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Adventure, mystery, and an ever-changing daily schedule all describe the typical private detective career.
This is a job that requires stealth, an ability to seek and recognize the truth, and a wish to see justice done.
If you have ever wondered what it would take to become a private detective, keep reading.
We explore this topic completely and help you decide if this is the career for you.
How to Become a Private Investigator in North Dakota – Step-By-Step
1. Get an Education
Once you have gotten your diploma or GED, you might consider getting a degree in an investigative area such as law enforcement.
While a degree isn’t necessary to obtain your private investigator license in North Dakota, it will help you rise above the competition when seeking a position.
You need at least 2000 hours of on-the-job training before you can apply for your license.
If you wish to carry a firearm, you will need additional training.
The licensing board requires you to complete the same firearms training as a peace officer.
2. Gain Experience
Getting 2000 hours of on-the-job training is necessary before you can even apply to take a test to get your license.
This experience needs to be under the supervision of a licensed detective.
3. Take/Pass Your Exam
The state exam for private investigators is administered by the North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board and is 150 questions long.
If you fail it once, you are allowed to take it again after 30 days have passed.
If you fail a second time, you must wait at least a year to take it again.
Initially, you will need to pay $230, but renewals cost $130 a year.
4. Get a License
In addition to passing your test, paying the fee, and completing the 2000 training hours, you must be at least 18 years old, a United States citizen, and have no record of felonies.
Misdemeanors involving theft, even shoplifting, will also disqualify you.
This includes records created when you were a juvenile.
You must also not show any signs of a mental condition or deficit.
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 Salem University
Salem University offers a BA degree in Criminal Justice, with a concentration in Crime Scene Investigation.
This is a 120-credit course that will take 40 months to complete.
The cost will depend on where you are from.
Residents of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana pay $475 per credit hour, and residents of other states pay $550 per credit hour.
Military members and veterans pay $425 per credit hour.
Classes you can expect to have include Criminal Law, Criminal Evidence, Crisis Intervention, Domestic Violence, Terrorism, Criminal Justice Research and Statistics, Ethics, Crime Scene Photography, Fingerprints and Impression Evidence, Crime Scene Management, Ballistic and Firearm Identification, Digital Evidence, and Cybercrime.
Contact Information
- Address: 223 W Main St, Salem, WV 26426, USA
- Phone: +1 844-462-9128
- Website: Visit School Website
2 McAfee Institute
McAfee Institute offers 25 classes and eight certificate programs to choose from.
- Cyber Intelligence Investigation is 40 hours long and costs $997.
- Expert on Cyber Investigations is 100 hours long and costs $997.
- A Human Trafficking Investigation is 31 hours in length and costs $497.
- Organized Retail Crime Investigation runs 40 hours and costs $699.
- Certified Private Investigator is 100 hours long and costs $797.
There are payment plans available, and this school qualifies for military tuition assistance.
Contact Information
- Address: San Jose, 6220 America Center Drive, United States
- Phone: +1-888-263-1650
- Website: Visit School Website
3 University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota offers a legal investigation certificate course.
It is $995 and covers six lessons over seven weeks.
Subjects covered in this course are arson investigations, employment accidents, product liability investigations, investigation of financial and equity matters, professional malpractice and negligence, handling evidence, and interviewing techniques.
Contact Information
- Address: Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
- Phone: +1 701-777-3000
- Website: Visit School Website
4 NITA
NITA offers North Dakota residents 35 classes that can be mixed and matched according to their needs.
They run from two to twelve hours and cost $49 to $149 each.
Some of the subjects you can study are: death investigations, surveillance basics, crime scene reconstruction, suspicious death claims, handwriting analysis, use of photography, cybercrime, managing mental health as a private investigator, forensics, criminal defense investigations, background investigations, missing persons, use of force, process serving, child and elderly abuse, ethics of investigating, and report writing.
Contact Information
- Address: 250 International Pkwy Suite 134, Lake Mary, FL 32746, United States
- Phone: 1-800-730-6482
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Salem University |
| #2 | McAfee Institute |
| #3 | University of North Dakota |
| #4 | NITA |
Private Investigator Salary in North Dakota
How Much Does a Private Detective in North Dakota Make?
A private investigator in North Dakota can make anywhere from $31,110 to $64,820 annually.
The average private investigator’s salary is $45,710.
As with any career, this amount will vary depending on where you work and how much experience you have.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$38.3K |
|
$50.7K |
|
$67K |
Average Salary in North Dakota
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Fargo | $50,200 |
| Bismarck | $51,299 |
| Grand Forks | $51,577 |
| Minot | $50,370 |
| West Fargo | $50,773 |
| Williston | $54,125 |
| Dickinson | $52,816 |
| Mandan | $51,278 |
| Jamestown | $52,401 |
| Wahpeton | $50,247 |
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 could disqualify me from getting my private detective license in North Dakota?
Any felony charge will disqualify you from receiving your private investigator license in North Dakota.
Also, any misdemeanors involving drugs, violence, or theft, including shoplifting.
This includes juvenile records as well as adult ones.
If you have any mental health disorders or deficits that make it hard to behave appropriately, you can be disqualified.
How much on-the-job training do I need before I can apply for my private detective license in North Dakota?
You will need to have at least 2000 hours of on-the-job training before you can apply for your private investigator’s license in North Dakota.
This experience must be completed under the supervision of a private investigator who is already licensed.
North Dakota does not give a reduction of hours for education received, but employers may weigh this when hiring you.
Does my private investigator license in North Dakota automatically allow me to carry a firearm?
No, you are not automatically allowed to carry a firearm when you receive your private investigator’s license in North Dakota.
You will need to complete the exact training given to police officers before you can legally carry a firearm.
As with all licenses to carry, you will need to keep this license up-to-date according to North Dakota state laws.
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