US Map — click states to compare (up to 3)
State license Local only No license
| Experience / Training | Reciprocity | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | State license | $250 application + license | No fixed minimum; qualification review by board | 2 years | 30-60 days | — | ||
| Alaska | Local only | Varies by city | Set by municipality where required | Varies by city | Varies by city | — | ||
| Arizona | State license | $300-$450 application + fingerprints | 3 years (6,000 hours) of investigative experience | 2 years | 45-90 days | — | ||
| Arkansas | State license | $450 application + license | 2 years of investigative experience | 2 years | 30-60 days | — | ||
| California | State license | $50 application + $175 license | 3 years (6,000 hours) of compensated investigative experience | 2 years | 60-90 days | 1 states | ||
| Colorado | No license | No state license fee | None required by the state | N/A | N/A | — | ||
| Connecticut | State license | ≈$1,450 license fee | 5 years of full-time investigative experience | 2 years | 60-90 days | — | ||
| Delaware | State license | ≈$345 agency + individual fees | 5 years of investigative experience (agency principal) | 2 years | 45-90 days | — | ||
| District of Columbia | State license | ≈$400 in application and license fees | Background and qualification review; DC residency required | 1 year | 30-60 days | — | ||
| Florida | State license | $75 application + $75 license | 2 years of investigative experience or training (Class "CC" internship counts) | 2 years | 30-90 days | 7 states | ||
| Georgia | State license | ≈$400 company application + license | 2 years of experience, or a related 4-year degree | 2 years | 45-90 days | 1 states | ||
| Hawaii | State license | ≈$400 application + biennial license | 4 years of investigative experience | 2 years (even-numbered years) | 60-120 days | — | ||
| Idaho | No license | No state license fee | None required by the state | N/A | N/A | — | ||
| Illinois | State license | ≈$500 application + exam fees | 3 years (of the last 5) in investigative work | 3 years | 60-120 days | — | ||
| Indiana | State license | $300 application | 2 years (4,000 hours) of investigative experience | 4 years | 30-60 days | — | ||
| Iowa | State license | $100 license + $5,000 surety bond | Qualification and background review; no fixed hour minimum | 2 years | 30-60 days | — | ||
| Kansas | State license | $250 application + license | Background and qualification review | 2 years | 30-60 days | — | ||
| Kentucky | State license | ≈$300 application + license | Experience or education per board rules | 2 years | 30-60 days | — | ||
| Louisiana | State license | ≈$500 application, training, and license | 40-hour board-approved training program | 1 year | 30-60 days | 1 states | ||
| Maine | State license | ≈$550 application + license | 6 years of experience, or 60 college credit hours + experience | 2 years | 60-90 days | — | ||
| Maryland | State license | ≈$290 agency application | 5 years of investigative experience | 2 years | 45-90 days | — | ||
| Massachusetts | State license | $550 application + $5,000 bond | 3 years as an investigator or in law enforcement | 1 year | 60-90 days | — | ||
| Michigan | State license | ≈$750 application + license | 3 years of investigative experience, or a related degree + experience | 2 years | 60-90 days | — | ||
| Minnesota | State license | ≈$1,150 license + $10,000 bond | 6,000 hours of investigative experience + 12 hours pre-licensing training | 2 years | 60-120 days | — | ||
| Mississippi | No license | No state license fee | None required by the state | N/A | N/A | — | ||
| Missouri | State license | ≈$500 application + license | Qualification review; experience or training per board rules | 2 years | 45-90 days | — | ||
| Montana | State license | ≈$375 application + license | 3 years of experience, or related education + experience | 1 year | 45-90 days | — | ||
| Nebraska | State license | ≈$150 license + $5,000 bond | 3,000 hours of investigative experience | 1 year | 30-60 days | — | ||
| Nevada | State license | ≈$750 application + exam + license | 5 years (10,000 hours) of investigative experience | 1 year | 90-120 days | — | ||
| New Hampshire | State license | ≈$300 application + bond | 4 years of investigative experience | 2 years | 30-60 days | — | ||
| New Jersey | State license | $250 individual / $300 corporate + $3,000 bond | 5 years as an investigator or police officer | 2 years | 60-120 days | — | ||
| New Mexico | State license | ≈$550 application + license | 6,000 hours of investigative experience | 2 years | 45-90 days | — | ||
| New York | State license | $400 license + $10,000 bond | 3 years of qualifying investigative experience | 2 years | 60-120 days | — | ||
| North Carolina | State license | ≈$450 application + license | 3 years of investigative experience | 2 years | 45-90 days | 1 states | ||
| North Dakota | State license | ≈$300 application + license | Training and qualification review per board rules | 1 year | 30-60 days | — | ||
| Ohio | State license | ≈$375 application + license | 2 years of investigative experience | 1 year | 45-90 days | — | ||
| Oklahoma | State license | ≈$400 training + application + license | CLEET-approved PI training program | 3 years | 30-60 days | 1 states | ||
| Oregon | State license | ≈$550 application + exam + license | 1,500 hours of investigative experience, or education/training equivalents | 2 years | 45-90 days | — | ||
| Pennsylvania | State license | $200 individual / $300 agency (per county) | 3 years as a detective or equivalent investigative experience | 5 years | 60-120 days (court schedule dependent) | — | ||
| Rhode Island | Local only | Varies by municipality | 5 years of investigative experience per state statute | Varies by municipality | Varies by municipality | — | ||
| South Carolina | State license | ≈$650 business license + registrations | 3 years of investigative experience | 1 year | 45-90 days | — | ||
| South Dakota | No license | No state license fee | None required by the state | N/A | N/A | — | ||
| Tennessee | State license | ≈$350 application + exam + license | Qualification review; training or experience per commission rules | 2 years | 30-60 days | 1 states | ||
| Texas | State license | ≈$400 company application + manager fees | Manager: 3 consecutive years of investigative experience | 1 year | 45-90 days | — | ||
| Utah | State license | $247 agency application ($147 registrant/apprentice) | Agency: 5,000 hours of investigative experience (2,000 for registrant) | 1 year | Apprentice: ~5 business days; registrant/agency reviewed at quarterly board meetings | — | ||
| Vermont | State license | ≈$350 application + license | 2 years (4,000 hours) of investigative experience | 2 years | 30-60 days | — | ||
| Virginia | State license | ≈$350 training + registration + business license | 60-hour compulsory minimum training course | 2 years | 30-60 days | 1 states | ||
| Washington | State license | ≈$600 agency license + principal fees | 3 years of investigative experience (agency principal) | 1 year | 30-60 days | — | ||
| West Virginia | State license | $100 license + $2,500 bond | Qualification and character review; no state exam | 1 year | 30-60 days | — | ||
| Wisconsin | State license | ≈$400 application + exam + license | Qualification review; no fixed hour minimum | 2 years | 30-60 days | — | ||
| Wyoming | No license | No state license fee | None required by the state | N/A | N/A | — |
Requirements, fees, and processing times are compiled from state regulator published information and are subject to change. Always confirm current requirements with the state regulator before applying — official regulator links are provided for each state. Last reviewed July 2026.
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