The license requires documented prior experience, with the hours or years set by statute or rule. Many of these states let education count toward part of it.
StateExperienceState examSource
AlabamaExperience2 years of experience, education or training (incl. 120 hours of field experience)
State examYes
ArizonaExperience3 years of full-time investigative experience (agency license)Employees register under a licensed agency without an experience requirement.
State examNo
CaliforniaExperience3 years (6,000 hours)
State examYes
ConnecticutExperience5 years as an investigator, or 10 years as a police officer
State examNo
FloridaExperience2 years of full-time experience (Class C)A Class CC intern license lets you build the hours under supervision.
State examYes
GeorgiaExperience2 years as a licensed PI or in law enforcement, or a 4-year criminal-justice degree (company license)Georgia licenses companies; individuals work as registered employees — confirm the employee requirements with the Board.
State examYes
HawaiiExperience4 years of full-time investigative work
State examYes
IllinoisExperience3 years full-time within the 5 years before applying (a degree can cover part)
State examYes
SourceIDFPR · 225 ILCS 447/15-10
IndianaExperience2 years (4,000 hours), or a criminal-justice bachelor’s
State examNo
MaineExperienceOne of several statutory paths (e.g. 3 years as a law-enforcement officer or federal investigator; sponsorship plus 60 credits; 6 years combined)
State examYes
MassachusettsExperience3 years as a detective (or qualifying police/federal service)
State examNo
MichiganExperience3 years full-time, or a qualifying degree
State examNo
MinnesotaExperience6,000 hours as an investigator
State examNo
MontanaExperience5,400 hours (up to 2,700 from education)
State examYes
NebraskaExperience3,000 hours (2,500 with an associate, 2,000 with a bachelor’s)
State examYes
NevadaExperience5 years (10,000 hours)
State examYes
New HampshireExperience4 years full-time (or a degree or certification plus 2 years)
State examNo
New JerseyExperience5 years as an investigator or police officer
State examNo
New MexicoExperience6,000 hours within the 5 years before applying
State examYes
New YorkExperience3 years (or 20 years as a police officer or fire marshal)
State examYes
North DakotaExperience2,000 hours as a registered employee (the Board may waive)
State examYes
OhioExperience2 years (4,000 hours in the prior 24 months)
State examYes
OregonExperience1,500 hours (up to 500 by approved coursework)
State examYes
PennsylvaniaExperience3 yearsLicenses are issued by the county court, not a state agency.
State examNo
Rhode IslandExperience5 years (or a criminal-justice degree or equivalent)Licenses are issued locally under a uniform state law.
State examNo
UtahExperience2,000 hours (Registrant); 5,000 hours (Agent); none (Apprentice)
State examAgent only
VermontExperience2 years
State examYes
West VirginiaExperience1 year of experience, education or training (by experience alone: 32 hours a week for 100 weeks)
State examNo