How To Become A Licensed Private Investigator In Connecticut

Connecticut has a very interesting history from being the birthplace of the hamburger, the corporate home of the WWE to being the home of the PEZ museum, among many other cool things! And while the size of the state is small being only 5,543 square miles, it is home to 14 companies listed on the Fortune 500 and 3.5 million residents.

While it is such a small state you may be surprised to hear that there are approximately 380 private investigators employed in Connecticut. And it also may be a surprise to you that Connecticut is probably one of the most difficult states to become a private investigator in.

The median salary for a private investigator in Connecticut is $64,360 a year which ranks as the 13th highest in the United States as of 2021.

Do you Need a Private Investigator License in Connecticut?

Yes, private investigators in the state of Connecticut must be licensed to conduct work as private investigators within the state.

Income and Private Investigators

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must be at least 25 years of age.
You must have good moral character.
Must be a United States Citizen/Naturalized U.S Citizen or Possess an INS Green Card.

Experience Required

Have at least 5 years of full-time experience as a licensed private investigator
Have 5 years of full-time experience as a registered private investigator
Have 5 years of full-time experience operating a proprietary private investigation agency.
Have 5 years of full-time experience as a detective with a federal, state, or local police department.
Any related or recognized investigation industry working 5 years full time in it
Have 10 years of experience as a police officer with a federal state or organized local police department.

If the applicant is an organization, association, corporation, or partnership, Connecticut requires that the person filing on behalf of the organization meet one of the aforementioned qualifications above. They must also be an officer in the corporation or member of the partnership or association.

Substitute for Experience

The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection may substitute 1 year of required experience if the applicant shows proof of passing a course of instruction related to the licenses (a private investigation course).

Disqualifying Factors for Becoming a Licensed Private Investigator

No private investigation license will be issued to an individual that has been convicted of a felony.
No private investigation license will be issued to someone convicted of any misdemeanor under section 21a-279, 53a-58, 53a-61, 53a-61a, 53a-62, 53a-63, 53a-96, 53a-175, 53a-176, 53a-178 or 53a-181d (or similar conviction in another jurisdiction) within the past 7 years of applying.
No private investigation license will be issued to someone convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude.
No private investigation license will be issued to someone discharged from the military under conditions that would make someone question their moral character.

Bond and Insurance Requirments

Applicants are required to have a $10,000 performance Surety Bond with the state as a condition for being licensed as well as a minimum General Liability Insurance Policy of $300,000. Anyone aggrieved by something the investigator does can seek recovery of damages from the bond or insurance.

The Process to Becoming a Private Investigator in Connecticut

Assuming an applicant meets the minimum requirements and the required experience the application process is as follows submitting the following information with the application:

Complete the application, Form DPS-366-C.
Submit 2 passport-style photos with a blue background 2″x 2″.
Submit completed fingerprint cards for both state and federal, with 2 checks or money orders in the amounts of $75.00 and $13.25, both of which are payable to the Treasurer, State of Connecticut.
Submit a motor vehicle driving record for the past 3 years from the state of residence along with a copy of a current operators license (driver’s license)
Per disqualifying factors, if the applicant has served in the military, the applicant must submit a copy of his/her DD-214 that indicates the type of discharge.
The applicant must have 4 references of character.
1. The 4 references must write letters reflecting the applicant’s character and send those letters directly to the Special Licensing & Firearms Unit which includes the references’ name, address, and telephone number.
2. These letters can not be hand delivered to sent to the applicant first.
3. Finally, the letters of reference must be sent to Special Licensing & Firearms Unit within 60 days of the applicant applying.
The applicant will submit recent credit reports (if a licensee only).
The applicant will include minimum high school education and provide:
1. High School Diploma
2. GED
3. College Transcript
4. College Degree
Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen, naturalized citizen of the United States, or possess an INS Green Card. Documents proving citizenship are required to be submitted with the application.
1. An INS work permit is not acceptable.
If the applicant is separated from the Federal, State, or local police department, a letter of discharge must be sent from that former employer. The letter should include:
1. Length of service
2. Title or tiles held
3. Duties performed
4. Date of retirement or separation.
If a corporate license is being pursued, a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation from the Connecticut Secretary of State must be submitted.
1. If the corporate entity is not within the state of Connecticut, an Authority to do Business as a Foreign Corporation from the Connecticut Secretary of the State must be included.
If an applicant is under the care of a psychologist or any psychiatric care, the attending psychologist or psychiatrist must send a letter to the Connect State Police Special Licensing and & Firearms Unit verifying the applicant is fit to hold a private investigation license.
Upon submission of an application, it should be known that an oral interview will be conducted as part of the background process. Furthermore, before the interview is conducted, all requested forms must be received.
For Corporate Officials: Individuals engaged as corporate officials (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) must be licensed as well.
All information requested in the application for being a private investigator must be received within 60 days. If the information is not received in a timely manner the application may be rejected and the process would need to be restarted.
Application, letters, and documents must be sent to:
1. Connecticut State Police< Special Licensing & Firearms Unit, 1111 Country Club Rd, Middletown, CT 06457.

Private Investigator Licensing Fees

Private Detective License

The individual private investigation license fee is $1,450 for an initial 2 years license. Thereafter the fee will be $625 for a 2-year renewal.

Private Detective Agency

The license fee for a Corporation, association, or partnership will be as a Private Detective Agency. The fee is $1,750 for an initial 2-year license and $1,000 for a 2-year renewal thereafter.

Private Detective-Fire

For this license related an investigator who receives a license on the merit of being associated with a fire department, and can only investigate related fire department investigations.

This fee for this particular license is $1,450 for the initial 2-year license and $625 for the 2-year renewal thereafter.

Private Detective-Fire Agency

Per the aforementioned requirements, the licensing fee for a corporation, association, or partnership is $1,750 for an initial 2-year license and $1,000 for a 2-year renewal thereafter.

Additional Important Links

Application for Private Detective License

Bond Form for Private Detective License

Renewal Application for Private Detective License

Application for Employee Registration

Authorization to Release Personal Information

Tax Information Statement

Connecticut Private Investigator Associations

The association in Connecticut is not quite as formal as most private investigator associations observed and they admit on their website that they. They indicate they meet twice a year with about 30 investigators in attendance.

The current organization is identified as the Connecticut Private Investigators Association and the website appears to be hosted on a private investigator’s website. Until I receive some more information from the host, be cautious as to the legitimacy or benefit to your business by joining the organization. Or feel free to investigate the matter yourself.

Additional Private Investigator Licenses to Consider

If you qualify for a private investigation license in the state of Connecticut, you will likely qualify for a private investigation business license in other states due to the high standard.

Generally, it is beneficial to secure private investigation licensing in neighboring states. Should you want to do so, the following states border Connecticut.

How to Become a Licensed Private Investigator in Connecticut