Private investigator licensing in Panama
No. Panama has no specific private investigator licence.
No Panamanian law found licenses private investigators or investigation agencies as such. Decreto Ejecutivo 21 of 1992 licenses private security agencies for guarding, event protection, security systems, cash-in-transit and security consulting, but not investigation (Art. 1). Separately, Ley 15 of 2018 says that practising the profession of 'Investigación Criminal y Seguridad' requires Panamanian nationality, a degree in that subject and a certificate of suitability (idoneidad) from a technical council under the Ministry of Public Security (Arts. 3, 8-9). It also makes it illegal to offer services that need that competence without meeting these requirements (Art. 7). It is unclear whether this covers ordinary private investigation work.1
—
—
—
—
Associations near you
No Panama association on IE yet
These associations welcome investigators from Panama. Run one there? Tell us.
World Association of Detectives
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Panama.
Sources
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Panama
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Panama?+
No. Panama has no specific private investigator licence. No Panamanian law found licenses private investigators or investigation agencies as such. Decreto Ejecutivo 21 of 1992 licenses private security agencies for guarding, event protection, security systems, cash-in-transit and security consulting, but not investigation (Art. 1). Separately, Ley 15 of 2018 says that practising the profession of 'Investigación Criminal y Seguridad' requires Panamanian nationality, a degree in that subject and a certificate of suitability (idoneidad) from a technical council under the Ministry of Public Security (Arts. 3, 8-9). It also makes it illegal to offer services that need that competence without meeting these requirements (Art. 7). It is unclear whether this covers ordinary private investigation work.
Investigator events in Panama
No upcoming events listed in Panama right now. Know of one? Submit it free.
Meet investigators in Panama
Join Investigator Events free to see who's going to the conferences and AGMs near you.
Join free