Compare licensing rules
Pick up to three states or countries to see their rules side by side.
| Texas | |
|---|---|
| Status | Licence required |
| Regulator | Texas Department of Public Safety, Private Security Program |
| Who holds the licence | Individuals and agencies |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Experience | Company representative: 3 consecutive years' investigative experience, a criminal justice bachelor's degree, a bachelor's plus 12 months' experience, an associate degree in criminal justice plus 24 months' experience, or an approved 200-hour university PI course |
| Exam | Yes |
| Bond or insurance | Company licence: general liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence (bodily injury/property damage), $50,000 per occurrence (personal injury), $200,000 aggregate |
| Fees | Class A company licence $361 (original or renewal, including pocket card); owner/officer licence $57; individual PI licence $37; FBI fingerprint check $28.25 |
| Renewal | Licences expire no later than 2 years after issue; PIs must complete continuing education before renewing |
| Continuing education | PIs with under 15 years' licensure: 18 hours every 2 years (14 investigations, 2 ethics, 2 on the Act and rules). Over 15 years: 12 hours (8 investigations, 2 ethics, 2 Act and rules) |
| Reciprocity | Company licence prerequisites can be waived for holders from states with a governor-approved reciprocity agreement (1702.1183); DPS does not list any such agreements. |
| Recording calls | One-party consent |
| GPS trackers | Penal Code 16.06 makes installing a tracker on another person's vehicle a Class A misdemeanour; licensed PIs have an affirmative defence only with the owner's or lessee's written consent or a court order. |
| Firearms | PIs do not need a security commission to carry a handgun while doing licensed PI work, subject to the Penal Code Chapter 46 limits, but may not openly carry when executing a capias or arrest warrant (Rule 35.10). Guard or bodyguard work needs a commissioned security officer or personal protection officer licence |
Reference information, not legal advice. Each profile lists its sources and the date it was checked.