Private Investigator
Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) governing PI licenses
Private Investigators: Title 32, Chapter 24
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ArizonaRevisedStatutes.asp?Title=32
Who must be licensed
You must have a valid Private Investigator Employee license if your work meets the definitions in ARS 32-2401-16 (below). This license will only be issued under the sponsorship of an Arizona licensed private investigation agency. The P.I. Employee license is valid only while employed by the sponsoring Agency. If your employment ends, the Qualifying Party of that agency must return your license to DPS.
It is illegal for a Private Investigator to work in Arizona without an Arizona license. Arizona does not have any reciprocity agreements with other states.
Unless you fall under one of the exemptions in P. I. Exemptions (ARS 32-2409), providing private investigation services without a license is a class 1 misdemeanor. Additionally, a violation of these regulations can prevent you from obtaining a license in the future.
Legal Definition of a Private Investigator (ARS 32-2401-16)
16. "Private investigator" means a person other than an insurance adjuster or an on-duty peace officer as defined in section 1-215 who, for any consideration, engages in business or accepts employment to:
(a) Furnish, agree to make or make any investigation for the purpose of obtaining information with reference to:
(i) Crime or wrongs done or threatened against the United States or any state or territory of the United States.
(ii) The identity, habits, conduct, movements, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, reputation or character of any person or group of persons.
(iii) The credibility of witnesses or other persons.
(iv) The whereabouts of missing persons, owners of abandoned property or escheated property or heirs to estates.
(v) The location or recovery of lost or stolen property.
(vi) The causes and origin of, or responsibility for, a fire, libel, slander, a loss, an accident, damage or an injury to real or personal property.
(b) Secure evidence to be used before investigating committees or boards of award or arbitration or in the trial of civil or criminal cases and the preparation therefor.
(c) Investigate threats of violence and provide the service of protection of individuals from serious bodily harm or death.
Private Investigator Employee
New Hire
Steps
1. Be offered employment by a DPS-licensed Private Investigation agency. This agency fills out the Employer section and signs the
Registration Application.
2. Complete and sign the Employee section.
3. Submit fingerprints.
4. Submit a color photograph of your face.
5. Submit $74 cash, money order, company or cashier's check payable to DPS. This covers the $50 license fee and the $24 fingerprint processing fee.
The Licensing Unit does not accept personal checks, credit or debit cards.
Expiration date will be the same as the Agency’s expiration date.
Renewal
P.I. Employees renew when their Agency renews
Less than 60 days before the expiration date
Less than 90 days past the expiration date (add $10 late fee)
Steps
1. The agency fills out Employer section of the
Registration Application and an authorized person signs it.
2. Submit a color photograph of your face. (If appearance has changed)
3. Submit $74 cash, money order, company or cashier's check payable to DPS. This covers the $50 license fee and the $24 fingerprint processing fee.
The Licensing Unit does not accept personal checks, credit or debit cards.
Additional Private Investigator Employee licenses
A separate P.I. Employee license is required for each job
You may work as a Private Investigator for as many agencies as you wish. An additional Private Investigator Employee license, however, must be issued for each agency. The P.I. Employee license is valid only while employed by the sponsoring Agency. If your employment ends, you must surrender your license to the Agency.
Expiration date will be the same as the Agency named on the license
Fingerprint card is not required
This License cannot be issued while you wait at the window
Steps
1. Be offered employment by a DPS-licensed Private Investigation agency. The agency fills out Employer section of the
Registration Application and an authorized person signs it.
2. Complete and sign the Employee section.
3. Submit a color photograph of your face. (If appearance has changed)
4. Submit $10 cash, money order, company or cashier's check payable to DPS. The
Licensing Unit does not accept personal checks, credit or debit cards.
5. Submit proof of identification, such as a Drivers License.
Experience and Training required
At this time, there are no experience or training requirements to become a P. I. Employee.
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