How to Become a Private Investigator in Missouri

So you want to work as a private investigator in Missouri.

You should be aware of the requirements such a job has.

In order to learn more about this, you should check out our article below.

Private Investigator Requirements and Responsibilities in Missouri

In Missouri, the Board of Private Investigator and Private Fire Investigator Examiners oversees private investigators.

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That means investigators must have a license to work here.

To get one, you must pass a test and meet some basic requirements.

Here are the most important prerequisites:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Be a citizen of the USA
• Have a clean record, both personal and criminal
• Apply for the PI test
• Pass the test
• Get some experience

Many PIs choose to take a course to learn more and get experience.

If you’ve worked in law enforcement, that experience can count instead of taking a class.

You need at least 100 hours of experience to be a PI.

Some of the main tasks include:

• Watching people on your own
• Recording events from far away in high detail
• Taking clear pictures from a distance
• Staying healthy
• Knowing what your clients need

Private Investigator Training in Missouri

Taking classes or getting degrees in law enforcement can be really useful.

But sometimes, any degree might work for this job, even if it’s not directly related.

In special classes, you’ll learn about the equipment you need and what’s not useful anymore.

Each PI can choose their own tools for the job, like:

• Maps
• Computers, tablets, and stuff like that
• Binoculars
• Cameras
• Microphones
• Cars or motorcycles

You’ll also learn things like the NATO phonetic alphabet and common terms.

NITA

At NITA, our training center provides online classes specially made for people who want to be private investigators.

These classes help improve investigation skills and get students ready for the licensing test.

Each course costs between $99 and $350.

Some classes are for folks who want more education in this field.

PI Education

At PI Education, we offer a 70-hour course that’s like a warm-up before getting licensed.

The whole thing happens online, so having a good computer and internet is key.

These 70 hours count as credit for your training.

To sign up, you need to pay a $399 tuition fee.

Becoming Licensed as a Private Investigator in Missouri

To become a private investigator in Missouri, you need to fill out either the Application for Licensure as a Private Investigator or the  Application for Licensure as a Private Investigator Agency.

Then, you have to provide:

• A $500 application fee
  • This is payable to the Board of Private Investigator and Private Fire Investigator Examiners.
• Two passport-style photos
• Proof of liability and worker’s compensation insurance of at least $250,000
• A full set of fingerprints.

You can get your fingerprints taken electronically by signing up with the Missouri Automated Criminal History site and scheduling an appointment with Cogent 3M.

After you’ve submitted all your paperwork through the government portal, you’ll get an email letting you know when the Board will review your application.

After the Board checks your application for a Private Investigator license and confirms you qualify, they’ll send you details about the test you need to take.

You have to pass a written test set by the Board before you can get licensed in Missouri.

This test checks how well you know the rules for investigators in the state.

They’ll only give you the test after they’ve made sure you meet all the basic requirements.

Remember that the Board won’t send you the test application or study guide until after you’ve applied for your license.

The written test has 75 questions.

Here’s what they cover:

• 55 questions about the current rules and regulations for private investigators in Missouri
• 20 questions about the general work of private investigators

You get 2 hours to finish the test, and you need to score at least 70 percent to pass.

The test is held by the Division of Professional Registration at 3605 Missouri Boulevard in Jefferson City, Missouri.

You need to pay $80 for the test when you send in your application.

Salaries for Private Investigators in Missouri

After you get your license, you will need to know more about your salary and where you can get hired.

Nationally, private investigators make around $50,902 every year.

In Missouri, they earn around $48,502 each year.

Check the table below for cities where they earn even more.

Regional Salary in Missouri

Private Investigator by State