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Private Investigator
Total cost: $350
Governing Authority
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) - Private Investigator Licensing
Official website →Yes
License Required?
2 yrs
Experience (Years)
Yes
Exam Required?
$350
Total Initial Fees
$5,000
Bond Required?
Available
Armed Endorsement
Get the South Carolina 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. South Carolina requires state licensure for private investigators through South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) - Private Investigator Licensing. All applicants must meet education, experience, and examination requirements established by state law before practicing professionally.
South Carolina requires 2 years of investigative experience. 2 years of investigative experience or qualifying education/experience combination Law enforcement equivalency: 2 years law enforcement experience qualifies. Military equivalency: Military investigative experience may qualify.
Associates or bachelors degree may reduce experience.
Submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Disqualifying offenses include: Felony conviction, Crimes of moral turpitude.
Pass the South Carolina private investigator licensing exam. Administered by: SLED. Passing score: 70%. Topics: SC PI laws (SC Code Chapter 18), Investigation techniques, Ethics.
Submit your application to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) - Private Investigator Licensing. Application fee: $150. License fee: $150. Total initial fees: $350.
Renew your license every 2 years. Renewal fee: $150.
Available License Categories
VerifiedSouth Carolina requires state licensure for private investigators through South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) - Private Investigator Licensing. All applicants must meet education, experience, and examination requirements established by state law before practicing professionally.
Private Investigator
Individual PI license
Required Experience
Verified2 years
Years of Experience
Details
2 years of investigative experience or qualifying education/experience combination
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
SLED
Exam Topics
Retake Policy
May retake after 30 days
Overall licensing difficulty: 11/100
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 |
|---|---|
Application Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) - Private Investigator Licensing for the latest fee schedule | $150 |
Exam Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) - Private Investigator Licensing for the latest fee schedule | $50 |
License Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) - Private Investigator Licensing for the latest fee schedule | $150 |
Renewal Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) - Private Investigator Licensing for the latest fee schedule | $150 |
Total Initial Fees Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) - Private Investigator Licensing for the latest fee schedule | $350 |
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
—
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$150
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
South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 SC Concealed Weapons Permit
Armed endorsements typically require additional background checks, firearm training, and periodic requalification at an approved range.
South Carolina PI licensing is handled by SLED (State Law Enforcement Division), the state's premier law enforcement agency. The application fee is $150. Renewal costs $150. Licenses renew every 2 years. 2 years of qualifying experience are required. A surety bond of $5,000 is required. Neighboring states include Georgia, North Carolina, each with their own private investigator requirements.
SLED oversees PI licensing.
Both bond and insurance required.
There is no interstate compact for private investigators.
An armed endorsement is available for licensed private investigators in South Carolina who complete additional firearms training and qualification requirements.
Private Investigator requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (you) | $350 | 162–174 wks | |
| Georgia | $400 | 162–174 wks | → |
| North Carolina | $450 | 162–174 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in South Carolina
See how South Carolina compares: Private Investigator License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Private Investigator Schools in South Carolina
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to South Carolina? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Private Investigator license to South Carolina →
Transfer your Private Investigator license from South Carolina to: Georgia → | North Carolina →
South Carolina requires a state-level PI license. 2 years of experience are required. All licensing is managed through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) - Private Investigator Licensing.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.