Washington
Washington has four types of licenses: a Private investigator agency license, an unarmed private investigator license, an armed private investigator license, and a certified trainer license.
Reference Website:
http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/pi/Contact Information:Website:
http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/pi/Email:
security@dol.wa.gov Private Investigator Licensing Department of Licensing, PO Box 9048, Olympia, Washington, United States, 98507-9048
Phone: (360) 664-6611
Fax: (360) 570-7888
Associations:PNAI - Pacific Northwest Association of Investigators Citation Statute: RCW 18.165, WAC 308-17, RCW 18.235
Website:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.165Qualifications Requirement: Private Investigator Agency
All agency owners, partners, or qualifying agents must be:
At least 18 years old if applying unarmed.
At least 21 years old if applying armed.
A United States citizen or resident alien.
You must have:
No criminal convictions that directly relate to your capacity to perform the duties of a private investigator and/or hinders public safety. Read more about criminal conviction information.
A physical location of the business within Washington.
A valid business license with the Department of Licensing.
How to apply
You must submit:
A completed Private Investigator Agency/Principal License Master Business
Application Supplement.
The non-refundable application fee.
One completed fingerprint card.
Proof of three years investigative experience performed before applying for the license; an examination will be scheduled within three weeks of receipt of a paid application if no experience is provided.
A certificate of liability insurance with minimum coverage of $25,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage OR a $10,000 Private Investigative Agency Surety Bond.
If a corporation, a copy of articles of incorporation and a list of officers and departments and their addresses.
Unarmed Private Investigator Requirements
All individual unarmed private investigators must be:
At least 18 years old.
A United States citizen or resident alien.
Employed by or have an employment offer from a licensed private investigator company.
You must:
Have no criminal convictions that directly relate to your capacity to perform the duties of a private investigator and/or hinders public safety.
Complete the pre-assignment training requirements.
How to apply
You must submit:
A completed Private Investigator License Application.
The non-refundable application fee.
One completed fingerprint card.
Armed Private Investigator Requirements
All individual armed private investigators must be:
Licensed as an unarmed private investigator or agency principal.
At least 21 years old.
You must have a current firearms certificate issued by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. You can find a list of firearms instructors on their website.
How to apply
You must submit:
A completed Private Investigator License Application.
The non-refundable application fee.
One completed fingerprint card.
A copy of your current concealed pistol license.
If you are an alien resident, proof of your alien firearm license.
Certified Trainer Requirements
All private investigator certified trainers must:
Be licensed as a private investigator agency principal, unarmed private investigator, or armed private investigator.
Have 3 years compensated investigative experience.
Pass an examination given by the Department of Licensing.
How to apply
You must submit:
A completed Private Investigator Certified Trainer Exam or Re-exam Application.
The non-refundable examination fee.
Examinations are scheduled within 3 weeks of receipt of a paid application at the location you choose on the application.
Reciprocity: The state of Washington does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states,
Testing: An exam is required for licensure in the state of Washington. Exam information is available at the following website:
http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/pi/piexam.html
Fees: Application fees
Private Investigator Agency with unarmed principal
$600
Private Investigator Agency with armed principal
$700
Unarmed Private Investigator
$200
Armed Private Investigator (in addition to Unarmed Private Investigator fee)
$100
Transfer
$25
Certified Trainer Examination
$25
Renewal Information:
Private Investigator Agency
$350
Late Fee: Master license service late renewal fee
Unarmed Private Investigator $175
Late Fee: $200
Armed Private Investigator $175
Late Fee: $200
Certified Trainer $15
Late Fee: N/A
Forms: http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/pi/piforms.html