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How to become a licensed private investigator in Louisiana. State license required. Experience: 3 years. Exam required. Total initial fees: varies. Verified 2026-03-23. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Private Investigator
Most information on this page has been verified.
86% of data points are verified against official sources. 2 fields based on preliminary research. 3 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required?
3 yrs
Experience (Years)
Yes
Exam Required?
Varies
Total Initial Fees
$5,000
Bond Required?
Available
Armed Endorsement
Available License Categories
VerifiedLouisiana requires state-level licensure for private investigators.
Private Investigator
Individual PI license
Required Experience
Verified3 years
Years of Experience
Details
3 yrs investigative exp AND 40-hr training course required
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
Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners
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
$5,000
Bond Amount
Insurance
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
$100,000/$300,000
Not Required
Errors & Omissions
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee Exam fee amount set by Louisiana State Board of PI Examiners | Set by LSBPIE |
License Fee $200 individual PI or apprentice; $350 agency license | $200/$350 |
Total Initial Fees License fee $200–$350 plus LSBPIE exam fee (amount not confirmed) | Varies |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year
Renewal Period
—
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
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
Louisiana 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 hold valid Louisiana concealed handgun permit
Requalification Period
Annually
Armed endorsements typically require additional background checks, firearm training, and periodic requalification at an approved range.
Louisiana has a unique combination of 3 years experience AND 40-hour training requirement. The 1-year license term is among the shortest nationally.
Dual exp + training requirement (3 yrs + 40-hr course).
Short 1-year license term.
Dedicated board (LSBPIE).
CE course every 2 yrs.
License fee: $200 individual/$350 agency. 40-hr training course required. 3yr experience for agency license.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Louisiana.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#45 of 51
Cost
#30 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
$37,300
25th percentile
Median
$43,390
-17% vs. national avg ($52,370)Experienced
$52,930
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
890 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: Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the PI licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Louisiana requires a state-level PI license. 3 years of experience are required. All licensing is managed through the LA State Board of PI Examiners (LSBPIE).
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.