Compare licensing rules
Pick up to three states or countries to see their rules side by side.
| North Dakota | |
|---|---|
| Status | Licence required |
| Regulator | North Dakota Private Investigative and Security Board |
| Who holds the licence | Individuals and agencies |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Experience | 2,000 hours of private investigative services as a registered employee of a detective agency (board may grant equivalency) |
| Exam | Yes |
| Training | Firearms training equal to ND peace officers, plus 1,000 hours of service, only if armed |
| Bond or insurance | Certificate of insurance for $300,000 general liability with errors and omissions insurance, filed before an individual or agency licence is issued (N.D. Admin. Code 93-02-01.1-08) |
| Fees | Application and testing $150 (one-time); licence $225 a year; criminal record check $43 (from 1 October 2026); agency licence $450 a year plus $150 application; armed certificate $45 a year |
| Processing time | About 30 business days once all applications, fees and documents are received (Board FAQ) |
| Renewal | Annually; all licences expire 30 September; renewal fee $225 (individual) or $450 (agency); late fees apply, and after 60 days a new application is required |
| Reciprocity | None. The Board states it has no reciprocity, so out-of-state investigators must apply for a North Dakota licence and meet every requirement (residency is not required). |
| Recording calls | One-party consent |
| Firearms | Separate armed certificate needed: peace-officer-level firearms training, 1,000 hours of service and annual requalification; a concealed carry permit does not allow carrying while working |
Reference information, not legal advice. Each profile lists its sources and the date it was checked.