Private Investigator

Exam

State exam

Education

Not reported

Experience

Experience

Background check

Specific type of conviction prohibited

Applicants must: 1) Be at least 21 years old and of good moral character. 2) Undergo a background check through FBI and DPS. 3) Have no criminal or felony convictions involving moral turpitude or illegal use or possession of a dangerous weapon. 4) Have 5 years (10,000 hours) of investigative experience certified by their employer, or a combination of education and experience acceptable to the board. 5) Pass a State Board examination with a score of 75% or better. 6) Obtain at least $200,000 worth of liability insurance. A licensee must be certified by a board-certified firearm instructor if he/she must carry a firearm while on duty. A certification card is issued upon completion of the firearms course. In addition to the fees listed below, a background investigation deposit fee is also required and is applied to the cost of conducting an investigation. The fee is $750 for the first license category and $250 for each additional license category. Fees may be subject to change. Fees are: application processing --$20; examination--$100 (nonrefundable); abeyance fee--$100 per license per year; initial license--license fee is prorated; annual license renewal--$500 per license; firearms initial certification--$100; annual firearms certification renewal--$50; fingerprints--$38.25.