How to Become a Private Investigator in West Virginia

Being a private investigator in West Virginia can be both fun and challenging.

Maybe you feel this is the right career for you, so check out the article below.

You will get more info on how to start a new and successful career.

Private Investigator Requirements and Duties

To become a private investigator in West Virginia, you must be at least 18 years old.

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Here are some other important requirements:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident.
• You need to have good moral character and provide five character reference letters with your application.
• You must submit two recent passport-size color photos of yourself.

For your background check, West Virginia requires fingerprinting.

Your military discharge won’t affect your application unless it’s related to a criminal offense.

Your financial history won’t impact your application directly, but you might need to provide financial information for a business license later.

While there’s no mental health evaluation, you won’t get a license if a court has ruled you incompetent due to mental illness.

As part of your application, you need to get a $2,500 surety bond that names you as the principal.

West Virginia has strict rules for disqualification, including:

• Felony convictions
• Drug addiction
• Habitual drunkenness
• Previous PI license revocation

Here are the main tasks for private investigators:

• Watching someone alone
• Recording events from far away in high-quality
• Taking clear and good photos from a distance
• Staying healthy
• Knowing what their clients need

Private Investigator Training in West Virginia

In West Virginia, you don’t have to get a degree to become a PI.

However, a degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or criminal investigation can help meet the training and experience criteria.

Even if you didn’t finish your degree, any relevant academic hours can count towards your experience.

For experience, you can show proof of working for a licensed investigative firm or law enforcement agency.

You need to have worked at least 32 hours a week for 100 weeks to meet the requirements.

There’s no specific written exam to become a PI, although your degree or training might have one.

If you don’t have a degree or prior experience, you can complete at least 60 credit hours in investigative studies.

If you have some academic or work experience, you can take only the number of credit hours needed to meet the requirement.

Picking the right training program is key.

Let’s explore the private investigator courses available in this state.

NITA

NITA Training Academy offers online classes for those aiming to become private investigators.

These courses are crafted to boost your detective skills and prepare you for the licensing test.

You can pick from a range of classes, priced between $99 to $350, depending on what you’re interested in.

Some classes even offer additional educational material.

PI Education

PI Education provides a 70-hour course if you want training before getting your license.

It’s all online, so ensure you have a strong internet connection and a reliable computer.

Completing the course earns you 70 credit hours.

To enroll, you’ll need to pay a tuition fee of $399.

Becoming Licensed as a Private Investigator in West Virginia

For residents of West Virginia, the application fee is $150.

If you’re not a resident, it’s $550.

To work as a private investigator in West Virginia, you must apply for a license through the Secretary of State.

You have to renew your license every year. If you forget to renew within a year and still want to work as a PI, you have to apply again as if you were a new applicant.

Salaries for Private Investigators in West Virginia

After obtaining your license, it’s thrilling to begin searching for your first job.

Before diving in, you might be curious about potential earnings.

In West Virginia, private investigators usually earn about 45,902 dollars per year.

However, this amount can vary depending on factors like your location, education, and experience.

For detailed salary information in the state, check out the table below.

Regional Salary in West Virginia

Private Investigator by State