Private investigator licensing in Bermuda

Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Bermuda. Anyone who acts as a private investigator, or runs a business providing private investigators or security guards, must hold a licence from the Commissioner of Police under the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act 1974 (s.3). Licences run for one year from 1 April to 31 March and are not transferable (s.4(1)). Before a licence is issued the applicant must complete a training programme certified by the Commissioner in the Gazette (s.4A). The Commissioner may refuse applicants convicted of offences of violence or dishonesty, or about whose character, competence or (for businesses) financial position he is not satisfied (s.5). Lawyers, credit-rating and employment-screening agencies, insurers and adjusters, and in-house investigators working only for their own employer are exempt (s.2).

Commissioner of Police – Bermuda Police Service, under Private Investigators and Security Guards Act 1974 (1974:78), as amended to 2011:21; Private Investigators and Security Guards Regulations 1974 (SR&O 72/1974).

Annual: every licence runs from 1 April to 31 March of the next year (s.4(1)(d)). Renewals use the same application form, and a renewal may be endorsed on the licence (Regs reg.3(4))

Individual licence application fee $200, cheques payable to the Accountant General (BPS application form). Fees are prescribed under the Government Fees Act 1965 (s.4)

1. Complete a Commissioner-certified training programme (s.4A) 2. Fill in the Bermuda Police Service 'Private Investigator & Security Guard Licence Application', with a copy of a driver's licence or passport, two photographs (Regs reg.5) and the $200 fee 3. Submit at Police Headquarters, 10 Headquarters Hill, Devonshire (Regs reg.3(2)) 4. To run a PI or guarding business, also file the 'Private Investigator & Security Guard Business Licence Application' with IDs of owners and directors, certificate of incorporation or tax return, a financial statement and a certificate of authentication 5. Carry the licence while investigating and show it to police on request (s.12(1))