Go to Page Section:
- How to Become a Private Investigator in Pennsylvania: Step-by-Step
- Private Investigator Schools in Pennsylvania
- 1 Pierce College
- 2 Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
- 3 Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
- Schools Summary Table
- Private Investigator Salary in Pennsylvania
- Find Private Investigator Career Guides by State
- Frequently Asked Questions
Becoming a private investigator in Pennsylvania requires that people follow several detailed steps.
The state and each of the counties have guidelines for becoming private investigators.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania still uses the Detective Act of 1953 to govern who may become a private investigator.
The amended version also describes the procedure for becoming a licensed private investigator.
It also explains the enforcement of the statutes.
Gaining the right education and required experience, properly completing the license application, and submitting all required documents are some ways for people who want to work in this field to make sure that there are no delays in getting a license to work as a Pennsylvania private investigator.
The U.S. job growth rate will add several thousand private investigator jobs over the next several years.
This is another reason that people may choose to become private investigators.
How to Become a Private Investigator in Pennsylvania: Step-by-Step
Knowing the steps to becoming a private investigator in Pennsylvania and following them can help applicants properly complete their application.
It can help them avoid delays in obtaining their license to work as a private investigator.
Step 1: Meet the Requirements
Pennsylvania has several requirements for becoming a private investigator.
Learning these requirements ahead of time will help prevent issues when applying to obtain a license to work as a Pennsylvania private investigator.
It can also help to avoid delays in submitting the application or processing it.
One example that demonstrates the importance of knowing the requirements is that, in Pennsylvania, people must be at least 25 years of age to apply for a license to work as a private investigator.
Many states only require that applicants be at least 21 years of age.
They must also meet the educational and experience requirements.
Applicants cannot have a felony conviction.
The state also requires private investigators to be U.S. citizens.
Step 2: Know your County
Pennsylvania requires people who want to become private investigators to submit their application to the common pleas court in the county where they work, not to the state government.
Check to see if the county has requirements of its own for people who want to get their license to become private investigators.
People who want to become Pennsylvania private investigators need to pay attention to the amount of the fee that is required to apply for a license.
The reason is that the different counties have different fees.
Step 3: Get the Required Experience
Pennsylvania has strict rules on who may be eligible to become a private investigator.
The qualifications include that the applicant must be a member of the U.S. Government investigative service, a sheriff, or a member of the Pennsylvania State Police.
They may also be regularly employed as a detective or with a city police department, with a grade that is higher than that of a patrol officer for at least three years.
Step 4: Earn a Training Certificate or Degree
A college degree is not required for people who want to work as private investigators in Pennsylvania.
Applicants are asked to attach proof of training or certifications to their license application.
Step 5: Submit Application and Required Documents
Getting documents in order before submitting a license application to become a private investigator saves time and prevents having to delay turning in the application.
Complete an application without skipping any questions or spaces.
Include proof of work history, education, and training when applying.
Applications must also include at least five notarized statements from people who are not family members that serve as references.
Two of the statements must be from people who refer to the applicants’ qualifying work experience.
Submit the application, documents, and the required fee to the appropriate county office.
Step 6: Attend the Court Hearing
Once an applicant appears to meet the requirements to become a private investigator, the county sets a hearing date.
The court announces whether the application is approved, denied, or continued until further investigation is completed.
Missing the court date will result in the court rejecting the application.
Step 7: Get a Job
New private investigators in Pennsylvania already have experience.
The years of experience in legal areas will likely make it easy for them to get a job as a private investigator.
Check online sites or with agencies to find the best jobs.
Private Investigator Schools in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not have schools that are exclusively devoted to degrees in private investigation.
Many people complete their education by earning a certificate or a degree in criminal justice or a similar field.
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 Pierce College
Pierce College offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program in both online and hybrid formats.
Students complete 121 credits, with the opportunity to complete up to 22 credits without cost.
Some program courses include Criminal Law, Criminal Court System, and Introduction to Criminal Justice Research Methods.
The tuition at the school is $600 per credit hour.
Contact Information
- Address: 1608 Walnut St Suite 1900, Philadelphia, PA 19103, United States
- Phone: +1 888-467-3472
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania has four locations which allow students to complete their Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice at their preferred location.
The programs at the school prepare students to have good careers in criminal justice.
The school offers the programs in the traditional format, online, or in a hybrid format.
Some topics covered in the Bachelor’s degree program include American Gangs, Criminal Investigation, Victimology, and Conservation Law Enforcement.
The two-year Associate degree program includes Police and Society, Criminal Investigation, and White Collar Crime.
The average tuition per semester for full-time students is $3,858.
Contact Information
- Address: 400 E 2nd St, Bloomsburg, PA 17815
- Phone: (570) 389-4526
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Completing the Criminal Justice Certificate program at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College can help give a hiring edge to people who want to work as private investigators in Pennsylvania.
Students who want to complete the Associate of Arts program will receive credit for all their certificate program courses that count towards the degree.
Complete courses such as Criminal Justice Report Writing and Interviewing, Criminal Investigation and Policing, and Criminal Law and Procedure.
The tuition is $244 per credit for residents of Cambria County.
The tuition is $319 per credit for Somerset County residents.
It is $327 per credit for other Pennsylvania residents.
Contact Information
- Address: 101 Community College Wy, Johnstown, PA 15904, United States
- Phone: +1 888-385-7325
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Pierce College |
| #2 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania |
| #3 | Pennsylvania Highlands Community College |
Private Investigator Salary in Pennsylvania
The average salary for private investigators in the U.S. is $52,102, as of May 1, 2025.
Salary.com indicates that private investigators who work in Pennsylvania earn an average salary of $51,902.
Things like experience, education, and where private investigators work can affect their salary.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$37.2K |
|
$52.4K |
|
$73.7K |
Average Salary in Pennsylvania
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $53,068 |
| Pittsburgh | $52,429 |
| Allentown | $53,930 |
| Reading | $52,859 |
| Erie | $49,651 |
| Upper Darby | $49,208 |
| Scranton | $48,966 |
| Lower Merion | $53,474 |
| Bensalem | $51,180 |
| Abington | $51,544 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 70 | $58,830 | $28.29 | $87,120 | $33,150 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 90 | $59,760 | $28.73 | $91,520 | $38,690 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 660 | $61,060 | $29.36 | $99,990 | $36,690 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 320 | $61,230 | $29.44 | $91,930 | $35,000 |
| Reading, PA | 30 | $52,370 | $25.18 | $82,180 | $35,300 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 30 | $52,910 | $25.44 | $78,900 | $30,800 |
* 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
Does Pennsylvania require private investigator applicants to submit to fingerprinting and a background check?
People who apply for a license to work as private investigators in Pennsylvania must comply with the background check.
They must also submit fingerprints of the fingers on both hands.
How much does a private investigator application fee cost?
Check with the county where you want to work.
Each county has its own application fee.
Submit the fee when you submit the license application.
How much does a Pennsylvania private investigator license cost?
Once approved to obtain a license, private investigators pay a fee of $200 for their license.
It is good for two years.
The renewal must comply with Pennsylvania statutes.
Leave a Reply