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The cheapest state to get a private investigator license is Maryland at $15. The most expensive is Connecticut at $1,450. The national average is $388.
Lowest
$15
Maryland
Average
$388
across 32 states
Median
$350
17 states at or below
Range
$1,435
spread across states
| # | State | Total Initial Fees | Renewal Fee | CE Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Maryland | $15 | $10 | — |
| #2 | Alaska | $50 | — | — |
| #3 | Georgia | $~$115–$170 | $65/$700/2yr | 16 hrs |
| #4 | Texas | $135 | $50 | 6 hrs |
| #5 | Florida | $167 | — | — |
| #6 | Vermont | $200 | $100 | — |
| #7 | Alabama | $225 | $200 | 16 hrs |
| #8 | Kansas | $250+ | — | 12 hrs |
| #8 | Washington | $250 | $100 | — |
| #8 | Wisconsin | $250 | $100 | — |
| #11 | Indiana | $300 | $300/4yr | — |
| #11 | Virginia | $300 | $100 | 12 hrs |
| #13 | Hawaii | $~$310 | $260/2yr | — |
| #14 | Arkansas | $~$336 | $150/2yr | — |
| #15 | Oregon | $350 | $125 | — |
| #15 | South Carolina | $350 | $150 | — |
| #15 | Utah | $350 | $150 | — |
| #18 | Ohio | $375 | $150 | 12 hrs |
| #19 | Illinois | $400 | $100 | 8 hrs |
| #19 | New Mexico | $400 | $150 | — |
| #19 | North Dakota | $400 | $150 | — |
| #19 | Rhode Island | $400 | $200 | — |
| #23 | North Carolina | $450 | $200 | 8 hrs |
| #23 | Oklahoma | $450 | $200 | 16 hrs |
| #23 | Pennsylvania | $450 | $200 | — |
| #23 | Tennessee | $450 | $200 | — |
| #23 | West Virginia | $450 | $200 | — |
| #28 | Kentucky | $~$556 | $250/2yr | 12 hrs |
| #29 | Arizona | $722 | — | — |
| #30 | California | $725 | — | — |
| #31 | New York | $775 | $300 | — |
| #32 | Connecticut | $1,450 | — | — |
| — | Colorado | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Delaware | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | District of Columbia | Varies — see details | $400 | — |
| — | Idaho | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Iowa | Varies — see details | — | 12 hrs |
| — | Louisiana | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Maine | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Massachusetts | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Michigan | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Minnesota | Varies — see details | — | 6 hrs |
| — | Mississippi | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Missouri | Varies — see details | — | 16 hrs |
| — | Montana | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Nebraska | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Nevada | Varies — see details | $500 | — |
| — | New Hampshire | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | New Jersey | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | South Dakota | Varies — see details | — | — |
| — | Wyoming | Varies — see details | — | — |
Total initial fees include application, exam, and license fees paid to the state (excludes education/training costs). Where fee ranges are listed, the lower bound is used for ranking. Click any state for full fee details.
Maryland has the lowest total initial licensing fees at $15. The national average is $388.
Connecticut has the highest total initial fees at $1,450, which is $1,435 more than the cheapest state.
The average total initial licensing cost across 32 states is $388. Costs range from $15 to $1,450.
There is significant variation across the 32 states with data. Values range from $15 to $1,450, with a median of $350.