How to Become a Private Investigator in Montana

Montana is a beautiful state with many work opportunities.

One of the most popular jobs is being a private detective, as it offers a lot of fun and excitement.

If you think this is the right choice, check out this article.

You will get to learn more about this job once you read the following article.

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Private Investigator Requirements and Responsibilities in Montana

In Montana, these professionals are watched over by a group called the Alabama Private Investigation Board.

This means they must have a special permit to work.

To get this permit, they must pass a test and meet certain rules.

Here are the rules:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Have a clean record, with no bad history
• Apply for and pass the test
• Get some experience

Many investigators choose to take a class to learn more about the job and get experience.

If they’ve worked in law enforcement before, they might not need to take a class.

Investigators need at least 100 hours of experience.

Their main jobs include:

• Watching one person secretly
• Recording things from far away with good quality
• Taking good pictures from far away
• Staying healthy
• Understanding what their clients want

Private Investigator Training in Montana

As we said before, private investigators (PIs) aren’t legally required to get training.

But it’s still important to think about it.

Firstly, training can let you charge more for your services. And secondly, it helps you do your job better.

As we mentioned earlier, classes or degrees in law enforcement are really useful.

Sometimes, any degree can work for this job, even if it doesn’t seem related.

In special classes, you’ll learn about the equipment you need and what you don’t.

Every PI can pick their own tools, like:

• Maps
• Computers, tablets, and extras
• Binoculars
• Cameras
• Microphones
• Car or motorcycle

You’ll also learn things like the NATO alphabet and common words used in the job.

Now, you may be wondering where you can get private investigator training in Montana.

For that, make sure to check out the below institutions.

NITA

NITA is a training school that provides different online classes for people who want to become private investigators.

These classes are meant to make investigative skills better and get students ready for the licensing test.

Each class costs between $99 and $350.

Some classes are specifically for people who want to learn more about being a private investigator.

PI Education

PI Education offers a 70-hour course for people who want to get a license.

The whole course is online, so having a good computer and internet connection is important.

These 70 hours are like getting 70 credits.

To join, you need to pay a $399 fee.

The good thing about online programs is that they offer flexibility.

You can go to school or have a second job while still being able to attend the private investigator programs.

Becoming Licensed as a Private Investigator in Montana

I mentioned earlier that to become a private investigator (PI), you need to pass a test and meet certain rules.

Taking the test costs money.

Just applying to take the test costs $125, and the test itself costs $100.

But to apply, you need to give some documents:

• Proof that you meet the basic requirements
• A recent photo of yourself
• 3 sets of fingerprints
• Form 46

If you’re accepted for the test and you pass it, you’ll get a license to be a PI in Alabama.

But your journey isn’t over yet. You have to keep your license up to date.

Every two years, you need to keep learning and pay $300.

If you’re late, you’ll have to pay an extra $200.

You have to learn for 16 hours and keep track of it.

Salaries for Private Investigators in Montana

Once you have your license, it’s important to understand what you might earn and where you could find work.

Across the country, private investigators typically make about 50,902 dollars every year.

In Montana specifically, they earn around 46,602 dollars annually.

Take a look at the table below to see which cities offer even higher salaries for private investigators.

Private Investigator by State