How to Become a Private Investigator in Idaho

Working in a fast-paced career where you use the latest technologies like spy cams, night vision goggles, and ink-pen-style recording devices to investigate mysteries, track down missing people, and collaborate with law enforcement officials sounds like a dream job.

Starting a new career as a Private Investigator in Idaho could be the ideal pathway for you.

Becoming a Private Investigator in Idaho is easier when you already know which steps to take.

Get step-by-step guidance on what it takes to become a Private Detective in Idaho in the information-packed guide below!

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

Becoming a Private Investigator in Idaho requires a commitment to getting the right training, education, and experience needed to work in the field.

Idaho is one of the few US states that doesn’t currently require its Civil Investigators to hold any official license or certification to legally provide investigation services within the state.

However, incoming PIs thinking about making a long-term career out of solving local investigations will want to consider taking advantage of private investigator education, certifications, and opportunities for fieldwork to gain in-depth experience.

Step One – Meet Basic Requirements for Private Investigators in Idaho

Although Idaho doesn’t officially require new investigators to apply for an occupation license to legally work within the state, there are a few basic minimum requirements that must be met to qualify for a local business license.

A local business is needed by all people and agencies who intend to provide professional investigation services for profit to legally work as Private Investigators in Idaho.

Basic standards for Private Investigator Licensing in Idaho include the following:

• Prospective Investigators Must Be Legal US Residents
• New Applicants Must Be at Least 18 Years Old
• A Clean Criminal Background is Required
• Idaho’s Private Investigators Must Demonstrate Good Moral Character
• Strong Communication and Problem-Solving Skills
• Willingness to Obtain a Business License for Working in an Official Capacity.

Step Two – Apply for a Private Investigator Business License

New Private Investigator hopefuls should note that they may be required to obtain a local business operating license to provide services, depending on their location.

Contact your local business license-issuing department to learn the specific rules for your city, state, and county, as business license rules vary between cities, counties, and municipalities.

For example, Private Investigators applying for a business license in Boise may be subjected to a criminal background investigation, while applicants in Meridian, Nampa, or Coeur d’Alene have different minimum requirements.

Step Three – Register Your Business Name and Complete Optional Requirements

Independent investigators opening their PI firms are subject to different rules and regulations than those working for existing agencies.

PIs opening their investigation agencies will likely need to complete the following additional steps to operate legally in Idaho.

3a. Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service

3b. Get General Liability Insurance

3c. Get Errors and Omissions Insurance

Step Four – Begin Work as a Private Investigator in Idaho

Incoming applicants who have completed the series of steps above are legally eligible to work as Private Investigators in Idaho.

Those aspiring to open their private investigation firms must complete the additional steps listed as steps 3a,b, and c above.

Career-oriented investigators seeking more formal training and education options to boost their earnings potential and professional status can complete the optional steps of getting Private Investigator training or certification offered through local colleges, universities, workforce development departments, and national criminal justice agencies like the PIAI and similar certification-granting agencies.

Private Investigator Schools in Idaho

Top Private Investigator schools in Idaho include a mix of public and private institutions that offer professional training and degree-level education for criminal justice majors in related fields.

Aspiring investigators can get training in campus-based settings, online, or in hybrid formats designed to accommodate the schedules of busy and working students.

The following are examples of top Private Investigator schools offering online and in-person training in Idaho.

1 Private Investigator Association of Idaho

The Private Investigator Association of Idaho is a locally recognized organization that specializes in the recruitment, training, education, and networking support of local Private Investigators.

This local PI training school offers a standardized certification course that teaches new and active investigators the fundamentals of investigation, ethics, and interviewing.

Qualified members are awarded the Certified Private Investigator certification, which asserts that credential holders possess the necessary knowledge and skills to work as independent Private Investigators in Idaho.

Private Investigator trainees seeking certification with PIAI must meet their minimum application, background, and investigative experience requirements before being awarded the CPI credential.

Program Details

The following conditions also apply for official certification through PIAI.

• Applicants Must be at Least 21 Years Old
• Applicants Must Have a Minimum of 500 Verifiable Hours of Investigative Experience
• Applicants Must Show Proof of General Liability Insurance
• Applicants Must Show Proof of Errors and Omissions Coverage with a $500.000 minimum
• Applicants Must Show Proof of Current Local Licensing and Registration Credentials
• Applicants Must Complete the Required CPI Exam with a Passing Score

Contact Information

• Address: P.O. Box 4032, Boise, Idaho - 83711
• Phone:
• Website: Visit School Website

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2 College of Western Idaho

The College of Western Idaho offers web-based training options for Private Investigators in Idaho.

Their online PI training courses teach the fundamentals of investigations, the criminal justice system, and law enforcement procedures in a self-paced format where students have up to two years to earn an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice.

CWI trainees seeking flexible scheduling options to help balance work, everyday life, and starting a new career can take classes online, on campus, or in a hybrid format to accommodate their schedules.

Courses Offered

• Criminology
• Introduction to Corrections
• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Introduction to Law and Justice
• Introduction to Policing
• Writing for Criminal Justice

Contact Information

• Address: 5500 E Opportunity Dr, Nampa, ID 83687, United States
• Phone: 208-562-3000
• Website: Visit School Website

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Schools Summary Table

	Rank	School
	#1	Private Investigator Association of Idaho
	#2	College of Western Idaho

Private Investigator Salary in Idaho

Online salary data reports from reputable sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Salary.com show that the average annual earnings for Private Investigators in Idaho are around $48,802.

The salary scale for Idaho’s Private Investigators ranges from $30,844 to $68,098 per year.

Private Investigators seeking to bolster their annual salaries can take optional education and training courses leading to college-level degrees and advanced certifications that allow them to command higher salaries.

Employer size, type, and work location are additional factors that can affect the annual earnings of Idaho’s PIs.

Regional Salary

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About Tina Wolf Tina Wolf has been working as a writer for several years. She enjoys researching and writing about the government and history as well as other legal topics. With extensive legal knowledge she verifies accuracy to the highest standards.