Jurisdictional, Licensing, and Regulation Concerns
Illinois Private Investigator License
A private investigator in the State of Illinois must be licensed with the Division of Professional Regulation. A written examination must be passed in order to become a PI in Illinois.
Reference Website:
http://www.idfpr.com/profs/detective.aspContact Information:Website:
http://www.idfpr.com/profs/detective.aspEmail:
Consumer Services 320 W. Washington, Springfield, Illinois, United States, 62786
Phone: (217) 785-0800
Fax: (217) 782-7645
Associations:Associated Detectives & Security Agencies of Illinois, IncCitation Statute: Illinois Compiled Statutes
Chapter 225: Professions and Occupations
Act 447: Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 2004
Website:
http://law.justia.com/illinois/codes/chapter24/2474.htmlQualifications Requirement: According to Section 1240.10 Application for Examination and Licensure – Private Detective (As provided by the Illinois Administrative code for Private Detectives):
a) Applications for licensure by examination, together with all supporting documentation, including verification of work experience, must be on file at least 60 days prior to the date of the examination.
b) No candidate shall be admitted to the examination until having fulfilled the experience and/or education requirements specified in Section 15-10(a)(6) of the Act. To determine such fulfillment, the following standards shall be applied:
1) The term "year" shall be 12 months with an average of at least 20 work days per month during which the applicant was engaged in full-time employment equal to 1500 hours or more annually.
2) "Full-time investigator in a law enforcement agency" shall mean a sworn peace officer, as defined in Section 5-10 of the Act, who serves in the capacity of a full-time detective/investigator or above rank.
c) The passing grade on the examination is 70 or above.
d) Upon notification of successful completion of the examination, the applicant may apply to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation-Division of Professional Regulation (Division) for licensure. The application must be complete and must be accompanied by:
1) One of the following:
A) Copy of the verification of fingerprint processing from ISP or from one of the ISP live scan vendors whose equipment has been certified by ISP or a fingerprint vendor agency licensed by the Division;
B) Out-of-state residents unable to utilize the ISP electronic fingerprint process may submit to ISP one fingerprint card issued by ISP, accompanied by the fee specified by ISP; or
C) In lieu of fingerpints, verification, on forms provided by the Division, of proof of retirement as a peace officer, as defined in Section 5-10 of the Act, within 12 months prior to application in lieu of fingerprints. The verification shall be signed by the applicant's employer;
2) Proof of at least $1,000,000 of general liability insurance held by the applicant as evidenced by a certificate of insurance from the insurer; and
3) The required fees specified in Section 1240.570.
e) A successful examination score shall be valid for 3 years. After 3 years the examination score will be void and an applicant will be required to file a new application, meeting the requirements at the time of the new application, and will be required to sit for and pass the examination.
f) In addition to any other requirements, an applicant for licensure shall meet the following:
1) Has not been convicted of any felony in any jurisdiction or at least 10 years have lapsed since the time of full discharge from a sentence imposed for a felony conviction;
2) Is of good moral character. Good moral character is a continuing requirement of licensure. Conviction of crimes other than felonies may be used in determining moral character, but shall not constitute an absolute bar to licensure, except when the applicant is a registered sex offender;
3) Has not been declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be incompetent by reason of mental or physical defect or disease, unless a court has subsequently declared the applicant to be competent;
4) Is not suffering from dependence on alcohol or from narcotic addiction or dependence;
5) Has not been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States;
6) Submits his or her fingerprints, in accordance with the provisions of the Act and this Part, including but not limited to the payment of any required fees;
7) Has not violated any provision of the Act or this Part.
g) For applicants utilizing the experience referenced in Section 15-10(c) where proof of canine odor detection services for hire since January 1, 2005 is required, at least the following shall be included:
1) Certified copies of a minimum of three canine odor detection services contracts prior January 1, 2005.
2) A completed VE-DET form to document the work experience in canine odor detection services since January 1, 2005.
(Source: Amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 7879, effective March 25, 2014)
Testing: Written examination.
Fees: $500 plus examination fee.
Renewal Information: According to Section 1240.550 Renewals, of the Illinois Administrative code for Private Detectives:
a) Beginning with the May 1999 renewal, every individual license issued under the Act shall expire on May 31 every 3 years. The holder of a license may renew such license during the month preceding the expiration date by paying the required fee set forth in Section 1240.570 and providing proof of liability insurance as evidenced by a certificate of insurance from the insurer.
b) Beginning with the May 1999 renewal, every certificate of registration for an agency and every branch office and proprietary security force certificate issued under the Act shall expire on August 31 every 3 years. The holder of a certificate of registration may renew such certificate during the month preceding the expiration date by paying the required fee.
c) Beginning with the May 2000 renewal, every employee registration card issued under the Act shall expire on May 31 every 3 years. The holder of the card may renew the card during the month preceding the expiration date by submitting the required fee to the Division.
d) It is the responsibility of each licensee and employee registration card holder to notify the Division of any change of address. Failure to receive a renewal form from the Division shall not constitute an excuse for failure to renew one's license or employee registration card or to pay the renewal fee. Practicing on an expired license or employee registration card is unlicensed practice and subject to discipline under Section 45-10 of the Act.
e) Every firearm control card shall expire on the date specified on the face of the card. The card shall be renewed upon proof that:
1) The employee has been requalified on the firing range within one year preceding the renewal date; and
2) The employee continues to be employed by the agency to which the card was issued.
f) No employer shall, after the expiration of a firearm control card, employ the holder of the card in an armed capacity.
g) In addition to the other requirements of this Section, fingerprint vendor licensees shall provide the following in order to renew:
1) verification that the applicant's fingerprinting equipment and software meets all specifications outlined in Section 1240.600 and that the equipment has been scheduled for recertification if required by ISP, or the licensee has received notice from ISP that recertification is not required at the time of renewal. The licensed vendor shall maintain all correspondence or notices related to recertification of equipment that have been received from ISP for a period of 6 years since the last renewal of the vendor's license. The correspondence or notices shall be made available to the Division upon request. Current certification with ISP is a continuing requirement of licensure;
2) verification that the licensee currently maintains insurance in the type and amounts required in Section 1240.600. Insurance in the type and amounts required in Section 1240.600 shall be a continuing requirement for licensure;
3) the licensee shall provide proof, acceptable to the Division, that the requirements of subsections (g)(1) and (2) have been met.
(Source: Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 9938, effective July 13, 2012)
Renewal Fees
$450 every 3 years for individuals.
Fingerprint fee $150 every 3 years.
The fee for the renewal of an agency license is $450 for the renewal period and the fee for the renewal of a branch office license is $200 for the renewal period.
Forms: http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/apply/forms/pd-ex.pdf