Education · 1 of 5
The path
Most states will not license you until you have worked under someone else's license first.
- 1
High school diploma
Grade 12
Write well, notice things, and stay out of trouble. A criminal record can end this before it starts.
- 2
Build a background
0 to 4 years
Two or four years of criminal justice, or a first career in policing, military intelligence, insurance claims or paralegal work. In O*NET (Occupational Information Network) survey answers, 38% said a bachelor's degree is required and 25% a high school diploma.
- 3
Work under a licensed investigator
2 to 3 years
This is the real qualification. Most states require a set number of paid investigative hours before you can apply for your own license. California, for example, asks for three years and 6,000 hours of paid investigative work, or less with a related degree.
- 4
License application and exam
Weeks to months
Fingerprints, a background check, a written exam on the state's investigative law, and sometimes a bond or insurance.
- 5
Your own license, and maybe your own agency
After licensing
At that point you can take clients directly, hire subcontractors and set your own rates.