Private Investigator License Florida Requirements

 

How to become a Private Investigator in Florida

 

Are you tired of your job? Tired of doing the same thing day in and day out? Non-flexible hours? A boss that just won’t get off your back? Do you want to start a new career? One that is exciting, pays great, offers flexibility in hours, responsibilities and can lead to different experiences every day? A career where YOU are your own boss?

Well, look no further than the field of Private Investigations. The field of Private Investigations is expected to grow at a rate of 5% or more over the next few years. With advancements in technology and investigatory concepts, why not get in line now to be a Private Investigator yourself and start realizing the benefits inherent within this exciting career?

If becoming a Private Investigator in Florida is in fact a field that you may be interested in, you should start by asking a few questions.

What are the Requirements to become a PI in Florida?

Which are the best courses and classes that I can take to become a PI?

Are there fees associated with being a PI?

Do my personality traits fit the needs of being a PI?

Do I need to have a sponsor to become a PI?​

Private Investigator License Requirements in Florida

Before you can become a Private Investigator, you must understand that you need to be licensed. There are basically 2 types of licenses for PI’s in Florida.

CC License:The first level of license that you need to secure is the CC license. It is the easier of the two to attain, and is the foundation for the acquisition of the C license.

An applicant for the Class CC license must be sponsored by a Class C, M, or MA licensee. The Letter of Intent to Sponsor Private Investigator Intern (Form FDACS-16026) must be submitted with the application to the state.

In addition to the Letter of Intent to Sponsor, the applicant for a CC license must also submit proof of successful completion of a minimum of 40 hours of professional training pertaining to general investigative techniques and Chapter 493, Florida Statutes. This training must have been provided by a school, under the purview of the Department of Education.

C License: The C License is the next level of licensing that a PI may choose to acquire. The type of requirements necessary to apply for a C License include real life work experience as well as testing.

An applicant must have two years of full time, verifiable, lawfully gained experience in order to qualify for the license. The applicant can gain that experience in multiple ways: * Actual investigative experience. * College -course work in a related field. * An internship in accordance with the following three categories set forth in the statute: (a) Private investigative work or related fields of work that provided equivalent experience or training.

(b) College course work related to the following areas: criminal justice, criminology, or law enforcement administration, or successful completion of any law enforcement-related training received from any federal, state, county, or municipal agency. If using a combination of these criteria, please note that no more than 1 year may be used from this category.

(c) Work as a Class “CC” licensed intern. This internship is done at a licensed private investigative agency.

Each applicant must undergo an examination that will cover those parts of Florida law that deal directly with the business practices of the private investigative industry and the legal responsibilities of the individuals and agencies that work in that industry.

But lets focus on the CC license here. This is for an individual who is just starting out and is the foundation for the acquisition for the C license later. This is how I began my career.

I will walk you through the steps necessary to get your CC license fast and also how to save some money on the fees and 40h course. 

How to get your Private Investigator License Florida Fast

Steps to get your CC license

• Find a Sponsor
• Take 40h course to obtain your certificate
• Obtain Letter of Intent from your Sponsor​
• Get your finger prints and two passport photos taken
• Fill in and submit your application to the DACS in person

 

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing, licenses and regulates the private investigative industry in Florida.

The first step you need to take is to find a sponsor.

How to find a Sponsor for Private Investigator License Florida

The research necessary to locate a Sponsor for your application for a CC License is similar to that which you would use to find a new job. One of the most popular ways to find a job are by word of mouth, or “who do you know.” The same holds true for finding a sponsorship for your CC license. Start reviewing your friends, family, contacts and other personal acquaintances that you have. This will often lead you to a “friend of a friend” or someone “who knows someone” that already has the C, MA or M class license required to sponsor you. With the right approach, resume, background and initiative, this contact may be just what you need to get your sponsorship.

A second way to find someone to sponsor you is by researching job posting sites on-line. Sites such as Monster.com, Indeed.com, CareerBuilder.com or LinkedIn.com are some of the top “job hunting” websites, and as such, they have many Private Investigation related jobs posted on each of them. Start looking for those jobs and begin making contact with the hiring managers at those particular locations to determine if they are willing to sponsor candidates and to determine the best person to whom you should send your cover letter and resume.

Remember, only a Class “C”, Class “MA”, or Class “M” licensee may sponsor a Class “CC” Private Investigator Intern, so make sure that whatever method you use, you determine that status. You don’t want to waste time investigating something that will not lead you to your goal of actually becoming an Investigator.

The average hourly rate to start out as a CC licensed PI is ​$ 15 – $ 20.

Private Investigator License Florida Courses

The next step would be to take the 40h course and pass the exam. Once you have passed it you will receive a Certificate which you will present to your Sponsor to get the application process going.

There are several awesome online schools on the market. Especially relevant  for me when I started was to save some money. Course fees range from $ 450 to $ 650 depending on the school.

My friend and colleague John who is a licensed PI offers a simple but efficient 40h course online that is approved under the purview of the Department of Education. Basically after you sign u​p you will be directed to his course which you will take online. You will watch videos that will cover all relevant topics to pass the exam. I took his course when I started out and it was the best and least expensive course I could find on the market. Most of all I passed the exam for the first time. His course is $ 419 but I can get you an additional $ 10 off.

Please sign up below to receive this limited offer and start your new career today as an Private Investigator in Florida:

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​Application for Private Investigator CC License in Florida

​Finally you have secured your sponsor, passed the exam and received your certificate for your 40h course from John. You are ready for the next level.

Please download your Application by clicking here:

Class CC Application for Private Investigator License Florida​

Fill in the application carefully, get 2 passport photos and your fingerprints taken by your local police station. (I prefer the fingerprint card)

Once all your documents are complete go to your local Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (type in google maps Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services plus your county) and submit your documents in person. The officer will make sure your application is complete and will send it to the DACS headquarters. This will speed up the process by at least 3 weeks plus you receive a temporary license immediately. This means you can start working right away!

Equipment you will need to start your career as a PI

Laptop plus laptop holder for car

Camcorder with a large zoom and night vision

Binocular for surveillance

Vehicle that is low profile and has tinted windows

​Phone and phone power cable for car

If you have any questions please feel free to shoot me an email: contactspynerd (at) gmail.com!

I hope this was helpful.

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