We must get a least call a day from people asking, how do I get licensed to be a private investigator? In order to practice as a private investigator, one has to be registered with private investigator license certification.

The registration process needs to be conducted legally. There are many people who claim to be private investigators without having any legal documents. Without proper registration and licensing from the authorities, one can’t offer professional service to the clientele.

There are many recognized educational centers globally famous for their curriculum regarding how to become a private investigator. The institutions such as Institute of professional investigators or IPI, Detective Training Institute or DTI, The Association of British Investigators or ABI are some of the most famous places for learning the private course to be a detective.

Achieve Qualifications For The Job

If you ask how to become a pi, the answer would be achieving qualifications for the job. There are levels of awards, certifications and diplomas which are necessary for the training to get private eye license. The IQ Level 3 award is the standard expected to build private investigator license. Those who want to take this examination should register, take a course of minimum 39 guided learning hours or seek an alternative assessment accepted by the institute.

Clean Criminal Record

To become private investigator license, most jurisdictions need a clean criminal record. Conviction or indictment of felony, conviction for misdemeanors such as violence, misconduct with assault weapon, fraud, theft, narcotics, sexual malpractice, conviction of acting as a pi or security guard without having license within last 5 years of applying for license or being on probation, parole, home arrest during licensing will be disqualified.

Security Industry Authority (SIA)

The S.I.A or Security Industry Authority is the organization that is in charge for the regulations regarding detective work. It must be followed by all professionals in this business. You will require a SIA licensing if you are conducting any kinds of investigations, surveillance and inquiries. Anyone who provides officially contracted private investigation service must have a license. This includes self employed professionals or anyone associated with any private investigation agency or enterprise.

Every private investigator should be capable to use modern technologies in order to remain up to date. Becoming investigator, one should be acquainted with different tactics. The technological advantages make private investigation one of the major technical occupations out there in the commercial world.

Every professional has to face a lot of competition in their respective occupation. The rating system is a ranking or classification system for comparative assessment of performance. A pi must have high ratings based on certification and customer reviews in order to maintain the business.

High School Diploma Or GED Certificate

The answer to the question how to be a good private investigator lies within a good academic foundation. Private investigator education requirements include a high school diploma or GED certificate as the minimum qualifications. Having a law or science degree, associate’s degree in criminal law, police science or justice and computer science degrees are major qualifications.

Most Private investigators come from a law background. They know about their limitations to law as well as the limitations of law to them. They should use their knowledge in a legitimate way, running a legit business. If any means of unfairness is proved, they might lose their license, job and reputation.

The occupation of pi is risky in terms of personal and professional security. Private Investigators should keep a number of specialized insurance coverage regarding the issues of: Battery and assault coverage to protect the pi from accusations of physical attack, Professional liability coverage to cover professional faults or negligence, which might result in a loss for the customer, Invasion of privacy coverage to counter claims of “invasion of privacy” etc.