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Are you curious, observant, and resourceful? You may have what it takes to pursue a career as a private investigator. Private eyes investigate all types of situations for clients. A private detective can work in the field, or from an office, during research using the phone or the Internet. If you'd like to learn more about the life of a PI, read on! This page will help you learn how to become a private investigator.
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How Much Does a Private Investigator Earn?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual earnings of for private detectives and investigators employed by agencies was $33,750 in May 2006. Ten percent of private investigators employed by agencies earned more than $64,380.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos157.htm.
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Introduction
Private investigators, also called private detectives or PIs, don't all live a life of intrigue and adventure. They are as likely to be found pouring over financial documents as they are tailing people around town. Most states require PIs to be licensed, bu the requirements for licensing vary by jurisdiction. -
Step 1: Do You have What it Takes to Be a Private Investigator?
Private investigators work irregular hours researching situations and connecting facts to provide information to their clients. Depending on the types of investigations undertaken, the work may be dangerous. Not all PI's accept dangerous assignments, however, and you can specialize in an area that suits your experience, skills, and interests. Some of the areas that private investigators can be involved in are:
- Assisting insurance companies with cases involving fraud, arson, and accident reconstruction
- Divorce and family issues including adultery, alimony reduction, asset search, child custody, child support, visitation
- Background investigations including asset checks
- Finding people, including work for bounty hunters and missing children
- Helping people with background investigative support for civil lawsuits
- Providing competitive intelligence to businesses
- Computer forensics
- Criminal defense investigations
- Financial investigations, including identity theft
- Some states require mystery shoppers to be licenses private investigators.
- Administer polygraph tests
- Process serving
Step 2: Private Investigator Education and Training
There are no formal private investigator education requirements, but most have high school, if not college degrees.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos157.htm 34% of Pis have bachelor's degrees, and 16% have a master's degree of better, according to the Bureau of labor Statistics.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos157.htm- Depending on the area of expertise that the investigator concentrates in, specific education may be helpful. PIs specializing in forensic accounting will require an accounting background, if not a CPA cerificate. Pis working business investigations may have an undergraduate business degree, an MBA, a LLB or JD, or a CPA.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos157.htm
- Courses in criminal science and investigation are helpful.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos157.htm
- Many PIs are retired police officers.
- Private investigators commonly receive training by working with an experienced investigator.
Step 3: Private Investigator Licensing
Most, but not all states, require private investigators to be licensed.http://www.einvestigator.com/links/license.htm Even if your state doesn't require Pis to be licensed, your city or county might. You can review state by state licensing requirements here. If licensing is required, you will probably have to pass a background check as a condition of licensing.-
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