California Occupational License
License Title:
Private Investigator
Private Investigator
Department of Consumer Affairs
Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
Licensing Agency Contact Information:
| Address: | PO Box 989002 West Sacramento, CA 95798 |
| Phone Number: | (916) 322-4000
|
| Fax Number: | (916) 575-7290
|
| E-mail Address: | bsis@dca.ca.gov |
| Internet Address: | http://www.bsis.ca.gov |
License Requirements, Fees, and Examination Information:
A private investigator is an individual who amongst other duties (1) investigates crimes, (2) investigates the identity, business, occupation, character, etc., of a person, (3) investigates the location of lost or stolen property, (4) investigates the cause of fires, losses, accidents, damage or injury, or (5) secures evidence for use in court.
Requirements:
Be 18 or older.
Undergo a criminal history background check through the DOJ and the FBI.
Possess a minimum of 6,000 hours of compensated experience in investigative work (equates to 3 years of full-time employment).
Pass a multiple-choice examination covering the Private Investigator Act.
Exams are given by a State contracted company known as PSI. If the individual meets the minimum requirements for admittance to the examination after the application has been reviewed and approved, he/she will receive a letter to contact PSI for scheduling. Exams are given five days a week at 13 different PSI locations within California.
Application and Exam Fee - $50
Initial License Fee - $175
DOJ Fingerprint Processing Fee - $32
FBI Fingerprint Processing Fee - $17
Renewal Fee - $125
The initial license is valid for 2 years. Each renewal cycle extends the registration for an additional 2 years.
Average time to process an application is 120 days.
Authority: Business and Professions Code, Chapter 11.3
Occupations To Which This License Applies:Requirements:
Be 18 or older.
Undergo a criminal history background check through the DOJ and the FBI.
Possess a minimum of 6,000 hours of compensated experience in investigative work (equates to 3 years of full-time employment).
Pass a multiple-choice examination covering the Private Investigator Act.
Exams are given by a State contracted company known as PSI. If the individual meets the minimum requirements for admittance to the examination after the application has been reviewed and approved, he/she will receive a letter to contact PSI for scheduling. Exams are given five days a week at 13 different PSI locations within California.
Application and Exam Fee - $50
Initial License Fee - $175
DOJ Fingerprint Processing Fee - $32
FBI Fingerprint Processing Fee - $17
Renewal Fee - $125
The initial license is valid for 2 years. Each renewal cycle extends the registration for an additional 2 years.
Average time to process an application is 120 days.
Authority: Business and Professions Code, Chapter 11.3
| Occupation Title | SOC Code |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | 339021 |