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A private investigator career can be interesting yet challenging, considering the number of opportunities and experiences it presents.
In Illinois, to become a private investigator, you will need to undergo training and gain experience.
So, whether it’s your dream to become a PI or you are looking for a career change, this guide is for you.
It will explain the steps you should take to become a PI in Illinois in addition to programs offered in the state to help you succeed on your journey.
How to Become a Private Investigator in Illinois-Step by Step
To become a private investigator in Illinois, here are some steps you should take:
Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements
In Illinois, to qualify for a private investigator license, you must meet the following basic requirements:
- Be a citizen or legal resident of the U.S.
- Be at least 21 years old
- Earn a high school diploma or GED
- Have no criminal background
- Not have any mental illness or medical condition that may impact your ability to do your work
Step 2: Acquire a PERC License
Before you can start working as a private investigator in Illinois, you must acquire a PERC license, also known as a permanent employee registration card.
You can get this license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
This license confirms that you are qualified to work as a private investigator in Illinois.
To apply for a PERC license, you must first submit a copy of your fingerprints, submit a copy of your social security card, complete the application, and pay a $55 application fee.
Step 3: Earn the Necessary Experience
In Illinois, those aspiring to become private investigators should gain at least three years of investigative experience.
This equals 2,000 hours each year.
The experience that you gain should be under the supervision of a licensed private investigator or through a law enforcement agency.
When you apply for a license, the experience you list must be within the past five years.
You also have the option to gain two years of experience and earn a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement or another related field.
Step 4: Gain PI Training
Once you are employed by a law enforcement agency or by a private investigative agency, you must complete at least 20 hours of the required training within your first 30 days of employment.
You’ll learn about courtroom preparation, Illinois laws and statutes, surveillance techniques, investigation ethics, and more in the 20-hour training course.
Step 5: Complete Class A PI Application
Once you’ve completed the 20-hour training course and have gained enough experience, you can complete an application to become a licensed PI in Illinois.
To do this, you should fill out an application and submit it to IDFPR.
You will be told to include all supporting documents along with your application.
Step 6: Pass a Criminal Background Check
After you’ve successfully applied for IDFPR, you will undergo a background check.
Your fingerprints will also be processed to make sure that your background is clean and free of any felonies or misdemeanors.
You may have to pay a fingerprint processing fee at the time you submit your application.
Step 7: Take the Licensing Exam
Once your licensing application has been approved, you must then take a written Class A licensing exam that is administered by the IDFPR.
The fee for this exam is $298, and it is only administered twice a year.
You’ll answer 75 questions in the exam, all of which should take about 90 minutes to complete.
The exam will prove your knowledge of the laws and regulations in Illinois concerning PI work.
Once you have completed the exam, you must submit proof of liability insurance to IDFPR of at least $1,000,000.
Step 8: Maintain your License
Once you receive your license, you must maintain it by completing continuing education courses.
This ensures that you remain up to date with any changes in the laws within your industry.
Continuing education courses are beneficial because they can lead to better career opportunities for you in the future and even help your professional development.
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 Nita Online Academy
NITA is an online training program that is specifically for those interested in becoming a private investigator or a security professional.
They deliver all the content that enables students to customize their training at their own pace.
Program Description
NITA offers various targeted state programs for those interested in becoming a private investigator.
It’s a 20-hour PERC licensing course that adheres to the guidelines in the state of Illinois.
Various topics are covered within the program, such as surveillance, report writing, legal issues, ethics, client communication, and more.
The program is fully online and was written by knowledgeable experts that have many years of experience under their belts.
You can study at your own pace.
Upon passing this program, students will have immediate access to a diploma, which is printable.
It may also be emailed to the student upon request.
Cost
The cost of this program is $199.00 and can be paid for online through their website.
Contact Information
- Address: 250 International Pkwy Lake Mary, FL 32746, US
- Phone: +1 800-730-6482
- Website: Visit School Website
2 PI Education
PI Education is based in Nashville, TN, but offers high-quality courses for aspiring private investigators throughout the nation.
They have been in business for 20 years and are proud to have some of the best course authors in the industry.
Program Description
The Illinois basic training program offered at PI Education is a 20-hour course that meets the basic training requirements for the state of Illinois.
The course is fully remote, and all courses were developed on their state-of-the-art learning platform.
This course is to be completed within 30 days of hire.
Cost
The total cost of this course is $200.
It will take a total of 20 hours to complete.
So, if you dedicate at least 4.5 hours every day for one week, you can finish it in that timeframe.
However, many students take their time as they are given six months of access to the course.
Contact Information
- Address: 3314 West End Avenue Suite 102 Nashville, TN 37203, US
- Phone: +1 615-953-3150
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Nita Online Academy |
| #2 | PI Education |
Private Investigator Salary in Illinois
In Illinois, the average annual salary for private investigators is $54,002.
The typical salary range is $43,602 to $65,202.
Ultimately, your salary depends on your certification, skills, license, experience, and several other factors.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$39.3K |
|
$42.4K |
|
$71K |
Average Salary in Illinois
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $42,427 |
| Aurora | $42,427 |
| Joliet | $42,427 |
| Naperville | $42,427 |
| Rockford | $55,044 |
| Elgin | $70,952 |
| Springfield | $50,373 |
| Peoria | $54,330 |
| Champaign | $57,399 |
| Waukegan | $42,427 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 1,450 | $68,220 | $32.8 | $93,250 | $42,020 |
* 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
How often do private investigators need to renew their licenses in Illinois?
In Illinois, all PIs must renew their licenses once every three years.
To qualify for license renewal, you must complete 20 hours of continuing education.
Four of those hours must include ethics training.
What is the job outlook for private investigators in Illinois?
The job outlook for PIs in Illinois is good.
The profession has an expected growth rate of 8% from 2019 to 2029.
Overall, this is slightly higher than the national average rate for other occupations.
What are some skills and qualifications needed to become a private investigator in Illinois?
You must have certain skills to qualify as a PI in Illinois, such as communication skills, critical thinking and attention to detail skills, and knowledge of state and federal laws.
You should also have a clean criminal background, professionalism, and be physically fit for surveillance.
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