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Private Investigator
Total cost: $722
Governing Authority
Arizona Department of Public Safety – Security Guard & Private Investigator Licensing Unit
Official website →Yes
License Required?
3 yrs
Experience (Years)
No
Exam Required?
$722
Total Initial Fees
$2,500
Bond Required?
Available
Armed Endorsement
Get the Arizona Private Investigator Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20You must be at least 21 years old. Arizona requires state registration for private investigators through the Department of Public Safety. Must first work as PI Employee under a DPS-licensed agency. Independent practice requires an agency license with a Qualifying Party (3+ yrs exp).
Arizona requires 3 years of investigative experience. 3 yrs full-time investigative exp. Must first work as PI Employee under DPS-licensed agency ($72 registration). Law enforcement equivalency: 3 years law enforcement experience qualifies. Military equivalency: Military investigative experience may qualify with documentation.
No degree required.
Submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Disqualifying offenses include: Felony conviction, Any offense involving moral turpitude.
Submit your application to the Arizona Department of Public Safety – Security Guard & Private Investigator Licensing Unit. Application fee: $250. License fee: $400. Total initial fees: $722.
Renew your license every Licenses received BEFORE Sept 26, 2025 = 2-year term; licenses received ON OR AFTER Sept 26, 2025 = 4-year term..
Available License Categories
VerifiedArizona requires state registration for private investigators through the Department of Public Safety. Must first work as PI Employee under a DPS-licensed agency. Independent practice requires an agency license with a Qualifying Party (3+ yrs exp).
Private Investigator Employee
Registration to work under a DPS-licensed agency ($72 registration)
Private Investigation Agency
Agency license with Qualifying Party (3+ yrs exp required)
Required Experience
Verified3 years
Years of Experience
Details
3 yrs full-time investigative exp. Must first work as PI Employee under DPS-licensed agency ($72 registration).
Law Enforcement Equivalency
3 years law enforcement experience qualifies
Military Equivalency
Military investigative experience may qualify with documentation
Private investigator experience requirements often include work in law enforcement, military intelligence, legal investigations, or supervised work under a licensed PI.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
State Exam
Overall licensing difficulty: 11/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Minimum Age
21 years old
Background Check
VerifiedRequired
Criminal Check
Required
Fingerprinting
Required
Moral Character
Disqualifying Offenses
Surety Bond
VerifiedRequired
Bond
$2,500
Bond Amount
Insurance
VerifiedNot Required
General Liability
Not Required
Errors & Omissions
Not sure if you need a private investigator license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $250 |
License Fee | $400 |
Total Initial Fees Application ($250) + License ($400) + Employee Registration ($72). Plus $2,500 surety bond. | $722 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedLicenses received BEFORE Sept 26, 2025 = 2-year term; licenses received ON OR AFTER Sept 26, 2025 = 4-year term.
Renewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
Regulatory Board
Private investigator licenses must be renewed on schedule. Some states require continuing education covering legal updates, ethics, and investigative techniques.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
Transfer Details
Arizona does not have reciprocity; out-of-state PIs must register in Arizona
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Private investigator license reciprocity varies by state. Some states offer endorsement for experienced PIs, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Arizona with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Firearm Carry Endorsement
VerifiedAvailable
Armed Endorsement
Not Required
Firearm Permit
Firearm Qualification
Arizona is a constitutional carry state; no special PI firearms permit required but CCW recommended
Armed endorsements typically require additional background checks, firearm training, and periodic requalification at an approved range.
Arizona requires PIs to start as employees under a licensed agency. No exam is required. As a constitutional carry state, armed endorsement is simplified. License term is transitioning from 2 to 4 years for new licenses issued after Sept 2025.
Must first work as PI Employee under a DPS-licensed agency ($72 registration).
Independent practice requires an agency license with a Qualifying Party (3+ yrs exp).
No exam required for PI registration.
Arizona is a constitutional carry state; no separate armed endorsement needed.
Licenses issued on/after Sept 26, 2025 are valid for 4 years (previously 2 years).
$2,500 surety bond required.
Private Investigator requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona (you) | $150 | 162–174 wks | |
| California | $225 | 162–174 wks | → |
| Colorado | — | 162–174 wks | → |
| Nevada | $800 | 162–174 wks | → |
| New Mexico | $400 | 162–174 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Arizona
See how Arizona compares: Private Investigator License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Private Investigator Schools in Arizona
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Arizona? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Private Investigator license to Arizona →
Transfer your Private Investigator license from Arizona to: California → | Colorado → | Nevada → | New Mexico → | Utah →
Arizona requires a state-level PI license. 3 years of experience are required. All licensing is managed through the Arizona Department of Public Safety – Security Guard & Private Investigator Licensing Unit.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.