Hiring a private detective
How to Verify a Private Detective's License
A license number on a website isn't proof. Verifying it yourself takes a few minutes and tells you whether the detective is in good standing.
Key points
- Identify the state regulator where the work happens
- Search by name and license number
- Check status, expiration and any discipline
Find the right regulator
Licensing is handled state by state, and the regulator differs: a state police agency in some states, a licensing board or department of commerce in others. A few states have no statewide license at all.
Each of our state guides names the regulator and links to its official website. Start at our service areas page and choose the state.
Search the license
Most regulators have an online license lookup. Search by the individual's name and, if you have it, the license number. Check the agency license too, since many states license both firms and individuals.
Read the record
Confirm the license is active, not expired, suspended or revoked. Note the license type; some states have apprentice or employee registrations that require supervision. Look for disciplinary actions where they're published.
If the state doesn't license detectives
In states without a statewide license, ask about business registration, insurance, experience and references, and check for local licensing where it applies.
Red flags
A license that can't be found, a name mismatch, a license in a different state than where the work will happen, or reluctance to share a license number are all reasons to slow down.
Common questions
Do all states license private detectives?
No. A few states have no statewide license. Our state pages note where licensing is local or absent.
Can an out-of-state detective work in my state?
It depends on the state. Some have reciprocity or temporary permits; others require a local license. Ask how the work will be handled lawfully.
Where can I complain about a detective?
The state regulator usually handles complaints about licensees.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by state; consult an attorney about your situation. See our legal disclaimer.
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Keep reading
Related guides.
Do Private Detectives Need a License?
Which states license private detectives, which don't, how licensing works across state lines, and why it matters to clients.
Hiring a private detectiveRed Flags When Hiring a Private Detective
Warning signs when hiring a private detective: guaranteed results, illegal methods, no license, vague pricing and pressure tactics.
Hiring a private detectiveHiring a Private Detective in Another State
How to handle an investigation in a different state: licensing, coordination, local knowledge, communication and cost considerations.
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