How to become a private investigator in Georgia
Georgia private investigators are licensed by the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies (Secretary of State). Here is what it takes to work as a licensed private investigator in Georgia, from official sources checked November 4, 2026.
Part of the state's website could not be reached when we checked, so some details come from Georgia law and official forms. Confirm them on the official page before you apply.
Who can become a private investigator in Georgia?
- Employed by a Board-licensed private detective company
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check
- A felony may be grounds for denial
Georgia private investigator license requirements
| State license | Yes. Georgia licenses private detective companies and registers detectives who work for them. The Secretary of State licensing site (sos.ga.gov) blocked access during this check, so fees and age were not confirmed. |
|---|---|
| Licensed by | Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies (Secretary of State) |
| License name | Private Detective Employee Registration (company owners: Private Detective Company License) |
| Education or training | At least 70 hours of classroom instruction (Rule 509-3-.06, effective July 1, 2022). |
| Experience | None for employee registration. Company licensure requires qualifying experience; full-time means 2 years averaging 30+ hours per week. |
| Exam | A two-hour exam at the end of the 70-hour course, passing score 75%. Company license applicants also take a Board exam. |
| License term | Registrations expire August 31 of each odd-numbered year (Rule 509-2-.01); 16 hours before each renewal (2 Homeland Security, 2 ethics, 12 industry); exempt at first renewal (Rule 509-3-.12). |
Steps to become a private investigator in Georgia
- Get hired by a licensed Georgia private detective company
- Complete the 70-hour course and pass its exam
- Your employer submits your registration with fingerprints and fees
- Complete 16 hours of continuing education before each renewal
- Renew by August 31 of odd-numbered years
How do you check a private investigator's license in Georgia?
- Ask for the license number and confirm it with the Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies (Secretary of State).
- Check that the status is active and the name matches the person or company you're hiring.
- Ask how long they've been licensed and whether any complaints or discipline are on record.