How to Become a Personal Investigator?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a Personal Investigator? To spend your days following leads, conducting surveillance, and getting to the bottom of mysteries? If so, becoming a personal investigator may be the perfect career path for you.

As a personal investigator, every day is different. One day you may be researching a subject’s background online. The next, you could be stationed outside a building conducting covert surveillance. Later in the week, you might interview witnesses to gather information on an insurance claim. It’s a career that is varied, exciting, and rewarding.

In this article, I’ll provide an in-depth look at everything you need to know to launch a successful career as a personal investigator. We’ll explore what the job entails, the skills required, how to get the necessary education and training, and the steps to starting your own PI business. Let’s get started uncovering the secrets of this fascinating profession!

What is a Personal Investigator?

A personal investigator also referred to as a private investigator or PI, provides investigative services to individuals, attorneys, businesses, and other clients. As a PI, you’ll take on cases that require gathering information, conducting surveillance, finding missing persons, and more.

Specifically, some of the key responsibilities of a personal investigator include:

• • Researching and investigating backgrounds of individuals and companies

• • Locating missing persons

• • Performing surveillance to uncover facts for cases

• • Interviewing witnesses and subjects to gather information

• • Checking for financial irregularities or fraud

• • Providing intelligence for legal, insurance, and other cases

• • Preparing reports detailing investigation findings

Many personal investigator choose to specialize in a certain type of investigation. Some focus on insurance fraud, infidelity cases, child custody, or corporate investigations. Others take on a wide variety of client cases.

Why Become a Personal Investigator?

If you’re intrigued by mysteries and have a knack for uncovering the truth, a career as a PI offers many advantages. Here are some of the top reasons to consider this profession:

• • Varied and exciting work – No two days on the job are the same in the life of a PI. You may go from surveilling a subject one day to poring over financial records the next. The diverse assignments and flexibility make for an engaging career.

• • Opportunity to help people – Many clients hire PIs during difficult times in their lives, like suspected infidelity or a missing loved one. Being able to provide answers and closure can be extremely rewarding.

• • Good income potential – Successful Personal Investigator can earn a lucrative income. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for PIs is over $53,000 per year. Those with their own agency or special expertise can earn well into six figures.

• • Flexible schedule – If you enjoy being independent and setting your own hours, private investigation is appealing. You may work early mornings or late nights based on surveillance needs. The ability to be your own boss is a major plus.

• • Interesting work environment – You likely won’t be stuck behind a desk all day as a PI. You’ll be out in the field conducting interviews, performing surveillance, and exploring leads. The hands-on nature of the job keeps it exciting.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of combining investigative skills with an entrepreneurial drive, a PI career offers the perfect outlet. The path requires dedication and hard work, but the impact you can make is incredibly rewarding.

Skills Needed to Be a Successful Investigator

While a natural curiosity and passion for investigation are essential for PIs, there are other important skills that lead to success in this career. Here are some of the top abilities needed:

• • Research skills – Finding obscure details is central to investigation work. You need to become an expert at digging up background information on people, companies, assets, locations, and more. An intuitive ability to search public records and online sources is crucial.

• • Communication abilities – You’ll frequently need to interview witnesses and clients to gather intel. Strong interpersonal skills allow you to build rapport, ask perceptive questions, and evaluate responses.

• • Critical thinking – Cases often involve sorting through incomplete and misleading information. Mastering deductive reasoning helps you analyze clues, draw appropriate conclusions, and avoid dead ends. Sharp judgment is a must.

• • Attention to detail – As an investigator, subtle details can crack a case. Noticing the minor inconsistencies or overlooked facts through diligent observation makes for effective investigative work.

• • Physical stamina – Surveillance often requires spending lengthy stretches sitting in vehicles monitoring a location. Chasing leads can involve lots of walking and driving. Having the mental and physical fortitude for long hours comes in handy.

While natural talent goes a long way, many of these PI skills can also be honed with proper training and experience. A mix of inherent abilities and developed skills is ideal.

Education Requirements

Compared to many other careers, becoming a personal investigator does not require years of college education. Here are the basic education needs:

• • High school diploma or GED – At minimum, a high school diploma or passing GED scores are required. Higher education is not compulsory.

• • Complete a PI training course – Most states mandate completing a Personal Investigator training program approved by the state licensing bureau. Common programs last 6-12 weeks and provide instruction on laws, surveillance, evidence collection, report writing, and other PI skills.

• • Obtain a state license – After completing training, candidates have to pass the licensing exam to practice as a personal investigator. Requirements vary by state but often include minimum experience levels and criminal background checks.

Many aspiring PIs opt to pursue a college degree before entering the field. Degrees in criminal justice, police science, and forensics provide useful foundations. A degree is not required but can strengthen credentials.

Steps to Becoming a Licensed Investigator

If private investigation sounds like an exciting career path for you, here is a step-by-step overview of what’s entailed in becoming a licensed PI:

1. 1. Gain relevant experience – Before applying for licensing, most states require 1-3 years of investigation experience. Seek out entry-level jobs or internships in fields like insurance investigation or law enforcement to build your qualifications.

1. 1. Research your state’s requirements – Each state has unique rules regarding licensure, training hours, fees, and other aspects. Visit your state’s licensing website to understand the precise steps needed.

1. 1. Complete a PI training course – Enroll in your state’s approved training curriculum. These programs provide instruction on investigation laws, evidence collection, surveillance technology, report writing, field techniques, and other skills needed on the job.

1. 1. Pass the licensing exam – Upon training completion, you’ll need to pass your state’s PI licensing exam. Exams test your knowledge of legal procedures, ethics, investigative methods and more. Many states allow multiple exam attempts.

1. 1. Submit license application – Once you’ve passed the exam, submit your license application along with any needed fees and paperwork to your state’s licensing authority. The approval time varies.

1. 1. Obtain liability insurance – Most states mandate that active PIs carry liability insurance to protect against issues like invasion of privacy lawsuits. Shop for an appropriate policy before starting your business.

1. 1. Start your PI agency! – With training, licensing, and insurance covered, you’re ready to launch your private investigation firm and begin taking on clients. Market your services to find cases requiring your sleuthing skills.

Many aspiring investigators work for established agencies to begin with. Gaining on-the-job experience under an experienced PI can be invaluable before venturing out on your own.

FAQs

Q: What does the job outlook look like for private investigators?

A: The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts solid growth for PIs, estimating 7% employment growth between 2020-2030. Ongoing demand from law firms, businesses, and individuals needing investigative expertise points to plentiful opportunities for qualified candidates.

Q: What types of cases do private investigators take on?

A: PIs handle all sorts of investigations, including background checks, locating missing persons, infidelity surveillance, insurance fraud, accident claims, due diligence on potential employees/investors, and more. Many specialize in certain niches once established.

Q: How much money do personal investigators make?

A: According to May 2021 BLS data, the median pay for Personal Investigator in the U.S. is $53,080 per year. Certainly earning potential varies widely based on experience level, specialty, client base, and region. Top investigators can easily make six-figure annual incomes.

Q: What risks are involved in becoming a PI?

A: The work does involve some physical risks depending on cases and assignments. Surveillance may happen in unsafe areas. Irate investigation subjects can pose dangers. Precautions are needed, though risks are minimized with proper training.

Q: What makes for an effective and successful investigator?

A: Success comes from honing your attention to detail, mastering online research techniques, communicating effectively, exercising good judgment, staying organized, and providing exemplary client service. Passion for the work is a must!

Conclusion

If you possess strong investigative aptitude along with persistence and resourcefulness, a gratifying career as a licensed Personal Investigator may be in your future. Expect exciting and varied assignments along with the satisfaction of providing answers and closure.

With diligent hard work and commitment to ongoing education, you can build expertise in a niche like corporate fraud or become a generalist able to take on diverse cases. If you’re seeking a career that’s mentally stimulating, potentially lucrative, and full of new challenges, look no further than the field of private investigation. With proper diligence and training, you can be well on your way to launching a successful career as a personal investigator.