Private investigator licensing in Kentucky

Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Kentucky. Kentucky's Board of Licensure for Private Investigators licenses individual investigators and investigating companies on a two-year cycle. Applicants must be 21, US citizens or resident aliens with a high-school education, pass a computer-based board exam and carry $250,000 combined single-limit liability insurance. Investigators who work only as employees of a Kentucky-licensed attorney are exempt from the insurance requirement.

Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators (Department of Professional Licensing), under KRS Chapter 329A; 201 KAR Chapter 41.

At least 21.

Yes, applicants must pass an exam.

$250,000 combined single-limit liability insurance (exempt if working only as an employee of a Kentucky-licensed attorney)

Every 2 years ($250); renewals due by 30 June of the renewal year, with a late-fee grace period to 1 September; 12 hours CE

Application $100 plus licence fee $300 (paid after passing the exam); exam $156 paid to the testing company; fingerprints $51.25; AOC court-record check $25; renewal $250 every 2 years; late renewal $250 extra. Company licence $100 (sole proprietor) or $400 (other entities)

Average 2-3 months (board's stated time on the application)

1. Check you meet the rules: 21 or over, US citizen or resident alien, high-school education and no disqualifying record 2. Arrange $250,000 combined single-limit liability insurance (unless you will work only for a Kentucky attorney) 3. Submit the individual application with the $100 fee, two photos, IdentoGo fingerprints and an AOC criminal record check 4. Once the board approves the application, sit the Kentucky Private Investigator Examination within 60 days (pass mark 260 scaled) 5. Pay the remaining $300 licence fee within 30 days of the board's notice 6. Renew online through eServices every 2 years by 30 June with 12 hours of continuing education

Tennessee-licensed investigators may follow a case that began in Tennessee into Kentucky for up to 15 days per agency per case per year under the reciprocal agreement. Separately, an employee working under a Kentucky licensee for fewer than 240 hours a year is exempt and is registered by the employer.

Limited licence-recognition agreement with Tennessee: an investigator licensed in their home state may follow a case that began there into the other state for up to 15 days per agency per case per year, must be affiliated with a licensed agency and may not solicit business.

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