All statutes and links are subject to change. Consult local counsel and state statutes to determine the applicability of laws in your individual case and jurisdiction.
| State | Statute | Costs | PI License Required for CFE (Conducting Fraud Exams)? | CFE Conducting Investigations for Own Employer Exempt? | CPA Exempt? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Code of Alabama Title 40, Chapter 12, Section 93 | Detective agencies operating in the state are required to pay a license tax of $100. If the agency is involved in collections, it must pay an additional license tax of $100. | Yes, in Birmingham & Mobile, but not statewide. | N/A | N/A | The only license required of private investigators in the state of Alabama as of 2010 is a business license. |
| Alaska | No current statute as of 2019 | There is a $100 non-refundable application fee as well as a $400 license fee (good for two years). | No | N/A | N/A | The state of Alaska has no licensing or training requirements for private investigators other than a standard business license. However, the cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks both require special licenses. |
| Arizona | AZ Revised Statutes § 32-24-2409 | Yes | Yes | Statute does not specifically state that CPAs are exempt, but under 32-2409: "a person, firm or corporation, or employee of a person, firm or corporation, engaged in the business of obtaining and furnishing financial and related personal information for others, if the person, firm or corporation does not engage in other investigative research and if the employee is not employed or connected with any private investigator's business" is exempt. | ||
| Arkansas | AK Code §17-40 PI Statute; 17-40-103 Exemptions | Yes | Yes | No | Licensing is required for investigators. | |
| California | CA Business & Professions Code § 3-11.3-7512-7573; §3-11.3-7522 Exemptions | Yes | Yes | No | Licensing is required for investigators. | |
| Colorado | Colorado Revised Statutes § 1-12-58.5 | |||||
| Connecticut | 2011 CT General Assembly Vol 9, Title 29, Chapter 534 | Yes | No | No | ||
| D.C. | District of Columbia Municipal Regulations §17-2000 | Yes | No | No | An investigator in Washington, D.C,. must be licensed by the district; the statutes do not specify any exemptions. | |
| Delaware | Delaware Code §24-13-1301-1341 | Yes | No | No | An investigator in Delaware must be licensed. The statute doesn't make allowances for exemptions. | |
| Florida | Florida Statutes §32-493 | Yes | Yes | Yes, if licensed CPA in the state of Florida | ||
| Georgia | Georgia Code §43-38-14 | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| Hawaii | Hawaii Revised Statutes §10-463 Private Detectives; §10-463-13 Exemptions | Yes | Yes | No, other than in limited circumstances. | ||
| Idaho | No current statute as of 2019 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Idaho is one of six states that currently doesn't have specific licensing requirements for private investigators. | |
| Illinois | Illinois Revised Statutes §225-447 Private Detectives | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Indiana | Indiana Code § 25-30-1 Private Investigator Firms; § 25-30-1(5) Exemption | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Iowa | Iowa Code § 3-1-80A | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| Kansas | Kansas Statutes § 75-7b-3 | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| Kentucky | Kentucky Revised Statutes §26-329A-070 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Louisiana | Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37-3500 | Yes | Yes | Yes, if licensed in state of Lousiana | ||
| Maine | Maine Revised Statutes § 32-89-8101 to 8121 | Yes, unless only conducting investigation for expert witness services. | Yes | Yes, but only for expert witness services. | ||
| Maryland | Maryland Code Title 13 Private Detectives | Yes | No | No | ||
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts General Law § 1-20-147, Sections 22-30 | Yes | Yes | Yes, if licensed in the state of Massachusetts | ||
| Michigan | Michigan Compiled Laws §338-821 to 851 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Minnesota | MN 2010 Statutes 326.32-326.339: Private Detectives, Protective Agents MN 2010 Statutes 326.32: Definitions MN 2010 Statutes 326.3341: Exemptions MN 2010 Statutes 326.338: Persons Engaged as Private Detectives or Protective Agents | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| Mississippi | No current statute as of 2019 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Currently, there is no licensing procedures in Mississippi in order to conduct private investigations. However, one must hold a Business License in the city (if in city limits) or county (if outside city limits) where one resides, have an office or conducts business. | |
| Missouri | Missouri 2010 Revised Statutes § 22-324-1100 to 1148 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Montana | Montana Code §37-60 PI Regulations; §37-60-105 Exemptions | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| Nebraska | Nebraska Revised Statutes § 71-3201 Private Detectives | Yes | No | No | ||
| Nevada | Nevada Revised Statutes Title 54, Chapter 648 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Revised Statutes §7-106-F1 to F16 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| New Jersey | New Jersey Statutes § 45-19-9 to 19-27 | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| New Mexico | New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 61-27B-1 to 35 Private Investigations Act | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| New York | New York Revised Statutes GBS, Article 7, Sections 70- 89A: Private Investigators | Yes | No | No | ||
| North Carolina | North Carolina Statutes §74C-1-1 to 30 | Yes | Yes | No | An investigator in North Carolina is required to be licensed. Exceptions include "a person engaged in (i) computer or digital forensic services or in the acquisition, review, or analysis of digital or computer‑ based information, whether for the purposes of obtaining or furnishing information for evidentiary or other purposes." However, CPAs aren't exempt except as above. |
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| North Dakota | North Dakota Code § 43-30-01; § 43-30-02: Exemptions | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Ohio | Ohio Revised Code Title 47, Chapter 4749: Private Investigator; Security Services Ohio Revised Code 4749.01: Private Investigator-Security Services Definitions Ohio Revised Code 4749.03: License Requirements | Yes, except for expert witness or consulting expert. | Yes | Yes | ||
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) 390:35-5-2 | $91-$191 plus yearly license renewal fees | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Oregon | Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Chapter 259, Division 61 Investigator Licensing Standards and Regulations | $70.25 for application fee and $550 for licensing fee | N/A | N/A | Yes | |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Private Detective Act of 1953 | $200 as individual, #300 as partnership, corporation, or association | N/A | N/A | N/A | Pennsylvania Private Detective Licenses are valid for 2 years but licensing terms and renewals may vary by county. |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Private Detective Act, Section 5-5-3 | 150 | N/A | N/A | N/A | $150 yearly renewal fee. Must renew at least 30 days before expiration. |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Code of Laws Section 40-18 | 350 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Renewal every two years. License fee paid to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) |
| South Dakota | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | South Dakota is one of six states that currently doesn't have specific licensing requirements for private investigators. However, you will need to set up an independent PI agency business. _x000D_ |
| Tennessee | Tennessee laws for Professions, Businesses and Trades, Chapter 26, Parts 1-2 | $150 for individual private investigator. Fees vary for investigation company application and licensing fees. | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Texas | Texas Private Security Act (Chapter 1702, Texas Occupations Code) | 62 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Utah | Utah Administrative Code Rule R722-330. Licensing of Private Investigators | $142.25 for registrant/apprentice license, $243.25 for agency license. | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Vermont | Vermont 26 VSA 3173 | $150 unarmed, $200 armed. | N/A | N/A | N/A | A state exam is required. |
| Virginia | Virginia Private Security Services Code - 9.1-138 - 9.1-150 | Unknown | N/A | N/A | N//A | Requires 60 hours of entry-level training. Optional firearms endorsement. Surety bond of $100,000 required. |
| Washington | Washington Chapter 308-17 WAC, Title 308 WAC, and WAC 308-17-150. | $200 unarmed, $300 armed. | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Code: Chapter 30, Article 18 | $50 for license, plus $150 for West Virginia residents or $550 for non-West Virginia residents. | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Administrative Code, Department of Safety and Professional Services - Private Detectives and Private Security Personnel, Chapters SPS 30-35 | $8 credential fee, $127 state law exam fee. Different if license expired for over 5 years. Veterans can apply for fee waiver. | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Wyoming | Wyoming | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Wyoming is one of six states that currently doesn't have specific licensing requirements for private investigators. However, applicants looking to work in Cheyenne will need to check with the city on specific jurisdictional licensing requirements. |