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How to become a licensed private investigator in Hawaii. State license required. Experience: 4 years. Exam required. Total initial fees: ~$310. Verified 2026-03-23. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Private Investigator
Yes
License Required?
4 yrs
Experience (Years)
Yes
Exam Required?
~$310
Total Initial Fees
$10,000
Bond Required?
Available
Armed Endorsement
Available License Categories
VerifiedHawaii requires state-level licensure for private investigators.
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
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
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $50 |
Exam Fee | $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 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 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.
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.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Hawaii.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#43 of 51
Cost
#9 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
$43,120
25th percentile
Median
$44,390
-15% vs. national avg ($52,370)Experienced
$67,250
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
60 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
Hawaii requires a state-level PI license. 4 years of experience are required. All licensing is managed through the HI DCCA – Board of Private Detectives and Guards.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.