Frequently asked questions: Private investigators
Licenses and exams
- Where do I mail private investigator applications and forms?
- Send all applications, forms, or documents that require payment to:
Public Protection Services SectionWe encourage companies to collect forms with payments and mail them together rather than mailing each form separately.
Department of Licensing
PO Box 35001
Seattle, WA 98124-3401 - Send correspondence without payments to:
Public Protection Services Section
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9649
Olympia, WA 98507-9649
Please discard all old application and forms, and see Forms to get updated versions. If you have questions, please contact us.
- Send all applications, forms, or documents that require payment to:
- How long will it take to get my license?
- It can take up to 60 days to complete the background check and issue the license. The process may take longer if you’re applying for an agency principal license.
- Where will I take the exam?
- Exams are scheduled at driver's licensing offices around the state. The exam will be mailed to the licensing office you chose on your application. After you take the exam, it will be returned to our office to be scored.
- When will I get the results?
- We'll mail you a letter with your exam score approximately 10 days after you take your exam.
- How often can I take the 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.
- How do I get re-scheduled if I don't pass?
- We'll mail you a re-exam application with your results letter if you don't pass. Complete and return the application with the fee to be re-scheduled. It costs $25 each time you re-exam.
Private investigator agencies
- If I'm just working for myself and don't want to hire employees, do I still have to get an agency license?
- Yes. Anyone who works as a private investigator must be licensed either as a private investigative agency principal, or as a private investigator licensed under an agency.
- How do my employees get licensed?
- Once your agency is licensed, you can submit applications for your employees. They're required to complete 4 hours of pre-assignment training from a licensed certified trainer. The certified trainer signs the certification box on the front of the unarmed private investigator application after the training is complete.
- Can I have a certified trainer from another agency give my employees the training?
- Yes, if they're currently employed and hold a valid private investigator certified trainer's license.
- Where do I mail my private investigative agency applications and forms?
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- Send your private investigative agency application to:
State of Washington
Business Licensing Service
PO Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034 - Send all other forms, documents and correspondence to:
Public Protection Services Section
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9649
Olympia, WA 98507-9649
Please discard all old application and forms, and see Forms to get updated versions. If you have questions, please contact us.
- Send your private investigative agency application to:
Certified trainers
- How do I become a certified trainer?
- Once you're 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.
