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Private Investigator
Total cost: ~$556
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Yes
License Required?
Varies
Experience (Years)
Yes
Exam Required?
~$556
Total Initial Fees
No
Bond Required?
Available
Armed Endorsement
Get the Kentucky 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. Kentucky requires state licensure for private investigators through Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators. All applicants must meet education, experience, and examination requirements established by state law before practicing professionally.
None required.
High school diploma required.
Submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Disqualifying offenses include: Felony conviction, Crimes involving dishonesty.
Pass the Kentucky private investigator licensing exam. Administered by: Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators. Passing score: 70%. Topics: Kentucky PI laws (KRS Chapter 329A), Investigation techniques, Ethics.
Submit your application to the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators. Application fee: $400 ($100 non-refundable at submission + $300 at proof of passing exam). License fee: Included. Total initial fees: ~$556.
Renew your license every 2 years (biennial). 12 CE hours required. Renewal fee: $250/2yr.
Available License Categories
VerifiedKentucky requires state licensure for private investigators through Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators. All applicants must meet education, experience, and examination requirements established by state law before practicing professionally.
Private Investigator
Individual PI license
Required Experience
VerifiedVaries
Years of Experience
Details
None required.
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
Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators
Exam Topics
Retake Policy
May retake after 30 days
Overall licensing difficulty: 10/100
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
VerifiedNot Required
Bond
Insurance
VerifiedNot Required
General Liability
Not Required
Errors & Omissions
Not sure if you need a private investigator license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee $100 at submission + $300 at issuance | $400 ($100 non-refundable at submission + $300 at proof of passing exam) |
Exam Fee Set by exam vendor (currently ~$156 per Pursuit Magazine) | ~$156 |
License Fee Included in the $400 application fee ($300 issuance portion) | Included |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal | $250 biennial |
Total Initial Fees $400 application + ~$156 exam fee (vendor-set) | ~$556 |
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)
Renewal Period
12 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$250/2yr
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
Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 hold valid Kentucky CCDW license
Armed endorsements typically require additional background checks, firearm training, and periodic requalification at an approved range.
Kentucky has a dedicated PI licensing board. No experience required but exam is mandatory. 12 hrs CE per 2-yr renewal cycle. $250,000 liability insurance required. The application fee is $400 ($100 non-refundable at submission + $300 at proof of passing exam). Renewal costs $250 biennial. Licenses renew every 2 years (biennial). 12 hours of continuing education are required per renewal cycle. Neighboring states include Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, each with their own private investigator requirements.
Dedicated PI licensing board.
No experience required. Kentucky does not impose this requirement on private investigators at the state level.
Exam required. Contact Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators for current examination details and scheduling information.
12 hrs CE per 2 yrs.
$250,000 liability insurance required.
$400 application ($100 submission + $300 issuance). Exam ~$156 (vendor-set). Renewal $250/2yr.
Kentucky does not have automatic reciprocity for out-of-state private investigator credentials. Applicants from other states must meet all Kentucky requirements independently.
An armed endorsement is available for licensed private investigators in Kentucky who complete additional firearms training and qualification requirements.
Private Investigator requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Kentucky
See how Kentucky compares: Private Investigator License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Private Investigator Schools in Kentucky
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Kentucky? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Private Investigator license to Kentucky →
Transfer your Private Investigator license from Kentucky to: Illinois → | Indiana → | Missouri → | Ohio → | Tennessee → | Virginia → | West Virginia →
Kentucky requires a state-level PI license. All licensing is managed through the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.