Private investigator licensing in El Salvador
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in El Salvador.
Private investigation agencies and individual private investigators must be authorised by the Policía Nacional Civil under the Private Security Services Law (Arts. 2.c, 5, 36-38). Agencies must meet the same requirements as private security agencies (Art. 37). Individual investigators must meet the security-agent requirements in Art. 20 (Salvadoran or foreign permanent resident, at least 18, fit, no criminal or police record) and hold at least a bachillerato (secondary school diploma); the PNC then issues an ID card (carnet) (Art. 38). An authorisation lasts three years and can be renewed (Art. 9). Investigators may not breach honour, privacy or one's own image, open correspondence or intercept any communications (Art. 41).1
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How to get licensed1
- 1
Agency: apply to the Director General of the PNC with ID, tax and social security numbers or the registered company deed, the service plan and training programme, a feasibility study, the commercial registration, criminal and police record certificates of the owner or directors, and the fee receipt (Arts. 18, 37)
- 2
The PNC decides within 30 working days after a favourable opinion of the División de Registro y Control de Servicios Privados de Seguridad (Art. 5)
- 3
Publish the authorisation in two national newspapers at your own cost (Art. 7)
- 4
Before starting, file the staff list, inventory of weapons and equipment, and proof of insurance, and pass the PNC inspection (Arts. 5, 19)
- 5
Individual investigator: apply to the PNC showing the Art. 20 requirements and a bachillerato; the PNC issues an investigator ID card (Art. 38)
- 6
File quarterly activity reports and monthly updates of staff, contracts and equipment with the PNC (Arts. 4, 7, 65)
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How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individuals and agencies1
- Training
- 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)1
- 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)1
- Citizenship
- Salvadoran, or foreigner with permanent residence where reciprocity applies (Art. 20.a, applied by Art. 38)1
- 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)1Fees change often: check the regulator's current schedule before you pay.
- Processing time
- 30 working days from receipt of the complete application (Art. 5)1
- Renewal
- Operating authorisation lasts 3 years and is renewable for equal periods on payment of the fees (Art. 9)1
- 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)1
- Reciprocity
- Foreigners with permanent residence qualify only where reciprocity applies (Art. 20.a)1
Sources
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in El Salvador
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in El Salvador?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in El Salvador. Private investigation agencies and individual private investigators must be authorised by the Policía Nacional Civil under the Private Security Services Law (Arts. 2.c, 5, 36-38). Agencies must meet the same requirements as private security agencies (Art. 37). Individual investigators must meet the security-agent requirements in Art. 20 (Salvadoran or foreign permanent resident, at least 18, fit, no criminal or police record) and hold at least a bachillerato (secondary school diploma); the PNC then issues an ID card (carnet) (Art. 38). An authorisation lasts three years and can be renewed (Art. 9). Investigators may not breach honour, privacy or one's own image, open correspondence or intercept any communications (Art. 41).
Who licenses private investigators in El Salvador?+
Policía Nacional Civil – División de Registro y Control de Servicios Privados de Seguridad (under the Director General of the PNC), under Ley de los Servicios Privados de Seguridad, Decreto Legislativo No. 227 of 14 December 2000 (Diario Oficial No. 18, Tomo 350, 24 January 2001), as amended by D.L. 1124 (2003) and D.L. 514 (2019).
How old do you have to be to become a private investigator in El Salvador?+
At least 18.
Do private investigators in El Salvador need a 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)
How often does a El Salvador PI licence need renewing?+
Operating authorisation lasts 3 years and is renewable for equal periods on payment of the fees (Art. 9)
How much does a private investigator licence cost in El Salvador?+
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)
How long does it take to get a PI licence in El Salvador?+
30 working days from receipt of the complete application (Art. 5)
How do you get a private investigator licence in El Salvador?+
1. Agency: apply to the Director General of the PNC with ID, tax and social security numbers or the registered company deed, the service plan and training programme, a feasibility study, the commercial registration, criminal and police record certificates of the owner or directors, and the fee receipt (Arts. 18, 37) 2. The PNC decides within 30 working days after a favourable opinion of the División de Registro y Control de Servicios Privados de Seguridad (Art. 5) 3. Publish the authorisation in two national newspapers at your own cost (Art. 7) 4. Before starting, file the staff list, inventory of weapons and equipment, and proof of insurance, and pass the PNC inspection (Arts. 5, 19) 5. Individual investigator: apply to the PNC showing the Art. 20 requirements and a bachillerato; the PNC issues an investigator ID card (Art. 38) 6. File quarterly activity reports and monthly updates of staff, contracts and equipment with the PNC (Arts. 4, 7, 65)
Does El Salvador accept PI licences from elsewhere?+
Foreigners with permanent residence qualify only where reciprocity applies (Art. 20.a)
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