Becoming a private investigator or detective and being able to legally solve cases and conduct a bunch of related activities for both public and private clients is quite a process. It doesn’t just happen overnight, as you decide that you might suit the job and probably want to try it out and see if it works out or not. Whether you’re willing to join an already existing private investigating agency or planning to become an independent detective with a perspective of establishing your own company, you’ll have to make several important steps to be able to function in this sphere.
Those are not just simple preparatory actions which are necessary when starting ordinary business (like cleaning company, little shop, etc.). The fact is that it involves much more paperwork, permissions and licenses. Moreover, there’re some terms and conditions, prescribed by the state authorities, which determine the potential possibility of you becoming a private investigator. They include some educational, experience and personal record demands that might differ from state to state. However, the basic rules are quite similar all over the country.
So, if you were wondering how to become a private detective/investigator, I’ll give you some guidelines, which might provide you with a general idea of what to do and what to expect considering entering this job and becoming successful in it.
General overview. What does private investigator actually do?
First of all, it’s necessary to determine whether this kind of job suits you and if you’re going to be able to handle some of its aspects. You’ll have to be sneaky, completely invisible in some cases and in others you’ll have to look like a completely normal person who’s not engaged in investigation sphere to make victims, suspects and witnesses trust you and give you necessary information. Basically, you have to obtain a skill of prepossessing and tricking people.
Moreover, nasty and quite disturbing cases might appear in your career. Obviously, no one goes to a detective when there’s no particular reason for it. So, be prepared to hear some horrible stories and see some really terrifying things.
Not everybody can cope with that, and only a strong-minded, composed, courageous and intelligent person with a highly developed sense of intuition may be capable of carrying out this job. But every cloud has a silver lining, and there will be some funny and completely ridiculous moments.
Detective’s job is not as bright and dynamic as it’s showed in books or movies. Being patient is one of the most crucial features of private investigator, as he usually has to spend hours in his car or somewhere around the corner while waiting for someone to show up. Consequently, irregular working hours and sleepless nights are guaranteed.
You’ll get frustrated because of inability to solve a case or figure out one particular detail that may put it all together. It happens quite often. It’s an inevitable part of the job, but you’ll find your way out for sure.
As you do this job for quite a while, you’ll find your strong sides and figure out the sphere you’d like to work in the most.
Figure out license granting and requirements
Most likely, you’ll be investigating different crimes, finding lost people, figuring out the lost/stolen property’s location. Also, you’ll conduct investigation of identity identification, his/her occupation, personal life, etc., inquire into the cases of fire, car accidents, questions of damage or injuries.
But, because of the specificity of the profession, state authorities have determined few requirements you’ll have to meet in order to become a licensed private investigator. And, only 7 states (South Dakota, Idaho, Alabama, Mississippi, Colorado, Alaska and Wyoming) haven’t stated those demands and allow private detectives operate legally without receiving according license. But in those states, you’ll have to become a member of investigators’ professional association and follow its ethic code and rules of practice.
So, as other 43 US states still demand that private investigator has to be licensed, let’s figure out who’s actually permitted to apply for it.
First of all, you have to be a US citizen or resident of at least 21 or even 25 years old (it varies from state to state), who finished a high school. Besides, you have to fit all the demands considering your higher education and work experience (see below). Also, some states won’t give you a license unless you complete investigator professional course and pass an exam.
Another problem is that even if you receive a license, it’s valid within one state only. Currently, only several states signed reciprocity treaties which give a private investigator an opportunity to legally operate throughout their sates without any additional permission. That’s why you’ll have to go through this procedure several times if you suppose that you’ll have to work interstate. However, it’s not a matter of first necessity, so you may think about it later.
Proper education and experience
Usually, private investigators are either former law-enforcement workers or military men, people who have law degree and worked in legal sphere or those, who went through special training courses.
Of course, there’s no special degree for this job, but it’s connected with other specialties, and, surprisingly, they don’t have to be necessarily of legal nature. Even if you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree of laws will significantly influence your capability, ensure necessary knowledge and add some extra point to your image among potential clients.
Besides, you’ll be much more efficient in your job, as you will have an overall idea of what investigating actions you may conduct and what’s prohibited, you’ll know a scheme and methods of investigation of crimes, their general pattern and peculiarities. Lawyers are also familiar with what evidence to look for in different cases and which of them will come useful in court.
Consequently, lawyers have better chances of becoming an advanced detective with a high performance of solved cases.
Computer or any other science degree might be suitable as well, as it improves some valuable professional skills ordinary lawyers of any kind and occupation might not obtain. As professional activities of private investigator involve quite a bit of research and work with specific computer programs, which allow performing searching, face and fingerprints’ recognition, wiretapping, surveillance and expertise tasks, your computer science awareness will definitely come in handy.
But, it’s even more important that you simply have to have a stated number of working hours (around 2,000) for a particular service or kind of company (cops, military, judges, prosecutors, police officers, law firm associates, attorneys, etc.). Besides, your college or university degree in one of the demanded spheres can be transferred into certain amount of working hours as well.
Personal record
It’s pretty obvious and completely understandable requirement that your criminal record has to be perfectly clean. Your past will be an object of a detailed examination, so be prepared for that. Each of your side steps might influence your future career. Most likely, both agencies and clients won’t be glad to hire you if you have such problems.
Also, if you’ve ever convicted of a felony, you will not be authorized to hold a firearm. And, that is almost vital for an investigator.
Professional lead-up
Even if you’ve previously worked in legal sphere, chances are that you weren’t really involved in investigating activities. So, it’s a good idea to get acquainted with the private detective’s job specifics and methods. That’s why you should spare some time and money to go through professional training course and get a certificate after completing it. You’ll get prepared for your future engagement and earn some bonuses for obtaining a license at the same time.
Also, if you feel like you need some kind of additional legal training or have to improve your computer skills, don’t hesitate to attend those classes as well.
Get protected (firearms)
It’s necessary to apply for a permission to carry a weapon of an allowed caliber while being of duty. Again, you’ll have to meet certain criteria (age, criminal record, US citizenship or residence) and provide a certificate that proves the fact that you’ve gone through power to arrest and carrying and using firearms courses. You may find them online (on HireRush.com for instance) and attend all required classes. They usually take about 20 hours in total.
Bear in mind that such permission for a private detective is actual only for two years since the date of its issue and does not include a permit for carrying concealed weapons.
Apply for the investigator state’s license
You’ll have to collect a bunch of papers for that matter and pay all fees, which follow the application process.
Those papers include a filled application form, documents regarding your education and operational experience, verification of security insurance, investigation on your background, fingerprints, professional reviews and references.
Get ready to pass the exam to receive license
Once you’ve applied for a private investigator license, start studying and revising for a state exam, which is aimed to check the candidates’ knowledge in the sphere of laws and regulations, connected with detective’s job. That’s when your professional courses or appropriate education might come in handy.
Office and equipment. Promotion of your services
Having an office to work in, host clients and keep your materials in is quite useful (unless you plan to work for a private detective’s agency, but not on your own). It doesn’t have to be too big; you may even turn one room of your apartment or house into your office or rent one. It doesn’t have to be fancy either. Simple furniture (desk, bookshelves, a couple of chairs) and office will do.
Besides, don’t forget to promote your services online and offline. Order business cards and leaflets. Online advertisement is the cheapest, but the most effective mean of promotion. Create your own business profile on HireRush.com with the list of operations you conduct, your prices and contact information.
