How to become a private investigator in Texas
Texas private investigators are licensed by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Regulatory Services Division, Private Security Program. Here is what it takes to work as a licensed private investigator in Texas, from official sources checked November 4, 2026.
Who can become a private investigator in Texas?
- Employed by or affiliated with a DPS-licensed investigations company
- Submit fingerprints electronically through the DPS-approved vendor
- Pass a criminal history check
- To own a company: meet the company representative experience rules and pass the exam
Texas private investigator license requirements
| State license | Yes. Licensed statewide by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Private Security Program. Individual investigators must be affiliated with a DPS-licensed investigations company (Class A or C); to run your own company you must qualify as a company representative. |
|---|---|
| Licensed by | Texas Department of Public Safety, Regulatory Services Division, Private Security Program |
| License name | Private Investigator License |
| Experience | For an investigations company representative: three consecutive years of investigation-related experience; or a bachelor's degree plus 12 months of experience; or an associate degree in criminal justice or a related field plus 24 months; or a private investigation course of at least 200 instructional hours at a four-year college or university. |
| Exam | Company representatives (to run your own investigations company) must pass a two-hour, open-book, 50-question exam on Occupations Code ch. 1702 and 37 TAC ch. 35 with a score of 70% or higher. |
| License term | 2 years |
How much does it cost?
| Original or renewal individual license (license $30 + pocket card $5 + subscription $2) | $37 |
|---|---|
| FBI fingerprint check | $28.25 |
| Company representative re-examination | $100 |
| Class A business license, original or renewal | $361 |
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 Texas
- Get hired by a DPS-licensed investigations company, or plan to qualify as a company representative
- Create a profile in Texas Online Private Security (TOPS)
- Submit the individual application in TOPS and pay the fees
- Get fingerprinted through the DPS-approved vendor
- To open your own company: document your experience, pass the company representative exam and apply for a Class A license
- Renew online up to 180 days before expiration
Apply on the official Texas site
How do you check a private investigator's license in Texas?
- Search the name or license number on the official Texas 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.