| Copyright (c) 2008 Ed Opperman | | | | level. Each state is different and you can either |
| Whenever someone asks me what I do for a | | | | use goggle to find online state by state licensing |
| living and I tell them I'm a private investigator I | | | | requirements for private investigators or contact |
| usually get the same response. "Oh how | | | | your sates dept of licensing. |
| interesting. I've always wanted to be a private | | | | Second is education. If your state requires a |
| eye, how can I become a private detective." It's | | | | degree in criminal justice you'll need to find a good |
| not that easy to answer at a BBQ or cocktail | | | | school or online college. Even if your state does |
| party but in this series of articles I'm going to | | | | not require a degree your potential employer |
| attempt to outline a step by step guide on "How | | | | may. So you'll want to get some kinds of degree |
| to become a PI". | | | | or certificate. There are many online schools that |
| We will be focusing our attention on these basic | | | | offer a Private Investigator certificate. This may |
| areas. 1. State licensing requirements 2 Education | | | | not help with your state licensing board but a |
| and Training 3. Integrity investigations 4. Getting | | | | potential employer will be impressed that you are |
| started tomorrow | | | | taking your new career choice seriously by |
| First and most important is learning your state | | | | getting some education under your belt. |
| licensing requirements. Some states require a test, | | | | Third is Integrity Investigations, sometimes also |
| some don't. Some states require you work a | | | | called mystery shopping. These companies will hire |
| certain number of hours under a licensed private | | | | inexperienced private investigator trainees to visit |
| Investigator until you can get licensed yourself but | | | | local businesses in their area to conduct |
| some do not. Some states require a degree in | | | | undercover visits and see if the employees are |
| criminal justice, some do not. Most states will | | | | following the stores corporate policies. Sometimes |
| require some experience as an investigator | | | | you'll visit a major dept store and take covert |
| before they will issue a licence. This is why most | | | | video. Other times you'll dine for free at a |
| private investigators are former police officers | | | | restaurant and report back on the quality of food |
| but many are not. Almost every state will do a | | | | and service. It's very important that you carefully |
| background investigation to determine if you have | | | | research the companies that are offering |
| a criminal record or outstanding warrant, some | | | | mystery shops and integrity investigations. You |
| states will even look into your credit history and | | | | should NEVER have to pay an up front fee of |
| ask for personal and professional references. | | | | any kind to a reputable company. |
| Today a licensed private investigator can have | | | | Last is getting started tomorrow. With a little bit |
| access to a variety if personal information such | | | | of research you can find recourses to lead you to |
| as social security numbers, criminal records | | | | reputable Mystery shopping companies. Apply and |
| checks, locating databases. If a person of suspect | | | | they can accept you train you and have you out |
| character had access to this type of information | | | | doing investigations in days. Do some investigation |
| they could irresponsibly release it to a stalker or | | | | and find out your sates licensing requirements. If |
| potential murderer, or at the very least an | | | | no license is required you could be in business in |
| identity thief. So that's why it's important for | | | | no time. Especially if you have life experience in |
| private investigators to be regulated at the sate | | | | helping people and problem solving. |