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Private Investigator
Total cost: ~$310
Governing Authority
Board of Private Detectives and Guards (under Hawaii DCCA, Professional & Vocational Licensing Division)
Official website →Yes
License Required?
4 yrs
Experience (Years)
Yes
Exam Required?
~$310
Total Initial Fees
$10,000
Bond Required?
Available
Armed Endorsement
Get the Hawaii Private Investigator Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20You must be at least 18 years old. Hawaii requires state licensure for private investigators through Board of Private Detectives and Guards (under Hawaii DCCA, Professional & Vocational Licensing Division). All applicants must meet education, experience, and examination requirements established by state law before practicing professionally.
Hawaii requires 4 years of investigative experience. 4 years of investigative experience Law enforcement equivalency: 4 years law enforcement experience qualifies. Military equivalency: Military investigative experience may qualify.
High school diploma required.
Submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Disqualifying offenses include: Felony conviction, Crime of moral turpitude.
Pass the Hawaii private investigator licensing exam. Administered by: Board of Private Detectives and Guards. Passing score: 70%. Topics: Hawaii PI laws, Investigation techniques, Ethics.
Submit your application to the Board of Private Detectives and Guards (under Hawaii DCCA, Professional & Vocational Licensing Division). Application fee: $50. License fee: $210. Total initial fees: ~$310.
Renew your license every 2 years (biennial); all licenses expire June 30 of even-numbered years. Renewal fee: $260/2yr.
Available License Categories
VerifiedHawaii requires state licensure for private investigators through Board of Private Detectives and Guards (under Hawaii DCCA, Professional & Vocational Licensing Division). All applicants must meet education, experience, and examination requirements established by state law before practicing professionally.
Private Investigator
Individual PI license
Required Experience
Verified4 years
Years of Experience
Details
4 years of investigative experience
Law Enforcement Equivalency
4 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
Board of Private Detectives and Guards
Exam Topics
Retake Policy
May retake
Overall licensing difficulty: 11/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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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
$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 |
|---|---|
Application Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with Board of Private Detectives and Guards (under Hawaii DCCA, Professional & Vocational Licensing Division) for the latest fee schedule | $50 |
Exam Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with Board of Private Detectives and Guards (under Hawaii DCCA, Professional & Vocational Licensing Division) for the latest fee schedule | $50 |
License Fee Sole proprietor; $80 prorated | $210 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal | $260/2yr |
Total Initial Fees $50 application + $50 exam + $210 license. Additional: $5,000 surety bond required + $64 fingerprint fee. | ~$310 |
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 (biennial); all licenses expire June 30 of even-numbered years
Renewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$260/2yr
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
Hawaii 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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Hawaii with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Firearm Carry Endorsement
VerifiedAvailable
Armed Endorsement
Required
Firearm Permit
Firearm Qualification
Must obtain Hawaii firearms permit
Requalification Period
Annually
Armed endorsements typically require additional background checks, firearm training, and periodic requalification at an approved range.
Hawaii requires 4 years of investigative experience, one of the highest requirements in the US. Hawaii's strict firearms regulations make armed PI work particularly challenging. The application fee is $50. Renewal costs $260/2yr. Licenses renew every 2 years (biennial); all licenses expire June 30 of even-numbered years. A surety bond of $10,000 is required. Neighboring states include California, each with their own private investigator requirements.
Hawaii requires 4 years of experience, among the highest in the nation.
Hawaii has very strict firearms laws affecting armed PI work.
There is no interstate compact for private investigators.
High 4-year experience requirement.
$5,000 surety bond required. $64 fingerprint fee in addition to license fees.
Licensed private investigators in Hawaii are required to maintain liability insurance coverage.
Private Investigator requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii (you) | $250 | 162–174 wks | |
| California | $225 | 162–174 wks | → |
| Alaska | — | 162–174 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Hawaii
See how Hawaii compares: Private Investigator License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Private Investigator Schools in Hawaii
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Hawaii? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Private Investigator license to Hawaii →
Hawaii requires a state-level PI license. 4 years of experience are required. All licensing is managed through the Board of Private Detectives and Guards (under Hawaii DCCA, Professional & Vocational Licensing Division).
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.