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Becoming a Private Investigator in Arizona may sound exciting and fun.
However, a significant amount of education and training is involved to reach this goal.
If you’re serious about pursuing a career along this path, we’ve outlined everything you need to know below.
In the end, the rewards earned will be worth your time.
How to Become a Private Investigator in Arizona
Striking out on your own as a PI is a difficult feat. Since the Department of Public Safety (DPS) controls private detective firms and the licensing of such, you are required to adhere to their policies.
It is easier and faster to receive sponsorship through an established licensed private investigation agency.
1. Preparing to Apply for the Requirements in Arizona
The basic requirements to qualify for a Private Investigator application are stringent and can deter many from pursuing this type of career.
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- You must be 21 years of age.
- No record of felonies or indictment of a felony
- You cannot currently be on probation or parole.
- Registered sex offenders will not be accepted
- No prior convictions for impersonating a PI
Over the past five years, you cannot be convicted of a misdemeanor for possession of narcotics, sexual assault, any violent acts, fraud, or theft.
2. Education Required for a Career in Private Investigation in Arizona
Most reputable private detective agencies seek professionalism from the private investigators that they hire.
Whether the education is a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a law degree.
There are also classes at colleges and private institutions that offer an associate’s degree in criminal justice, which can lead to a certificate in private investigation.
The Arizona Association of Licensed Private Investigators (AALPI) is a fine organization to find networking and educational programs to advance your PI career further.
They also provide a membership directory of companies in Arizona that are searching for recruits.
3. Arizona Training for Private Investigators
The next step in gaining your PI license is training in the field.
This can happen through finding a mentor in the business or signing up for a training program.
A good online training program is offered through NITA.
There are 2-hour and 4-hour courses that can further enhance your learning experience.
Examples are:
- Background Investigations: Guidelines and Procedures
- Investigative Career: Reality vs. Misconceptions
- Investigator Traits Course
- Surveillance and Fraud for Investigators Course
You will never stop learning in this career field, and NITA can keep you up to date on the latest technologies and social media trends.
For more information, contact NITA at 800-730-6482.
Having the right skills and traits for this line of work is also essential—skills such as inductive and deductive reasoning, as well as evaluating expressions and body language.
Learning and using online investigative tools is becoming necessary in today’s computer world. Patience and persistence are also critical traits.
You will need your relevant training and experience to proceed to the next step.
4. Passing a Private Investigator Exam
In the state of Arizona, the Security Guard and Private Investigator Licensing Unit (SGPI) regulates the activation of a state PI license.
You will need to provide a set of fingerprints, which costs $50. Certification fees are separate and range from $250 to $400.
A written test will then be administered to review your knowledge and understanding of the career requirements.
Once the test is complete, you can check with https://psp.azdps.gov/securityLicense for the status of your results.
Program: Private Investigator Career Diploma
Program Details:- Study at your own pace, anytime with 24/7 access
- Flexible, affordable tuition with personalized payment options
- Accredited both regionally and nationally
- Support from experienced instructors every step of the way
1 Arizona State University
Located at 1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, Arizona, Arizona State University offers programs in private investigation.
Both in-house and online studies are available for certificates, graduate, and undergraduate degrees.
Some of the classes include:
- Law and government
- Public safety and security
- Psychology
- Computers and electronics
- Customer and personal service
- Communications and media
Some classes go further in-depth, depending on the type of investigative career you choose to follow.
Undergraduate tuition rates are $530 per credit hour for 1–10 credits or $5,355 for the semester.
Graduate tuition rates are $609 per credit hour for 1–11 credits or $5,964 for the semester.
Contact customerservice@asu.edu or 855-278-5080 for more detailed information.
Contact Information
- Address: 1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, Arizona
- Phone: 855-278-5080
- Website: Visit School Website
2 McAfee Institute
McAfee Institute is a leading online source for receiving your Certified Professional Criminal Investigator license.
From diverse intelligence, investigation, cybersecurity, and law enforcement to Board Certification exams, this school is a recognized choice for your PI career.
All programs are accredited and backed by the government and professional entities.
Courses start at $1797 with convenient monthly payment plans available.
Contact McAfee at 888-263-1650 for further information.
Contact Information
- Address: 15450 S. Outer 40 Rd, STE 135 Chesterfield MO 63017
- Phone: 888-263-1650
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Arizona State University |
| #2 | McAfee Institute |
Private Investigator Salary in Arizona
According to Salary.com, the national average for private investigators in 2024 was $86,666.
However, the average yearly salary in Phoenix, Arizona, was $72,000.
Experience and location can affect the amount offered.
Law firms and individuals are the most likely places to find employment as private investigators.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$36.1K |
|
$48.1K |
|
$64.1K |
Average Salary in Arizona
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Phoenix | $50,850 |
| Tucson | $41,515 |
| Mesa | $41,978 |
| Chandler | $48,873 |
| Gilbert | $45,928 |
| Glendale | $48,319 |
| Scottsdale | $49,104 |
| Peoria | $49,104 |
| Tempe | $41,287 |
| Surprise | $52,342 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 660 | $67,780 | $32.59 | $103,700 | $39,000 |
| Tucson, AZ | 100 | $60,370 | $29.03 | $96,600 | $36,530 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Find Private Investigator Career Guides by State
- AL Alabama
- AK Alaska
- AZ Arizona
- AR Arkansas
- CA California
- CO Colorado
- CT Connecticut
- DE Delaware
- FL Florida
- GA Georgia
- HI Hawaii
- ID Idaho
- IL Illinois
- IN Indiana
- IA Iowa
- KS Kansas
- KY Kentucky
- LA Louisiana
- ME Maine
- MD Maryland
- MA Massachusetts
- MI Michigan
- MN Minnesota
- MS Mississippi
- MO Missouri
- MT Montana
- NE Nebraska
- NV Nevada
- NH New Hampshire
- NJ New Jersey
- NM New Mexico
- NY New York
- NC North Carolina
- ND North Dakota
- OH Ohio
- OK Oklahoma
- OR Oregon
- PA Pennsylvania
- RI Rhode Island
- SC South Carolina
- SD South Dakota
- TN Tennessee
- TX Texas
- UT Utah
- VT Vermont
- VA Virginia
- WA Washington
- WV West Virginia
- WI Wisconsin
- WY Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it necessary to have one's fingerprints on file as a private investigator in the state of Arizona?
The state of Arizona can check any criminal history records that you may have.
Criminal records could disqualify you from gaining this type of career.
Do you need a surety bond to be a private investigator in Arizona?
There has been legislation enacted that requires certain business types to carry a surety bond. Arizona is one such state.
To determine the type of bond that is needed for your business, visit SuretyBonds.com.
Is a Bachelor's or Associate's degree needed to become a private investigator in the state of Arizona?
Depending on the type of entity you wish to work for, a college education in criminal justice may be required.
For example, law enforcement agencies often prefer an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, while federal agencies typically need a bachelor’s degree.
If choosing an online course in criminal justice, many schools offer internship opportunities.
Weigh your options before choosing a school.
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