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How to become a licensed private investigator in Arkansas. State license required. Experience: 2 years. Exam required. Total initial fees: ~$336. Verified 2026-03-23. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Private Investigator
Yes
License Required?
2 yrs
Experience (Years)
Yes
Exam Required?
~$336
Total Initial Fees
$5,000
Bond Required?
Available
Armed Endorsement
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
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
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee No fee for initial exam; $50 re-exam fee | $0 |
License Fee | $300 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal | $150/2yr |
Total Initial Fees Includes $300 license + ~$36.25 background check fee | ~$336 |
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.
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.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Arkansas.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#46 of 51
Cost
#12 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Private Detectives and Investigators (SOC 33-9021)
Entry Level
$38,640
25th percentile
Median
$43,310
-17% vs. national avg ($52,370)Experienced
$62,170
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
360 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Private Detectives and Investigators (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4.6%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+1,700
over 10 years
Annual Openings
3,200
per year (avg.)
38,100 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 162–174 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Arkansas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Arkansas Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the PI licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
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.