Private investigator licensing in Antigua and Barbuda
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Antigua and Barbuda.
Antigua and Barbuda requires private investigators to be licensed by the National Security Council under the Private Security Registration Act 2006 (s. 3). A private investigator is anyone who, on a contractual basis, searches for evidence, facts or information, including surveillance (s. 2). Individual applicants must be citizens or residents, over 18, in sound health, pass drug tests and provide a Police Certificate of Character (s. 4); they need public liability insurance of at least $100,000, and the licence is renewed every year (ss. 4(3), 5).1
Over 18
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$100,000 liability insurance
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How to get licensed1
- 1
Apply to the National Security Council on the prescribed form (s. 4(1))
- 2
Attach a Police Certificate of Character (for each director if a company), business or company registration, and income tax registration with proof of no tax owed (s. 4(1)(a)-(d))
- 3
Individual investigators also prove citizenship or residence, age over 18, a medical certificate of sound health and a passed drug test (s. 4(1)(f))
- 4
Provide a certificate of public liability insurance of at least $100,000 within the 60-day conditional approval (s. 4(3))
- 5
On approval pay the prescribed licence fee; the Council issues the licence and, for individual investigators, a registration card to carry on duty (ss. 7-8)
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Antigua and Barbuda.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individuals and agencies1
- Bond or insurance
- Public liability insurance of at least $100,000 covering damage from the investigator's duties or negligence; conditional approval for up to 60 days while it is produced (s. 4(3))1
- Citizenship
- Citizen of, or resident in, Antigua and Barbuda (s. 4(1)(f)(i))1
- Fees
- Not published by the regulator
- Processing time
- Not published by the regulator
- Renewal
- Every year from the date of issue; apply at least two months before expiry or the licence lapses and operations must stop (s. 5)1
- Firearms
- Firearm User's Employee's Certificates are issued by the Commissioner for precepted security guards; other firearms matters fall under the Firearms Act (s. 15). The Act does not give investigators a firearms route1
Sources
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Antigua and Barbuda
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Antigua and Barbuda?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Barbuda requires private investigators to be licensed by the National Security Council under the Private Security Registration Act 2006 (s. 3). A private investigator is anyone who, on a contractual basis, searches for evidence, facts or information, including surveillance (s. 2). Individual applicants must be citizens or residents, over 18, in sound health, pass drug tests and provide a Police Certificate of Character (s. 4); they need public liability insurance of at least $100,000, and the licence is renewed every year (ss. 4(3), 5).
Who licenses private investigators in Antigua and Barbuda?+
National Security Council (licensing); Commissioner of Police (inspections, guard precepts), under Private Security Registration Act, 2006 (No. 11 of 2006), assented 13 October 2006, published in the Official Gazette Vol. XXVI No. 61 of 26 October 2006.
How old do you have to be to become a private investigator in Antigua and Barbuda?+
At least 18.
Do private investigators in Antigua and Barbuda need a bond or insurance?+
Public liability insurance of at least $100,000 covering damage from the investigator's duties or negligence; conditional approval for up to 60 days while it is produced (s. 4(3))
How often does a Antigua and Barbuda PI licence need renewing?+
Every year from the date of issue; apply at least two months before expiry or the licence lapses and operations must stop (s. 5)
How do you get a private investigator licence in Antigua and Barbuda?+
1. Apply to the National Security Council on the prescribed form (s. 4(1)) 2. Attach a Police Certificate of Character (for each director if a company), business or company registration, and income tax registration with proof of no tax owed (s. 4(1)(a)-(d)) 3. Individual investigators also prove citizenship or residence, age over 18, a medical certificate of sound health and a passed drug test (s. 4(1)(f)) 4. Provide a certificate of public liability insurance of at least $100,000 within the 60-day conditional approval (s. 4(3)) 5. On approval pay the prescribed licence fee; the Council issues the licence and, for individual investigators, a registration card to carry on duty (ss. 7-8)
Can an investigator licensed elsewhere work a case in Antigua and Barbuda?+
Exempt: people living outside Antigua and Barbuda who work for an investigation or security agency licensed or registered abroad and come in for an employer or client solely for an investigation or inquiry (Schedule, para. (f))
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