Compare licensing rules
Pick up to three states or countries to see their rules side by side.
| Virginia | |
|---|---|
| Status | Licence required |
| Regulator | Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), Private Security Services |
| Who holds the licence | Individuals and agencies |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Exam | Yes |
| Training | 60-hour 02E entry-level private investigator course (partial waivers for qualifying law enforcement or prior training) |
| Bond or insurance | Business licence: comprehensive general liability insurance, $1,000,000 general aggregate minimum |
| Fees | Individual: fingerprint processing $50, initial registration $25, renewal $20, firearm endorsement $10. Business: 1-year licence $550 or 2-year licence $800, renewal $500 for 2 years; compliance agent certification $50 |
| Renewal | Registration lasts up to 24 months; renew online at least 30 days before expiry after the 8-hour 02I in-service course |
| Continuing education | 8-hour 02I private investigator in-service course before each renewal (every 24 months) |
| Reciprocity | Limited reciprocity agreements with Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee let PIs from those states continue investigations that began in their home state. |
| Recording calls | One-party consent |
| GPS trackers | Code 18.2-60.5 makes covert tracking a Class 1 misdemeanour; registered PIs are exempt only with the consent of the owner of the property the device is placed on, and never for clients under a protective order. |
| Firearms | Separate firearms endorsement needed for anyone who carries or has access to a firearm on duty, renewed every 12 months; concealed carry also needs a concealed handgun permit and the employer's written permission (18.2-308) |
Reference information, not legal advice. Each profile lists its sources and the date it was checked.