Private investigator licensing in Puerto Rico

Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Puerto Rico. Private detectives and detective agencies in Puerto Rico need a licence from the Police Commissioner (the Act still says Superintendent) under Law 108 of 1965. Applicants must be US citizens and of age, complete a 1,000-hour course at a police-authorised detective school, pass the police written exam, post a $5,000 bond or liability policy and clear a fingerprint and character check. Former police and federal or state investigators with at least eight years' service and an honourable discharge are excused the course and the exam.

Negociado de la Policía de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Police Bureau), División de Expedición de Licencias y Permisos de Seguridad Privada, under Ley Núm. 108 de 29 de junio de 1965, según enmendada (Ley para Regular las Profesiones de Detectives Privados y Guardias de Seguridad en Puerto Rico), 25 L.P.R.A. § 285 et seq..

None for the standard route; ex-law-enforcement investigators with 8+ years' service and an honourable discharge may skip the school course and exam (Art. 28(a))

Yes, applicants must pass an exam.

$5,000 bond in favour of the Government of Puerto Rico, or a liability policy of at least $5,000 per person / $10,000 for multiple claims; agencies also need a payment bond to the Secretary of Labor (at least $25,000 in the first year, or $5,000 per employee for agencies with 1-4 employees)

Detective licences and ID cards every 2 years; agency licences every year

$50 detective licence; $50 agency licence (paid by electronic internal revenue voucher)

1. Complete a course of at least 1,000 hours at a police-authorised private detective school (ex-law-enforcement with 8+ years' service are exempt) 2. Obtain the bond or liability policy required by Article 7 3. File form PPR-136.1 (application for detective or security guard licence) with the medical certificate, patient authorisation, confidential investigation and sworn statement annexes, photographs, birth certificate and school transcript and diploma 4. Submit the documents to the División de Expedición de Licencias y Permisos de Seguridad Privada at Police headquarters in Hato Rey (or a Firearms Registry division) and give digital fingerprints 5. Sit the written Private Detective exam on the date set in the Police call for applicants 6. Pay the $50 licence fee and collect the licence and ID card

Non-resident detectives licensed in a US state, territory or possession may be authorised, free of charge, to work temporarily on one specific assignment (Arts. 22 and 28(b))

No reciprocity; licensed private detectives from any US state, territory or possession may be authorised free of charge to work temporarily in Puerto Rico on a specific assignment (Arts. 22 and 28(b))