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How to become a licensed private investigator in Montana. State license required. Exam required. Total initial fees: varies. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Private Investigator
Most information on this page has been verified.
83% of data points are verified against official sources. 6 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required?
Varies
Experience (Years)
Yes
Exam Required?
Varies
Total Initial Fees
$5,000
Bond Required?
Available
Armed Endorsement
Available License Categories
VerifiedMontana requires state-level licensure for private investigators.
Private Investigator
Individual PI license
Required Experience
VerifiedVaries
Years of Experience
5,400 hrs
Documented Hours
Details
5,400 hrs (2,700 substitutable with education). Hours-based experience. 50% education substitution allowed.
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
Montana Board of Private Security
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 |
|---|---|
Total Initial Fees Not specified | Varies |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified1 year
Renewal Period
—
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
Montana 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 Montana concealed weapons permit
Armed endorsements typically require additional background checks, firearm training, and periodic requalification at an approved range.
Montana uses hours-based experience (5,400 hrs) with 50% education substitution allowed. Short 1-year license term.
Hours-based experience (5,400 hrs).
50% education substitution (up to 2,700 hrs).
Short 1-year license term.
Exam required.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Montana.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#32 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
$43,930
25th percentile
Median
$47,910
-9% vs. national avg ($52,370)Experienced
$62,010
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.
Source: Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Board of Private Security — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Board of Private Security — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the PI licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Montana requires a state-level PI license. All licensing is managed through the MT Board of Private Security.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.