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Private Investigator
Training: 12 hours
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 Minnesota 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. Minnesota requires state licensure for private investigators through MN Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services. All applicants must meet education, experience, and examination requirements established by state law before practicing professionally.
Minnesota requires 3 years of investigative experience. 6,000 hours (~3 yrs) investigative experience Law enforcement equivalency: 3 years law enforcement experience qualifies. Military equivalency: Military investigative experience may qualify.
12 hrs pre-licensing training mandatory. Complete 12 hours of required training.
Submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Disqualifying offenses include: Felony conviction, Gross misdemeanor within 5 years.
Pass the Minnesota private investigator licensing exam. Administered by: Minnesota Board of Private Detective. Passing score: 70%. Topics: Minnesota PI statutes, Investigation techniques, Ethics.
Submit your application to the MN Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services.
Renew your license every 2 years. 6 CE hours required.
Available License Categories
VerifiedMinnesota requires state licensure for private investigators through MN Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services. All applicants must meet education, experience, and examination requirements established by state law before practicing professionally.
Private Investigator
Individual PI license
Required Experience
Verified3 years
Years of Experience
6,000 hrs
Documented Hours
Details
6,000 hours (~3 yrs) investigative experience
Law Enforcement Equivalency
3 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
Minnesota Board of Private Detective
Exam Topics
Retake Policy
May retake after 30 days
Overall licensing difficulty: 6/100
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 |
|---|---|
Total Initial Fees Not specified | 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
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
6 hrs
CE Hours Required
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
Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota permit to carry
Armed endorsements typically require additional background checks, firearm training, and periodic requalification at an approved range.
Minnesota uses hours-based experience (6,000 hrs). 12-hr pre-licensing training mandatory. Dedicated board. Licenses renew every 2 years. 6 hours of continuing education are required per renewal cycle. A surety bond of $5,000 is required. Neighboring states include Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, each with their own private investigator requirements.
Hours-based experience (6,000 hrs ~3 yrs).
12-hr pre-licensing training mandatory.
Dedicated board under DPS.
6 hrs CE per renewal period.
Minnesota does not have automatic reciprocity for out-of-state private investigator credentials. Applicants from other states must meet all Minnesota requirements independently.
Licensed private investigators in Minnesota are required to maintain liability insurance coverage.
An armed endorsement is available for licensed private investigators in Minnesota who complete additional firearms training and qualification requirements.
Private Investigator requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota (you) | $650 | 162–174 wks | |
| Iowa | $400 | 162–174 wks | → |
| North Dakota | $400 | 162–174 wks | → |
| South Dakota | — | 162–174 wks | → |
| Wisconsin | $250 | 162–174 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Minnesota
See how Minnesota compares: Private Investigator License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare private investigator requirements across all states →
Private Investigator licensing requirements nationwide →
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How does Minnesota compare to other states for private investigator? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your private investigator license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Minnesota.
Private Investigator Schools in Minnesota
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Minnesota? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Private Investigator license to Minnesota →
Transfer your Private Investigator license from Minnesota to: Iowa → | North Dakota → | South Dakota → | Wisconsin →
Minnesota requires a state-level PI license. 3 years of experience are required. All licensing is managed through the MN Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.