Private investigator licensing in Washington
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Washington.
Washington's Department of Licensing licenses private investigative agencies and the individual investigators they employ; an unarmed PI must be at least 18, a US citizen or resident noncitizen, and employed by (or have a job offer from) a licensed agency. Individuals complete four hours of pre-assignment training and a test, while an agency's principal must pass the agency exam or show three years of investigative experience, and the agency needs a physical location in Washington. Armed PIs must be at least 21 with a state firearms certificate and a concealed pistol licence.
18
3 years
Yes
$10,000 bond + insurance
How to get licensed
- 1
Get a job offer from a licensed private investigative agency (or set one up yourself)
- 2
Complete the 4-hour pre-assignment training and test with a certified trainer
- 3
Apply online through SecureAccess Washington (or by mail) and pay the $220 fee
- 4
Once you have an application number, book fingerprints through IdentoGO (or local police outside Washington)
- 5
To carry a firearm, add the armed licence with a Criminal Justice Training Commission firearms certificate and a concealed pistol licence
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Washington.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individuals and agencies
- Experience
- Agency principal: pass the agency exam or show 3 years' investigative experience (2,000 compensated hours per year); none for employed investigators
- Training
- Pre-assignment training of at least 4 hours plus a test of at least 30 questions, signed off by a certified trainer (WAC 308-17-300)
- Bond or insurance
- Agency: $10,000 surety bond, or general liability insurance of at least $25,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage
- Citizenship
- US citizen or resident noncitizen
- Fees
- Unarmed PI licence $220 (renewal $193, late $228); armed endorsement $110 extra; agency $640 with unarmed principal or $740 with armed principal (renewal $385/$390) plus Business Licensing Service fees; fingerprinting extraFees change often: check the regulator's current schedule before you pay.
- Renewal
- Every year; individual renewal $193, agency renewal $385
- Continuing education
- Not published by the regulator
- Firearms
- Separate armed private investigator licence needed: age 21, an unarmed PI or principal licence, a current Criminal Justice Training Commission firearms certificate and a concealed pistol licence
- Reciprocity
- No reciprocity agreements; investigators from states with equivalent training may apply for a Washington licence card (RCW 18.165.140).
Rules in the field
Recording conversations
All-party consent
Everyone in the conversation must agree before you record it.
Sources
- 1 dol.wa.gov
- 2 dol.wa.gov
- 3 dol.wa.gov
- 4 dol.wa.gov
- 5 dol.wa.gov
- 6 app.leg.wa.gov
- 7 app.leg.wa.gov
- 8 app.leg.wa.gov
- 9 app.leg.wa.gov
- 10 app.leg.wa.gov
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Washington
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Washington?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Washington. Washington's Department of Licensing licenses private investigative agencies and the individual investigators they employ; an unarmed PI must be at least 18, a US citizen or resident noncitizen, and employed by (or have a job offer from) a licensed agency. Individuals complete four hours of pre-assignment training and a test, while an agency's principal must pass the agency exam or show three years of investigative experience, and the agency needs a physical location in Washington. Armed PIs must be at least 21 with a state firearms certificate and a concealed pistol licence.
Who licenses private investigators in Washington?+
Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), under RCW Chapter 18.165; WAC Chapter 308-17.
How old do you have to be to become a private investigator in Washington?+
At least 18.
How much experience do you need to be a PI in Washington?+
Agency principal: pass the agency exam or show 3 years' investigative experience (2,000 compensated hours per year); none for employed investigators
Is there an exam for a private investigator licence in Washington?+
Yes, applicants must pass an exam.
Do private investigators in Washington need a bond or insurance?+
Agency: $10,000 surety bond, or general liability insurance of at least $25,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage
How often does a Washington PI licence need renewing?+
Every year; individual renewal $193, agency renewal $385
How much does a private investigator licence cost in Washington?+
Unarmed PI licence $220 (renewal $193, late $228); armed endorsement $110 extra; agency $640 with unarmed principal or $740 with armed principal (renewal $385/$390) plus Business Licensing Service fees; fingerprinting extra
How do you get a private investigator licence in Washington?+
1. Get a job offer from a licensed private investigative agency (or set one up yourself) 2. Complete the 4-hour pre-assignment training and test with a certified trainer 3. Apply online through SecureAccess Washington (or by mail) and pay the $220 fee 4. Once you have an application number, book fingerprints through IdentoGO (or local police outside Washington) 5. To carry a firearm, add the armed licence with a Criminal Justice Training Commission firearms certificate and a concealed pistol licence
Can an investigator licensed elsewhere work a case in Washington?+
Investigators registered in a state with equivalent training may work across state lines in Washington for up to 30 days a year (RCW 18.165.120); a licence from another state is also valid for 90 days on temporary assignment for the same employer, without soliciting business here (RCW 18.165.140)
Does Washington accept PI licences from elsewhere?+
No reciprocity agreements; investigators from states with equivalent training may apply for a Washington licence card (RCW 18.165.140).
Can a private investigator record phone calls in Washington?+
Washington requires everyone's consent: all parties must agree before a conversation is recorded.
Associations for investigators in Washington
Washington Association of Legal InvestigatorsWALI
World Association of Professional InvestigatorsWAPI
International Intelligence NetworkNational
National Council of Investigation & Security ServicesNational
National Association of Legal InvestigatorsNational
National Association of Professional Process ServersNationalInvestigator events in Washington
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