Private investigator licensing in Utah
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Utah.
Since 1 September 2026 Utah PIs are licensed by the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) under the new Private Investigation Licensing Act, replacing licensing by the Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI). There are three individual classes: private investigator agent (age 21, 5,000 hours' experience plus an exam), registrant (age 21, 2,000 hours) and apprentice (age 18, no experience), and only an agent who holds a private investigation agency licence may employ or supervise others. Agents and registrants must keep a surety bond, and existing BCI licences carried over automatically.
21
10 years
Yes
Bond required
How to get licensed
- 1
Choose the licence class: apprentice, registrant or agent
- 2
For agent or registrant, document your investigative hours (5,000 or 2,000) on DOPL's form
- 3
Agents pass the examination DOPL sets by rule
- 4
Submit the DOPL application with fingerprints for the criminal background check and the fee
- 5
Agents and registrants file evidence of a surety bond with DOPL
- 6
To trade independently or employ others, an agent then applies for a private investigation agency licence with business registrations, liability and workers' compensation insurance
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Utah.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individuals and agencies
- Experience
- Agent: 5,000 hours of investigative experience; registrant: 2,000 hours (1,000 of them within the last 10 years); apprentice: none. DOPL may credit a criminal justice bachelor's degree, POST basic training or similar training by rule
- Bond or insurance
- Agents and registrants: surety bond kept for the whole licence period (amount set by DOPL rule); agency: comprehensive general liability insurance (amount set by rule) plus workers' compensation
- Citizenship
- US citizen or legal resident
- Renewal
- 16 hours of continuing education required before any renewal on or after 6 May 2027; renewal cycle set by DOPL
- Continuing education
- At least 16 hours before each renewal on or after 6 May 2027, as DOPL defines by rule
Rules in the field
Recording conversations
One-party consent
You can generally record a conversation you are part of without telling the others.
Sources
- 1 le.utah.gov
- 2 commerce.utah.gov
- 3 web.archive.org
- 4 commerce.utah.gov
- 5 billtracker.betterutahinstitute.org
- 6 bci.utah.gov
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Utah
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Utah?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Utah. Since 1 September 2026 Utah PIs are licensed by the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) under the new Private Investigation Licensing Act, replacing licensing by the Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI). There are three individual classes: private investigator agent (age 21, 5,000 hours' experience plus an exam), registrant (age 21, 2,000 hours) and apprentice (age 18, no experience), and only an agent who holds a private investigation agency licence may employ or supervise others. Agents and registrants must keep a surety bond, and existing BCI licences carried over automatically.
Who licenses private investigators in Utah?+
Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), under Utah Code Title 58, Chapter 92 (Private Investigation Licensing Act).
How old do you have to be to become a private investigator in Utah?+
At least 21.
How much experience do you need to be a PI in Utah?+
Agent: 5,000 hours of investigative experience; registrant: 2,000 hours (1,000 of them within the last 10 years); apprentice: none. DOPL may credit a criminal justice bachelor's degree, POST basic training or similar training by rule
Is there an exam for a private investigator licence in Utah?+
Yes, applicants must pass an exam.
Do private investigators in Utah need a bond or insurance?+
Agents and registrants: surety bond kept for the whole licence period (amount set by DOPL rule); agency: comprehensive general liability insurance (amount set by rule) plus workers' compensation
How often does a Utah PI licence need renewing?+
16 hours of continuing education required before any renewal on or after 6 May 2027; renewal cycle set by DOPL
How do you get a private investigator licence in Utah?+
1. Choose the licence class: apprentice, registrant or agent 2. For agent or registrant, document your investigative hours (5,000 or 2,000) on DOPL's form 3. Agents pass the examination DOPL sets by rule 4. Submit the DOPL application with fingerprints for the criminal background check and the fee 5. Agents and registrants file evidence of a surety bond with DOPL 6. To trade independently or employ others, an agent then applies for a private investigation agency licence with business registrations, liability and workers' compensation insurance
Can a private investigator record phone calls in Utah?+
Utah is a one-party consent state: you can generally record a conversation you are part of without telling the others.
Associations for investigators in Utah
Investigator events in Utah
No upcoming events listed in Utah right now. Know of one? Submit it free.
Meet investigators in Utah
Join Investigator Events free to see who's going to the conferences and AGMs near you.
Join free