How to Become a Private Investigator in Alaska

If using high-powered surveillance equipment like dashcams, binoculars, satellite phones, and drones for aerial surveillance, while hiding out and tracking down suspects, criminals, and missing persons sounds like working a dream job, becoming a Private Investigator could be the right career move for you!

Use the information-packed career guide below to learn what private investigators do and how much they earn, and to find out how to become one in Alaska!

How to Become a Private Investigator in Alaska: Step by Step

Step One – Meet Basic Requirements

There are currently no official degree or occupational licensing requirements to work as a Private Investigator in most parts of Alaska.

New Private Investigators are required to meet minimum basic standards to work as investigators.

Basic standards for Private Investigators include the following:

• Be a United States Citizen or Legal Resident
• Have a High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Be at Least 18 Years of Age
• Have a Clean Criminal Background with no Felony Convictions
• Demonstrate Good Moral Character with No History of Dishonesty

Step Two – Get a Private Investigator Education

While there are no “official” educational requirements to work as a Private Investigator in Alaska, getting the right training and education is ideal for future investigators seeking to make a lifelong career in the industry.

Private Investigator education can include taking courses and attending seminars, resulting in certificates of completion, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, or master’s degrees in criminal justice-related disciplines to help you demonstrate expertise in the field.

Prospective Private Investigators can get training at local colleges, universities, workforce development centers, and professional agencies offering Private Investigator training.

Step 2a – Get an Optional Private Investigator Certification

Dedicated professionals can also opt for national certifications like the Certified Professional Investigator Credential or the Certified Legal Credential offered by the National Association of Legal Investigators.

Professional certifications help to enhance your credibility within the industry by demonstrating your level of commitment to staying on top of industry trends, best practices, and updates through national certification.

Step Three – Apply for a Business License

While not all municipalities within Alaska require their Private Detectives to have an occupational or professional license, they do require PIs to have a business license.

Visit the Alaska Business Licensing Portal online to learn more about what you need to apply for a license, fees, and how to start an application with the correct NAICS code.

Step 3a – Pass a Background Check

Applying for a business license is a multistep process that includes completing a comprehensive background check with an FBI criminal history check and a state criminal history check.

Comprehensive background checks can take 2-4 weeks to process.

Once approved, Alaska business licenses are typically valid for 1-2 years from the date of application or renewal.

Step Four – Register Your Business Name – (If Required)

Private Investigators intending to do business under a name other than their legal first and last name may be required to register a new business name with the Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing in Alaska.

Contact the DCBLP office by phone or online to learn more about current business name registration requirements and how to register your business name in Alaska.

Step Five – Apply for a Private Detective Agency License – (If Required)

Incoming PIs in Anchorage and Fairbanks may be required to obtain a Private Detective Agency License to work legally in these areas.

Visit the Municipality websites in Anchorage or Fairbanks to learn more about Private Investigator licensing requirements, renewals, and fees.

Step Six – Apply for Liability Insurance – (If Required)

A certificate of liability insurance totaling at least $50,000 may be required for Private Detectives working in the municipalities of Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Contact your local municipality to learn if liability insurance is mandatory for PIs in your area.

Step Seven – Begin Work as a Private Investigator

Once you have completed all the steps above and received your official documentation from each relevant state or federal agency.

Congratulations!

You’re officially ready to begin providing professional services as a working Private Investigator.

New investigators can begin working for established PI firms, work as Independent Contractors for local law offices, or start their private investigation agencies.

The Top Schools Offering Private Investigation Programs in Alaska

1 The Justice Center at the University of Alaska - Anchorage

Aspiring and active Private Investigators seeking to bolster their education and experience can enroll in one of two courses currently offered by the Justice Center at U of A in Anchorage.

The Justice Center offers a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice along with options for earning an Associate of Applied Science, Bachelor of Arts, or Certificate in Legal Studies.

Courses Offered

• American Law
• Criminal Law: Murder, Robbery, and Other Crimes
• Ethics in Criminal Justice Practice and Policy
• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Legal Processes and Policy
• Legal Analysis
• Legal Research
• The Courts
• Theories of Crime and Criminal Offending

Contact Information

• Address: 2533 Providence Drive, #234, Anchorage, Alaska - 99508
• Phone: 907-786-1810
• Website: Visit School Website

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2 University of Alaska at Fairbanks

Earning a Bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management is an excellent way to learn some of the professional skills used by Private Investigators in Alaska.

This four-year degree program combines the disciplines of Homeland Security Education, Emergency Management Training, and Business Education into a single degree that can open many professional doors for PIs in Alaska.

The University of Alaska at Fairbanks operates one of the few private investigation-related programs within the state.

Students earn their degrees by attending classes online, on campus, or in a hybrid format.

Degree candidates completing the 120-credit-hour program are awarded a Bachelor of Security and Emergency Management degree.

Courses Offered

• Principles of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
• Disaster Response Operations and Management
• Business Continuity and Crisis Management
• Leadership in Dangerous Contexts
• Human Security in Alaska
• Introductory Statistics for the Social Sciences

Contact Information

• Address: 1810 Salcha Street, Fairbanks, Alaska - 99775
• Phone: 907-474-7097
• Website: Visit School Website

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Schools Summary Table

	Rank	School
	#1	The Justice Center at the University of Alaska - Anchorage
	#2	University of Alaska at Fairbanks

Private Investigator Salary in Alaska

The BLS reports the average earnings of PIs working in the US at $52,370 per year.

Online salary data reports from reputable sources show the average annual earnings for Private Investigators in Alaska are around $56,503.

Investigators working in larger cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks may command higher salaries than investigators working in other locations.

PIs on the higher end of the earnings scale can bring in as much as $79,045 per year in Alaska.

Regional Salary

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About Sarah Klein Sarah Klein is a freelance editor and writer specializing in pharmaceutical litigation and products liability. Sarah holds a J.D. and focuses almost exclusively on writing legal blogs that spotlight consumer safety issues.