Georgia Private Investigator License

Private investigators are people who deal with various criminal cases, search for and find a missing person, and are able to detect any type of crime. If you are interested in this interesting and slightly dangerous job, first of all, you must have a Georgia private investigator license.

Compared to other US provinces (such as Florida Private Investigator License), obtaining a permit here is a bit difficult. But the process can be easy if you know the necessary conditions in advance and know what you need to do to achieve your ultimate goal. For getting more in detail information on this topic, keep reading the article!

Who handles the licensing process?

While this work is done to protect the public from dangerous cases or criminal people, it also needs to be regulated and properly managed. That is why the Georgia State Board of Private Detectives and Security Agencies handle this process.

According to the Board, the need for their structure is in the public interest. They only allow certified people to operate in this business, which reduces fraud and extortion against the population.

Anyone, both armed and unarmed, who wants to do this work should receive the appropriate education and get a license. The requirements for them are slightly different, but in any case, they have to be registered with the Security Board.

Here is the Board information: address, phone number, as well as mailing address, through which you can contact and learn more about the issues that concern you:

Georgia Board of Private Detectives and Security Agencies

214 State Capitol
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Phone: 404.656.2881

What are the Requirements?

Here is one of the most important points of obtaining a permit. In this section, we will talk about all the yes’s and no’s that will help you better understand the process. By reading these terms, you can already realize whether you meet the requirements of the state or not.

First, each applicant must be at least 18 years old. He must have good moral qualities, never be convicted, and not be accused of any crime. This person has no right to consume alcohol or illicit drugs. Also, he must be a resident of the United States and not pose a threat to members of society.

Automatic Disqualifications

• Not a resident of the US
• Have committed an illegal act
• Have been convicted of a crime
• On the temporary release from a prison
• Have a physical or mental disability that prevents them from doing their job appropriately
• Have operated as a PI without a permit

Work and Experience

If you meet the prerequisites, you have to also satisfy your educational and employment requirements. You must have at least 2 years of work experience in a certified detective or law enforcement agency. Also, if you have a 4-year degree in criminal justice or a similar university or college, this can also be considered. However, after graduation, you should have operated as a security agency manager or an administrator.

There is also a training course for the applicants that is about 70 hours. They should gain some knowledge of the history of the criminal law, observation, as well as investigation. Sometimes, this training ends within 6 months after an applicant gets employed.

Taking an Exam after the Application

After passing the above-mentioned steps, you will need to fill out a form. Here you should list all your personal information and confirm that the council can look into your criminal record in detail. So it is better to write everything accurately and without hiding, as they will check anyway.

You must specify a valid email address when submitting the form. If you are eligible to take an exam, you will receive a message about the upcoming exam via mail. All the knowledge that you have gained during the work experience and training, you should apply here, as it will test your professional knowledge.

Fees

Here is the amount of fee you should pay with submitting your application:

• An unarmed PI registration: $45
• An armed PI registration: $70
• Fingerprinting: $50-$60
• Exam fee: $125

Renewal

Private detective permits are valid for up to two years. The expiration date is on June 30th each odd-numbered year (2019, 2021, 2023).

So, you should renew your license on time with a small amount fee of $65. However, keep in mind that if you are late, the payment becomes $80 and more.

Georgia Private Investigator Associations

These associations bring together people who have entered this interesting field. Their purpose is to organize various conferences, convene regular meetings, exchange participants’ experiences and gain new knowledge.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the specialist to constantly update his knowledge, strive to keep it up and become one of the first in the field. There is no competition here: that is the key to the success of associations.

Job Outlook and Salary

Georgia offers quite good opportunities to all qualified professionals. As the industry is evolving, they constantly update and replenish with new staff. So, you can often find ads where they are looking for you.

Not only it is intriguing, but working as a PI in this state is also very rewarding. On average, investigators and detectives receive a salary of about $45,000 annually.