Step 1: Educational Requirements
Depending upon your state regulations, you need a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent to formal education of associate or bachelor’s degree in private investigation, criminal justice, criminal procedure, forensic sciences, or a related law enforcement field.
Step 2: Finding the Job
Detectives usually begin their career as police officers. They have good employment potential in several specialized areas of investigative work. In multiple capacities they may work independently, as a private detective, or work in collaboration with police or law enforcing agencies. Very often these jobs are full-time with paid overtime prospects. To begin working as a detective, around 90 days are required to complete the entire application process for the grant of a detective license.
Step 3: Training Requirements
As the job meets the public’s need for protection and justice, the detectives are exposed to the dangers of facing the criminals, suffering injuries or even death, so the detective license is granted after a rigorous process of selection criteria, written work, viewing physical fitness profile and interviewing. Private detectives may either apply for an armed or unarmed investigation license. They may be required to complete a formal firearms training course, or rights and responsibilities training course that empowers them to help law enforcing agencies arrest the criminals
Step 4: Licenses and Certifications
Private detectives are required to file state licensing application. They must also submit fingerprints, background check, provide two passport photos and pay application fee. The state agency then conducts a private investigator proficiency test that requires high standards of ethics, professionalism, no legal convictions, and clean bank debt records. Depending upon state regulations, the private candidates are required to carry insurance policies to carry out their investigation career. Detectives can have a variety of certifications suiting areas of detective work and job nature.
