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- How to Become a Private Investigator in Oklahoma
- Private Investigator Schools in Oklahoma
- 1 Metro Technology Center
- 2 Central Technology Center
- 3 The National Investigative Training Academy
- Schools Summary Table
- Private Investigator Salary in Oklahoma
- Find Private Investigator Career Guides by State
- Frequently Asked Questions
Experience is not required to get a private investigator license in Oklahoma.
There are some pretty stringent educational requirements, however.
This makes Oklahoma a good state for beginners.
Most of the training and examinations are done through the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) in four phases.
The Oklahoma Security Guard and Private Investigator Act governs both jobs, and you may get certified in both and get both at the same time.
How to Become a Private Investigator in Oklahoma
Basic requirements
Before you begin training, you must meet some eligibility requirements.
- You must be 18 years old to get an unarmed license, and 21 years old to get an armed license.
- You must also be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident.
- You must not have any felony convictions.
- Some misdemeanor violations can disqualify you, such as theft, domestic violence, or narcotic violations.
- For the unarmed license, you must be of sound mind, though that is not defined in the law.
- You must pass a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory test to get the armed license.
- You must also have liability insurance and meet bonding requirements.
Training in Phases
There are four phases of CLEET training, and you have some options.
One of the phases is for armed investigators, and one is for security guards.
Here are the four phases of training.
Phase 1 is 20 hours long and covers the laws regarding private investigators and security guards.
It also includes report writing, first aid, and fire emergency response.
Phase 2 is for security guards and is a 25-hour class.
It covers things like report writing, fixed post duties, patrol duties, and public relations.
You may take Phases 1 and 2 to be qualified for both.
Phase 3 is a 35-hour class and is a higher level for private investigators.
It includes investigative techniques, public relations, surveillance, and incident investigation.
Phase 4 is for private investigators who want to carry a gun.
This is a 32-hour class that includes firearms training, handgun safety, maintenance, marksmanship, and legal issues.
You must pass the MMPI Psychological test before taking this class.
A conditional license is available if you are employed by an agency.
This allows you to work for an agency while you are in training and getting your full license. It is good for 180 days.
Once you finish the training, you may take the CLEET exam, which is offered at several locations in the state.
A score of 70 or better is required to pass.
There is a $25 fee to take the exam.
Application
You may complete your application by receiving the form from the state website.
CLEET will verify your test results, so you don’t have to include exam information.
There are a few things you have to do in addition to just filling out the application:
- You have to complete the application form and have it notarized.
- Provide a letter or a court judgment verifying you have no record of arrests or charges.
- Copies of local police and sheriff records or background checks.
- Fingerprint cards
- Two passport-size photos
- Proof of liability insurance, $10,000 for armed and $5,000 for unarmed.
- A letter of employment if you work for an agency
- If self-employed, you must also include an agency application.
- If not a citizen, you must provide proof of legal residency.
- Applicants for armed investigators must provide a psychological evaluation.
The cost for a license for unarmed private investigators is $91, and $141 for armed applicants.
Your license will be good for three years, and you must have 16 hours of continuing education over those three years to renew.
Private Investigator Schools in Oklahoma
Training to become a private investigator is administered through CLEET, and there are phases to training regardless of where it happens.
There are two main centers for these classes.
The classes are identical at both locations.
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 Metro Technology Center
Metro Technology Center is in Midwest City, a suburb of Oklahoma City.
Metro Tech charges $450 for unarmed private investigators and $850 for armed private investigators.
Adding the security officer training would cost about $100 more.
Contact Information
- Address: 1900 Springlake Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73111, United States
- Phone: +1 405-424-8324
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Central Technology Center
Central Technology Center is in Drumright, between Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
Central Tech charges $400 for unarmed private investigator training and $750 for armed investigators.
The two schools listed above have various programs throughout the year.
There are full-time schedules that can take two or three weeks, or part-time schedules that could take up to eight weeks to complete.
Contact Information
- Address: 3 CT Cir, Drumright, OK 74030, United States
- Phone: +1 918-352-2551
- Website: Visit School Website
3 The National Investigative Training Academy
The National Investigative Training Academy is an online school offering classes in education and security.
It has classes related to private investigator issues, but does not offer specific CLEET training.
CLEET will only license private investigators who go through their training program.
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 | Metro Technology Center |
| #2 | Central Technology Center |
| #3 | The National Investigative Training Academy |
Private Investigator Salary in Oklahoma
The median salary for a private investigator in Oklahoma City is $47,602, ranging from $30,000 to $66,000.
It is a little better in Tulsa, with a median salary of $49,000, ranging from $32,000 to $68,000.
Salaries are relatively consistent throughout the state.
This is below the national average of $52,202, ranging from $42,000 to $63,000.
The cost of living in Oklahoma is also below the national average.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$38.2K |
|
$54.2K |
|
$77.1K |
Average Salary in Oklahoma
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $55,458 |
| Tulsa | $51,043 |
| Norman | $33,087 |
| Broken Arrow | $47,849 |
| Edmond | $47,580 |
| Lawton | $47,748 |
| Moore | $46,258 |
| Midwest City | $47,219 |
| Enid | $47,715 |
| Stillwater | $47,105 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | 100 | $47,450 | $22.81 | $74,680 | $34,280 |
| Tulsa, OK | 100 | $47,140 | $22.66 | $71,630 | $34,620 |
* 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 are private investigators and security guards linked in Oklahoma?
Both are under the same law, the Oklahoma Security Guard and Private Investigator Act, and both are licensed by the state’s law enforcement education program, CLEET.
You may get licensed as both at the same time in Oklahoma.
Security guards often do investigative work, and investigators are involved in security work.
How do gun laws affect private investigators in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma is an open carry state, meaning a citizen can carry a gun, whether openly or concealed, without a permit.
However, there are rules for law enforcement and those using weapons professionally.
Private investigators in Oklahoma who want to be armed must go through additional training to be licensed.
What are some things that set Oklahoma apart concerning private investigator licensing?
Oklahoma is unique in its four-phase training model, no experience to start, conditional licensing, and use of a specific psychological profile.
No experience is required, and a conditional license makes it easy to get started.
A relatively low amount of training also helps make it accessible.
Other states have a tiered education program, but Oklahoma is unique in combining investigation and security education as closely as it does.
With no experience requirements, lower education requirements, and a conditional license, Oklahoma is one of the easiest states to get started as a PI.
How are private investigators more like security guards than police officers?
There is some crossover in skills and training for all three.
Phase 1 of CLEET training is the same for police, security, and investigators.
Police work is in the public sector, with a higher entry-level requirement.
The needs of the people they serve are different.
Police react to crime, enforce laws, and serve the needs of the public.
Private investigators and security officers are more proactive, serving the needs of private clients.
Many firms offer both investigative and security services and encourage their employees to have certification in both.
Private investigators might do similar investigative work, but they do not have the authority or state resources that police have.
Experience as a police officer can be used to meet some of the educational requirements for a private investigator.
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