Private investigator licensing in North Carolina

Yes. Private investigators need a licence in North Carolina. The North Carolina Private Protective Services Board licenses individual private investigators. Applicants must be at least 18, have a high school diploma, be a US citizen or resident alien, and show three years of verifiable investigative experience in the private sector or a government investigative role. People without the experience can work towards it under a trainee permit supervised by a licensee.

North Carolina Private Protective Services Board, under N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 74C; 14B NCAC 16.

At least 18.

3 years (3,000 hours at 1,000 hours a year) of verifiable investigative experience with a private employer or in a government investigative role, or a military investigative specialty plus 2 years within the past 5; degree credit: associate 400 hours, bachelor's 800, graduate 1,200 (14B NCAC 16 .0401, .0204)

No state exam is required.

Liability insurance of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident (bodily injury) and $20,000 property damage under G.S. 74C-10(e), which the statute applies to licensees who carry a firearm; renewals require proof of liability insurance under 74C-10(e)

Online renewal at least 30 days before expiry; 12 hours CE every 2-year renewal period (maximum 6 hours online); $100 late fee

Application $150 (non-refundable); licence $250 per year of the licence term; additional licence $50 per year; temporary permit $100; plus SBI criminal record check cost and online vendor and card fees (14B NCAC 16 .0202)

1. Check you meet the age, education and 3-year experience rules (or start as a supervised trainee) 2. Gather a statewide criminal record search for each state lived in over 60 months, an Equifax credit report (within 30 days) and five character letters 3. Submit the online application with photo, high school proof, fingerprints (Live Scan or card) and fees 4. Meet in person with a Board investigator to review G.S. 74C and the rules 5. File proof of liability insurance and pay the licence fee once approved

Investigators licensed in CA, FL, GA, LA, SC, TN or VA may work a case that originated in their home state for up to 30 days per case (15 days for Tennessee); everyone else needs a North Carolina licence

Limited reciprocal agreements with California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia: investigators licensed there may work a case that started in their home state for up to 30 days per agency per case (15 days for Tennessee), without soliciting business or opening an office

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