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Private Investigator
Total cost: $200
Governing Authority
Vermont Office of Professional Regulation - Private Investigator Licensing
Official website →Yes
License Required?
Varies
Experience (Years)
No
Exam Required?
$200
Total Initial Fees
No
Bond Required?
Available
Armed Endorsement
Get the Vermont 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. Vermont requires state licensure for private investigators through Vermont Office of Professional Regulation - Private Investigator Licensing. All applicants must meet education, experience, and examination requirements established by state law before practicing professionally.
No minimum experience required
No degree required.
Submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Disqualifying offenses include: Felony conviction, Crimes of dishonesty.
Submit your application to the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation - Private Investigator Licensing. Application fee: $100. License fee: $100. Total initial fees: $200.
Renew your license every 2 years. Renewal fee: $100.
Available License Categories
VerifiedVermont requires state licensure for private investigators through Vermont Office of Professional Regulation - 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
VerifiedVaries
Years of Experience
Details
No minimum experience required
Private investigator experience requirements often include work in law enforcement, military intelligence, legal investigations, or supervised work under a licensed PI.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
State Exam
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
VerifiedNot Required
Bond
Insurance
VerifiedNot Required
General Liability
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 Vermont Office of Professional Regulation - Private Investigator Licensing for the latest fee schedule | $100 |
License Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with Vermont Office of Professional Regulation - Private Investigator Licensing for the latest fee schedule | $100 |
Renewal Fee Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with Vermont Office of Professional Regulation - Private Investigator Licensing for the latest fee schedule | $100 |
Total Initial Fees Current as of 2026-04-12; verify with Vermont Office of Professional Regulation - Private Investigator Licensing for the latest fee schedule | $200 |
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
$100
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
Vermont 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 Vermont 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 comply with Vermont firearms laws
Armed endorsements typically require additional background checks, firearm training, and periodic requalification at an approved range.
Vermont is one of the easiest states to obtain a PI license, requiring no experience, no exam, no bond, and no insurance. Background check is the primary barrier. The application fee is $100. Renewal costs $100. Licenses renew every 2 years. Neighboring states include Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, each with their own private investigator requirements.
Vermont has no experience or exam requirement. Contact Vermont Office of Professional Regulation - Private Investigator Licensing for current examination details and scheduling information.
No bond or insurance required. Vermont does not impose this requirement on private investigators at the state level.
One of the easiest states for PI licensing.
There is no interstate compact for private investigators.
An armed endorsement is available for licensed private investigators in Vermont who complete additional firearms training and qualification requirements.
Private Investigator requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont (you) | $200 | 162–174 wks | |
| Massachusetts | $400 | 162–174 wks | → |
| New Hampshire | $200 | 162–174 wks | → |
| New York | $775 | 162–174 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Vermont
See how Vermont compares: Private Investigator License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
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Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Vermont.
Private Investigator Schools in Vermont
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Vermont? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Private Investigator license to Vermont →
Transfer your Private Investigator license from Vermont to: Massachusetts → | New Hampshire → | New York →
Vermont requires a state-level PI license. All licensing is managed through the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation - Private Investigator Licensing.
Requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.