Private Investigator Washington State

To become a private investigator in Washington State, be 18+, complete 4 hours of preassignment training, pass a fingerprint background check, and be employed by or license a PI agency. Apply to the Department of Licensing, pay $220 (unarmed). Armed endorsement (21+, CJTC firearms certificate, CPL) adds $110; renew annually.

Requirements last verified: 2026-11-05

How to become a private investigator in Washington State

1. Confirm eligibility in RCW 18.165.030. You must be 18 or older, a U.S. citizen or resident noncitizen, have no disqualifying convictions as determined by the director, and be employed by/offer from a licensed PI agency or license your own agency. See RCW 18.165.030 and the DOL unarmed PI page. DOL – Get your license (unarmed).
2. Complete preassignment training and test (4 hours). Washington requires a minimum four hours of preassignment training and a test signed by a certified trainer per WAC 308‑17‑300.
3. Submit fingerprints after you apply. Apply and receive your application number, then complete a fingerprint-based background check (IdentoGO in Washington; local law enforcement if out of state). See DOL fingerprint instructions on the unarmed PI page and the application form Form 689012. DOL – Unarmed PI.
4. Pay the correct fees to DOL. Unarmed PI original $220; renewal $193; armed endorsement +$110; late renewal $228; license print (if mailed) $5. Verify the current schedule at DOL – Fees.
5. (Optional) Add the armed PI endorsement. Must be 21+, already licensed (unarmed PI or agency principal), hold a current CJTC firearms certificate, and have a Washington Concealed Pistol License (CPL). Apply online or by mail. See DOL – Armed PI, RCW 18.165.040, and the CJTC firearms program page (CJTC firearms certificate).
6. Renew every year. Licenses expire one year from issuance per WAC 308‑17‑150. Renew online via SecureAccess Washington (SAW) or by mail. See DOL – Renew.

Washington State private investigator license requirements

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL); statutes at RCW 18.165; rules at WAC 308‑17. Program hub: DOL – Private investigators.
Fees	Unarmed PI original $220; renewal $193; late $228. Armed PI endorsement adds $110. DOL will print/mail a license for $5 when applicable. Verify at DOL – Fees and on Form 689012.
Experience	Employee PI: no hours required by statute. Agency principal: either pass the state principal exam or document 3 years (3,000 hours) qualifying investigative experience earned before applying. RCW 18.165.050; DOL – Exams.
Exam	No exam for unarmed/armed employee PI licenses. Agency principals may qualify by passing the principal exam (first attempt free) or by experience. Study outline on DOL exams page. DOL – Exams.
Minimum age	18 for PI; 21 for armed endorsement. RCW 18.165.030; RCW 18.165.040.
Training	4 hours of preassignment training plus a test signed by a certified trainer, per WAC 308‑17‑300. Employers must keep training/test records. WAC 308‑17‑240.
Background check	Fingerprint-based check required; prior WA security guard license within 12 months may avoid a duplicate check. RCW 18.165.030(5); DOL – Unarmed PI.
Insurance/Bond (agencies)	Agencies must carry a $10,000 surety bond or, in lieu of bond, liability insurance of at least $25,000 bodily/personal injury and $25,000 property damage. RCW 18.165.100.
Renewal	Annual; licenses expire one year from issuance. WAC 308‑17‑150; DOL – Renew.

Washington PI license fees and processing times

Current DOL fees (unarmed original $220; renewal $193; armed endorsement +$110; late $228; optional $5 print) are listed on the official schedule. DOL – Fees; see also form notes on Form 689012.

DOL’s FAQ reports typical issuance timelines of up to 21 days for online applications and up to 60 days by mail, depending on fingerprint/background processing. DOL – PI FAQ (processing times).

For budgeting and real-world timing tips, see our deeper breakdown of the Washington PI license cost and our expanded walkthrough on how to get a Washington PI license.

Armed private investigator endorsement in Washington

To add the armed endorsement, you must: (1) already hold a WA PI license (or be an agency principal); (2) be 21+; (3) hold a current firearms certificate from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC); and (4) hold a Concealed Pistol License (CPL). Apply via DOL’s armed page; CJTC details firearms training/certification requirements. DOL – Armed PI; RCW 18.165.040; CJTC firearms certificate; RCW 43.101.250.

Starting a private investigator agency in Washington

Agency principals qualify by either passing the state principal exam or documenting 3 years (3,000 hours) of compensated investigative experience earned before applying. Agencies must carry a $10,000 bond or minimum liability insurance limits, and renew annually. See RCW 18.165.050, RCW 18.165.100, and DOL exam logistics/study outline at DOL – Exams. For statute-to-study checklists, our Washington PI license guide pairs the RCW/WAC topics with practical prep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a license to be a private investigator in Washington?

Yes. Anyone performing private investigative work must be licensed either as an agency principal or as an employee investigator of a licensed agency. Sole operators must hold an agency license if they work for themselves. See DOL’s FAQ for license categories and pathways. DOL – PI FAQ.

How long does it take to get a Washington PI license?

DOL indicates typical issuance within 21 days for online submissions and up to 60 days for mailed applications, subject to fingerprint/background processing and workload. You can check status in the professions portal (SAW). DOL – PI FAQ.

How much does a PI license cost in Washington?

As of November 2026: unarmed original $220; renewal $193; adding the armed endorsement is +$110; late renewal $228. A $5 print fee applies if DOL prints/mails your license card. Vendor fingerprint fees are paid separately. Verify the fee table. DOL – Fees; Form 689012.

What training is required before licensing?

Washington requires 4 hours of preassignment training covering legal powers/limits, evidence, report writing, courtroom testimony, privacy laws, and more, plus a test validated by a certified trainer. Employers must retain training/test records. WAC 308‑17‑300; WAC 308‑17‑240.

Is there an exam to become a Washington PI?

There’s no state exam for the unarmed/armed employee PI license. However, if you’ll be the agency principal, you must either pass the principal exam (first attempt has no fee) or document 3,000 hours of qualifying experience. DOL’s exams page provides the study outline. DOL – Exams; RCW 18.165.050.

What are the armed endorsement requirements for Washington PIs?

You must be 21+, already licensed (unarmed PI or principal), hold a CJTC firearms certificate, and possess a Washington CPL. DOL cannot issue an armed license until your CJTC certificate is received. See DOL armed PI page, RCW 18.165.040, and CJTC program details. DOL – Armed PI; RCW 18.165.040; CJTC firearms certificate.

Ready to fast‑track your Washington PI credentials? License Navigator turns the rules into a personalized plan, pre‑fills your DOL forms, and tracks fingerprints, fees, and renewals—so you can start investigating sooner.

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