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- How to Become a Private Investigator in Michigan
- Step 1 – Michigan has rigid licensing requirements that must be met before advancing in a career as a private investigator.
- Step 2—Education or Experience is required to pass the second step of the licensing requirements for a PI in Michigan.
- Step 3 – Applying for a License as a Private Investigator in Michigan
- Step 4 – Finding work as a Private Investigator in Michigan
- Schools
- 1 Michigan State University
- 2 University of Michigan - Flint
- 3 Madonna University
- Schools Summary Table
- Private Investigator Salary in Michigan
- Find Private Investigator Career Guides by State
- Frequently Asked Questions
A career as a private investigator is a specialized job that only a few are suited for.
Sharp intuition, attention to detail, and excellent listening skills are a few of the traits that one must possess.
Michigan is a diversified state that can bring different scenarios to every case: large cities or coastal communities present opportunities for stretching your education and learning skills to the limit.
How to Become a Private Investigator in Michigan
We have compiled a step-by-step method for becoming a successful PI.
Follow these steps, and your career will be jump-started easily.
Step 1 – Michigan has rigid licensing requirements that must be met before advancing in a career as a private investigator.
- Proof that you are a United States citizen
- High school graduate or the equivalent
- You must be at least 25 years of age.
- No felony convictions
- Have a minimum of 2 misdemeanor alcohol-related offenses
- You cannot hold a dishonorable discharge from the United States military.
Step 2—Education or Experience is required to pass the second step of the licensing requirements for a PI in Michigan.
Educational requirements for obtaining a PI license are the completion of a bachelor’s degree program in one of the following areas:
- Investigation
- Law
- Criminal justice
- Security management
Experience requirements for applying for a private investigator license in the state of Michigan include 3 years of full-time employment in one of the following areas:
- Detective
- Investigator
- Parole agent
- Special agent
- Probation officer
Michigan does not offer schools specifically geared toward private investigator careers.
However, programs like criminal justice, forensic science, or security studies are available that cover the same necessary knowledge and skills used in these careers.
Some schools also offer Private Investigator Certificates that are acceptable in private practice.
Step 3 – Applying for a License as a Private Investigator in Michigan
Several forms of identification and certifications are needed when applying for your PI license in Michigan.
They include:
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Official transcript of your college degree or employment verification forms
- A copy of your Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation (found at the Bureau of Commercial Services at 517-241-6470)
- Your Certificate of Co-Partnership (found at the county clerk where your business is located)
- DBA or Assumed Name Certificate (contact the Bureau of Commercial Services, Corporate Division, at 517-241-6470)
- 5 Personal Reference forms from individuals that you have known for a minimum of 5 years
To date, the licensing fee is $750 and must be included with the application.
Step 4 – Finding work as a Private Investigator in Michigan
Searching for a job as a private investigator in Michigan does not have to be difficult if you know where to look.
The Michigan Council of Professional Investigators (MCPI) is an excellent place to look.
Becoming a member can open many doors to opportunities that you never knew existed.
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 Michigan State University
Located in East Lansing, Michigan, Michigan State University is rated 28th among the top public universities in the United States.
They offer a variety of programs in criminal justice, including a Bachelor of Arts degree program, a Doctor of Philosophy degree, and online courses.
A few examples of classes offered include:
- Criminology
- Private security
- Investigation procedures
- Cybercrime and cybersecurity
- Topics in criminal justice
For more information, contact the Office of Admissions, Hannah Administration Building, 426 Auditorium Road, Room 250, or email www.admissions.msu.edu.
Contact Information
- Address: 426 Auditorium Road East Lansing, MI 48824
- Phone: +1 517-355-1855
- Website: Visit School Website
2 University of Michigan - Flint
The University of Michigan-Flint is at 303 E. Kearsley Street, Flint, Michigan.
It has several leading MPA programs conveniently available through daytime or night classes or online.
The Master of Public Administration program has a Criminal Justice Administration curriculum that pairs well with government or private investigation careers.
Included in a 9-credit program are:
- Corrections: A Critical Perspective
- Policing Contemporary Society
- Criminal Justice Policy
- Restorative Justice
The MPA program requires two letters of recommendation, transcripts from all previous schools, English proficiency, and a $55 application fee.
For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at 810-762-3300.
Contact Information
- Address: 303 E Kearsley St, Flint, MI 48502, USA
- Phone: +1 810-762-3300
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Madonna University
Madonna University is located in Livonia, Michigan, and offers excellent undergraduate and graduate programs in Criminal Justice and Private Investigation.
Their online program can be completed in two years, fitting easily into a busy schedule.
Career opportunities through their curriculum include:
- Law enforcement officer
- Civilian intelligence officer
- Financial fraud examiner
- Anti-terrorism officials
- Corporate compliance and security professionals
- Criminal justice educator/trainer
For more information on this online program, contact Madonna University, 36600 Schoolcraft Road, Livonia, MI 48150, phone #734-432-5300.
Contact Information
- Address: 36600 Schoolcraft Rd, Livonia, MI 48150, United States
- Phone: +1 734-432-5300
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Michigan State University |
| #2 | University of Michigan - Flint |
| #3 | Madonna University |
Private Investigator Salary in Michigan
While the nationwide average for a private investigator is $27 per hour, many factors affect the annual pay of this career.
Michigan is one of the lowest states in pay, at $23.35 per hour as of March 1, 2025.
There has not been much business activity for PI jobs, but this could soon change.
This could be the perfect opportunity to get your education and training to beat the competition when more work becomes available.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$37.8K |
|
$53.2K |
|
$75K |
Average Salary in Michigan
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Detroit | $54,337 |
| Grand Rapids | $35,948 |
| Warren | $54,069 |
| Sterling Heights | $44,061 |
| Ann Arbor | $55,634 |
| Lansing | $44,906 |
| Dearborn | $54,847 |
| Macomb | $50,983 |
| Livonia | $49,887 |
| Westland | $47,644 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 450 | $56,930 | $27.37 | $82,750 | $36,340 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | 60 | $53,110 | $25.53 | $91,740 | $33,380 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 30 | $50,870 | $24.46 | $86,360 | $34,430 |
* 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 does a private investigator generate leads when in business for themselves?
Pay-per-click (PPC) is one way to drive interested parties to your website.
You are notified each time a potential customer clicks on your ad for more information.
While this method can be costly, it is an excellent way to start.
Social media marketing and content marketing are also helpful.
What types of companies employ private investigators?
In Michigan, private investigators are employed by various entities, including legal firms, businesses, and individuals, for various investigative needs.
To be more specific, corporations use private investigators for internal investigations, fraud detection, and workplace issues like harassment or violence.
Insurance companies hire PIs to investigate fraud claims, and the banking industry benefits from investigations into both internal and customer fraud.
Why would I want to become a private investigator in Michigan, where the pay is lower than in other states?
The private investigator industry is estimated to increase by 13% by 2030.
The need for expert investigation is growing each year nationally.
Even in a small business, there is a need.
For example, Workers’ Compensation claims have increased, and many are found, too late, to be acts of fraud.
This can raise a company’s insurance rates substantially over a year.
With a PI’s investigative skills, fraud can be found before a claim is raised.
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