Bob, much thanks! Your insight is much appreciated. I will pass it on to Tony(grandson). He lives in Minnesota. Sounds like assignments were not boring in the world of sleuthing.
What kind of training does a person require to become a private investigator? Like, schooling, licensing, etc..? I'd like my grandson to look into it. Thanks
Hi Gene, It's different from state to state. I got my license in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts in the 80s. NH was easy peasy, basically no requirements except for a clean criminal record. MA was much more difficult, requiring 3 years experience working for a licensed private investigation agency, a much more expensive yearly fee, and a submission and approval process that took weeks if not months.
There are often credits given to people with experience as police officers or in the military.
Tennessee seems to be on the easier side, if your grandson lives there. Here is what's required from the Web... License Requirements: In order to apply for a Tennessee Private Investigator License, the applicant must:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien
- Not have been declared by any court of competent jurisdiction incompetent by reason of mental defect or disease (unless subsequently declared competent by a court of competent jurisdiction)
- Not suffer from habitual drunkenness or narcotics addiction or dependence
- Be of good moral character
- Meet examination and continuing education requirements
- Applicant must submit fingerprint cards for processing by TBI and FBI for criminal history check.
There also seems to be an examimation in TN... Examination Requirements: Pass an examination designed to measure knowledge and competence in the investigations field.
Each licensee is required to complete twelve (12) hours of continuing education, acceptable to the Commission, during each two (2) year renewal period. (The Commission is encouraged to require that at least one (1) hour per year of continuing professional education be devoted to ethics.)
This is the website with info: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/pi/license/get.html - If your grandson lives in a different state, he can search for: Idaho/Arkansas/North Carolina Private Investigation License Requirements.
As far as education, one would need to ask the State Licensing Board Commission as to what they deem appropriate. There weren't any when I got my license. They accepted my college degree (BA) in Criminology (Criminal Justice). Today, there are a lot of online classes and courses, but that doesn't mean they are recognized by the Commission. Of course, it's a good way to get an idea of what being a PI looks like.
On that note, there are different types of PIs. Many are hired by insurance companies to follow around people applying for workers' comp or people currently getting workers' comp benefits. These PIs are trying to catch the person doing something that disproves the disability they are claiming. Sometimes insurance adjusters do this work, but in more difficult cases, they hire a private eye. So, for example, if they get photos of the claimant splitting and stacking firewood while they claim to have injured their back, that would put an end to the claim.
I worked on the plaintiff side, so I was hired by worker's compensation and personal injury attorneys. My job was to investigate the accident to prove the claimant was in fact injured while on the job or injured from a certain product (product liability cases) including such accidents involving motor vehicles, dangerous (negligent) products such as cribs, toys, car seats, escalators, playground equipment, faulty seat belts, tools and machinery, and the list is infinite.
I was also hired by criminal defense attorneys to investigate murders and other crimes, seeking evidence that their clients were innocent. I was hired to investigate accidents that occurred because bars and restaurants served too much alcohol to people who were visibly intoxicated. I even went undercover in companies to figure out which employees were ripping the company off. And I had my own cases directly from the public for domestic investigations, such as following cheating spouses, proving that an ex-wife had remarried even though she was still collecting alimony, and finding missing persons for all sorts of reasons.
It's an interesting career, as you can see, and several directions one can go with it. Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to give you and your grandson a thorough answer.
You are most welcome, Bob. Yes, it's pretty nice here in CT. Glad it's gorgeous up in ME. We sure need that sunshine. Take good care and enjoy your weekend. I'm a dog mom like Melissa, so please wish her a happy Pet Mothers' Day from me!
Being an adopted child myself your story was very heartfelt. Especially since I found my biological mother when I was a senior in high school. And yes, intuition played a big part in helping me to be at the right place and right time to get the answers I needed. I don't feel I can write about what happened because...honestly...I don't think there are enough words in the universe to describe that most precious intense moment when we met. Bob, wow, just wow...your stories really take me back sometimes.
I'm so happy that this article brought back this special memory for you, Christian. I love learning more about you. Some day I hope to hear how the intuitive guidance played a part, but you know (from another article I wrote) that I respect the risk of sharing sacred experiences. Sometimes sharing them can diminish the magic. Good memories, especially one so significant as meeting your birth mother, are meaningful and joyful to revisit. Thank you for letting me know how this story affected you.
Bob, much thanks! Your insight is much appreciated. I will pass it on to Tony(grandson). He lives in Minnesota. Sounds like assignments were not boring in the world of sleuthing.
Bob,
What kind of training does a person require to become a private investigator? Like, schooling, licensing, etc..? I'd like my grandson to look into it. Thanks
Hi Gene, It's different from state to state. I got my license in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts in the 80s. NH was easy peasy, basically no requirements except for a clean criminal record. MA was much more difficult, requiring 3 years experience working for a licensed private investigation agency, a much more expensive yearly fee, and a submission and approval process that took weeks if not months.
There are often credits given to people with experience as police officers or in the military.
Tennessee seems to be on the easier side, if your grandson lives there. Here is what's required from the Web... License Requirements: In order to apply for a Tennessee Private Investigator License, the applicant must:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien
- Not have been declared by any court of competent jurisdiction incompetent by reason of mental defect or disease (unless subsequently declared competent by a court of competent jurisdiction)
- Not suffer from habitual drunkenness or narcotics addiction or dependence
- Be of good moral character
- Meet examination and continuing education requirements
- Applicant must submit fingerprint cards for processing by TBI and FBI for criminal history check.
There also seems to be an examimation in TN... Examination Requirements: Pass an examination designed to measure knowledge and competence in the investigations field.
Each licensee is required to complete twelve (12) hours of continuing education, acceptable to the Commission, during each two (2) year renewal period. (The Commission is encouraged to require that at least one (1) hour per year of continuing professional education be devoted to ethics.)
This is the website with info: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/pi/license/get.html - If your grandson lives in a different state, he can search for: Idaho/Arkansas/North Carolina Private Investigation License Requirements.
As far as education, one would need to ask the State Licensing Board Commission as to what they deem appropriate. There weren't any when I got my license. They accepted my college degree (BA) in Criminology (Criminal Justice). Today, there are a lot of online classes and courses, but that doesn't mean they are recognized by the Commission. Of course, it's a good way to get an idea of what being a PI looks like.
On that note, there are different types of PIs. Many are hired by insurance companies to follow around people applying for workers' comp or people currently getting workers' comp benefits. These PIs are trying to catch the person doing something that disproves the disability they are claiming. Sometimes insurance adjusters do this work, but in more difficult cases, they hire a private eye. So, for example, if they get photos of the claimant splitting and stacking firewood while they claim to have injured their back, that would put an end to the claim.
I worked on the plaintiff side, so I was hired by worker's compensation and personal injury attorneys. My job was to investigate the accident to prove the claimant was in fact injured while on the job or injured from a certain product (product liability cases) including such accidents involving motor vehicles, dangerous (negligent) products such as cribs, toys, car seats, escalators, playground equipment, faulty seat belts, tools and machinery, and the list is infinite.
I was also hired by criminal defense attorneys to investigate murders and other crimes, seeking evidence that their clients were innocent. I was hired to investigate accidents that occurred because bars and restaurants served too much alcohol to people who were visibly intoxicated. I even went undercover in companies to figure out which employees were ripping the company off. And I had my own cases directly from the public for domestic investigations, such as following cheating spouses, proving that an ex-wife had remarried even though she was still collecting alimony, and finding missing persons for all sorts of reasons.
It's an interesting career, as you can see, and several directions one can go with it. Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to give you and your grandson a thorough answer.
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story, Bob. Surely divine guidance was involved here. Bless you for your willingness to solve the case.
Hi Anna, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hope your weather in CT is as gorgeous as it is today in ME. Have a wonderful day and thanks for writing.
You are most welcome, Bob. Yes, it's pretty nice here in CT. Glad it's gorgeous up in ME. We sure need that sunshine. Take good care and enjoy your weekend. I'm a dog mom like Melissa, so please wish her a happy Pet Mothers' Day from me!
I will let her know. Happy Mother's Day, Anna!
Thanks, Bob.
Being an adopted child myself your story was very heartfelt. Especially since I found my biological mother when I was a senior in high school. And yes, intuition played a big part in helping me to be at the right place and right time to get the answers I needed. I don't feel I can write about what happened because...honestly...I don't think there are enough words in the universe to describe that most precious intense moment when we met. Bob, wow, just wow...your stories really take me back sometimes.
I'm so happy that this article brought back this special memory for you, Christian. I love learning more about you. Some day I hope to hear how the intuitive guidance played a part, but you know (from another article I wrote) that I respect the risk of sharing sacred experiences. Sometimes sharing them can diminish the magic. Good memories, especially one so significant as meeting your birth mother, are meaningful and joyful to revisit. Thank you for letting me know how this story affected you.
What a wonderful story with a happy ending. Thank you for sharing.
Also for the beautiful Sun Rise.
Maureen
Thanks Maureen! Hope you're settling in well after getting back home. xo