Private investigator licensing in Botswana
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Botswana.
Botswana licenses private investigators under the Private Security Services Act, which replaced the Control of Security Guard Services Act and lists performing the functions of a private investigator as a private security service. Licences come from the Private Security Services Licensing Board, which consults the Commissioner of Police before deciding; Private Investigator Services is one of six licence categories. Company directors must be Botswana citizens with no criminal record, and the business must be registered with CIPA with "security" in its name.1
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Insurance required
Associations near you
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World Association of Detectives
How to get licensed2
- 1
Register the company with the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA), with 'security' in its name
- 2
Apply to the Private Security Services Licensing Board in the Private Investigator Services category
- 3
Board consults the Commissioner of Police and investigates the applicants; disclose any criminal convictions of directors or partners
- 4
Renew the licence each year
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Botswana.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- The agency (staff are registered under it)2
- Bond or insurance
- The Act has an insurance-cover provision (s. 34); the required cover was not confirmed1
- Citizenship
- Directors of a private security company must be Botswana citizens; the Minister may reserve security trades for citizens (s. 22)2
- Renewal
- Licences expire annually and must be renewed2
Sources
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Botswana
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Botswana?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Botswana. Botswana licenses private investigators under the Private Security Services Act, which replaced the Control of Security Guard Services Act and lists performing the functions of a private investigator as a private security service. Licences come from the Private Security Services Licensing Board, which consults the Commissioner of Police before deciding; Private Investigator Services is one of six licence categories. Company directors must be Botswana citizens with no criminal record, and the business must be registered with CIPA with "security" in its name.
Who licenses private investigators in Botswana?+
Private Security Services Licensing Board, under Private Security Services Act (Cap. 21:07; Act 11 of 2015), licensing Parts in force from 1 April 2020.
Do private investigators in Botswana need a bond or insurance?+
The Act has an insurance-cover provision (s. 34); the required cover was not confirmed
How often does a Botswana PI licence need renewing?+
Licences expire annually and must be renewed
How do you get a private investigator licence in Botswana?+
1. Register the company with the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA), with 'security' in its name 2. Apply to the Private Security Services Licensing Board in the Private Investigator Services category 3. Board consults the Commissioner of Police and investigates the applicants; disclose any criminal convictions of directors or partners 4. Renew the licence each year
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