Become a Private Investigator or Detective

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Private investigators and detectives, using techniques such as surveillance, searches, interviews and background checks, gather evidence and verify facts about individuals or companies.

Private detectives and investigators may provide assistance in civil liability and personal injury cases, insurance claims and fraud, child custody and protection cases, marital infidelity cases and premarital screening. They also offer pre-employment verification and executive, corporate and celebrity protection. Detectives may make phone calls or visit a subject's workplace to verify facts. In missing persons and background check cases, investigators often interview people to gather as much information as possible about an individual.

Private Investigator: Training & Education

While there are no academic requirements for this field, a 2-year associate's program or a 4-year bachelor's program in a criminal justice-related area is helpful to aspiring private detectives and investigators. Most corporate investigators must have a bachelor's degree, and some corporate investigators have master's degrees in business administration or law. Corporate investigators hired by large companies may receive formal training from their employers on business practices, management structure and various finance-related topics.

Private Investigator: Licensing & Certification

Most states require private detectives and investigators to be licensed. Requirements vary widely, but convicted felons cannot receive a license.

In California, detectives and investigators must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a combination of education in police science, criminal law or justice
• Have three years (6,000 hours) of investigative experience
• Pass an evaluation by the Federal Department of Justice and a criminal history background check
• Pass a state examination covering laws and regulations
• Meet requirements for a firearms permit

There are many organizations that certify investigators. The National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI) confers the title Certified Legal Investigator to licensed investigators who specialize in negligence or criminal defense investigation and meet experience, education and continuing training requirements.

Private Investigator: Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2006 the mean annual wage of detectives and investigators was $60,390. According to a study by Abbott, Langer & Associates, security/loss prevention directors and vice presidents had a median income of $77,500 per year in 2000; investigators, $39,800; and store detectives, $25,000.

Related Article: Interview with a Private Investigator.

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