Private investigator licensing in Honduras
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Honduras.
Private investigation is one of the licensed private security services in Honduras, and the Secretaría de Seguridad grants the licence after an opinion from its private security control unit (Reglamento 013-2009, Arts. 1, 3, 7, 8.II). Companies and individuals can both be licensed: professional detectives may hold an individual licence (Arts. 7, 34). A detective must be an adult Honduran by birth, a professional in investigation with certificates, and pass psychometric, drug and socio-economic checks certified by the Secretaría (Art. 34). Detective licences are renewed every year (Art. 21). Decreto 18-2017 keeps this regulation in force until a special private security law is passed (Arts. 124, 129).1
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World Association of Detectives
How to get licensed1
- 1
File a licence application with the Secretaría de Estado en el Despacho de Seguridad through a lawyer (apoderado legal) with power of attorney (Art. 34.a)
- 2
Individual detective: attach ID, RTN, municipal tax clearance, current criminal and police record certificates, three personal references, passport photos, inventory of weapons, vehicles and equipment, and proof of investigation qualifications (Art. 34)
- 3
Take the psychometric exam, drug test and socio-economic study certified by the Secretaría, and have your studies validated by the Police Education System (Art. 34.g, 34.i)
- 4
Investigation company: attach the registered company deed, IDs and criminal records of partners, the detectives' diplomas, staff psychometric exams, vehicles and equipment, and the list of investigators (Art. 33)
- 5
The Secretaría reviews the file, the control unit issues a technical opinion and the licence is issued after payment of the fees (Arts. 27-30)
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Honduras.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individuals and agencies1
- Training
- Must be a professional in investigation, shown by degrees and course or seminar certificates, which the Police Education System evaluates and certifies (Art. 34.d, 34.i)1
- Citizenship
- Honduran by birth for individual detectives (Art. 34.b). Foreign companies must partner with Hondurans and appoint a Honduran-born manager (Art. 6)1
- Fees
- Detective licence: 2 minimum wages (highest rate) per person per year, payable by 30 January (Art. 21)1Fees change often: check the regulator's current schedule before you pay.
- Renewal
- Detective licences are renewed every year (Art. 21); company licences every 2 years (Art. 20)1
- Firearms
- Security companies may only use weapons of calibres permitted by the firearms law, never those reserved to the police or armed forces (Art. 39)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 Honduras
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Honduras?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Honduras. Private investigation is one of the licensed private security services in Honduras, and the Secretaría de Seguridad grants the licence after an opinion from its private security control unit (Reglamento 013-2009, Arts. 1, 3, 7, 8.II). Companies and individuals can both be licensed: professional detectives may hold an individual licence (Arts. 7, 34). A detective must be an adult Honduran by birth, a professional in investigation with certificates, and pass psychometric, drug and socio-economic checks certified by the Secretaría (Art. 34). Detective licences are renewed every year (Art. 21). Decreto 18-2017 keeps this regulation in force until a special private security law is passed (Arts. 124, 129).
Who licenses private investigators in Honduras?+
Secretaría de Estado en el Despacho de Seguridad – Dirección de Control de los Servicios Privados de Seguridad y Otros Servicios Especiales, under Reglamento para el Control de los Servicios Privados de Seguridad (Acuerdo No. 013-2009, La Gaceta No. 32,110, 11 January 2010), kept in force with Arts. 135-154 of Decreto 67-2008 by Arts. 124 and 129 of the Ley Orgánica de la Secretaría de Estado en el Despacho de Seguridad y de la Policía Nacional (Decreto 18-2017, La Gaceta No. 34,463, 10 October 2017).
How often does a Honduras PI licence need renewing?+
Detective licences are renewed every year (Art. 21); company licences every 2 years (Art. 20)
How much does a private investigator licence cost in Honduras?+
Detective licence: 2 minimum wages (highest rate) per person per year, payable by 30 January (Art. 21)
How do you get a private investigator licence in Honduras?+
1. File a licence application with the Secretaría de Estado en el Despacho de Seguridad through a lawyer (apoderado legal) with power of attorney (Art. 34.a) 2. Individual detective: attach ID, RTN, municipal tax clearance, current criminal and police record certificates, three personal references, passport photos, inventory of weapons, vehicles and equipment, and proof of investigation qualifications (Art. 34) 3. Take the psychometric exam, drug test and socio-economic study certified by the Secretaría, and have your studies validated by the Police Education System (Art. 34.g, 34.i) 4. Investigation company: attach the registered company deed, IDs and criminal records of partners, the detectives' diplomas, staff psychometric exams, vehicles and equipment, and the list of investigators (Art. 33) 5. The Secretaría reviews the file, the control unit issues a technical opinion and the licence is issued after payment of the fees (Arts. 27-30)
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