§ 3173. Private investigator licenses

(a) A person shall not engage in the business of private investigation or provide private investigator services in this State without first obtaining a license. The Board shall issue a license to a private investigator after obtaining and approving all of the following:

(1) an application filed in proper form;

(2) the application fee;

(3) evidence that the applicant has attained the age of majority; and

(4) evidence that the applicant has successfully passed any examination required by rule.

(b) The Board may make inquiries it deems necessary into the character, integrity, and reputation of the applicant.

(c) The Board shall require that a person licensed to practice independently has had appropriate experience in investigative work, for a period of not less than two years, as determined by the Board. Such experience may include having been regularly employed as a private detective licensed in another state or as an investigator for a private detective licensed in this or another state or having been a sworn member of a federal, state, or municipal law enforcement agency.

(d) An application for a license may be denied upon failure of the applicant to provide information required; upon a finding that the applicant does not meet a high standard as to character, integrity, and reputation; or for unprofessional conduct defined in section 3181 of this chapter. (Added 1981, No. 98, § 1; amended 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 67; 1995, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; 1999, No. 133 (Adj. Sess.), § 26; 2009, No. 103 (Adj. Sess.), § 28; 2013, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 16; 2017, No. 48, § 21; 2017, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 24.)