How to Get a Private Investigator License and Find a Job

So, you want to become a Private Investigator but don’t know where to start? We can help. Read on to learn more about what an investigator does, how to pursue a career in investigations and how to be prepared so you can get the Private Investigator job that’s right for you.

What does a Private Investigator do?

A Private Investigator gathers evidence for court cases, corporations or works for private clients. Clients may include spouses, insurance companies, courts, landlords, and corporations. They conduct investigations involving: missing persons, corporate intelligence, property recovery and more. They may employ skip tracing to find witnesses for a case, track errant tenants who owe rent, or find long lost loved ones.

A Private Investigator’s job is to gather evidence and information to present to clients by:

• Conducting Interviews  
• Performing Surveillance
• Providing Verification of Information
• Gathering vital evidence/facts for cases
• Online searches

What Private Investigator Training is Required?

You will need:

• Private Investigator Training- Through Private Investigator Courses such as our online course that follow the guidelines and the regulations set out by the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
• Private Investigator Licence– Once you complete your course and pass your exam you will apply for a license.
• An understanding of Codes of Conduct- (covered in our course)
• A Solid Grasp of Investigative Techniques – (covered in our course)

What does your Private Investigator Course include?

In addition to 50 hours of online training that meet Ministry guidelines you can request a practice test upon enrollment that will prepare you for your exam. At the end of the course, you will be ready to take your exam and apply for your Private Investigator License.  Our course covers the legalities and practical knowledge needed to become an investigator, including:

• Introduction to the Private Investigator Course and Government Testing Requirements/Procedures
• Introduction to the Private Investigation Industry
• The Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA)
• Provincial and Federal Statutes
• Criminal and Civil Law
• Investigative Techniques such as research, surveillance, interviews and use of investigative equipment
• Principles of Ethical Reasoning and Decision Making
• Key Principles of Communication and Interaction
• Self-Management Skills

Some of the benefits of taking your Private Investigator Course with SGC are:

• Fully online so you can complete it at your own pace, easily accessible from anywhere
• Developed by instructors with real world investigative experience so that you will be better prepared when working in the field
• Exceeds Ministry standards
• Includes a free practice exam

What other skills will help me be successful and get a Private Investigator Job?

The right training is important but so is the right temperament and personality traits. A good investigator will be:

• Detail oriented
• Patient
• Dependable
• Honest and ethical
•  Passionate about problem solving

How to Get a Private Investigator Job

Okay, so you’ve completed the Private Investigator training, have your Private Investigator License and want to get a Private Investigator job. What now? There are some things you need to do before getting a job. You should start by:

• Reviewing Codes of Conduct- Make sure you know the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005, the Criminal Code of Canada and have a solid understanding of criminal and civil law jurisdictions, including provincial and federal statutes.
• Asking Potential Employers about their Codes of Conduct- In addition to the codes of conduct above, private investigation agencies may have additional codes they expect you to follow. Be sure you know what they are when applying.
• Understanding Requirements to Start your own Practice – Going out on your own may be tempting, but it can be more challenging than you think. Licensing and insurance requirements outlined by the Ministry of the Solicitor General must be adhered to and you may have less access to resources to carry out investigations. Be sure you have the self-management skills necessary to perform responsibilities and keep track of investigations.

Where do I search for a Private Investigator Job?

With our training program you will learn everything you need to succeed to get your Private Investigator License and get a Private Investigator job.  Once you are ready you can apply to individual private investigator agencies directly, start your own agency or find postings through job boards.

Ready to start? Sign up for our Private Investigator Course today and take that first step towards pursuing a rewarding career.