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Private Investigator
Training: 40 hours
Governing Authority
Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners (LSBPIE)
Official website →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?
3 yrs
Experience (Years)
Yes
Exam Required?
Varies
Total Initial Fees
$5,000
Bond Required?
Available
Armed Endorsement
Get the Louisiana 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. Louisiana requires state-level licensure for private investigators.
Louisiana requires 3 years of investigative experience. 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.
40-hr training course required. Complete 40 hours of required training.
Submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Disqualifying offenses include: Felony conviction, Crimes of moral turpitude.
Pass the Louisiana private investigator licensing exam. Administered by: Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners. Passing score: 70%. Topics: Louisiana PI laws, Investigation techniques, Ethics, Louisiana R.S. 37:3500.
Submit your application to the Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners (LSBPIE). License fee: $200/$350.
Renew your license every 1 year (annual).
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
Overall licensing difficulty: 7/100
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
$5,000
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 |
|---|---|
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 |
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
Verified1 year (annual)
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Louisiana 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 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.
Private Investigator requirements in nearby states
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See how Louisiana compares: Private Investigator License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Private Investigator Schools in Louisiana
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Louisiana? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Private Investigator license to Louisiana →
Transfer your Private Investigator license from Louisiana to: Arkansas → | Mississippi → | Texas →
Louisiana requires a state-level PI license. 3 years of experience are required. All licensing is managed through the Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners (LSBPIE).
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.