Private investigator licensing in Ireland

Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Ireland. Private investigator businesses (sole traders, partnerships and companies) have needed a Private Security Authority contractor licence since 1 November 2015, and every employee doing investigative work has needed a PSA employee licence since 1 November 2022. Contractors must be certified to the PSA 42:2015 standard by an approved auditing body, show 5 years' investigation experience in the last 10 years, hold tax clearance and pass Garda vetting. Employees must complete the PSA-specified training delivered by ICSE and pass Garda vetting, and it is an offence to provide or engage unlicensed investigation services.

Private Security Authority (PSA), under Private Security Services Act 2004; S.I. No. 195/2015 Private Investigator Regulations.

Contractors: 5 years' continuous investigation experience within the previous 10 years, or other means approved by the PSA (PSA 42:2015 cl. 3.1.3; at least one director or partner, and every sole trader). Employees: none

Contractors: professional indemnity, deliberate act and motor insurance are essential (PSA 42:2015 cl. 3.3)

Contractor licence every 2 years (renewed online, fee based on turnover); employee licence every 3 years, renewable online up to 6 months after expiry

Contractor licence (2 years): €1,000 administration fee for new entrants, plus a turnover fee of €250 to €25,000 once the business has turnover; employee licence €90

Employee licences: about six weeks for a new application (PSA)

1. Contractors: email standards@psa-gov.ie to confirm you meet the competence requirement (5 years' experience) before certification 2. Register with a PSA-approved auditing body and obtain certification to PSA 42:2015 3. Lodge the contractor application form with tax clearance, incorporation or business name certificate and the fee by EFT 4. Complete the Garda e-vetting link (all directors, secretaries and 5% shareholders) and supply foreign criminal record certificates if needed 5. Employees: complete the ICSE private investigator course, then register and pay €90 online 6. Return the signed application pack with ID, photo and training certificate within 21 days, then complete Garda e-vetting

No temporary or visiting permit: anyone providing private investigator services in the Republic of Ireland needs a PSA licence. EU qualifications can be recognised towards the employee training requirement under Directive 2005/36/EC.

Ireland is a one-party consent country: you can generally record a conversation you are part of without telling the others.