Compare licensing rules
Pick up to three states or countries to see their rules side by side.
| New York | |
|---|---|
| Status | Licence required |
| Regulator | New York Department of State – Division of Licensing Services |
| Who holds the licence | The agency |
| Minimum age | 25 |
| Experience | 3 years' qualifying investigative experience or equivalent position, or 20 years as a police officer or fire marshal (GBL §72; at least one member of a firm must qualify) |
| Exam | Yes |
| Bond or insurance | $10,000 surety bond |
| Fees | Application/licence $400 individual or $500 corporate/business for 2 years; branch office $400/$500; written exam $15; fingerprinting through IdentoGO (fee set by IDEMIA) |
| Renewal | Every 2 years (GBL §74); renewal fee $400 individual, $500 corporate or business; $100 late renewal penalty |
| Reciprocity | No reciprocity or temporary-work provision appears in GBL Article 7; anyone doing PI work in New York needs a New York licence. |
| Recording calls | One-party consent |
| Firearms | The PI licence gives no right to carry; a separate New York pistol licence is needed from the county licensing officer (NYPD License Division in New York City) |
Reference information, not legal advice. Each profile lists its sources and the date it was checked.