Private investigator licensing in Maryland
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Maryland.
The Maryland State Police license private detective agencies and certify the individual private detectives who work for them; a certificate is valid only for its sponsoring agency. An agency licensee (or a firm's representative member) must be 25, of good character and have 5 years as a full-time private detective or police officer, or 3 years as a police detective or government investigator. Certified detectives must be 18, and all applications go through the MSP Licensing Portal.
25
5 years
No
$1,000,000 insurance
How to get licensed
- 1
Find a licensed agency to sponsor you (a certificate is valid only for that agency), or meet the agency-owner experience rules
- 2
Get LiveScan fingerprints using MSP authorisation number 9400082495 and ORI MDMSP6000
- 3
Take a digital passport-style colour photo
- 4
Create an account on the MSP Licensing Portal and complete the application, uploading the fingerprint receipt and photo
- 5
For a certificate, give the emailed application number and PIN to your sponsoring agency so it can submit and pay
- 6
For an agency, upload proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance if you will employ 5 or more detectives and pay online
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Maryland.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individuals and agencies
- Experience
- Agency: 5 years as a full-time licensed or certified private detective, 5 years as a full-time police officer, 3 years as a police detective or government investigator (with police training), or 5 years as a fire investigator; individual certification (age 18) needs no experience
- Bond or insurance
- $1,000,000 aggregate commercial general liability insurance (including errors and omissions) for agencies employing 5 or more private detectives
- Fees
- Agency licence $200 (individual) or $375 (firm), renewal $200 or $400; firm or representative member $42; individual private detective certificate $15, renewal $10; LiveScan fingerprint fee set by the vendorFees change often: check the regulator's current schedule before you pay.
- Processing time
- Decision within 90 days of a complete application and fee (MSP also says to allow 90 business days); completeness review 5-10 business days
- Renewal
- Every 3 years (agency licence and individual certification)
- Continuing education
- Not published by the regulator
- Firearms
- Carrying a handgun needs a separate Maryland wear-and-carry permit (Public Safety s.5-306), which requires 16 hours of approved training for a first application and 8 hours for renewal.
Rules in the field
Recording conversations
All-party consent
Everyone in the conversation must agree before you record it.
GPS trackers
No standalone tracker law; since October 2022 stalking (Crim. Law s.3-802) includes using a device to track someone's location without their knowledge or consent, with an exception for a specific lawful commercial purpose.
Sources
- 1 mdsp.maryland.gov
- 2 mdsp.maryland.gov
- 3 mgaleg.maryland.gov
- 4 mgaleg.maryland.gov
- 5 mgaleg.maryland.gov
- 6 mgaleg.maryland.gov
- 7 licensingportal.mdsp.maryland.gov
- 8 mgaleg.maryland.gov
- 9 mgaleg.maryland.gov
- 10 mgaleg.maryland.gov
- 11 mgaleg.maryland.gov
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Maryland
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Maryland?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Maryland. The Maryland State Police license private detective agencies and certify the individual private detectives who work for them; a certificate is valid only for its sponsoring agency. An agency licensee (or a firm's representative member) must be 25, of good character and have 5 years as a full-time private detective or police officer, or 3 years as a police detective or government investigator. Certified detectives must be 18, and all applications go through the MSP Licensing Portal.
Who licenses private investigators in Maryland?+
Maryland Department of State Police, Licensing Division, under Maryland Private Detectives Act, Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 13.
How old do you have to be to become a private investigator in Maryland?+
At least 25.
How much experience do you need to be a PI in Maryland?+
Agency: 5 years as a full-time licensed or certified private detective, 5 years as a full-time police officer, 3 years as a police detective or government investigator (with police training), or 5 years as a fire investigator; individual certification (age 18) needs no experience
Is there an exam for a private investigator licence in Maryland?+
No state exam is required.
Do private investigators in Maryland need a bond or insurance?+
$1,000,000 aggregate commercial general liability insurance (including errors and omissions) for agencies employing 5 or more private detectives
How often does a Maryland PI licence need renewing?+
Every 3 years (agency licence and individual certification)
How much does a private investigator licence cost in Maryland?+
Agency licence $200 (individual) or $375 (firm), renewal $200 or $400; firm or representative member $42; individual private detective certificate $15, renewal $10; LiveScan fingerprint fee set by the vendor
How long does it take to get a PI licence in Maryland?+
Decision within 90 days of a complete application and fee (MSP also says to allow 90 business days); completeness review 5-10 business days
How do you get a private investigator licence in Maryland?+
1. Find a licensed agency to sponsor you (a certificate is valid only for that agency), or meet the agency-owner experience rules 2. Get LiveScan fingerprints using MSP authorisation number 9400082495 and ORI MDMSP6000 3. Take a digital passport-style colour photo 4. Create an account on the MSP Licensing Portal and complete the application, uploading the fingerprint receipt and photo 5. For a certificate, give the emailed application number and PIN to your sponsoring agency so it can submit and pay 6. For an agency, upload proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance if you will employ 5 or more detectives and pay online
Can a private investigator record phone calls in Maryland?+
Maryland requires everyone's consent: all parties must agree before a conversation is recorded.
Associations for investigators in Maryland
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