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Private Investigator
Total cost: $350
Governing Authority
Utah Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Criminal Identification
Official website →Yes
License Required?
2 yrs
Experience (Years)
Yes
Exam Required?
$350
Total Initial Fees
No
Bond Required?
Available
Armed Endorsement
Get the Utah Private Investigator Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20You must be at least 21 years old. Utah requires state licensure for private investigators through Utah Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Criminal Identification. All applicants must meet education, experience, and examination requirements established by state law before practicing professionally.
Utah requires 2 years of investigative experience. 2 years of investigative experience or qualifying education Law enforcement equivalency: 2 years law enforcement experience qualifies. Military equivalency: Military investigative experience may qualify.
Bachelors degree in criminal justice may substitute for 1 year.
Submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Disqualifying offenses include: Felony conviction, Crimes of moral turpitude.
Pass the Utah private investigator licensing exam. Administered by: Utah BCI. Passing score: 70%. Topics: Utah PI laws, Investigation techniques, Ethics.
Submit your application to the Utah Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Criminal Identification. Application fee: $150. License fee: $150. Total initial fees: $350.
Renew your license every 2 years. Renewal fee: $150.
Available License Categories
VerifiedUtah requires state licensure for private investigators through Utah Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Criminal Identification. 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
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
Utah BCI
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
21 years old
Background Check
VerifiedRequired
Criminal Check
Required
Fingerprinting
Required
Moral Character
Disqualifying Offenses
Surety Bond
VerifiedNot Required
Bond
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 Utah Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Criminal Identification for the latest fee schedule | $150 |
Exam Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with Utah Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Criminal Identification for the latest fee schedule | $50 |
License Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with Utah Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Criminal Identification for the latest fee schedule | $150 |
Renewal Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with Utah Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Criminal Identification for the latest fee schedule | $150 |
Total Initial Fees Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with Utah Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Criminal Identification 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 →
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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
Utah 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 Utah 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 Utah concealed firearm permit
Armed endorsements typically require additional background checks, firearm training, and periodic requalification at an approved range.
Utah's Bureau of Criminal Identification handles PI licensing. Utah requires insurance but no bond, and does not mandate continuing education. The application fee is $150. Renewal costs $150. Licenses renew every 2 years. 2 years of qualifying experience are required. Neighboring states include Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, each with their own private investigator requirements.
Utah BCI handles PI licensing.
No bond required but insurance is mandatory. Utah does not impose this requirement on private investigators at the state level.
Utah does not require CE hours.
There is no interstate compact for private investigators.
An armed endorsement is available for licensed private investigators in Utah who complete additional firearms training and qualification requirements.
Private Investigator requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Utah
See how Utah compares: Private Investigator License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Private Investigator Schools in Utah
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Utah? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Private Investigator license to Utah →
Transfer your Private Investigator license from Utah to: Arizona → | Colorado → | Idaho → | Nevada → | New Mexico → | Wyoming →
Utah requires a state-level PI license. 2 years of experience are required. All licensing is managed through the Utah Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Criminal Identification.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.