Any individual who performs the services of a private investigator must have a Class “C” license.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a license, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a citizen or legal resident alien of the United States or have been granted authority to work in this country by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Experience
An applicant for the Class "C" Private Investigator License must have two years of lawfully gained, verifiable, full-time experience to qualify for the license. This experience can be acquired through a combination of:
- Private investigative work or related fields of work that provided equivalent experience or training;
- College coursework related to criminal justice, criminology or law enforcement administration, or successful completion of any law enforcement-related training received from any federal, state, county or municipal agency, except that no more than one year may be used from this category; and
- Work as a Class “CC” licensed private investigator intern. This internship is done at a licensed private investigative agency.
Examination
An applicant for the Class “C” license must pass an examination.
This examination will cover those parts of Florida law that deal directly with the business practices of the private investigative industry and the legal responsibilities of the individuals and agencies that work in that industry (sections 493.6100 through 493.6203, and Section 493.6301(5), Florida Statutes).
You must pass the exam before applying for licensure and submit proof of having passed the exam with your application.
We have contracted with Everblue, a third-party testing company, to provide exam services. Anyone who needs to take an exam should sign up using the Everblue Online Test Portal. You will then be able to schedule your exam either remotely online or at one of Everblue's facilities across the state. Remote online exams can be taken anytime 24/7/365 and do not require an appointment but do require a computer with a webcam. A $70 exam fee is required and paid directly to Everblue. If you need assistance with exam registration or payment, please contact Everblue at 1-888-502-8151 or fdacs@support.goeverblue.com.
Please note: Everblue offers a convenient option to complete the exam remotely online, but if you have any technology-related concerns, it may be to your advantage to schedule an in-person exam at one of their locations.
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Questions and Answers About the Examination
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Application Instructions
Complete a Class "C" Private Investigator License Application [ Adobe PDF Document ].
Submit your application to:
- The Regional Office nearest you or
- Mail it to: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing, P.O. Box 5767, Tallahassee, FL 32314-5767
Note to Military Veterans
The initial application and license fees for a veteran shall be waived if the application is received within 24 months of the applicant being discharged from any branch of the United States Armed Forces. Please include a copy of your DD 214.