At least a bachillerato (secondary diploma) (Art. 38). Art. 20 also requires enrolment in the Academia Nacional de Seguridad Pública, a psychotechnical test and an ANSP training course for security agents (Art. 20.f-g)
Bond or insurance
Agencies: third-party damage insurance (amount agreed with the parties) and group life insurance for staff of at least 25 monthly minimum wages, or a sworn declaration (Art. 19.c, applied to investigation agencies by Art. 37)
Fees
Operating authorisation for a company or agency: 3 monthly minimum wages (up to 30 staff), 6 (31-60 staff) or 10 (61 or more) (Art. 8)
Processing time
30 working days from receipt of the complete application (Art. 5)
Renewal
Operating authorisation lasts 3 years and is renewable for equal periods on payment of the fees (Art. 9)
Reciprocity
Foreigners with permanent residence qualify only where reciprocity applies (Art. 20.a)
Firearms
Investigation agencies or their staff who want to hold and carry firearms must follow the firearms law and report the number and type of weapons and ammunition to the PNC (Arts. 40, 64)
Reference information, not legal advice. Each profile lists its sources and the date it was checked.
