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- How to Become a Private Investigator in Maine: Step by Step
- Step One – Meet Basic Requirements for Private Investigator Licensing
- Step Two – Get On-The-Job Training or Earn a Criminal Justice Degree
- Step Three – Complete Mandatory Fingerprinting and Background Checks
- Step Four – Submit Completed Licensing Application Packets
- Step Five – Get Private Detective Certification
- Step Six – Maintain Your Private Detective License and Credentials
- 1 Southern Maine Community College
- 2 The University of Maine
- Schools Summary Table
- Private Investigator Salary in Maine
- Find Private Investigator Career Guides by State
- Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a knack for research and a passion for civil or criminal justice?
If so, becoming a Private Investigator could be the right career move for you. Maine’s Private Investigators work for private and public individuals and organizations to conduct surveillance, research, and a host of other activities in support of civil and criminal justice.
Learn what it takes to become a Private Investigator in Maine using the comprehensive career guide below!
How to Become a Private Investigator in Maine: Step by Step
Becoming a Private Investigator in Maine is a multistep process that requires prospective investigators to commit to completing a series of pre-employment steps and mandatory licensing requirements.
Maine’s Private Investigators must meet the state’s minimum on-the-job experience and/or educational requirements to become eligible for state licensure through the State Police Investigations Unit.
Prospective candidates who complete the state’s mandatory requirements listed below and pay all related application, background checks, and licensing fees become eligible for a two-year, renewable Private Detective license.
While the timeframe to complete each step varies depending on each candidate and the number of years of experience and education they bring to the table upon application, the following steps are typically required to officially become a Private Detective in Maine.
Step One – Meet Basic Requirements for Private Investigator Licensing
The State of Maine and the Special Investigations Unit have strict eligibility requirements that Private Investigator applicants must meet before they become eligible to earn a PI license.
Meeting the basic requirements lays the foundation for becoming a PI in Maine.
Basic Requirements Include Meeting the Following Standards
- Complete a Notarized Licensing Application
- Complete High School or Earn an Equivalent
- Have a Clean Criminal Background with No Felony Convictions
- Be of Good Moral Character
- No History of Drug or Alcohol Abuse
- No Dishonorable Discharges from Military Service
- Be at Least 18 Years Old
Step Two – Get On-The-Job Training or Earn a Criminal Justice Degree
Maine requires its new Private Investigators to demonstrate competency in the field by showing proof of a minimum of six years of combined investigative and criminal justice experience.
Incoming candidates can demonstrate experience or education through one of the following methods.
Relevant Criminal Justice Degrees for Maine’s Private Detectives
- Forensic Science
- Homeland Security
- Law Enforcement
- Police Science
- Psychology
- Field Experience Alternatives to Criminal Justice Degrees
- Proof of Former Law Enforcement Experience
- Proof of Military Police Experience
- Proof of Previous Licensed Private Investigator Work in Any US State
Step Three – Complete Mandatory Fingerprinting and Background Checks
New applicants applying for a Private Investigator license in Maine must complete mandatory background checks and fingerprint screenings as part of the licensing process.
Applicants can expect to submit a fingerprint card, consent for a criminal background check, consent for a mental health background check, and pay relevant fees.
All relevant checks must come back clear to be issued a PI license by the Maine State Police Special Investigations Unit.
Step Four – Submit Completed Licensing Application Packets
The licensing process requires Maine detectives to submit a completed licensing application packet and the relevant state fees required to process the application.
Completed Private Detective licensing application packets submitted to the Maine State Police Special Investigations Unit should include the following:
- Completed Private Detective Application Form
- Proof of Six Years of Investigative Experience or Education
- Maine State Fingerprint Card
- Background Check Consent Form
- 3 Character References
- 1 Passport-Sized Photograph of the Applicant
- Application Fee – $550
- Proof of $10,000 Surety Bond or Liability Insurance
Step Five – Get Private Detective Certification
Applicants who have completed all of Maine’s requirements can earn optional Private Investigator certifications to boost their credibility and experience in the field.
Top certifications for Private Investigators can include:
- Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) administered by the National Association of Legal Investigators
- Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) administered by ASIS International.
Step Six – Maintain Your Private Detective License and Credentials
Maine’s licensed and certified Private Detectives must periodically complete a series of continuing education courses and activities to maintain their credentials.
Contact your credential-issuing authority and local professional organizations to learn more about what activities and courses qualify for continuing education credits to maintain your Private Detective license.
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 Southern Maine Community College
Southern Maine Community College offers a comprehensive Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice program for Maine-based students seeking to start or boost careers in law enforcement, private investigations, and the legal field.
Their two-year degree program provides full-time and part-time training options for Private Investigator hopefuls seeking entry-level and continuing education.
Aspiring Private Eyes can take courses at SMCC to gain a comprehensive introduction to the world of criminal justice, law enforcement, and private investigations.
Courses Offered
- Criminal Investigation
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Introduction to Criminology
- Laws of Arrest, Search, and Seizure
- Substantive Criminal Law
Contact Information
- Address: 2 Fort Road, South Portland, Maine - 04106
- Phone: 207-741-5500
- Website: Visit School Website
2 The University of Maine
The Department of Sociology at the University of Maine provides another pathway for local degree-seeking students to get a criminal justice education.
Their interdisciplinary studies programs equip students with a liberal arts foundation, fundamental skills, and practical skills needed to work in fields related to criminal justice, law enforcement, and investigations.
Students who enroll at the U of M gain access to immersive learning environments, real-life scenarios, and top-notch education from a team of legal instructors with years of professional experience in the field.
Courses Offered
- Corrections
- Criminal Justice Core
- Criminological Theory
- Domestic Violence
- Law and Society
Contact Information
- Address: Orono, Maine - 04469
- Phone: 207=581-1561
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Southern Maine Community College |
| #2 | The University of Maine |
Private Investigator Salary in Maine
The salary scale for Maine’s licensed Private Investigators ranges from $41,832 to $55,913 per year.
Online salary data report from a reputable source, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, shows that the average annual salary for Private Investigators in Maine is around $48,628 a year.
Private investigators on the lower end of the earnings scale can boost their earnings by gaining more investigative experience in the field, taking advanced criminal justice courses, earning nationwide certifications, specializing in an investigative field, or working for larger employers.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$38.2K |
|
$53.2K |
|
$53.2K |
Average Salary in Maine
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $54,330 |
| Lewiston | $53,158 |
| Bangor | $50,200 |
| South Portland | $52,195 |
| Auburn | $51,313 |
| Scarborough | $52,737 |
| Brunswick | $51,827 |
| Biddeford | $51,580 |
| Sanford | $50,898 |
| Saco | $51,511 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 50 | $44,010 | $21.16 | $51,830 | $40,110 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 110 | $51,170 | $24.6 | $65,310 | $39,370 |
* 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 Maine?
Private Investigators in Maine carry out investigative tasks that include researching criminal and civil matters for individuals, corporations, governments, and local area businesses.
Licensed PIs typically conduct surveillance, complete due diligence for pre-employment background checks, help locate missing persons through skip tracing, technology, and assist law enforcement agents and attorneys in criminal or civil investigations.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Private Investigator in Maine?
The timeframe it takes to become a licensed Private Detective in Maine varies and depends on each candidate.
Candidates with previous military, law enforcement, and investigative experience typically become licensed much faster than brand-new candidates with no field experience or college-level degree.
How Much Do Private Investigators Make in Maine?
Maine’s Private Investigators earn annual salaries that typically fall between $41,832 and $55,913.
The average annual salary for Private Detectives in Maine comes in at around $48,628 per year.
Investigators with college-level degrees, certification credentials, and more years of field experience will typically command higher salaries than entry-level PIs.
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