Private investigator licensing in Oregon
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Oregon.
Oregon's DPSST licenses private investigators individually, with a provisional investigator licence for those still building experience. Applicants must be at least 18, show 1,500 hours of investigative experience (or an approved course of study or combination), pass the DPSST proficiency exam with 86% or better, and hold a $5,000 bond, letter of credit or errors and omissions policy.
18
1,500 hours
Yes
$5,000 bond + insurance
How to get licensed
- 1
Check you meet the age, experience and background rules in OAR 259-061
- 2
Get a $5,000 surety bond, letter of credit or errors and omissions policy naming you as principal
- 3
Get fingerprinted through Fieldprint (code FPPILicenseDPSST), Live Scan or an ink card
- 4
Send Form PI-1 with PI-27 (Code of Ethics), three professional references, a resume showing 1,500 hours, the bond and fees to DPSST, and email two photos
- 5
Sit the online DPSST proficiency exam once DPSST emails you the details (86% to pass)
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Oregon.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individual investigators
- Experience
- 1,500 hours of investigatory work, or an approved course of study, or a combination (provisional licence available without the 1,500 hours)
- Bond or insurance
- $5,000 corporate surety bond, irrevocable letter of credit or errors and omissions insurance
- Citizenship
- Eligible to work in the US
- Fees
- Licence $800 plus $48 background check fee (new); renewal $760 every 2 years; late renewal $40Fees change often: check the regulator's current schedule before you pay.
- Processing time
- Typically 4-8 weeks for a new application and background check; renewals typically 4-6 weeks (DPSST)
- Renewal
- Every 2 years (ORS 703.430); $760 renewal fee; 32 hours CE including 2 hours of ethics (40 hours for provisional investigators); apply between 90 days and 2 weeks before expiry
- Continuing education
- 32 hours every 2 years including 2 hours of ethics (40 hours for provisional investigators), reported on Form PI-6
- Reciprocity
- No reciprocity agreements. Investigators licensed elsewhere can use a temporary licence (Form PI-9) for up to 30 aggregate days a year on cases that started in their home jurisdiction.
Rules in the field
Recording conversations
Depends on the setting
Whether you need everyone’s consent depends on how and where the conversation happens.
Sources
- 1 oregon.gov
- 2 apps.oregon.gov
- 3 oregon.public.law
- 4 oregon.gov
- 5 oregon.gov
- 6 oregon.gov
- 7 oregon.public.law
- 8 oregon.public.law
- 9 oregon.public.law
- 10 oregon.public.law
- 11 regulations.justia.com
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Oregon
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Oregon?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Oregon. Oregon's DPSST licenses private investigators individually, with a provisional investigator licence for those still building experience. Applicants must be at least 18, show 1,500 hours of investigative experience (or an approved course of study or combination), pass the DPSST proficiency exam with 86% or better, and hold a $5,000 bond, letter of credit or errors and omissions policy.
Who licenses private investigators in Oregon?+
Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) – Private Investigator Program, under ORS 703.401–703.995; OAR 259-061.
How old do you have to be to become a private investigator in Oregon?+
At least 18.
How much experience do you need to be a PI in Oregon?+
1,500 hours of investigatory work, or an approved course of study, or a combination (provisional licence available without the 1,500 hours)
Is there an exam for a private investigator licence in Oregon?+
Yes, applicants must pass an exam.
Do private investigators in Oregon need a bond or insurance?+
$5,000 corporate surety bond, irrevocable letter of credit or errors and omissions insurance
How often does a Oregon PI licence need renewing?+
Every 2 years (ORS 703.430); $760 renewal fee; 32 hours CE including 2 hours of ethics (40 hours for provisional investigators); apply between 90 days and 2 weeks before expiry
How much does a private investigator licence cost in Oregon?+
Licence $800 plus $48 background check fee (new); renewal $760 every 2 years; late renewal $40
How long does it take to get a PI licence in Oregon?+
Typically 4-8 weeks for a new application and background check; renewals typically 4-6 weeks (DPSST)
How do you get a private investigator licence in Oregon?+
1. Check you meet the age, experience and background rules in OAR 259-061 2. Get a $5,000 surety bond, letter of credit or errors and omissions policy naming you as principal 3. Get fingerprinted through Fieldprint (code FPPILicenseDPSST), Live Scan or an ink card 4. Send Form PI-1 with PI-27 (Code of Ethics), three professional references, a resume showing 1,500 hours, the bond and fees to DPSST, and email two photos 5. Sit the online DPSST proficiency exam once DPSST emails you the details (86% to pass)
Can an investigator licensed elsewhere work a case in Oregon?+
Investigators licensed elsewhere may file a temporary licence (Form PI-9) within 72 hours of starting work, for a case that began in their home jurisdiction, for up to 30 aggregate days a year; they must hold a $5,000 bond or E&O cover and may not solicit or open new cases in Oregon
Does Oregon accept PI licences from elsewhere?+
No reciprocity agreements. Investigators licensed elsewhere can use a temporary licence (Form PI-9) for up to 30 aggregate days a year on cases that started in their home jurisdiction.
Can a private investigator record phone calls in Oregon?+
It depends on the setting in Oregon; some conversations need everyone's consent.
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