Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become licensed as a private investigator in Georgia?

Licenses in Georgia are issued only to companies. The company must have an individual, either the owner, a partner, or an officer of the corporation or LLC, who is qualified by experience or education to be the holder of the license for the company. If you are interested in opening your own company, please refer to the Company License Information for specific details regarding qualifications and requirements.

What are the experience and education requirements for qualifying for a private detective company license?

Briefly, the experience required is two years, either in law enforcement, or as a registered private detective employed by a licensed private detective company. The education required is a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, or a related field of study.

I am not interested in opening my own company; I just want to work as a private investigator for a company. What requirements do I have to meet to be employed as a private investigator?

If you are interested in becoming employed as an investigator with a licensed company, you may be hired by a company without an experience requirement by the Board, if you are at least 18 years of age, and you meet the minimum requirements established by the Board, as detailed in O.C.G.A. 43-38-7. The company is responsible for your training by a Board-approved instructor; however, you may attend Board-approved training classes on your own prior to being hired by a licensed company. The company is also responsible for submitting an Application for Employee Registration on your behalf within 30 days of your hiring.

How do I become licensed to operate my own security company?

What are the experience and education requirements for qualifying for a private security company license?

Briefly, the experience required is two years, either in law enforcement, or as a supervisor or administrator of a licensed private security company or in-house security operations. The education required is a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, or a related field of study.

How do I go about getting a training instructor for my company?

Board-certified training instructors are issued a training instructor certification number, which may be verified online by accessing our License Verification page. Instructors may be searched for by certification number, or by name.

How do I get a list of all training instructors in the state?

You may obtain a complete list of active training instructors by accessing our License Verification page. Choose the Board, License Type, and the Status from the drop-down menus, then click the Search button. You may also purchase a roster of active training instructors by completing the Roster Request Order Form.

How can I find out if a company is licensed and in good standing?

Licensed companies may be verified by accessing our License Verification page. Be sure to click on “Search for a Licensed Professional Entity” before entering information, if searching for a company.

How can I find out if a person is licensed?

Registered individuals may be verified by accessing our License Verification page.

I am a veteran law enforcement officer. Do I have to take the exam to become licensed as a private detective or security company?

All applicants must take the exam for Private Detective &/or Security. There are no exceptions for experience or licensure in other states.

Does the Private Detective & Security Agencies Board reciprocate with other states?

The Board does not reciprocate with any other state for licensure. All applicants for company licensure in Georgia must take the examination for Private Detective &/or Security, whether or not they are licensed in another state. The Board has agreements with certain states for limited license recognition.

What is a Limited License Recognition Agreement?

The agreement between Georgia and other states allows a licensed private investigator in another state to enter into Georgia for a period not to exceed 30 days per case per year, in order to complete a case that originated in the state of licensure. A Georgia-licensed investigator would also be able to enter into the other state to perform work for a 30-day period on a case that originated in Georgia.

With which states does Georgia have the Limited License Recognition Agreement?

Currently, the Board has Limited License Recognition Agreements with Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, California, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Tennessee.

I am presently employed as a private investigator (or security guard) with a licensed company. How do I transfer my license?

In order to work as a private investigator or armed security guard for another licensed company, the company will need to submit an Application for Employee Registration on your behalf, just as the company did with whom you are presently employed. The complete application must be submitted, including the fingerprint cards. If you will no longer be employed with the present company, you must turn in your registration to the company upon termination of your employment.

Can I work for more than one company at the same time as a private investigator or security guard?

You may be employed by more than one company at the same time. Each company must submit an Application for Employee Registration on your behalf.

How do I become a Board-certified training instructor?

You must submit an Application for Training Instructor Certification. The complete application must include original notarized documentation verifying that you are qualified by experience or education to teach the curriculum. You must also include a complete lesson plan that encompasses the requirements detailed in Board Rule 509-3 for Security and Private Detective training. A lesson plan is a total training package. Outlines and course listings are not acceptable.

What are the fees for getting a license?

Please refer to the Fee Schedule for a current listing of the various fees.

When will I know if I am approved to take the Private Detective &/or Security Exam?

Once the Board approves candidates for examination, the approved candidates will be notified by the Exam Section within two weeks of the scheduled exam date. The notification will specify the date, time, and place of the exam, as well as any instructions for the candidate. Candidates who were not approved for the exam will be notified within two weeks after the Board meeting.

When is the next Private Detective &/or Security Exam?

Please refer to the Examination Information page of our website for exam dates and information.

What study materials are available to prepare for the exam?

No study materials are provided by the Board, other than the Georgia Law and Board Rules.

How do I make a complaint against a private detective (or security company)?

You can make a written complaint by submitting the Official Complaint Form to the Board office.

I filed a complaint, but I have not received an update. When will I know something about my complaint?

When a complaint is filed, the complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter from the Board office. By law, complaints are confidential, and the Board office does not provide further information, until the Board renders a decision on the complaint. Within 30 days of the decision, the Board office will notify the complainant of the decision.

Can a private detective or security guard use the weapon permit issued by the Probate Court while on duty?

No, the weapon permit issued by the Probate Court is not a valid permit while a private investigator or security guard is on duty. You must have a weapon permit issued by the Board to carry a weapon while on duty.