Compare licensing rules
Pick up to three states or countries to see their rules side by side.
| Alabama | |
|---|---|
| Status | Licence required |
| Regulator | Alabama Private Investigation Board |
| Who holds the licence | Individuals and agencies |
| Minimum age | 21 |
| Experience | 2 years' experience, education or training (or a combination) including 120 hours of practical field experience, in special investigations, law enforcement, a 2-year related degree, or a completed apprentice programme (Code of Ala. 34-25B-12(7), added by Act 2023-397) |
| Exam | Yes |
| Training | Apprentice route (from age 18): 40 hours classroom training and 260 field hours under a Board-certified sponsor |
| Fees | Application $100 (one-time); ALEA/FBI background check $37 (money order to ALEA); licence $300 for 2 years, paid after passing the exam; renewal $300; late renewal $200; exam fee paid separately to PSI. Agency licence: $50 (up to 2 investigators) or $200 (3 or more) for 2 years; out-of-state agency up to $500 by statute |
| Processing time | The Board aims to respond to a complete application within 10 business days (Board's stated time); total time depends on exam scheduling |
| Renewal | Every 2 years ($300); renew before expiry, with a 30-day late window ($200 late fee); 16 hours CE per licence period |
| Continuing education | 16 hours per 2-year licence period (8 hours each calendar year), including 2 hours of ethics; up to 2 hours can come from professional membership; records audited at random |
| Reciprocity | Limited licence recognition agreements with Tennessee and Florida (and listed by Georgia's board): licensed investigators may follow a case that began in their home state for up to 30 days per agency per case per year |
| Recording calls | One-party consent |
| Firearms | The APIB licence does not authorise or regulate carrying firearms and there is no separate armed-investigator permit; general Alabama firearms law applies |
Reference information, not legal advice. Each profile lists its sources and the date it was checked.