How to Become a Private Investigator in Montana

Montana has some hoops to jump through, but it is in the middle of the pack as far as how hard it is to get a private investigator license.

You must have one, however.

Practicing without one is a misdemeanor.

There are minimum requirements, such as age and history.

There are education and experience rules as well.

After all that, there is a rigorous licensing procedure that requires a lot of paperwork and a state board exam.

Basic Requirements

You must be 21 years old, have a high school diploma, and be a U.S. citizen or legal resident to pursue the license.

You must also have no felony convictions or any conviction regarding illegal use of dangerous weapons.

If you are ex-military, you must have an honorable discharge.

There is also a background investigation and fingerprinting required to take the exam.

Experience and Education

A basic requirement is 5,400 hours of experience, which seems like a conflict because you can’t practice without a license.

The experience requirement can include jobs in law enforcement, insurance investigations, and some other investigative capacities.

You may also get a Private Investigator Trainee license, which will allow you to gain the hours of experience needed.

You will also need 2,700 hours of education, though an advanced degree is not required.

A degree in criminal justice, law, or a similar degree can account for that education requirement.

The Montana Law Enforcement Academy’s peace officer basic course will also partially meet that requirement.

Training through the National Investigative Training Academy, which involves online courses, is another option.

Through NITA, you may take classes in surveillance or interviewing.

Junior college classes on related topics can also apply.

Licensing

You may find the application form for a Private Investigator License on the state website.

There is a $250 fee for the application.

Several records are also required.

Proof of citizenship or legal residence.
High school diploma
Proof of education and experience.
A minimum of $500,000 in liability insurance.
Three written references from people not related to you.
If you are a former military you must provide a copy of your DD-214 or honorable discharge.
Fingerprints.
The state board will supply cards and instructions for getting the fingerprints.
There is a $27 fee for the fingerprints.
Once you have provided all this information and completed the application, you will have to be approved by the board.
Once approved, you may take the exam at any of 23 locations around the state.
You must score at least 70 percent on the test to pass.
There is a $20 fee for the exam.

You can get study guides, or the Montana Law Enforcement Academy Guides, online to prepare for the exam.

After passing the exam, you will get your license.

The license must be renewed each year for $175.

You must complete eight hours of continuing education each year to maintain the license.

Many other online programs for PIs are accepted in Montana.

Private Investigator Schools in Montana

There are no specific degree requirements for private investigators in Montana.

As a result, there are no schools offering degrees in this field.

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1 Montana Law Enforcement Academy

The Montana Law Enforcement Academy’s peace officers basic class is another option.

While this is true, there are ways to enhance your standing and skill level while you work towards getting a license.

Degrees in criminal justice or law can count toward educational requirements and give you more credibility.

Contact Information

Address: 2260 Sierra Rd E, Helena, MT 59602, United States
Phone: +1 406-444-9950
Website: Visit School Website

2 National Investigative Training Academy

The National Investigative Training Academy, an online school, offers classes that can help you gain knowledge and experience.

Related junior college classes can also count towards state requirements.

Contact Information

Address: 250 International Pkwy Suite 134, Lake Mary, FL 32746, USA
Phone: +1 800-730-6482
Website: Visit School Website

Schools Summary Table

	Rank	School
	#1	Montana Law Enforcement Academy
	#2	National Investigative Training Academy

Private Investigator Salary in Montana

Private Investigator salaries are significantly below the national average of $52,000 per year.

The national range is $33,000 to $73,000.

In Bozeman, the median salary is $44,602, ranging from $28,000 to $62,000.

The average salary does not change a lot regardless of where you are in the state.

Annual Salary Range:

Item	Percent
$38.6K



$52.8K



$72.3K

Average Salary in Montana

City Name	Salary
Billings	$63,053
Missoula	$47,627
Great Falls	$51,969
Bozeman	$55,530
Butte	$51,969
Helena	$51,551
Kalispell	$50,827
Belgrade	$51,621
Havre	$52,503
Evergreen	$53,779

Find Private Investigator Career Guides by State

Frequently Asked Questions

What weapons laws would affect private investigators in Montana?

Most investigators probably would not carry a weapon, but in Montana, there are very few restrictions.

Open or concealed carry is allowed without a permit.

If you do want to carry a gun while working as a private investigator, you must have an endorsement from the state.

You can get this endorsement by completing a board-approved training course and paying a $50 fee.

It is not required if you do not plan to carry a weapon.

How would Montana's size, wide open spaces, and rural population affect private investigators?

Someone with a local background with local connections would have an advantage, as small towns can be reluctant to be very open or cooperative with strangers.

The rural nature of Montana would present some unique challenges.

It could be harder to get information in small towns because of the tight-knit nature of rural culture.

The long distances would make surveillance more difficult, and in small towns, it would be harder to avoid standing out or to be discreet.

The long distances would add time and expense to any investigation.

Many rural areas of Montana have either no Wi-Fi or spotty connections, making communication more difficult.

With a smaller population, there would be fewer cases overall, which could affect the profitability of a business.

What is the difference between a private investigator and a police investigator?

There are several similarities, but also significant differences.

The difference lies in the authority and access to information they have.

How cases are investigated might not be very different.

Police have the backing of the state and more authority, while private investigators do not.

Police have access to government archives and databases, while private investigators must rely on public information.

Police respond to crime, and could be called reactive.

They do not investigate things that are not crimes.

Private investigators investigate what the person paying them wants to be investigated.

This may or may not involve illegal activity.

Requirements to become a police officer or investigator are much higher than they are for private investigators.

Experience as a police officer would count for PI experience requirements and would give you the skills you need.

What types of cases do private investigators handle?

One of the most stereotypical jobs a private investigator does is infidelity checks, to see if a spouse is cheating via surveillance.

Child custody cases, or support classes, are another family-related type of investigation.

This could also include monitoring individuals suspected of criminal activity.

Private investigators could also do background checks for companies or organizations.

They may also monitor employees suspected of theft or embezzlement.

Private investigators can also investigate online scams and identity theft.

What specific skills would be needed in Montana?

Because of its rural culture, a private investigator needs to understand how small towns operate.

They are normally tight-knit and not very open to strangers, which makes access to records difficult.

Having some local connections would probably make a bigger difference in Montana than in states with larger cities.

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.

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