How to Become a Licensed Private Investigator in Georgia

Georgia is a unique and beautiful state that is home to some of the most polite individuals in the United States in my experience. The weather in Georgia can be extreme, especially regarding the humidity. I have spent time in Atlanta, Lake Park, Fort Gorden, and Fort Benning and while I am not a fan of the heat, I am a fan of the charm.

Who is in Charge of Private Investigator Licensing in Georgia?

Georgia’s Secretary of State is in charge of private investigator licensing in Georgia. Whether you are wanting to work for a private investigation agency or start your own private investigation business this is where you will locate applications. 

With that being said, the information and applications are not easily found so that is why we have broken down private investigator requirements and private investigation agency information and links to help you quickly find the information you are looking for. 

Private Investigator Salary Information for Georgia

The cost of living can swing dramatically in Georgia depending on where you live.  Some areas (like any state) can be incredibly expensive like Atlanta, Georgia which is 18% more than the state average.  And that is understandable being a very large city with much more opportunity in that location (generally speaking).

The median salary in Georgia for private investigators is $50,530 which is $24.29 an hour.  If you would like to know how this compares to other states I have written about private investigator salaries here.

Another interesting number is that Georgia is home to 1020 investigators as of 2021.  This is likely related to a relatively easy process to become an employee for a company and because it is so close to Florida which employs the 2nd most private investigators in the country. 

Different Types of Private Investigator Licenses in Georgia

Georgia has two different types of private licenses.  You can be an employee of a private investigation agency or you can be the owner of a private investigation agency.

Below you will find the steps to become an employee of a private investigation agency and how to start a private investigation agency in Georgia.

Steps to Become a Private Investigator Employee 

Meet the Minimum Employee Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be a United States citizen
• Must have good moral character
• Must not have been convicted of a Felony or crime involving the following:

1. Illegal use or possession of a dangerous weapon.
2. Convicted of any crime involving more turpitude (some exceptions considered).
3. Must not have committed a fraudulent act.

Complete the Application/Fingerprinting/Fees

The private investigation application will need to be completed and submitted by the investigation agency that is hiring the private investigator. 

The Private Investigator applicant must also obtain fingerprints for a background check as well. 

The cost for registration is $45 for an unarmed private investigator. Many times this fee is paid by the employer.

Detailed instructions for this are listed in the application which is linked below.

Private Investigator Employee Application

How to Start a Private Investigation Agency in Georgia

Minimum Requirements

Before you can think about submitting your application and fees, you need to first determine if you are eligible to sit for the examination.

Those requirements are:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be a United States citizen
• Must have good moral character
• Must not have been convicted of a Felony or crime involving:
  
  • Illegal use or possession of a dangerous weapon.
  • Convicted of any crime involving more turpitude (some exceptions considered).
  • Must not have committed a fraudulent act. 

Applications must have either 2 years of full-time experience as a private investigator with a licensed private investigation agency or;

Have 2 years of experience in law enforcement or;

Have a 4-year degree in criminal justice or a similar field from an accredited college.

Application Process for a Private Investigation Agency

• Complete the application
• Submit application fee -$100 plus a $10 processing fee.
• Have the designee for the company complete the employee registration for the company and submit the fee for employee registration.
• Submit the required photos.
• Complete fingerprinting
• Submit an original notarized letter of experience where it shows the minimum 2 years experience with dates and duties performed as detailed in the application.  College degree applicants need to submit a sealed certified transcript.
• Mail the information and application to the Georgia State Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies located at 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217.

Examination

Assuming the applicant has provided all the needed information and passed the background and experience requirements, they will be contacted to sit for an exam.

The Georgia State Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies does not provide study material.

Specific areas of focus in the exam are:

• Professional/Legal/Ethical Standards
• Surveillance
• Evidence Handling
• Interviewing/Interrogation
• Case Management, Admin, and Reporting

These areas are fundamental as it relates to the investigation industry. Most investigators will know this information after working in the industry for 2 years. 

It might be worth reaching out to other investigators or agency owners especially in the private investigator association to get advice as to what to prepare for. 

Final Step

So if you have reached the final step (you passed the exam), there are just a few more things to do.

• Submit the license fee of $300.
• Secure a $25,000 Surety Bond, or a $1,000,000 General Liability Certificate of Insurance, or a certified audited financial state showing a net worth of at least $50,000.  
• Submit any additional information requested by the Board.

Assuming all went well, the Board will issue the applicant the agency license.

Private Detective Agency Application

Private Investigation Association in Georgia

There is only one private investigation association in Georgia which is the Georgia Association of Professional Private Investigators or GAPPI.

GAPPI appears to be a good association to connect to and they earnestly want to help individuals enter the industry and be successful. They offer training sessions, legislation monitoring, and networking which is incredibly important.

Licensing is requirements are always changing so be sure to check with the licensing authority for any changes.

Additional Licensing Locations

Most private investigator agency owners become licensed in more than one state to eliminate issues related to reciprocity but also to be able to market and work in more areas.  Below is a list of neighboring states to consider becoming licensed in.

Tennessee Private 

South Carolina

Florida Private Investigator Licensing Guide

Alabama Private Investigator Licensing Guide

Private Investigator Licensing Guide for the United States

Additional Useful Private Investigation Links

Private Investigator Bundle Pack

How to Start a Private Investigator Business

How Much it Costs to Start a Private Investigation Business

How to Choose a Private Investigation Business Name

How to Build P.I. Experience