How To Become A Licensed Private Investigator In Arkansas

Arkansas is known for its nature and natural beauty, fishing, hunting, and believe it or not, diamond mines. Something that isn’t beautiful about Arkansas is understanding the process to become a private investigator and the process itself.

Many states for some reason make it difficult to understand the steps involved to become a licensed private investigator and Arkansas checks that box as well which is unfortunate.

However, the bright side is that P.I. Advice has decrypted the process to simplify the information to becoming a private investigator in Arkansas.

Income for those wanting to become a private investigator in Arkansas

Contents

1 How Much Do Private Investigators Make in Arkansas
2 Does Arkansas Require a Private Investigator License?
3 Minimum Requirements to Work as a Private Investigator in Arkansas
4 Credentialed Private Investigator
5 Disqualifications to Become a Private Investigator in Arkansas
6 Minimum Credential Qualifications (17-40-306. License or credential — Applicant qualifications)
7 Application Process for Becoming a Credentialed Private Investigator
8 Private Investigator Business Qualifications
9 Types of Private Investigation Business Licensing in Arkansas
10 How to Apply for a Private Investigation Business Credential
11 Private Investigator Testing Information
12 Private Investigation Business License Cost
13 Additional Arkansas Private Investigator Information
14 Out-of-State Private Investigator Credential
15 Reciprocity
16 Working While Application is Being Processed
17 Arkansas Private Investigation Association
18 Tenessee Private Investigation Associations
19 Louisiana Private Investigation Association
20 Oklahoma Private Investigators Association
21 Additional Important Articles Related to Become a Private Investigator

How Much Do Private Investigators Make in Arkansas

Arkansas is an interesting state as it relates to the median income of private investigators versus the cost of living. If you are interested in working as a private investigator within Arkansas or starting a business knowing what the general incomes for investigators are is probably pretty important to you.

The median income for private investigators in Arkansas is $80,880 which is well above the average across the United States. Arkansas has approximately 170 private investigators working within the state. Compared to the state’s population being approximately 3 million, one would say there is plenty of room for new investigators and businesses.

If you would like to learn about private investigation salaries across the United States you can read that by clicking here.

Does Arkansas Require a Private Investigator License?

Yes, Arkansas does require a private investigator license to work legally within the state. If you want to read more about why licensing private investigators is essential, we have written more about that here.

It should be noted that oversight for the licensing process is the Arkansas State Police.

Minimum Requirements to Work as a Private Investigator in Arkansas

Arkansas has a two-tier system for private investigators which is basically being an employee and being a business owner/manager. Employees are designated as Credentialed Private Investigators

Let’s get into the requirements and steps to become a licensed private detective in Arkansas for each tier.

Credentialed Private Investigator

The initial level of a private investigator in the state of Arkansas is the Credentialed Private Investigator. If a private investigator initially has no experience, this is the first step. Speaking with a representative of the State Police, the investigator was told that a Creditnaled Private Investigator is basically an apprentice or employee of a Class A Company (a company with more than one licensed private investigator).

Credentialed private investigators must be employed (sponsored) by an investigation company.
Must pass a background check.
Must pass an examination by at least 70%.

Disqualifications to Become a Private Investigator in Arkansas

Convicted of any crime listed below:
Offenses Involving Theft
Sexual Offenses
Offenses Involving Violence
Offenses Involving an Element of Dishonesty
Offenses Involving a Crime Against a Person
Includes Out of State Comparable Offenses

This information will be revealed during the background screening of a potential private investigation candidate.

Minimum Credential Qualifications (17-40-306. License or credential — Applicant qualifications)

Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
Not suffering from alcohol or narcotic addiction.
Not discharged from the military under dishonorable conditions.
Not mentally incompetent or committed to a mental institution in the past.
Not a sex offender or registered sex offender.

Application Process for Becoming a Credentialed Private Investigator

Receive an Employment Offer from a Licensed Private Investigation Company.
Complete the Credentialed Private Investigator Application.
2 Completed classifiable fingerprint cards.
2 Passport style photos with the applicant’s name written on the back.
Pass the private investigator test with a 70% or higher.
Submit a check or money order in the amount of $486.25 with the application.

Upon being approved as a private investigator, the investigator will receive an identification card that contains:

The name of the credential holder.
A photo of the credential holder.
The credential number and date of expiration.
The company which the investigator is employed with.

Private Investigator Business Qualifications

An applicant must have 2 consecutive years of experience before the application is submitted to start a business which would include being an employee, manager, field agent, or investigation business owner.

Or, two years experience as a licensed bail bondsman as well as a baccalaureate degree from a 4-year institution
Or, satisfying other requirements set forth by the director.

If the applicant does not qualify under the aforementioned requirements they must meet these requirements:

15 hours of basic doctrines of private security including history, ethics, organization, and functions of private security
15 hours of purposes of security
25 hours of criminal law
25 hours of civil law
5 hours of legal powers and limitations.
40 hours of security functions including report writing, patrol, interviewing and interrogation, investigations, surveillance, evidence, public relations, and safety.
5 hours of A.C.A. § 17-39-101, et seq. and A.C.A. § 14-40-101, et seq.;
60 hours of security supervision management including administrative responsibilities, investigative responsibilities, managerial responsibilities, and business communications.
10 hours of emergency and disaster control.
10 hours of self-defense (armed and unarmed).

A business application may be denied for the disqualifications listed above.

Types of Private Investigation Business Licensing in Arkansas

There are 3 types of investigation businesses that may be applied for under 17-40-309 (License and Credential – Classifications). The three licenses are Class A, C, and D as it relates to private investigations.

A Class A license is issued to an investigation company that employs 1 or more individuals.
A Class B license means a security services contractor license.
A Class C license is a license that includes both a Class A and Class B license
A Class D license is a license for an investigation company with a single person operating the investigation company with no other investigators working for the company.

The licensee or credential holder is responsible for the action of their employees and managers and their good conduct while investigating.

Licensing is valid for 2 years at a time.

How to Apply for a Private Investigation Business Credential

Complete the Arkansas State Police Security or Investigations Company Application.
Complete the Manager/Owner Application.
Enclose the required licensing fee.
Submit background check fee ($36.25).
Submit 2 – Classifiable Fingerprint Cards.
Complete the Examination scoring 70% or higher (Owner may be exempt if they have credentialed manager employed already).
Include 2 passport-type photos (write your name on the back of both).

Private Investigator Testing Information

The private investigator test will contain at least 100 questions covering subjects located in the Revised Rules in the Department of Arkansas State Police Rules for Licensing and Regulation of Private Investigators, Private Security Agencies, Alarm Systems Companies, Polygraph Examiners, and Voice Stress Analysis Examiners document.

Specific topics will also include:

The subjects described in Rule 11.1.
Field note-taking and report writing.
The Arkansas Criminal Code.

Private Investigation Business License Cost

A Class A license is $600
A Class C license is $850
A Class D license is $300

If you need additional clarification regarding the licensing process in Arkansas you can email them at the following email addresses:

You can also call the office at (501) 618-8600.

Additional Arkansas Private Investigator Information

Out-of-State Private Investigator Credential

A licensed private investigator from another state may work within the state of Arkansas for 10 days. The private investigator must complete the application and fax it to the state police office at the provided number on the application. The application can be found here.

Reciprocity

Arkansas maintains reciprocal agreements relating to private investigator licenses issued by the states of Tennessee, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

Working While Application is Being Processed

While the private investigator credential is pending, an applicant may perform the services of a private investigator or manager if the person is under the supervision of the person who holds the business license.