Become a Private Detective through Training and Certification in Michigan

The era of social media has expanded the already-broad scope of private investigating throughout the country, and in Michigan, it’s led to a successful niche for a number of these pros .

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Take, for example, licensed investigator Julie Erickson. After discovering the potential dangers associated with online dating apps, she opened her own Michigan PI agency called JAE Investigations, with the ultimate goal of keeping clients safe. Using her investigative skills and resources, she looks into potential dates for her clients, checking for things like criminal convictions and domestic violence charges.

	Meet Michigan’s Minimum Licensing Requirements
	Meet Minimum Experience or Education Requirements in Michigan
	Apply for Michigan Licensure as a Private Investigator
	Get to Work in Michigan
	Maintain your Michigan License

As one of the 820 PIs licensed in the state as of 2019, according to the Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, Erickson is doing what so many of her colleagues have also done – forging her own, unique path in private investigations and making a name for herself along the way.

All professional investigators in Michigan are regulated and licensed through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs .

The term “investigation business” under the Act is defined as a business entity that conducts investigations for the purpose of obtaining information pertaining to crimes. Professional investigators are allowed to perform any number of activities under this definition, including:

• Securing evidence to be used in court
• Locating and/or recovering stolen property
• Electronic tracking
• Using computer forensics findings as evidence in court
• Using devices for eavesdropping and/or observation

Step 1. Meet Michigan’s Minimum Licensing Requirements

Before you can pursue a career as a private detective in Michigan, you must ensure you meet minimum requirements for licensure. Specifically, you must:

• Be a United States citizen
• Be at least 25 years old
• Possess a high school diploma or the equivalent
• Have no felony convictions
• Have no misdemeanor convictions involving the following:
  • Dishonesty or fraud
  • Unauthorized selling or divulging information or evidence
  • Impersonating a law enforcement official
  • Illegally using or possessing a dangerous weapon
  • Controlled substances
  • Assault

  Step 2. Meet Minimum Experience or Education Requirements in Michigan

  To become a licensed private detective in Michigan, you must have at least 3 years of full-time experience in one of the following:

  • Engaging in a legal professional investigation business as an investigator, licensee, or registrant
  • Conducting a professional investigation agency
  • Working in investigative or intelligence activities, which may include the following professions:
    • Investigator
    • Detective
    • Special agent
    • Intelligence specialist
    • Parole agent
    • Probation officer
    • Certified police officer

    You may also meet the minimum requirements for licensure through the completion of a bachelor’s degree program or higher in one of the following areas:

    • Police administration
    • Security management
    • Investigation
    • Law
    • Criminal justice
    • Computer forensics