A private investigator is an individual who amongst other duties (1) investigates crimes, (2) investigates the identity, business, occupation, character, etc., of a person, (3) investigates the location of lost or stolen property, (4) investigates the cause of fires, losses, accidents, damage or injury, or (5) secures evidence for use in court. Requirements: Be 18 or older. Undergo a criminal history background check through the DOJ and the FBI. Possess a minimum of 6,000 hours of compensated experience in investigative work (equates to 3 years of full-time employment). Pass a multiple-choice examination covering the Private Investigator Act. Exams are given by a State contracted company known as PSI. If the individual meets the minimum requirements for admittance to the examination after the application has been reviewed and approved, he/she will receive a letter to contact PSI for scheduling. Exams are given five days a week at 13 different PSI locations within California. Application and Exam Fee - $340 Initial License Fee - $385 DOJ Fingerprint Processing Fee - $32 FBI Fingerprint Processing Fee - $17 Renewal Fee - $265 The initial license is valid for 2 years. Each renewal cycle extends the registration for an additional 2 years. Average time to process an application is 120 days. Authority: Business and Professions Code, Chapter 11.3
