How to Become a Private Investigator in Delaware

As a kid, I was dreaming of becoming a private investigator, but life took me down a different path.

Now, I have the opportunity to guide you on how to pursue your dream career, regardless of the industry:

• Medicine
• Law enforcement
• Mechanics

So, if you’re in Delaware and contemplating a career as a private investigator, delve into my comprehensive guide!

Private Investigator Requirements and Duties

In this state, it’s the Delaware State Police issuing licenses to future private investigators.

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Here are the requirements you must meet to become a PI in Delaware:

• 21 years old
• A firm offer of employment
• Clean criminal history
  • This includes felonies, misdemeanors, drug-related offenses, moral turpitude, theft, or Assault III convictions in the past three years.
• Complete the appropriate training for carrying a firearm, if needed.

The training for the firearm permit lasts for 40 hours or a week.

It has to take place under a Delaware State Police-approved instructor.

Assuming you become licensed as a private investigator, here will be your duties:

• Single person surveillance
• Recording events at high resolution from afar
• Taking good-quality pictures from afar
• Being and maintaining good health
• Understanding the needs of their clients

This list is not complete, and depending on each job, the duties will certainly differ.

Private Investigator Training in Delaware

Training is not mandatory, but very helpful in getting hired.

Here are some places where you can find good classes for this profession.

Wilmington University

This university has several programs to choose from:

• Undergraduate certificate in criminal justice
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Undergraduate Certificates in digital evidence investigation

All these programs offer classes both online and in a traditional classroom setting.

All the courses are made available every eight weeks.

The certificate program allows you to accumulate 30 credits and it’s a great start for many law-enforcement-related jobs.

The BS program costs $1,227 per course, giving around 3 credits.

You can finish this program faster if you have credits earned elsewhere and you choose to transfer them.

The digital forensics investigation is very useful for all PIs, as they learn many things related to their jobs.

Other degrees you can consider are:

• Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science in Human Services/Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Legal Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Becoming Licensed as a Private Investigator in Delaware

In Delaware, you can become a private investigator or open an agency.

For each, the prerequisites to earn the license are different.

Private Investigator Licensure

You’ll need the Private Investigative and Private Security Employee application accompanied by some documents:

• $69 processing fee paid to the State of Delaware
• $20 when you’ll receive your license and identification card
• Fingerprints
• Photographs
  • The last 2 can only be taken at one of the approved centers in this state, with one being in Dover and the other one in Newark.
• Other documents – if needed

Keep in mind that your credentials will be sent to one of the 2 centers mentioned earlier.

Private Investigative Agency Licensure

There are two types of such agencies:

• Class A- Private Investigative Agency – in or out-of-state
• Class C-Private Investigative and Private Security Agency– in or out-of-state

To open an agency, you’ll also need a manager’s license, and I’ll tell you which papers you need for each.

On your Private Investigative Agency or Private Investigative and Private Security Agency application, you must check first “A” or “C.”

Pay one of the following fees:

• $230 – Class A without employees
• $345 – Class A with employees and partners/corporate officers
• $520 – Class C

You must complete the License Holder/Delaware Manager application and submit it with the appropriate fee:

• $69 for a Class A in-state agency
• $230 plus $69 for a Class A out-of-state agency
• $69 for a Class C in-state agency
• $345 plus $69 for a Class C out-of-state agency

Obtain a surety bond by filling out the Private Investigative and Private Security Agency Bond Form.

You’ll pay just one of the following amounts:

• Class A in-state: $5000 without employees or $10,000 with employees, with the bond in the name of the agency
• Class A out-of-state: $10,000 in the name of the agency and $5000 in the name of the Delaware manager
• Class C in-state: $15,000 in the name of the agency
• Class C out-of-state: $15,000 in the name of the agency and $10,000 in the name of the Delaware manager

Salaries for Private Investigators in Delaware

All the reading and preparation would be in vain if the compensation were meager.

Nationally, private investigators earn an average annual salary of $50,900.

In Delaware, these professionals typically earn around $52,000 annually.

Consult the table below for cities offering higher salaries.

Private Investigator by State