Licensing Requirements

The following is a summary of the requirements to become licensed as a professional investigator. For the complete requirement details see the Professional Investigator Licensure Act, Act 285 of 1965, as amended. A licensed professional investigator must meet the following requirements:

(a) Is a citizen of the United States.

(b) Is not less than 25 years of age.

(c) Has a high school education or its equivalent.

(d) Has not been convicted of a felony, or a misdemeanor involving any of the following:

(i) Dishonesty or fraud.

(ii) Unauthorized divulging or selling of information or evidence.

(iii) Impersonation of a law enforcement officer or employee of the United States or a state, or a political subdivision of the United States or a state.

(iv) Illegally using, carrying, or possessing a dangerous weapon.

(v) Two or more alcohol related offenses.

(vi) Controlled substances as defined under the Michigan Public Health Code.

(vii) An assault.

(e) Has not been dishonorably discharged from a branch of the United States military service.

(f) For a period of not less than 3 years has been or is any of the following on a full-time basis:

(i) Lawfully engaged in the professional investigation business as a licensee, registrant, or investigative

employee in another state.

(ii) Lawfully engaged in the investigation business as an investigative employee of the holder of a license to conduct a professional investigation agency.

(iii) An investigator, detective, special agent, intelligence specialist, parole agent, probation officer, or certified police officer employed by any government executive, military, judicial, or legislative agency, or other public authority engaged in investigative or intelligence activities.

(iv) A graduate of an accredited institution of higher education with a baccalaureate or postgraduate degree in the field of police administration, security management, investigation, law, criminal justice, or computer forensics certificated study that is acceptable to the department.

(v) Lawfully engaged in the investigation business as a full-time proprietary or in-house investigator employed by a business or attorney, or as an investigative reporter employed by a recognized media outlet, acceptable to the department.

(g) Has posted a $10,000.00 bond or insurance policy provided for in this act.

(2) In the case of a person, firm, partnership, company, limited liability company, or corporation now doing or seeking to do business in this state, the manager shall comply with the qualifications of this section.