How to become a private investigator in Illinois
Illinois private investigators are licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation. Here is what it takes to work as a licensed private investigator in Illinois, from official sources checked November 4, 2026.
Who can become a private investigator in Illinois?
- 3 years of full-time investigative experience in the 5 years before applying (licensed agency, attorney, large in-house unit, armed forces or law enforcement)
- A bachelor's degree in law enforcement, a related field or business counts for 2 of the 3 years; an associate degree counts for 1
- No felony conviction, or 10 years since full discharge from a felony sentence
- Good moral character
- Fingerprint background check
- Proof of at least $1,000,000 of commercial general liability insurance in your name.
Illinois private investigator license requirements
| State license | Yes. Illinois requires a state Private Detective license from IDFPR. |
|---|---|
| Licensed by | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Division of Professional Regulation |
| License name | Licensed Private Detective |
| Education or training | No set course hours; a related degree can replace part of the experience requirement. |
| Experience | 3 years of full-time investigative experience in the 5 years before applying; a related bachelor's degree counts for 2 years, an associate degree for 1. |
| Exam | Pass the state private detective exam given by Continental Testing Services with a score of 70 or higher; the passing score is valid for 3 years. |
| License term | Licenses expire May 31 every 3 years.; To renew: 8 hours of annual training on private detective subjects (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1240.506). |
How much does it cost?
| License application | $500 |
|---|---|
| License renewal | $150 per year |
| Exam | Set by the testing service |
Fees as listed by the state. Schools, courses, exam prep, insurance and equipment cost extra and vary by provider.
Steps to become a private investigator in Illinois
- Build 3 years of qualifying investigative experience (or 1-2 years plus a qualifying degree).
- Apply through IDFPR CORE with experience forms (VE-DET or VE-DSC) and transcripts.
- Get fingerprinted within 60 days of applying.
- Pass the Continental Testing private detective exam.
- Submit proof of $1,000,000 general liability insurance and pay the $500 fee.
- Complete 8 hours of training each year and renew every 3 years.
Apply on the official Illinois site
How do you check a private investigator's license in Illinois?
- Search the name or license number on the official Illinois private investigator license lookup.
- 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.