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How to become a licensed private investigator in Florida. State license required. Experience: 2 years. Exam required. Total initial fees: $167. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Private Investigator
Yes
License Required?
2 yrs
Experience (Years)
Yes
Exam Required?
$167
Total Initial Fees
No
Bond Required?
Available
Armed Endorsement
Available License Categories
VerifiedFlorida requires state-level licensure for private investigators. Two-tier system: CC (intern) → C (full). Regulated by Dept of Agriculture. CC needs sponsorship by C/M/MA licensee.
Class C Private Investigator
Individual PI license (requires 2 yrs exp + exam)
Class CC Private Investigator Intern
Intern license under supervision (40-hr training, no prior exp). Must be sponsored by C/M/MA licensee.
Class A Private Investigative Agency
Agency license (manager must hold Class C or equivalent)
Class G Statewide Firearms License
Armed carry endorsement (separate license)
Required Experience
Verified2 years
Years of Experience
Details
Class CC (intern): 40-hr training, no prior exp required. Class C: 2 yrs full-time investigative exp (can include CC internship, college coursework in CJ/criminology, related fields).
Law Enforcement Equivalency
2 years law enforcement investigative experience qualifies
Military Equivalency
2 years military investigative experience qualifies
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
FDACS (state exam — Class C only)
Exam Topics
Retake Policy
May retake after 30 days
Minimum Age
18 years old
Background Check
VerifiedRequired
Criminal Check
Required
Fingerprinting
Required
Moral Character
Disqualifying Offenses
Surety Bond
VerifiedNot Required
Bond
Insurance
VerifiedNot Required
General Liability
Not Required
Errors & Omissions
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $50 |
License Fee | $75 |
Total Initial Fees Class C: $50 app + $75 license + $42 fingerprint | $167 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 yrs (C, CC, G, M, MA). 3 yrs (A, AA, AB, K).
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
Florida does not have formal reciprocity; out-of-state experience may count toward requirements. Reciprocity with AL and CA for experience credit.
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
28 hrs
Additional Training
Firearm Qualification
28-hour Class G Statewide Firearms License course
Requalification Period
Every 2 years
Armed endorsements typically require additional background checks, firearm training, and periodic requalification at an approved range.
Florida uses a unique class system: Class A (agency), Class C (individual PI), Class CC (intern), Class G (armed). The 40-hour mandatory training is distinctive. Regulated by the Dept of Agriculture rather than law enforcement. No bond or insurance requirement for individual PIs. Low initial fees ($167). Reciprocity with AL and CA.
Two-tier system: CC (intern) → C (full PI). CC needs sponsorship by C/M/MA licensee.
Regulated by Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), not law enforcement.
40-hour mandatory training course required.
Class G Statewide Firearms License required for armed carry (separate 28-hr course).
No bond or insurance requirement for individual PIs.
Relatively low fees compared to other states ($167 total initial).
Reciprocity with AL and CA for experience credit.
License terms vary by class: 2 yrs (C, CC, G, M, MA), 3 yrs (A, AA, AB, K).
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Florida.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#27 of 51
Cost
#2 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
$37,920
25th percentile
Median
$48,880
-7% vs. national avg ($52,370)Experienced
$71,440
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
3,780 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.
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides for the PI licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Florida requires a state-level PI license. 2 years of experience are required. All licensing is managed through the FL Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.