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How to become a licensed private investigator in Colorado. No state license required. Total initial fees: varies. Verified 2026-03-23. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Private Investigator
No
License Required?
Varies
Experience (Years)
No
Exam Required?
Varies
Total Initial Fees
No
Bond Required?
N/A
Armed Endorsement
Available License Categories
VerifiedCRITICAL: Colorado previously licensed PIs from June 2015 to August 31, 2021. Gov. Polis vetoed HB 20-1207 on July 11, 2020. Sunset took effect. Now UNREGULATED. Only local business license may be needed.
Private Investigator
No state license required as of August 31, 2021. Only local business license may be needed.
Required Experience
VerifiedVaries
Years of Experience
Details
No state experience requirements. State is unregulated.
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
Minimum Age
18 years old
Background Check
VerifiedNot Required
Criminal Check
Not Required
Fingerprinting
Not Required
Moral Character
Surety Bond
VerifiedNot Required
Bond
Insurance
VerifiedNot Required
General Liability
Not Required
Errors & Omissions
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Total Initial Fees N/A - no state licensing | Varies |
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedN/A
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
No state licensing; reciprocity not applicable
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.
Colorado does not offer an armed endorsement for private investigators, or it is handled through a separate process outside of the PI licensing board.
Colorado is one of the few states that had state-level PI licensing (June 2015–Aug 2021) and then lost it when Gov. Polis vetoed HB 20-1207 and the sunset provision took effect. Now completely unregulated at the state level.
CRITICAL: Previously licensed June 2015–Aug 2021. Gov. Polis vetoed HB 20-1207 on July 11, 2020. Sunset took effect August 31, 2021.
Now UNREGULATED at state level. Licensing office dissolved.
Only local business license may be needed.
PIs must still comply with state and federal privacy laws.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Colorado.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#23 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
$43,960
25th percentile
Median
$49,720
-5% vs. national avg ($52,370)Experienced
$68,640
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
580 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)
Estimated total: 162–174 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: No state licensing authority — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: No state licensing authority — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the PI licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-22
Colorado does not require a state-level PI license. All licensing is managed through the None (office dissolved).
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.