Private investigator licensing in Louisiana

Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Louisiana. The LSBPIE issues agency, individual, journeyman and apprentice licences; an individual private investigator may work only for a licensed agency, so anyone working independently needs an agency licence. All applicants must be 18, US citizens or authorised resident aliens, complete a board-approved 40-hour basic course and pass the board exam (75%). An agency licence also requires 3 years' investigative experience within the last 10.

Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners (LSBPIE), under La. R.S. 37:3500 et seq. (Title 37, Chapter 56).

At least 18.

Agency licence: 3 years' investigative experience within the last 10 years; none for individual or apprentice licences

Yes, applicants must pass an exam.

None: neither La. R.S. 37:3500 et seq. nor the board rules (LAC 46:LVII) require a bond or insurance

Annual renewal (agency and journeyman $300, individual $150); online CE course every 2 years

Initial licence: agency $350, journeyman $350, individual $200, apprentice $200; exam $100 (retake $50); annual renewal: agency $300, journeyman $300, individual $150; application package $10; online CE course $100

1. Check you meet the rules: legal age (18), US citizen or authorised resident alien, no felony or crime of moral turpitude; agency applicants need 3 years' investigative experience in the last 10 2. Request an application package from the board in writing with a $10 money order 3. Complete a board-approved 40-hour Basic Private Investigation course 4. Pass the board exam with 75% 5. Submit the notarised application with a 5x7 photo, driving licence copy and fees (plus sponsor form, or experience affidavits and occupational licence for an agency) during the board's application hours 6. Renew every year and complete the board's online CE course every 2 years

Investigators licensed in a limited-reciprocity state (AR, CA, FL, GA, NC, OK, OR, TN, VA) may follow cases that began in their home state into Louisiana on the terms of each agreement (La. R.S. 37:3518(B)); otherwise a Louisiana licence is required.

Full reciprocity with Arkansas and Oklahoma; limited reciprocity (following a case that began in the home state) with Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee and Virginia. Investigators licensed in a state with comparable requirements can be licensed without the exam.

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