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- How to Become a Private Investigator in Maryland: Step by Step
- Step One – Meet Basic Requirements for New Private Investigators in Maryland
- Step Two – Gain Experience Through On-the-Job Training or by Earning a Criminal Justice-Related Degree
- Step Three – Complete Mandatory State and Federal Background Checks
- Step Four – Apply for a Private Detective License
- Step Five – Start Working as a Private Investigator
- 5a. Apply for a local business license in your city or county.
- 5b. Register Your Private Investigation Business with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
- 5c. Independent investigators opening their firms are required to secure a $15,000 surety bond or liability insurance to operate legally within the state.
- 1 University of Maryland at College Park
- 2 University of Baltimore
- Schools Summary Table
- Private Investigator Salary in Maryland
- Find Private Investigator Career Guides by State
- Frequently Asked Questions
If you enjoy helping people find answers to pressing questions and conducting criminal investigations using the latest technology and surveillance equipment like spy cams, audio listening devices, and night vision cams, becoming a Private Investigator in Maryland could be an ideal career for you!
Gain insights into the profession, learn more about what Maryland PIs do, and get information on local and national Private Investigator schools.
Maryland’s Private Investigators are licensed or certified professionals who provide crucial services for investigating individuals, corporations, cybercrimes, child custody investigations, and supporting local employers conducting pre-hiring background checks.
They can work independently in their firms or with established PI firms operating in their area.
Follow the steps in the comprehensive career guide below and learn how to become a Private Investigator in Maryland!
How to Become a Private Investigator in Maryland: Step by Step
Becoming a Private Investigator in Maryland is a multistep process where potential new investigators complete a series of mandatory steps before becoming eligible to apply for a Private Detective license in the state.
Maryland is committed to supporting local PIs and protecting its community members by ensuring that incoming Private Investigators meet state standards for education, experience, and have clean criminal backgrounds.
The career guide below represents the steps typically taken by new Private Investigators in Maryland and can vary depending on individual circumstances.
Use the guide below as a framework to plan your journey and meet mandatory state requirements on your pathway to becoming a licensed Private Eye in Maryland.
Step One – Meet Basic Requirements for New Private Investigators in Maryland
Maryland has basic requirements that must be met before aspiring Private Investigators become eligible to submit an official licensing application to the state.
Incoming applicants must meet age, citizenship, moral character, and background requirements to legally work as independent investigators in the state.
Basic Requirements for Private Investigators in Maryland include the following:
- Private Investigator Applicants Must Be US Citizens or Legal Residents
- New Applicants Must Be at Least 18 Years Old
- Clean Criminal Background with No Felony Convictions or Crimes, or Moral Turpitude
- Maryland’s Private Investigators Must Demonstrate Good Moral Character
Incoming Private Investigators in Maryland have two options for proving relevant experience in the field.
They can show proof of at least five years of active duty experience in law enforcement, military experience, or proof of working under the supervision of a licensed Private Investigator.
Investigators without five years of experience can become investigators by substituting an approved criminal justice degree for the mandatory five-year experience requirements.
- Relevant Criminal Justice Degrees
- Criminal Justice
- Cybersecurity
- Digital Forensics
- Forensic Science
- Homeland Security
- Law Enforcement
- Police Science
- Psychology
Maryland has specific programs and degree requirements for new investigators seeking to enter the field based on their educational experience alone.
The criminal justice-related careers listed above demonstrate a working knowledge of investigative theories, legal processes, and evidence handling, which are crucial skills needed for private investigators.
Step Three – Complete Mandatory State and Federal Background Checks
Incoming applicants seeking to secure a Private Investigation license in Maryland must pass mandatory federal and state background checks, which include submitting to being fingerprinted by a state-approved authority.
Step Four – Apply for a Private Detective License
Aspiring PIs in Maryland seeking to own and operate their investigation agencies must apply for a Private Detective License to the Maryland State Police Licensing Division, along with the required application fee, background check fees, a passport-sized photo, and proof of five years of investigative experience or related education.
Step Five – Start Working as a Private Investigator
Prospective applicants who meet all mandatory state requirements and pass all mandated background checks are notified of approval by the relevant agencies.
Upon approval, new Private Investigators become eligible to work for existing PI firms or to start their businesses by carrying out the additional required steps below.
5a. Apply for a local business license in your city or county.
5b. Register Your Private Investigation Business with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
5c. Independent investigators opening their firms are required to secure a $15,000 surety bond or liability insurance to operate legally within the state.
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 University of Maryland at College Park
The University of Maryland offers Bachelor’s and Graduate degree-level criminal justice education.
Their programs focus on teaching students the fundamentals of the criminal justice system, including how criminal justice courts, policing, and corrections work.
This intensive program helps enrollees understand the fundamental drivers of crime surrounding politics, social structures, and systems of oppression.
U of M students who complete undergraduate degree program requirements are awarded a Bachelor’s of Criminology and Criminal Justice degree.
Courses Offered
- Courts and Sentencing
- Corrections
- Crime and Delinquency Prevention
- Introduction to Criminal Justice
- Policing
Contact Information
- Address: 725 Preinkert Drive, College Park, Maryland - 20742
- Phone: 301-405-4699
- Website: Visit School Website
2 University of Baltimore
The University of Baltimore is another Maryland-based school offering criminal justice education for aspiring law enforcement officials, criminal justice majors, and private investigators in the state.
Their criminal justice degree options include a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Cyber Forensics, and a Forensic Studies Certificate.
They also offer graduate-level criminal justice education, leading to a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Cyber Forensics, and Master’s certificates in Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice and Public Safety Leadership.
Courses Offered
- Criminal Justice Ethics
- Criminal Justice Research Methods
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Criminal Law
- Forensic Science
- The Contemporary Criminal Justice System
Contact Information
- Address: 10 West Preston Street, Baltimore, Maryland - 21201
- Phone: 410 - 837-5459
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Maryland at College Park |
| #2 | University of Baltimore |
Private Investigator Salary in Maryland
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 Maryland are around $53,802.00.
The salary scale for Maryland’s Private Investigators ranges from $34,124.00 to $75,390.00 per year.
Private investigators on the lower end of the earnings scale can boost their earnings by gaining more investigative experience, taking advanced criminal justice courses, earning nationwide certifications, specializing in an investigative field, or working for larger employers.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$39.5K |
|
$48.2K |
|
$58.7K |
Average Salary in Maryland
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | $47,359 |
| Columbia | $44,500 |
| Germantown | $49,104 |
| Frederick | $38,885 |
| Waldorf | $49,626 |
| Silver Spring | $59,531 |
| Ellicott City | $49,104 |
| Glen Burnie | $57,004 |
| Gaithersburg | $57,860 |
| Bethesda | $49,626 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 190 | $56,620 | $27.22 | $86,420 | $38,580 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 40 | $57,970 | $27.87 | $113,420 | $32,810 |
* 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 Maryland?
Private Investigators in Maryland work under the supervision of existing investigators in PI firms and as independent professionals who operate their own firms.
They conduct a variety of different investigation types for clients, courts, and related entities to uncover crucial information needed for criminal investigations, civil investigations, pre-employment background checks, and beyond.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Private Investigator in Maryland?
The timeframe it takes to become a Private Investigator in Maryland depends on several factors.
New licensing applicants who have already earned at least five years of field experience can apply for licensing immediately.
Applicants who have not earned the required on the job experience must complete the experience requirements or earn an accepted two-year or four year criminal justice related degree before becoming eligible to submit a Private Detective licensing application to the state.
How Much Do Private Investigators Make in Maryland?
Maryland’s Private Investigators earn average annual salaries between $34,142.00 and $75,390.00, at $53,802.00 per year.
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