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- How to Become a Private Investigator in Hawaii: Step by Step
- Step One – Meet Basic Eligibility Requirements for Private Investigators
- Step Two – Begin the Licensing Application Process
- Step Three – Gain Investigative Experience
- Step Four – Pass Hawaii’s Private Investigator Exam
- Step Five – Get Liability Insurance
- Step Five. – Begin Fieldwork as a Licensed Private Investigator in Hawaii
- Step Six – Renew Your Hawaii Private Investigator License
- Schools
- 1 Hawaii Community College
- 2 Hawaii Community College
- 3 University of Hawaii
- Schools Summary Table
- Private Investigator Salary in Hawaii
- Find Private Investigator Career Guides by State
- Frequently Asked Questions
If getting to the bottom of public and private mysteries using the latest audio and video surveillance equipment and tools sounds like the ideal job for you, becoming a licensed Private Investigator in Hawaii could be a great career move for you.
Hawaii’s licensed Private Investigators work alongside top legal professionals like attorneys, judges, and law enforcement officers to solve criminal cases, resolve civil matters, and conduct incognito investigations for private clients seeking answers to their most pressing legal questions.
Follow our comprehensive career guide to learn about what it takes to become a Private Investigator in Hawaii.
Get information on application processes, licensing requirements, and local schools offering Private Investigator training in the guide below.
How to Become a Private Investigator in Hawaii: Step by Step
Step One – Meet Basic Eligibility Requirements for Private Investigators
Like most US states, Hawaii has its own strict set of rules and requirements for incoming Private Investigators seeking to gain licensure within the state.
The following basic requirements must be met by all new applicants before becoming eligible to officially apply for licensing via the Hawaiian Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional Licensing Division.
Basic Requirements for Private Investigators in Hawaii:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or Legal Resident
- Applicants Must Be at Least 18 Years Old
- PI Licensing Applicants Must Have a Clean Criminal Background with No Felony Convictions or Crimes of Moral Turpitude
- Hawaii’s Private Investigators Must Demonstrate Good Moral Character Before, During, and After Completing the Licensing Process
Step Two – Begin the Licensing Application Process
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional Licensing Division is the license-issuing agency for Private Detectives in Hawaii.
New licensing applicants must submit their completed applications along with background check consent forms, employment verification forms, character reference contact information, photo identification, and the applicable licensing fees to begin the application process.
Step Three – Gain Investigative Experience
Hawaii qualifies its Private Eyes for licensing by measuring the number of related years of experience or education relevant to the job.
Qualifying careers that can cover the full-time investigative experience requirement include working as one of the following.
- Arson Investigators
- Criminal Investigators
- Insurance Claims Investigators
- Internal Affairs
- Military Police Officers
- Narcotics Officers
- Special Investigations
- Sworn Law Enforcement Officers
- Workers’ Compensation Fraud Investigators
- Vice Squad Investigations
Although the state of Hawaii doesn’t officially require its Private Detectives to earn a degree in criminal justice or criminology, having an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field can help investigators during the application process.
Investigators without four years of full-time investigative experience may be able to become investigators in Hawaii by substituting an approved criminal justice degree for the mandatory experience requirements.
Criminal justice degree holders show demonstrated proof of studying key concepts, techniques, and procedures, including investigation techniques that prepare them to work as independent detectives and in existing PI firms.
Step Four – Pass Hawaii’s Private Investigator Exam
Candidates who meet all application requirements become eligible to proceed to the next step.
Passing the Hawaii Private Investigator Examination is a mandatory requirement for all new and continuing education applicants.
Local PIs will be tested on their knowledge of Hawaii’s private investigation laws, surveillance tools and techniques, legal procedures, and ethics.
Step Five – Get Liability Insurance
Private Investigators planning on operating their agency must have proof of adequate liability insurance and business licensing to operate legally within the state.
Contact the licensing issuing authority to learn more about minimum coverage levels.
Step Five. – Begin Fieldwork as a Licensed Private Investigator in Hawaii
PI candidates who complete all the mandatory application requirements, state examinations, and pass background checks receive their licenses and can begin working in the field as independent investigators or working with locally operating PI firms.
Step Six – Renew Your Hawaii Private Investigator License
Hawaii’s Private Investigator licenses are valid for up to two years from the original date of issuance.
Licensees must renew their licenses by paying mandatory license renewal fees to remain active.
Schools
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 Hawaii Community College
About the School
Hawaii Community College has a specialized Legal Investigation certificate program that qualifies graduates for private investigator licensing with the state.
This web-based private investigator training program teaches online candidates the fundamentals of conducting private investigations in Hawaii, legal ethics, regulations, and techniques, and prepares graduates to sit for local licensing exams required to work as licensed PIs in Hawaii.
Courses Offered
- American Legal System
- Conducting Legal Investigations
- Contract Law
- Evidence Handling
- Fact-Checking
- Legal Research
- Tort Law
Contact Information
- Address: 1175 Manono Street, Hilo, Hawaii -96720
- Phone: 808-934-2500
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Hawaii Community College
About the School
The Hawaii Community College mentioned above not only offers a comprehensive online investigations certificate for locals interested in becoming Private Detectives and Investigators.
They also offer an Administration of Justice degree for career-oriented students.
Enrollees can opt for an Associate of Science degree in the Administration of Justice or select a Homeland Security or Criminal Justice Addictions Professional concentration.
Courses Offered
- Administration of Justice
- Criminal Courts System
- Corrections
- Ethics in Public Service
- Law Enforcement
Contact Information
- Address: 1175 Manono Street, Hilo, Hawaii -96720
- Phone: 808-934-2500
- Website: Visit School Website
3 University of Hawaii
About the School
The University of Hawaii is one of the few schools offering criminal justice-related education in Hawaii.
They offer a Bachelor’s degree in the Administration of Justice and a Criminal Justice certificate.
Aspiring law enforcement officers and criminal investigators who take coursework at the University of Hawaii are exposed to a well-rounded curriculum that includes the practical, fundamental, and administrative functions of conducting criminal investigations, private investigations, and policing.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to the Administration of Justice
- Criminal Investigations
- Corrections
- Forensics for Violent Crime
- Introduction to Private Security
Contact Information
- Address: 200 W Kawaii Street, Hilo, Hawaii - 96720
- Phone: 808-932-7900
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hawaii Community College |
| #2 | Hawaii Community College |
| #3 | University of Hawaii |
Private Investigator Salary in Hawaii
Private Investigator salary reports from Honolulu show that the area’s PIs bring in an average annual salary that falls between $43,802 on the lower end of the salary scale up to around $65,502 per year on the higher end of the scale.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$36K |
|
$59.2K |
|
$98K |
Average Salary in Hawaii
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Honolulu | $59,241 |
| Hilo | $56,637 |
| Pearl City | $57,016 |
| Waipahu | $54,475 |
| Kaneohe | $54,260 |
| Mililani Town | $54,525 |
| Kahului | $54,345 |
| Ewa Gentry | $62,005 |
| Kapolei | $54,165 |
| Kihei | $55,240 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 40 | $71,300 | $34.28 | $136,280 | $40,880 |
* 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
What Do Private Investigators Do in Hawaii?
Hawaii’s Private Investigators work independently or under the supervision of licensed Private Detectives.
Their primary roles involve investigating various criminal, civil, and domestic cases.
Private Investigators use the latest technology and equipment to conduct audio and video surveillance while conducting missing persons cases, background checks for private employers, due diligence, and investigating cases of infidelity and divorce.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Private Investigator in Hawaii?
Becoming a Private Detective in Hawaii can be a short or lengthy process.
The primary factors that determine how long it will take to become a Hawaiin PI include meeting the mandatory four-year experience requirement and incoming PIs opting to earn criminal justice degrees, which can take between two to four years to complete before applying for state licensure.
Candidates who already meet the mandatory four-year experience requirement for licensure can begin working as soon as their background check clears and their application file is complete.
How Much Do Private Investigators Make in Hawaii?
Hawaii’s Private Investigators earn average annual salaries between $43,802 and $65,502, at $54,202 per year.
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