Private investigator licensing in Massachusetts

Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Massachusetts. The Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police licenses the private detective business; agents and employees of a licensee do not need their own licence. The applicant (or a corporation's resident manager) needs 3 years' employment as a detective, or must be a former federal investigator, a former police officer above patrolman rank, or a police officer with 10 years' service. Applicants also need certifications from three Massachusetts residents who have known them for 3 years, a $5,000 surety bond, no felony conviction and no current POST Commission police certification.

Massachusetts State Police (Colonel of the State Police), Certification Unit, under M.G.L. Chapter 147, Sections 22-30.

3 years regularly employed as a detective doing investigative work; or former member of a US investigative service; or former police officer above patrolman rank; or police officer with 10 years' service; applicants must not hold a current POST Commission certification

No state exam is required.

$5,000 surety bond

Annually

Original application $550; renewal $150 (certified cheque or money order); $5,000 surety bond bought separately

1. Check you meet the experience rules and are not currently POST-certified 2. Complete the application in the MSP Certification Licensing System and the Private Investigator & Watch Guard License Form 3. Get a $5,000 surety bond from a surety writing bonds in Massachusetts and file your business, corporation or LLC certificate in Massachusetts 4. Collect certifications from three unrelated Massachusetts residents who have known you for 3 years 5. Post the notarised application, bond, references, signed release, employment evidence and $550 cheque to the Certification Unit in Danvers

Massachusetts requires everyone's consent: all parties must agree before a conversation is recorded.