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Private Investigator
Total cost: ~$336
Yes
License Required?
2 yrs
Experience (Years)
Yes
Exam Required?
~$336
Total Initial Fees
$5,000
Bond Required?
Available
Armed Endorsement
Get the Arkansas 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. Arkansas requires state-level licensure for private investigators. Licensed through Arkansas State Police.
Arkansas requires 2 years of investigative experience. 2 years investigative experience Law enforcement equivalency: 2 years law enforcement investigative experience qualifies. Military equivalency: Military investigative experience may qualify.
No degree required.
Submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Disqualifying offenses include: Felony conviction, Crime of moral turpitude.
Pass the Arkansas private investigator licensing exam. Administered by: Dept of Arkansas State Police. Passing score: 70%. Topics: Arkansas PI laws, Investigation techniques, Ethics, Report writing.
Submit your application to the Dept of Arkansas State Police. License fee: $300. Total initial fees: ~$336.
Renew your license every 2 years. Renewal fee: $150/2yr.
Available License Categories
VerifiedArkansas requires state-level licensure for private investigators. Licensed through Arkansas State Police.
Private Investigator
Individual PI license
Private Investigation Company
Company/agency license
Required Experience
Verified2 years
Years of Experience
Details
2 years investigative experience
Law Enforcement Equivalency
2 years law enforcement investigative experience qualifies
Military Equivalency
Military investigative experience may qualify
Private investigator experience requirements often include work in law enforcement, military intelligence, legal investigations, or supervised work under a licensed PI.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
State Exam
70%
Passing Score
Exam Provider
Dept of Arkansas State Police
Exam Topics
Retake Policy
May retake after 30 days
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
$5,000
Bond Amount
Insurance
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
$100,000/$300,000
Not Required
Errors & Omissions
Not sure if you need a private investigator license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee No fee for initial exam; $50 re-exam fee | $0 |
License Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with Dept of Arkansas State Police for the latest fee schedule | $300 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal | $150/2yr |
Total Initial Fees Includes $300 license + ~$36.25 background check fee | ~$336 |
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
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$150/2yr
Biennial renewal
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
Arkansas does not have reciprocity agreements
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 Arkansas with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Firearm Carry Endorsement
VerifiedAvailable
Armed Endorsement
Required
Firearm Permit
8 hrs
Additional Training
Firearm Qualification
Must qualify with firearm at approved range
Requalification Period
Annually
Armed endorsements typically require additional background checks, firearm training, and periodic requalification at an approved range.
Arkansas PI licensing is handled directly by the Dept of Arkansas State Police rather than a separate licensing board. The bond requirement of $5,000 is relatively low compared to other states. Renewal costs $150/2yr. Licenses renew every 2 years. 2 years of qualifying experience are required. Neighboring states include Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, each with their own private investigator requirements.
Licensed through Arkansas State Police.
Both bond ($5,000) and liability insurance required.
License fee $300; no initial exam fee ($50 re-exam); renewal $150/2yr.
Background check fee ~$36.25.
CE hours for renewal not specified.
Arkansas does not have automatic reciprocity for out-of-state private investigator credentials. Applicants from other states must meet all Arkansas requirements independently.
An armed endorsement is available for licensed private investigators in Arkansas who complete additional firearms training and qualification requirements.
Private Investigator requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Arkansas
See how Arkansas compares: Private Investigator License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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How does Arkansas compare to other states for private investigator? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your private investigator license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Arkansas.
Private Investigator Schools in Arkansas
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Arkansas? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Private Investigator license to Arkansas →
Transfer your Private Investigator license from Arkansas to: Louisiana → | Mississippi → | Missouri → | Oklahoma → | Tennessee → | Texas →
Arkansas requires a state-level PI license. 2 years of experience are required. All licensing is managed through the Dept of Arkansas State Police.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.