Private investigator licensing in Pennsylvania

Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has no state licensing board. Under the statewide Private Detective Act of 1953, the court of common pleas in the county of the principal office licenses each private detective business and each branch office, and the district attorney investigates applicants. The applicant (or one member of a firm) must be at least 25 and have at least 3 years as a detective, US government investigator, sheriff, State Police member, or city police officer above the rank of patrolman. Five local citizens must vouch for the applicant, and a $10,000 surety bond is required.

Court of common pleas of the county where the principal office is located (applications through the county Clerk of Courts; district attorney investigates), under Private Detective Act of 1953 (Act 361), 22 P.S. §11 et seq..

At least 25.

Not less than 3 years regularly employed as a detective, or as a member of the US government investigative service, a sheriff, a member of the Pennsylvania State Police, or a city police officer of a rank higher than patrolman (shown by at least two acknowledged certificates)

No state exam is required.

$10,000 corporate surety bond filed with the Clerk of Courts

Initial licence lasts 2 years. The Clerk of Courts can renew it for up to 5 years without fingerprints or references (Act section 11, as amended 1992), and terms and fees vary by county (Bucks renews for 3 years at $300 individual or $450 firm)

Licence $200 individual or $300 firm per office for 2 years (statute), plus county filing fees (e.g. Chester $26, Bucks $60) and $17.50 State Police fingerprint check; some counties charge more (Lycoming $375/$425)

1. Collect two notarised certificates proving 3 years' qualifying experience and five notarised approvals from local citizens who have known you for 5 years 2. File the petition with the Clerk of Courts in the county of your principal office, with fingerprints, passport photos and fees 3. Complete the district attorney or county detectives' background interview 4. Attend the court of common pleas hearing 5. After approval, file a $10,000 corporate surety bond and pay the licence fee to receive your certificate and ID card

No provision for out-of-state investigators; the Act requires a county licence for detective work in Pennsylvania

None. The Act has no reciprocity or out-of-state exemption, so a county licence is needed.

Pennsylvania requires everyone's consent: all parties must agree before a conversation is recorded.