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While in most jurisdictions, there is no formal education requirement to become a private investigator, a degree in criminal justice may be beneficial. In fact,  most private investigators need a bachelor’s degree to be hired, though many jobs only require a high school diploma or equivalent.1 Former law enforcement officers sometimes take the experience they’ve gained in law enforcement and parlay it into a new career as a PI. Other aspiring PIs enter the profession after earning a college degree. Most states require private investigators to obtain a license to practice and some cities also have mandatory licensing for PIs. Only Alaska, Idaho, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Wyoming do not currently require PIs to obtain a license to practice, according to Professional Investigator Magazine. Aspiring private detectives must be at least 18 years old (21 in select jurisdictions) and generally must have no criminal record. To become a private investigator, you can expect steps similar to these:

Attend a degree program and/or gain experience in a related field.*

Obtain a license from the state in which you plan to work.

Obtain a concealed weapons license**.

Interview with a private investigation agency.

Be fingerprinted and submit to a background check.

Get hired as a private investigator.

Receive training on the job once hired.

*While it is not mandatory to obtain a degree or to gain experience in the field, both these steps can help prospective private investigators be more hirable.

**Check with your state for more details. If you plan to carry a weapon, you must apply for this license.

Please note that a degree cannot guarantee employment or career advancement. Additional academy training or education may be required for law enforcement jobs.