Private investigator licensing in Philippines

Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Philippines. The Chief of the Philippine National Police licenses private detective agencies with a License to Operate (LTO) and individual private investigators with a License to Exercise Security Profession (LESP) under RA 11917, with SOSIA handling training authority. Individuals must be Filipino citizens of legal age, of good moral character, with no conviction for crimes of moral turpitude, and must complete PNP-approved pre-licensing training. Agency operators must be at least 25, hold a bachelor's degree and pass neuro-psychiatric and drug tests, and agencies must be wholly Filipino-owned.

Philippine National Police – Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA), under the Chief PNP, under Republic Act No. 11917, The Private Security Services Industry Act (2022), repealing RA 5487.

Agency LTO applications must include a bond from a surety, fidelity or insurance company accredited by the Insurance Commission; amount set by the Chief PNP according to headcount (s.8).

LTO valid up to five years and renewable (s.7); LESP valid five years from issue (s.13).

1. Complete a PNP-approved pre-licensing training programme (a SOSIA letter of authority is required for the training). 2. Apply to the PNP for an LESP as a private investigator, showing citizenship, legal age, fitness, good moral character and no disqualifying conviction. 3. To run an agency: meet the operator requirements (25+, bachelor's degree, shareholder, neuro-psychiatric and drug tests), post the required bond and apply to the Chief PNP for an LTO.

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