Private investigator licensing in Nebraska

Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Nebraska. The Nebraska Secretary of State licenses private detectives, private detective agencies and plain-clothes investigators, and the State Patrol runs a character investigation on every applicant. Private detectives must be at least 21 and US citizens, show 3,000 hours of experience (less with a relevant degree), pass a written exam in Lincoln and post a $10,000 surety bond.

Nebraska Secretary of State – Licensing Division, under Private Detective Licensing Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. §71-3201 et seq.; 433 NAC 3.

At least 21.

3,000 hours; or 2,500 hours with an associate degree in the field; or 2,000 hours with a bachelor's degree in the field

Yes, applicants must pass an exam.

$10,000 surety bond (private detective and agency licences)

Every 2 years; all licences renew by 30 June of each even-numbered year, with the renewal fee and a bond or continuation certificate

Private detective $50, agency $100, plain-clothes investigator $25 (initial and renewal); plus $38 background check on first application only

The State Patrol background investigation can take up to 90 days (Secretary of State's stated time)

1. Check you meet the age, citizenship and experience rules (3,000 hours, or less with a related degree) 2. Complete the application, release-of-information form, citizenship attestation and voucher of employment 3. Get two fingerprint cards (the Nebraska State Patrol can take them) and two passport photos 4. Buy a $10,000 surety bond and send everything with the fees to the Secretary of State 5. Book and pass the written exam, held the third Wednesday of each month at 10am in Lincoln 6. Wait for the State Patrol character investigation before the licence is issued

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