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Want a career that is different every day, is full of solving mysteries, and can make you feel like Sherlock Holmes?
You will certainly enjoy a career as a private investigator.
This career allows you to explore a variety of different types of crimes.
You get to help gather and secure evidence, help people going through a life crisis, or help solve the mystery of how an item was stolen or a fire started.
This is only the start.
Let’s explore this exciting career further.
How To Become a Private Investigator in Delaware – Step-by-Step
Let’s take a look at what you need to do to become a private investigator in Delaware.
1. Meet the Personal Requirements
- Must be at least 21 years old.
- This is 25 if you want to open your agency.
- You must not have any felonies on your record. This includes any juvenile crimes that would have gotten you a felony conviction if you had committed them as an adult.
- Must not have committed any theft-related crimes, any drug-related crimes, or any crimes of moral turpitude within seven years.
- You must not have any more than two of these in total throughout your life.
- Must not have a dishonorable discharge from any military branch.
- Must pass all state and federal criminal history checks.
2. Get an Education
Once you are sure you meet the general requirements above, you must get an education.
The state of Delaware does not require a degree to get your license as a private investigator, but having an education beyond your high school diploma or GED will certainly help, especially with agencies that have higher-ranking cases and higher pay and benefits.
There are some, mainly online, programs geared toward private investigation, but there are a few other degrees that can be just as acceptable.
Some degrees you can consider are an AA or BS in Criminal Justice, a BS in Human Services/Criminal Justice, or a Bachelor of Business Administration in Criminal Justice.
3. Find a Position
This may seem to be the incorrect next step, but you can’t get a private investigator license in Delaware unless you have already been hired or guaranteed a position by a private investigating organization.
4. Get a License
Getting a private investigator license requires applying through the Delaware State Police.
You must get a fingerprint check and photo ID and pass both state and national background checks.
Once this is done, you must take a written test and go in front of a committee that will review everything and either issue you a license or deny it.
This is the same committee that has to approve your ability to carry a firearm in general and must give additional approval to carry a concealed weapon.
Acceptance or denial of your application to get a license is based on whether or not you meet all the legal requirements that are in the Delaware Code.
5. Pass A Firearms Course
It may not always be necessary to carry a firearm as a private investigator.
For those who do need to carry one, there are requirements you must meet.
First, candidates must take and pass a 40-hour training course instructed by someone approved by the Delaware State Police.
Upon successful completion of the training, you must also pass a written and practical test.
Anyone having a license to carry must complete three one-shot tests each year to keep that license.
These tests must be scheduled at least three months apart.
All of this is to carry only.
To conceal carry, you must be given additional approval by the licensing committee.
Top Schools
Get CertifiedEarn your accredited, affordable Private Investigation career diploma online with Penn Foster!
Request InformationSponsored1 Delaware Technical Community College
This school offers an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice/Police Science.
The course is 61 credits in length, takes two years, or four semesters, and costs $$2287 per semester for Delaware students and $5719 per semester for out-of-state students.
Classes include Communication, both written and oral, essentials of interviewing, quantitative reasoning, human relations, Criminal law, forensic psychology, sociology, crisis intervention, investigative reporting, and constitutional law.
You can also opt to take electives in mental health and criminal justice or introduction to terrorism.
You will complete a law enforcement practicum.
Contact Information
- Address: 100 Campus Drive Dover, Delaware 19904-1383
- Phone: (302) 857-1000
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Novel Data Investigative Learning
Novel Data Investigative Earning offers a certificate that will prepare you for the licensing exam in nearly any state.
You can also help decide if this is a career for you by taking their online private investigator aptitude test.
The entire course costs $2500.
Subjects that you will work with include, but are not limited to:
- How DE Desk Investigations are performed
- Finding missing people in DE
- Finding Missing Children in DE
- Finding DE people who intentionally disappear
- What is evidence & how to structure it
- The Evidence Document
- Google as an investigative tool
- Data & evidence security
- DE surveillance
- Pre-surveillance research
- Communication protocols
- Clients’ perspective
- DE traffic conditions
- Driving methods for different DE areas or environments
- Filming best practices
- Mobile foot surveillance
- PI surveillance Gearbag
- Required surveillance equipment
- The physics or mechanics of foot surveillance
- Covert PI equipment
This is a self-paced course that is respected by most states.
Contact Information
- Address: Online
- Phone: +1 800-943-4112
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Delaware Technical Community College |
| #2 | Novel Data Investigative Learning |
Private Investigator Salary Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private investigators in Delaware make more than the national average.
The average salary of $68,620 is a full $15,500 higher than the national average.
Once you have a few years of experience behind you, it is possible to make as much as $96,950 a year.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$44.9K |
|
$52.2K |
|
$60.8K |
Average Salary in Delaware
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Wilmington | $52,911 |
| Dover | $44,797 |
| Newark | $54,414 |
| Middletown | $52,473 |
| Bear | $51,709 |
| Glasgow | $54,611 |
| Brookside | $62,752 |
| Hockessin | $50,325 |
| Milford | $51,768 |
| Smyrna | $54,014 |
Find Private Investigator Career Guides by State
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of getting a private investigator license in Delaware?
In addition to the cost of any educational program you seek, applying for a private investigator license in Delaware will cost you a non-refundable fee of $105.
You will also need to pay for any firearms training you may seek.
Does my private investigator license allow me to carry a firearm in Delaware?
No, the private investigator license does not automatically allow you to carry a firearm in Delaware.
This has to be approved by the licensing committee.
For this approval, you will need to complete a 40-hour firearms training course with an approved instructor.
In addition, you must continue passing one-shot tests at least three times per year.
These three tests must be at least 90 days apart.
In addition, you need to obtain approval if you want to carry a concealed weapon.
Do I need a degree to apply for a private investigator license in Delaware?
While the state of Delaware does not require you to have a higher-education degree to be a private investigator, it is helpful to have one, as many employers will give preference to those with a degree of some sort.
You can either complete a course designed for private investigators or get another acceptable one.
Some of the most accepted degrees are an AA degree in Criminal Justice, a BS in Human Services or Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Legal Studies, or a BS in Criminal Justice.
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