How to Become a Private Investigator in Nevada

Do you have a strong desire to help others?

Are you passionate about justice?

If so, then pursuing a career in private investigation may be the best professional path for you!

Due to growing cities and the casino industry, Nevada is one of the top locations in the United States for becoming a private investigator!

As a result, it is also one of the highest-paying states.

Between large corporations and small firms, there are plenty of PI career opportunities for fresh graduates out of school.

However, before jumping into the position, it’s important to understand the steps to enter the field, available schools within the state and online, the salary, and typical questions asked by those new to the industry.

Keep reading to learn more!

How to Become a Private Investigator in Nevada – Step by Step

To become a PI in Nevada, it’s important to follow this process:

Step One: Meet the Basic Requirements

Before applying for a license, you must meet the requirements below, regardless of your city.

You must:

• Be allowed to work in the U.S. or be a citizen.
• Be at least 21 years old.
• Have no convictions involving possession or the illegal use of a dangerous weapon, or any felony convictions.
• Pass background checks through the Nevada Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, or California Department of Justice, for those who have lived in California.

Step Two: Meet the Experience/Education Requirements

Every PI candidate in Nevada must have at least 2,000 hours per year for five years of experience, totaling 10,000 hours.

A large portion of the experience requirements can be achieved through a college program in criminal justice or police science, as follows:

A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or equivalent equals 3,000 hours or 18 months of PI work.

An associate degree in criminal justice or police science is 1,333 hours or 8 months of work.

To satisfy additional experience requirements while in college, completing an internship or two in an investigative field is always an advisable option.

Internships also help expand your knowledge in the field, as well as related topics to the law.

Step Three: Apply for a License

Once you have met the minimum licensure requirements, you must apply through the Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board online portal.

In addition to the completed application, you must also give the following:

• $100 examination fee.
• $750 background investigation deposit.
• $250 for each additional licensing category.
• Certificate of Good Standing.
• Certificate of Incorporation from the incorporated state, mandated for corporate licenses only.
• Completed child support information, where applicable.
• Copy of your birth certificate.
• Non-refundable application fee of $20.
• Passport photograph.
• Any costs above $1500 are covered by the state for Nevada residents.  Non-Nevada residents and corporate applicants are liable for the entire cost.

For those seeking licensure or a partnership, or a firm, the application must be verified and signed by all members.

Corporate licenses must be signed by the treasurer, secretary, and president, and a corporate financial statement must be included in the application.

Other requirements include:

• All diplomas and transcripts proving your education.
• Three fingerprint cards
• Three Notarized Certificates of Support of Experience
• Three Notarized Certificates of Support of Personal References
• Three years of tax returns.

Step Four: Pass the Examination

Once you receive board approval, you must pass the Nevada State Board Examination, which assesses your Nevada Revised Statutes and Regulations.

The examination is offered quarterly and is only available in Carson City and Las Vegas.

You must score at least 75 percent to pass.

If you fail, you must wait for the next offering and pay a $100 fee to retake the exam.

Step Five: Network

Networking should begin and continue throughout your PI licensure process.

You should attend conferences, talk to other investigative professionals on message boards, and join professional organizations like the Nevada Society of Professional Investigators.

This organization offers the latest information on legislation impacting the PI industry and holds networking events.

Step Six: Find a Job

After passing the examination, you must find a job.

You can either work as an entrepreneur and start a private investigator firm or work for an established company.

Attending networking events offered by the Nevada Society of Professional Investigators is a great way to connect with hiring managers.

Also, before you receive your license, you must provide proof of an insurance policy to the board of at least $200,000, written by an authorized insurance company.

Step Seven: Keep the Licensure Updated

The final step is to keep your licensure updated, and renewals can be completed online.

You must provide your license number to renew, and licenses are provided on July 1st.

The yearly cost to renew is $500.

If you don’t renew, you aren’t legally permitted to operate as a PI in Nevada.

Private Investigator Schools in Nevada

Although Nevada does not have a formal education requirement to become a PI, it will help gain experience hours and give you the knowledge needed to pass the state examination.

Most schools don’t offer a PI-specific program, but a degree in Criminal Justice or equivalent, which is highly relevant to the field.

Schools Summary Table

	Rank	School
	#1	College of Southern Nevada
	#2	Northwest Career College

Private Investigator Salary in Nevada

The median annual income for a private investigator in Nevada is $76,610, with pay ranging from $50,530 to $97,960.

Pay is influenced by the type of investigatory work, skill level, specialization, location, and amount of experience.

Regional Salary

* Salary information based on the May 2024 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Private Detectives and Investigators, OCC Code 33-9021, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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Find Private Investigator Career Guides by State

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the daily responsibilities of a private investigator in Nevada?

Private investigators are hired by individuals, companies, law enforcement agencies, or other government departments to gather evidence and information about events, activities, and people.

They use various collection methods, including undercover work, surveillance, searching public records, and interviews.

Is a license required to be a private investigator in Nevada?

The state requires licensure before working as a PI.

The Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board processes all license applications.

What types of investigations do Nevada private investigators conduct?

Nevada PIs work on a broad number of cases, based on their specialization.

Given the casino laws in the state, PIs have plenty of work and can specialize in a related field.

PIs in Nevada investigate cases ranging from insurance fraud to marital infidelity to gaming fraud, and any other areas.