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KN, p. 330 “Dollars and Cents and Private Investigators”

Feb 21, 2025
If there are no paragraph separations in this article, please double-click on the title to create a more readable version. No real surprise, the cost of licensing and fees to become a P.I. varies from State to State and so does the income. There are the guys and gals who want to be their own boss and barely scrape by. There are some that work for pricey attorneys or big corporations, have their fees paid for them, and can make $100K (or more) a year. In the State of North Carolina, there is an application fee of $188, which includes a fingerprint check. The license fee is $550, and is good for two years. The licensing process can take anywhere from two to four months. There are several different types of licenses, requiring different levels of education and experience. The very basic requirements for the job are:
  • At least 18 years old
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • United States Citizen
  • No criminal record
  • Successfully complete a 90 hour training course
  • Pass a written exam
  • Have a surety bond of $10,000 to guarantee that the P.I. will do the work.
  • Experience in the field (universally seems to be three years or more, and can include working in other law enforcement fields)
How much does it cost to be a Private Investigator in New York? New York fees include $400 for the initial application for a P.I. license, with an additional $400 for the branch office application, and another $88.50 for the fingerprint check. The license is good for two years, and the renewal will cost $400. If a business requires a P.I. or security guard on staff, then the fees are higher across the board and the license is held in the business name. Basic job requirements:
  • Be 25 years old
  • Be a principal (owner/primary employee) in the company
  • Pass the Private Investigator examination within the two years immediately before the application date
  • Have either 3 years’ experience or 3 years equivalent position and experience or 20 years of service as a police officer or Fire Marshall.
  • Fingerprint check
  • Proof of a $10,000 surety bond
The hourly rate for an Investigation company in NYC ranges from about $75 to $150 per hour. Some companies will work out a deal attached to a guaranteed result. Texas Private Investigator Training You must complete 40 hours of training from a school approved by the Texas Department of Public Safety (the same department that oversees the Texas Rangers.) The courses cover private investigation work, crowd control, observing, weapons, disaster response, traffic direction, and ethics. Once proof of training is submitted, you can then submit the license application.
  • Fees Required: A $33 application fee and a $25 application fee
  • Registration Needed: You need to mail two fingerprint sets or an electronic fingerprint receipt. If the application is approved (with no criminal history) you will receive your license.
  • Renewal takes place every two years.
Texas has one of the largest Private Investigator workforces in the country. Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 3,320 PIs were working in Texas in 2015. If you choose to work on your own as a Private Investigator in Texas, your salary will average $49,460 per year. That’s about $25. an hour to chase after cheating spouses, and be shot at by people who don’t want their trucks repossessed.  Consider the average starting salary of over $63K in 2024 if working for a corporation or the government or an insurance company investigating fraud or financial crimes. Getting shot is less likely. But, if a becoming a mall cop or night security guard (licensed by the same agency that handles the paperwork for skip tracers and investigators for attorneys) is your goal, then expect a salary less than $40K.    The educational training requirement varies according to the gig. Police Detective: Just for comparison sake, the USA average starting salary was pegged at a little over $47K a year in 2024.   The risk vs reward discussions should come into play when considering these careers. There are Investigator jobs that can be done mostly at a desk (background checks, financial fraud) and others that are more high-risk (skip tracers, undercover work). Choose wisely.    
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