Private investigator licensing in Texas
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Texas.
Texas DPS licenses investigations companies (Class A licence) and individual private investigators, and every individual PI must be affiliated with a licensed company. Each company must name a company representative who meets the experience rule (three consecutive years of investigative experience, or a degree route) and passes the DPS open-book exam. Applicants must be at least 18, and companies must carry general liability insurance.
18
3 years
Yes
$100,000 insurance
How to get licensed
- 1
Find or form a Class A licensed investigations company (every PI must be affiliated with one)
- 2
If you are setting up the company, the company representative proves the experience rule and passes the DPS open-book exam
- 3
Create an account and apply in the Texas Online Private Security (TOPS) portal
- 4
Book fingerprinting for the FBI background check
- 5
Pay the licence fees; companies also file proof of general liability insurance
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Texas.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individuals and agencies
- Experience
- Company representative: 3 consecutive years' investigative experience, a criminal justice bachelor's degree, a bachelor's plus 12 months' experience, an associate degree in criminal justice plus 24 months' experience, or an approved 200-hour university PI course
- Bond or insurance
- Company licence: general liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence (bodily injury/property damage), $50,000 per occurrence (personal injury), $200,000 aggregate
- Fees
- Class A company licence $361 (original or renewal, including pocket card); owner/officer licence $57; individual PI licence $37; FBI fingerprint check $28.25Fees change often: check the regulator's current schedule before you pay.
- Renewal
- Licences expire no later than 2 years after issue; PIs must complete continuing education before renewing
- Continuing education
- PIs with under 15 years' licensure: 18 hours every 2 years (14 investigations, 2 ethics, 2 on the Act and rules). Over 15 years: 12 hours (8 investigations, 2 ethics, 2 Act and rules)
- Firearms
- PIs do not need a security commission to carry a handgun while doing licensed PI work, subject to the Penal Code Chapter 46 limits, but may not openly carry when executing a capias or arrest warrant (Rule 35.10). Guard or bodyguard work needs a commissioned security officer or personal protection officer licence
- Reciprocity
- Company licence prerequisites can be waived for holders from states with a governor-approved reciprocity agreement (1702.1183); DPS does not list any such agreements.
Rules in the field
Recording conversations
One-party consent
You can generally record a conversation you are part of without telling the others.
GPS trackers
Penal Code 16.06 makes installing a tracker on another person's vehicle a Class A misdemeanour; licensed PIs have an affirmative defence only with the owner's or lessee's written consent or a court order.
Sources
- 1 dps.texas.gov
- 2 dps.texas.gov
- 3 dps.texas.gov
- 4 dps.texas.gov
- 5 dps.texas.gov
- 6 dps.texas.gov
- 7 dps.texas.gov
- 8 dps.texas.gov
- 9 law.cornell.edu
- 10 dps.texas.gov
- 11 texas.public.law
- 12 texas.public.law
- 13 texas.public.law
- 14 texas.public.law
- 15 texas.public.law
- 16 texas.public.law
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Texas
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Texas?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Texas. Texas DPS licenses investigations companies (Class A licence) and individual private investigators, and every individual PI must be affiliated with a licensed company. Each company must name a company representative who meets the experience rule (three consecutive years of investigative experience, or a degree route) and passes the DPS open-book exam. Applicants must be at least 18, and companies must carry general liability insurance.
Who licenses private investigators in Texas?+
Texas Department of Public Safety, Private Security Program, under Occupations Code Chapter 1702 (Private Security Act); 37 Tex. Admin. Code Chapter 35.
How old do you have to be to become a private investigator in Texas?+
At least 18.
How much experience do you need to be a PI in Texas?+
Company representative: 3 consecutive years' investigative experience, a criminal justice bachelor's degree, a bachelor's plus 12 months' experience, an associate degree in criminal justice plus 24 months' experience, or an approved 200-hour university PI course
Is there an exam for a private investigator licence in Texas?+
Yes, applicants must pass an exam.
Do private investigators in Texas need a bond or insurance?+
Company licence: general liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence (bodily injury/property damage), $50,000 per occurrence (personal injury), $200,000 aggregate
How often does a Texas PI licence need renewing?+
Licences expire no later than 2 years after issue; PIs must complete continuing education before renewing
How much does a private investigator licence cost in Texas?+
Class A company licence $361 (original or renewal, including pocket card); owner/officer licence $57; individual PI licence $37; FBI fingerprint check $28.25
How do you get a private investigator licence in Texas?+
1. Find or form a Class A licensed investigations company (every PI must be affiliated with one) 2. If you are setting up the company, the company representative proves the experience rule and passes the DPS open-book exam 3. Create an account and apply in the Texas Online Private Security (TOPS) portal 4. Book fingerprinting for the FBI background check 5. Pay the licence fees; companies also file proof of general liability insurance
Does Texas accept PI licences from elsewhere?+
Company licence prerequisites can be waived for holders from states with a governor-approved reciprocity agreement (1702.1183); DPS does not list any such agreements.
Can a private investigator record phone calls in Texas?+
Texas is a one-party consent state: you can generally record a conversation you are part of without telling the others.
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