| Becoming a private investigator is an option many | | | | require licenses under their local county or city |
| people have turned to in recent years simply | | | | laws. Check your own state's licensing information. |
| because it provides versatility in their work | | | | Essentially, if you are 18 or over, and don't have a |
| environment. The choice to become your own | | | | criminal record you'll satisfy most licensing |
| boss is by far the biggest attraction however, if | | | | requirements. |
| this doesn't appeal to you, then the option of | | | | How Much Can You Earn? |
| working in a team environment is also there. | | | | Obviously this depends on your level of |
| The private investigation business is one of the | | | | experience. As a business owner, your earning |
| few that can be operated on either a full or part | | | | capacity is great however, working for a private |
| time basis. Once accredited, many P.I.'s will | | | | investigation firm, your earnings can vary from |
| commence either part time, "cutting their teeth" | | | | anywhere between $30,000 to $100,000. These |
| as they learn the business or start with a private | | | | figures are only meant to be used as a guide but |
| investigation firm. Gaining experience in the field is | | | | again, earning capacity depends to a great extent |
| vitally important but at the same time, gathering | | | | on your level of experience. |
| knowledge about running a business is vital. | | | | Another strong earning factor centers around the |
| Training Requirements | | | | class of neighborhood you are working in. |
| Becoming a private investigator does require | | | | Obviously, more affluent areas will give you the |
| some training although academic requirements are | | | | capacity to charge higher rates as a business |
| not as rigid as most other professions. Completing | | | | owner but it will also be more competitive. At last |
| a course or courses in some form of criminal | | | | count, the average hourly charge in the USA was |
| investigation can only enhance your prospects of | | | | about $55 an hour but rates heading up to $200 |
| landing your initial job. While you want to be seen | | | | and hour can be charged in some cases. |
| as having an all round ability in most areas | | | | An Exciting An Rewarding Career |
| requiring investigative work, completing a course in | | | | There is no doubt becoming a private investigator |
| a specialised field will be to your advantage such | | | | can give you a rewarding career experience. With |
| as white collar fraud or insurance. | | | | increased technology, more and more |
| More and more schools and colleges are offering | | | | opportunities have opened up to the private |
| P.I. related courses today given the express rate | | | | investigation business. |
| of growth in the private investigation business. In | | | | The variety of either working out in the field |
| a lot of cases, people will come from professions | | | | conducting surveillance or performing investigations |
| such as the police force or military and in general, | | | | online is one of the reasons many people are |
| require little extra training for their new career. | | | | considering this career option. And remember, it's |
| Licensing Requirements | | | | not gender specific. Many women have recognised |
| There are some concessions you need to satisfy | | | | the rewards available and are joining the P.I. qeues. |
| before issued with a private investigator license. In | | | | If you have the desire and motivation, then |
| the USA, most states require state licensing | | | | private investigation can give you the right vehicle |
| however, there are several that do not. This does | | | | to succeed. |
| not mean however that these states won't | | | | |