Licensing process time can take up to 60 days from the department's receipt of a completed application, fees, and fingerprint card. The process may take longer if you are applying for an agency principal license or if Washington State Patrol rejects your fingerprints.
Exams are scheduled at driver's licensing offices around the state. The exam will be mailed to the licensing office you choose on the application. When the exam is completed it will be returned to this office to be scored.
A result letter indicating your score will be mailed to you approximately 10 days after you take your exam.
You must wait at least 7 working days between exams. There is no limit to the number of times you can take the exam.
A re-exam application will be mailed to you with the result letter if you don’t pass. It costs $25 each time you re-exam. Complete and return the application with the fee and you will be re-scheduled.
Yes. Anyone who works as a private investigator must be licensed either as a private investigator agency principal, or as a private investigator licensed under an agency.
Once your agency is licensed, you can submit applications for your employees. They are required to complete four hours of pre-assignment training from a licensed certified trainer. The certified trainer provides the training and signs the certification box on the front of the unarmed private investigator application.
Once you are licensed and have at least 3 years of compensated, investigative experience, submit a certified trainer exam application with the $25 exam fee. A passing score of 90% will qualify you to become a certified trainer.
Yes, provided they are currently employed and hold a valid private investigator certified trainer's license.