Private investigator licensing in France

Yes. Private investigators need a licence in France. Private investigators (agents de recherches privées) are regulated by CNAPS under Book VI of the Code de la sécurité intérieure. An agency head needs a personal agrément and each establishment an autorisation d'exercice, while employed investigators need a carte professionnelle; each is valid for five years. All must prove professional aptitude through an RNCP-registered or ministry-approved qualification (or police judicial officer status) and pass an honour and good-character check.

Conseil national des activités privées de sécurité (CNAPS), under Code de la sécurité intérieure, Livre VI Titre II (art. L621-1 et seq.).

Professional liability insurance required before starting (art. L622-5)

Agrément and carte professionnelle every 5 years; MAC continuing training required before card renewal

Usually under 10 days for applicants not known to police or gendarmerie; no answer within 2 months counts as refusal (CNAPS)

1. Obtain a recognised qualification (RNCP certification such as the Paris II or Nîmes licence professionnelle, or the IFAR title) 2. Apply to CNAPS through the Dracar Ultimate online portal for the agrément dirigeant (needed to run or own an agency) 3. Apply at the same time for the autorisation d'exercice for the main establishment and any branch 4. Take out professional liability insurance before starting (art. L622-5 CSI) 5. Register the business through the INPI guichet unique 6. Employees: the employer declares them and each obtains a carte professionnelle from CNAPS

France requires everyone's consent: all parties must agree before a conversation is recorded.