Becoming a private investigator in Pennsylvania can be very rewarding, but you must learn the basics. According to an article from October 2015, training for prospective private investigators can be difficult to find and expensive. You will have to use alternative sources of training. Either way, it is possible to become a private investigator in Pennsylvania.
In the past, if you wanted to learn how to become a private investigator in pa then it would have taken years of education and countless dollars. But not anymore! The internet has changed everything for companies that offer online PI courses and programs. You no longer have to wait for classes or pay for tuition. Simply sign up for an account with the course provider, take the online course and eventually sit for the licensing exam after you purchase the study material.
The private investigator industry is growing rapidly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of positions will increase by 11% between 2014 and 2024, adding more than 4,000 jobs. It’s a dynamic field with lots of exciting opportunities for aspiring private investigators.
To become a private investigator in Pennsylvania, you’ll need to have strong communication skills and a background in criminal justice or law enforcement. If you have one or both of these things, you’ll be well on your way to earning a paycheck as a private detective. This article also provide information on private investigator pa salary, private investigator salary.
How to become a private investigator in pa
Become at least 21 years old.
- Become at least 21 years old.
- Obtain a valid driver’s license from the state of Pennsylvania.
- Register as an apprentice with the Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies Section of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
The Pennsylvania Private Investigators, Licensing Board requires you to have a high school diploma or GED. This is a legal requirement for all private investigator licenses. If you didn’t graduate high school, you can take the GED test at your local adult education center.
Some employers may require that applicants have a college degree, but many would accept some college credit instead of an actual degree (this could include vocational schools). Some employers might also require that applicants have a 2 year degree like an associates in criminal justice or something similar. Finally some employers will only hire applicants with at least a 4 year bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field like criminology, sociology etc..
Be a citizen of the United States or have permanent resident status.
You must be a citizen of the United States or have permanent resident status. To verify your citizenship, provide proof of:
- A valid passport from your country of origin
- Your birth certificate with the seal and signature from a government agency in your country of origin (if you were born outside of the United States)
To verify your permanent resident status, provide proof from one of these sources:
- A valid Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) or other document issued to noncitizens by USCIS as evidence that you can stay permanently in the United States.
Have the years of investigative experience.
To be eligible to apply for licensure as a private investigator in Pennsylvania, you must have three years of investigative experience.
The three years must be full-time work and must have been after high school graduation and within the last 10 years. If you have worked part-time, it must be combined with other part-time positions to equal 3 years full-time experience.
Full-time employment is considered 35 hours per week at minimum wage ($7.25), which translates into $14,100 per year (before taxes).
Meet one of the following conditions: Be a licensed attorney, Have been employed in law enforcement, Have performed duties as an investigator for a federal agency, or have been appointed by the court system to perform investigative duties on behalf of the state.
The most important thing to do if you want to become a private investigator in Pennsylvania is to gain experience in the criminal justice system. You may wish to volunteer or intern at a law firm, police department, or prosecutor’s office. It is also helpful if you have court experience, whether it be as an attorney or paralegal. If you are already a licensed attorney but don’t have any other relevant experience, consider getting an internship with a local law enforcement agency or prosecutor’s office so that you can build up your resume and learn more about how investigations work from those who actually perform them on a regular basis.
One other way of acquiring certain qualifications while working towards becoming a licensed investigator would be through education courses offered by organizations such as The Pennsylvania Association of Licensed Investigators (PALI). These courses are designed specifically for those wishing to pursue careers as private investigators in PA; however they do require registration fees which must be paid upfront before attending any classes offered by PALI instructors.
Pass an exam administered by the Pennsylvania State Police Private Detective Division.
The Pennsylvania State Police Private Detective Division will administer an exam based on the following:
- Criminal background check
- Drug test that includes testing for prescription and non-prescription drugs, illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco use.
- Polygraph examination
- Psychological evaluation
- Physical fitness test, including a 20-minute run/walk and push-ups (as many as possible within 60 seconds) and sit-ups (as many as possible within 60 seconds)
The Pennsylvania State Police Private Detective Division requires private investigators to complete several steps before they can become licensed and begin working in their field.
The first step in becoming a private investigator is to meet the minimum requirements. To become licensed as a private investigator in Pennsylvania, you must be at least 21 years old and have:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Citizenship status as a United States citizen or hold permanent resident status
private investigator pa salary
The average Private Investigator salary in Pennsylvania is $49,202 as of September 26, 2022, but the range typically falls between $39,702 and $59,502.
