Training is not only an advantage for private investigators these days. As more and more states are requiring licensing for private investigators, training is eventually turning into a necessity if you want to get paid the rates you deserve.

No Formal Requirements
A 2006 survey showed that more than a third of private detectives possessed a bachelor’s degree in their names. A slightly smaller population at 26% had received tertiary education but weren’t able to complete their degrees. Almost a fifth of private detectives at 18%, on the other hand, were high school graduates. 13% had a master’s degree, 8% had an associate’s degree while only three percent had a PhD.

In general, having a degree in police science or criminal justice would be extremely helpful to private investigators. Other degrees, however, may also be of help if a private investigator wishes to specialize in a certain field. Corporate private investigators, for instance, would do better if they had a degree in a commerce-related field. For those offering computer forensics services, a degree in accounting or computer science would be especially advantageous.

In any case, many colleges and universities these days offer certificate programs for individuals interested in pursuing a career as private investigators. Many, however, basically get their training on the job.

How to Obtain a License
Licensing is something that more and more private investigators are investing to acquire. Unfortunately for them, a license to operate in one state may not be applicable in other areas.

If you live in South Dakota, Missouri, Mississippi, Idaho, Colorado, Alaska, or Alabama, you’re in luck because licensing is not required for private investigators to operate. Other states have few requirements before a license is granted but some tend to have strict regulations as to who can rightfully operate as private investigator.

In California, for instance, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services has posted explicit qualifications before a private investigator may obtain a license to operate. Firstly, he must be at least eighteen years old or of legal age. He must also possess a degree in either criminal justice or police science and three years or six thousand hours worth of experience. He must also pass a two-hour written examination as well as a criminal history background check conducted by the FBI and the California Department of Justice. He must also comply with additional requirements if he wishes to obtain a permit to carry firearms as well.

image credits to penmachine

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