Private investigator licensing in Saint Kitts and Nevis
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Saint Kitts and Nevis requires private investigators, security guards and agencies to be licensed by the Private Investigators and Security Guards Licensing and Advisory Board, which sits under the Minister for National Security and includes the Commissioner of Police (Cap. 19.18 ss 3, 13-14). Working unlicensed or posing as a private investigator is an offence carrying a fine of up to $6,500 or two years in prison (s 14). Individual applicants must give a personal bond with sureties and a good-character certificate from the Chief of Police, and agencies must deposit securities with the Board (s 15). Licences expire every 31 December and are renewed in January. Each grant is published in the Official Gazette, and anyone may object within a month (ss 17-18).1
18
None
No
Personal bond with sureties
Individuals; agencies deposit securities
Associations near you
No Saint Kitts and Nevis association on IE yet
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World Association of Detectives
How to get licensed1
- 1
Apply to the Licensing and Advisory Board on the approved form with your name, address, date of birth, education and employment history (s 15(1))
- 2
Lodge a personal bond with sureties and a certificate of good character from the Chief of Police and one other person acceptable to the Board (s 15(2)); agencies give business and director details and deposit securities (s 15(3)-(4))
- 3
Pay the prescribed fee once the Board approves the licence (s 17(1))
- 4
Notice of the licence is published in the Official Gazette, and objections may be filed within one month (ss 17(3), 18)
- 5
Carry your identification card and renew every January (ss 10, 17)
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individuals and agencies
- Bond or insurance
- Individuals: personal bond with one or more sureties, in an amount approved by the Board; agencies: securities deposited with the Board (s 15)1
- Fees
- Not published by the regulator
- Renewal
- Licences expire on 31 December each year; renew in January on the approved form with the prescribed fee (s 17(2))1
- Firearms
- Only agencies employing security guards may get Board permission, after consulting the Commissioner of Police, for guards licensed under the Firearms Act and specially trained to use firearms (s 26); the Act does not provide for armed private investigators1
Rules in the field
Recording conversations
Depends on the setting
Whether you need everyone’s consent depends on how and where the conversation happens.1
Sources
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Saint Kitts and Nevis
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Saint Kitts and Nevis?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Saint Kitts and Nevis requires private investigators, security guards and agencies to be licensed by the Private Investigators and Security Guards Licensing and Advisory Board, which sits under the Minister for National Security and includes the Commissioner of Police (Cap. 19.18 ss 3, 13-14). Working unlicensed or posing as a private investigator is an offence carrying a fine of up to $6,500 or two years in prison (s 14). Individual applicants must give a personal bond with sureties and a good-character certificate from the Chief of Police, and agencies must deposit securities with the Board (s 15). Licences expire every 31 December and are renewed in January. Each grant is published in the Official Gazette, and anyone may object within a month (ss 17-18).
Who licenses private investigators in Saint Kitts and Nevis?+
Private Investigators and Security Guards Licensing and Advisory Board (under the Minister responsible for National Security), under Private Investigators and Security Guards Act, Cap. 19.18 (Act 5 of 2004, in force 14 July 2004; Revised Edition 2009).
How old do you have to be to become a private investigator in Saint Kitts and Nevis?+
At least 18.
Do private investigators in Saint Kitts and Nevis need a bond or insurance?+
Individuals: personal bond with one or more sureties, in an amount approved by the Board; agencies: securities deposited with the Board (s 15)
How often does a Saint Kitts and Nevis PI licence need renewing?+
Licences expire on 31 December each year; renew in January on the approved form with the prescribed fee (s 17(2))
How do you get a private investigator licence in Saint Kitts and Nevis?+
1. Apply to the Licensing and Advisory Board on the approved form with your name, address, date of birth, education and employment history (s 15(1)) 2. Lodge a personal bond with sureties and a certificate of good character from the Chief of Police and one other person acceptable to the Board (s 15(2)); agencies give business and director details and deposit securities (s 15(3)-(4)) 3. Pay the prescribed fee once the Board approves the licence (s 17(1)) 4. Notice of the licence is published in the Official Gazette, and objections may be filed within one month (ss 17(3), 18) 5. Carry your identification card and renew every January (ss 10, 17)
Can a private investigator record phone calls in Saint Kitts and Nevis?+
It depends on the setting in Saint Kitts and Nevis; some conversations need everyone's consent.
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