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How to become a licensed private investigator in Georgia. State license required. Exam required. Total initial fees: ~$115–$170. Verified 2026-03-23. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Private Investigator
Most information on this page has been verified.
94% of data points are verified against official sources. 2 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required?
Varies
Experience (Years)
Yes
Exam Required?
~$115–$170
Total Initial Fees
$10,000
Bond Required?
Available
Armed Endorsement
Available License Categories
VerifiedGeorgia requires state-level licensure for private investigators.
Private Investigator
Individual PI license
Required Experience
VerifiedVaries
Years of Experience
Details
None beyond 70-hr pre-licensing training
Law Enforcement Equivalency
2 years law enforcement 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
Georgia Board
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
VerifiedRequired
Bond
$10,000
Bond Amount
Insurance
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
$500,000
Not Required
Errors & Omissions
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee $70 employee registration; $100 agency license | $70/$100 |
Exam Fee Exam administered by PSI (exam vendor); fee not state-set | Set by PSI |
License Fee $45 unarmed employee; $70 armed employee | $45/$70 |
Renewal Fee $65/2yr employee; $700/2yr agency. Biennial renewal by Aug 31 odd years. | $65/$700/2yr |
Total Initial Fees Varies by license type (employee vs agency, armed vs unarmed) plus PSI exam fee | ~$115–$170 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
16 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$65/$700/2yr
$65/2yr employee; $700/2yr agency. Biennial renewal by Aug 31 odd years.
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
Georgia does not have reciprocity
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 complete firearms training and qualification
Requalification Period
Annually
Armed endorsements typically require additional background checks, firearm training, and periodic requalification at an approved range.
Georgia is a training-focused state requiring a mandatory 70-hour pre-licensing training course. The PI board falls under the Secretary of State's office. The state requires both a $10,000 bond and $500,000 liability insurance.
Georgia requires both bond and liability insurance.
The Board is under the Secretary of State.
There is no interstate compact for private investigators.
Training-focused state. Board under Secretary of State.
70-hr pre-licensing training mandatory.
Biennial renewal by Aug 31 odd years. 16 CE hrs/yr required.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Georgia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#42 of 51
Cost
#21 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
$39,510
25th percentile
Median
$44,590
-15% vs. national avg ($52,370)Experienced
$59,250
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,340 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: Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the PI licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Georgia requires a state-level PI license. All licensing is managed through the GA Board of Private Detectives and Security Agencies.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.