Becoming a Private Investigator in California
Becoming a private investigator in the state of California requires drive and dedication. Before applicants can even apply with the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), they must accumulate several thousand hours of professional investigative experience certified by their employer. Some types of educational degrees and some specialized professional experience in a few different fields may be used to reduce and/or count toward some of those hours, but for most prospective L.A. private investigators, they’ll need to find employment under a qualified manager (a specially-licensed detective) who can certify their professional hours over several years. Kinsey Investigations is a licensed and insured California private investigations firm with qualified managers who can help those interested in becoming private detectives. For more than two decades, we have guided many aspiring P.I.s on their path to realizing their dreams, and if you’re looking into becoming a Los Angeles detective, we can do the same for you.
How to Become a Private Investigator in Los Angeles
For anyone considering becoming a private investigator in California, there are state mandates about professional experience and training to become licensed. While extensive, the good news is our state’s process is fairly straight-forward. For those willing and able to put in the necessary time and effort, becoming a professional California private investigator can be a reality in as little as three to four years, with paid professional training accounting for most of that time. Unlike some other professions that require advanced degree or years of expensive schooling, the road to becoming a private detective in California is open to any eligible person with the desire, capability, and tenacity to walk it.
In our state, professional investigators are licensed through the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). The first step to becoming a private investigator is determining eligibility. By California law, some individuals are not qualified to become licensed private detectives. This includes anyone under the age of 18 as well as anyone who has engaged in fraud or has other criminal history. Applicants are required to submit to background checks through both the DOJ and the FBI. There are a few other circumstances that can cause an applicant to be ineligible, primarily having to do with individuals and firms who have already been refused a license or had a previous license revoked. For almost all new applicants, these circumstances will not apply to them. However, an eligible applicant will need to complete several important steps and gain the required hours of experience before filing any paperwork with BSIS.
Before a candidate can apply for a California private investigator license, they will need to complete 6,000 hours (three years) of professional investigative experience, often under the supervision of a qualified manager. In the world of private detective services, qualified managers are specially licensed by the BSIS to operate a private detective agency and oversee the investigative training of aspiring detectives. Applicants with a law degree or a few other types of degrees such as police science may be able to reduce their required hours by one or two thousand, depending on which degree(s) they hold. No matter how many hours an applicant must gain, the experience has be certified by their employer. Hours worked for municipal or military law enforcement, as an investigator for some types of public service offices, and a few other specific careers may also be counted toward the required number. However, the very best way to learn the skills you’ll need to work as a Los Angeles detective is to work under the supervision of a qualified manager at a California private investigations firm.
Applying for a License to Become a Private Investigator in California
Once a candidate has completed their required hours, the next steps are sitting for the two-hour private investigator exam and submitting their completed application for licensing along with any necessary fees to the BSIS. The application may be submitted online or by mail. Additional permits such as those for carrying a firearm or providing bodyguard service must also be submitted for those who choose to apply for them. Insurance requirements may be different for L.A. private investigators who intend to offer these services. Having proper insurance is just as important as having a valid license and keeping it up to date.
Kinsey Investigations is a long-established and well-respected Los Angeles private detective agency. Our qualified managers have helped many aspiring detectives realize their dream of becoming private investigators in California. If you have questions about the process or want to hear more about what it takes, give Kinsey Investigations a call.
