it is like starting life all over and many of | | | | organized manner as many times they will be |
| them find it quite exciting and fulfilling. Some even | | | | called on to testify in court.In our next article we'll |
| go back to college to get additional training in | | | | cover where private investigators get their |
| order to be better prepared for an investigator's | | | | training, how they go about getting employment, |
| job.In the United States, most states require | | | | what the job outlook is for new investigators and |
| private investigators to be licensed even though | | | | what investigators can expect to earn. |
| no formal training is required. The requirements | | | | |