LA Private Investigator License Cost
Louisiana’s private investigator licensing costs include $200 for the initial individual license, $100 for the exam, $43 for the criminal background check, and $10 for the application packet, plus provider‑set tuition for the mandatory 40‑hour course. Annual renewal is $150, with $100 online CE required every two years.
The private investigator license cost in Louisiana typically includes a $200 initial individual license fee, $100 exam fee, $43 criminal background check, a $10 application packet, and the cost of the required 40‑hour basic course (provider‑set). Annual renewal is $150; online CE is $100 every two years. See sources below.
Requirements last verified: 2026-08-10
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Licensing agency | Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners (LSBPIE). See fee schedule and instructions: LSBPIE License Info and notice of updated fees effective Sept. 1, 2024: LSBPIE home. |
| Initial license fee (Individual) | $200 total individual initial fee, paid to LSBPIE. Source. |
| Application packet | $10 to request the application packet by mail. Source. |
| Exam | $100 exam fee; $50 retake. Passing score 75%. Source and fee update on LSBPIE home. |
| Background check | $43 state/FBI criminal background check (via fingerprints) required after application. Source; authority: R.S. 37:3507.1. |
| Education / training | Board‑approved 40‑hour Basic Private Investigator Preparatory course required (cost set by school). Source (R.S. 37:3509). |
| Minimum age | 18 years of age. Source (R.S. 37:3507). |
| Sponsorship/employment | Individual applicants must be employed by and sponsored through a licensed LA investigative agency (Sponsor Form required). Source. |
| Renewal | $150 annually for individual license; late fee $100 if expired. Source. |
| Continuing education | Online CE course $100 every two years is required to renew. LSBPIE home. |
| Other common fees | $25 replacement card; $50 transfer (agency or apprentice→individual), per schedule. Source. |
| Statutory framework | Louisiana Private Investigators Law, R.S. 37:3500 et seq. Definitions/licensure types: R.S. 37:3507.2. |
How to calculate your private investigator license cost in Louisiana
- Request the application packet ($10) and confirm you meet statutory qualifications (age 18+, good character). See LSBPIE License Info and R.S. 37:3507.
- Complete the 40‑hour basic course (provider‑priced), then register for the Board exam ($100; $50 retake). Details on LSBPIE.
- Submit fingerprints for the required state/FBI background check (~$43) after filing your application. See fee table at LSBPIE; background authority: R.S. 37:3507.1.
- Apply as an Individual under a licensed agency (Sponsor Form) and pay the $200 initial individual license fee to LSBPIE. See fee schedule.
- Budget for renewal: $150 annually plus the $100 online CE every two years to stay active. See LSBPIE.
Louisiana private investigator license cost: what you’ll actually pay
Plan for Board‑set charges of $200 (initial license), $100 (exam), $43 (background check), and $10 (application packet). Training providers set tuition for the mandatory 40‑hour course. Ongoing, expect $150 each year to renew and $100 for the biennial online CE. All figures are from the LSBPIE License Info page and the Board homepage.
Do Louisiana PIs need insurance or a bond?
LSBPIE’s rules and the Private Investigators Law (R.S. 37:3500 et seq.) list fees, training, and qualifications, but do not impose a PI‑specific insurance or surety bond requirement for individual licensure. Always confirm agency or client contract requirements. See LSBPIE License Info and Title 37 statutes.
Apprentice and journeyman options (and costs)
Louisiana also offers Apprentice ($200 initial) and Journeyman ($350 initial) credentials with the same exam/background fees; apprentices are limited to one year and journeymen may only serve licensed agencies. See the fee grid and definitions on LSBPIE License Info.
Costs compared: Louisiana vs. nearby states
If you’re deciding where to start, compare our detailed breakdown for the full Louisiana private investigator license steps and fees with our guide to Arkansas private investigator license fees and steps. Multi‑state operators will also find contrasts in background fees, course prices, and renewal timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the absolute minimum I need to budget to get licensed?
For Board‑set costs: $10 application packet + $100 exam + $43 background check + $200 initial individual license = $353, plus the provider‑set tuition for the mandatory 40‑hour course. Renewal is $150 yearly, with $100 CE every two years. All per LSBPIE and LSBPIE home.
Is the 40‑hour course price regulated by LSBPIE?
No. The Board requires completion of a Board‑approved 40‑hour Basic Private Investigator Preparatory course, but schools set their own tuition. Requirement: LSBPIE (R.S. 37:3509).
How often do I renew my Louisiana PI license, and what’s the fee?
Renew annually for $150 (individual). A $100 late fee applies if you renew after expiration. You must also complete the $100 online CE every two years to remain eligible. See LSBPIE fees and CE note on the Board homepage.
Do I need to be sponsored by an agency to get an individual license?
Yes. Individual applicants are licensed to work under a Louisiana‑licensed investigative agency and must submit a Sponsor Form with the application. See “Individual” instructions at LSBPIE License Info.
Ready to budget your path from application to renewal? License Navigator can map your exact costs and deadlines for Louisiana—and compare them to nearby states—so you never miss a fee or form.
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