Private investigator licensing in New Hampshire
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire State Police (Permits and Licensing Unit) licenses individual private investigators, agencies and agency employees under RSA 106-F. Applicants must be at least 18 and US residents, and must show four years of full-time police or licensed-agency investigative experience (or a criminal justice or fire service degree plus two years at an agency). There is no state exam, but a $50,000 surety bond is required.
18
4 years
No
$50,000 bond
How to get licensed
- 1
Check you meet the age, residency and experience rules in RSA 106-F
- 2
Complete the individual application, form DSSP 259, with three character references and proof of experience
- 3
If you will carry a firearm, book fingerprinting with the Permits and Licensing Unit (603-223-3873) before applying
- 4
Deliver the application, government photo ID and fees in person to the Permits and Licensing Unit, 33 Hazen Drive, Concord
- 5
Pass the State Police background investigation (criminal record check and notice to your local police)
- 6
When told to, file the $50,000 surety bond and receive your licence
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in New Hampshire.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individuals and agencies
- Experience
- 4 years full-time as a law enforcement officer or as an investigator for a licensed agency; or an AS/BS in criminal justice or fire service plus 2 years as an agency investigator; or 4 years as a firefighter with IAAI certification
- Training
- Armed licence only: firearms proficiency course (75% minimum score) plus 4 hours on firearms safety and use-of-force law, at first licensing and at least once a year (RSA 106-F:8-a)
- Bond or insurance
- $50,000 surety bond, plus $50,000 for each additional licence type
- Citizenship
- US resident
- Fees
- Individual licence $150 every 2 years; agency licence $350 (Saf-C 2205.04; the statute, RSA 106-F:8, says $150 for a one-licensee business and $500 for more); state criminal record check fee; $10 fingerprint fee if armed; employee licence $5Fees change often: check the regulator's current schedule before you pay.
- Renewal
- Every 2 years on form DSSP 157, filed at least 15 days before expiry with evidence that the bond remains in force; late renewals must reapply as new applications
- Firearms
- Separate armed licence category: armed applicants need FBI fingerprinting and must pass firearms proficiency training at first licensing and every year (RSA 106-F:8-a)
Rules in the field
Recording conversations
All-party consent
Everyone in the conversation must agree before you record it.
Sources
- 1 nhli.net
- 2 gc.nh.gov
- 3 nhsp.dos.nh.gov
- 4 law.cornell.edu
- 5 law.cornell.edu
- 6 law.cornell.edu
- 7 law.cornell.edu
- 8 bills.nhliberty.org
- 9 nhsp.dos.nh.gov
- 10 startbusinessbystate.com
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in New Hampshire
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in New Hampshire?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in New Hampshire. New Hampshire State Police (Permits and Licensing Unit) licenses individual private investigators, agencies and agency employees under RSA 106-F. Applicants must be at least 18 and US residents, and must show four years of full-time police or licensed-agency investigative experience (or a criminal justice or fire service degree plus two years at an agency). There is no state exam, but a $50,000 surety bond is required.
Who licenses private investigators in New Hampshire?+
New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police – Permits and Licensing Unit, under RSA Chapter 106-F; Saf-C 2200.
How old do you have to be to become a private investigator in New Hampshire?+
At least 18.
How much experience do you need to be a PI in New Hampshire?+
4 years full-time as a law enforcement officer or as an investigator for a licensed agency; or an AS/BS in criminal justice or fire service plus 2 years as an agency investigator; or 4 years as a firefighter with IAAI certification
Is there an exam for a private investigator licence in New Hampshire?+
No state exam is required.
Do private investigators in New Hampshire need a bond or insurance?+
$50,000 surety bond, plus $50,000 for each additional licence type
How often does a New Hampshire PI licence need renewing?+
Every 2 years on form DSSP 157, filed at least 15 days before expiry with evidence that the bond remains in force; late renewals must reapply as new applications
How much does a private investigator licence cost in New Hampshire?+
Individual licence $150 every 2 years; agency licence $350 (Saf-C 2205.04; the statute, RSA 106-F:8, says $150 for a one-licensee business and $500 for more); state criminal record check fee; $10 fingerprint fee if armed; employee licence $5
How do you get a private investigator licence in New Hampshire?+
1. Check you meet the age, residency and experience rules in RSA 106-F 2. Complete the individual application, form DSSP 259, with three character references and proof of experience 3. If you will carry a firearm, book fingerprinting with the Permits and Licensing Unit (603-223-3873) before applying 4. Deliver the application, government photo ID and fees in person to the Permits and Licensing Unit, 33 Hazen Drive, Concord 5. Pass the State Police background investigation (criminal record check and notice to your local police) 6. When told to, file the $50,000 surety bond and receive your licence
Can a private investigator record phone calls in New Hampshire?+
New Hampshire requires everyone's consent: all parties must agree before a conversation is recorded.
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