7 Steps to Obtain Your California Private Investigator License

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When it comes to obtaining a California private investigator license, the golden state is perhaps one of the most straightforward. The process is simple and fluid in terms of requirements, exams, applications, and fees. Below are 7 steps to obtain your private investigator license.

1. You Must be at Least 18 Years Old

The code is specific about this requirement.

2. You Must Not Have Committed Specific Crimes or Acts

This includes acts involving dishonesty, fraud or deceit. Interestingly, a person can not be denied a license solely on a felony conviction if the individual obtains a certificate of rehabilitation. The same rule applies to misdemeanors. Also, a license can be denied if the applicant knowingly makes a false statement in the license application.

3. For a California Private Investigator License, You or Your Manager Must Meet Education or Experience Requirements

An applicant, or his or her manager, shall have had at least three years’ experience in investigation work. One year’s experience shall consist of not less than 2,000 hours of actual compensated work performed by each applicant preceding the filing of an application. In other words, you need at least 6,000 hours of applicable experience.

The law recognizes the following applicable experience:

• Sworn law enforcement officers with arrest powers
• Military police of the Armed Forces of the USA
• Insurance adjusters
• Persons employed by a private investigator (who is licensed)
• Persons employed by repossessors (who are licensed)
• Persons trained and certified as arson investigators and employed by a public agency engaged in fire suppression
• Persons trained as investigators and employed by a public defender to conduct investigations
• Persons trained as investigative reports and employed by a media source

You can also earn experience points through education:

• If you hold a law degree or bachelor’s degree in police science, criminal justice, criminal law, or the equivalent thereof from an accredited college, then you are granted 2,000 hours of experience.
• If you hold an associate degree in police science, criminal justice, criminal law, or the equivalent thereof from an accredited college, then you are granted 1,000 hours of experience.

The applicant has to provide evidence or explain how his or her experience meets the requirement. For example, the applicant has to provide details about such experience through documents by the employer or a qualified manager of a private investigation company.

4. You Must Pass the California Private Investigator License Exam

In California, if you want to be a Qualified Manager of private investigators, you must pass a two-hour multiple-choice exam covering laws and regulations, terminology, civil and criminal liability, evidence handling, undercover investigations, and surveillance. However, if you are starting out, you can work under a Qualified Manager to earn experience before you decide to become a manager or start your own investigative agency.

5. You Must Apply for a California Private Investigator License

The application can be completed by creating an online account with BreEZe or by submitting a form via the mail. The application has to include two recent passport-quality photos You also have to submit fingerprints through Live Scan to the California Department of Justice and FBI for a background/criminal check. Here are the forms and Livescan locations.

6. You Must Pay a Variety of Fees

The application and processing fee is $50

The licensing fee is $175

Examination fee (if taking the Qualified Manager Exam): $50

The California DOJ fingerprinting fee is $32

The FBI fingerprinting fee is $17

The application package needs can be mailed to:

Bureau of Security and Investigative Services

West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002.

7. Take Advantage of Veteran Benefits

It is worth mentioning that just like Florida or Texas, California also has veteran benefits.

Specifically, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) has a program called Veterans Come First. This program provides direct line phone numbers and emails. Veterans can email the bureau at bsisveterans.dca@dca.ca.gov.

Veterans also receive priority in the licensure process. Of course, the BSIS will review your DD214, training, and experience to expedite your application. Another nice feature is that your GI benefits may be used to reimburse you for costs of licensing tests.

Are you applying or have applied for a California private investigator license?

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