Florida Laws

[Donna Coleman]

Here is some information I found on the web site here in Florida regarding some violations for those who reside in florida I hope this helps

Violations
The Department is responsible for enforcing the provisions of Chapter 493, F.S. and initiating administrative action when violations occur. The following are examples of violations which are prohibited by law and may result in administrative action such as a fine, probation, revocation or suspension of license.

Private investigators may be subject to disciplinary action for fraud, deceit, negligence, incompetency, or misconduct in the practice of regulated activities.

Carrying a firearm without a Class "G" Statewide Firearm License
Failure to maintain a $300,000 general liability insurance policy
Willfully betraying a professional secret or releasing unauthorized investigative information
Impersonating or permitting an investigative employee to impersonate a law enforcement officer or employee of the state
Using force or acts of violence except in the lawful protection of the licensee or another from physical harm
The use of badges, credentials or identification cards which include any portion of the Great Seal of Florida or badges in the shape of a five-pointed star
Operating without a license

[Donna Coleman]

Here is something else I found on those exempt from having a license

Exemptions
Those who are considered exempt from licensing include:
"In-house" investigators who are solely, exclusively, and regularly employed as an investigator in connection with the business of an employer that does not advertise or provide investigative services for a fee
Active law enforcement officers while engaged in his or her official duties
Insurance investigators or adjusters licensed by the Florida Department of Insurance
Those who exclusively furnish investigative information about the financial standing, habits, and responsibilities of applicants for insurance, indemnity bonds or commercial credit
Attorneys in the regular practice of their profession
Banks, credit unions, loan companies, and consumer credit reporting agencies
Persons holding professional licenses in Florida when providing expert advice in their professions
Those providing investigative services solely and exclusively for any United States agency

[Bryan McManis]

Greetins Donna,

Good information. Written in clear to understand language.

Thank you for taking the time to list it. :)

Sincerely,

[Donna Coleman]

Hi Bryan no problem at all I just wanted to know myself and I have been reading what others have wrote about laws in their state. I just wanted to provide this information to those trainees here in florida just in case they were unsure. I am glad that I could post some valuable information. Have a great weekend:)

[Bryan McManis]

Greetings Donna,

You have a great weekend as well. :)

I was wondering if a collection agency is exempt under the Florida Statutes? You were looking at them pretty hard. Did you see that as one of the exemptions from a PI license?

Sincerely,
Bryan McManis

[Donna Coleman]

An investigator may conduct business outside his or her home state ONLY under the circumstances indicated below.



The investigation must be initiated in the investigator's home state.
The investigator may spend no more than 30 days PER CASE while conducting an investigation in another state. (NOTE THE EXCEPTIONS BELOW!)
The investigator is prohibited from soliciting business while in another state and from establishing a business or setting up residence while conducting and investigation in that state.



LIST OF RECIPROCITY STATES


The following states have mutually agreed to recognize the right of private investigators to conduct interstate business:




CALIFORNIA*


GEORGIA


LOUISIANA


NORTH CAROLINA


OKLAHOMA


TENNESSEE*


VIRGINIA

* NOTE:
California allows out-of-state investigators UP TO 60 DAYS per case.
Tennessee limits the amount of time an out-of-state investigator may spend conducting an investigation to NO MORE THAN 15 DAYS per case.

.

[Donna Coleman]

Bryan, I will research and see what I can find on collection agencies and post it here:)

[Donna Coleman]

Bryan, I don't know if this will answer your question about if a collection agency needs a licence to practice but I found this bit of information. Registration

4. (1) No person shall carry on the business of a collection agency or act as a collector unless the person is registered by the Registrar under this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. C.14, s. 4 (1).

Name and place of business

(2) A registered collection agency shall not carry on business in a name other than the name in which it is registered or invite the public to deal at a place other than that authorized by the registration. R.S.O. 1990, c. C.14, s. 4 (2).

[Donna Coleman]

Bryan I kept searching and yes you need a licence to be a collection agency here is what I found

Prohibition

5 (1) Except as may be otherwise permitted under this Act, or the regulations, no person shall


(a) carry on business as a collection agency unless he is the holder of a licence as a collection agency; or


(b) act as a collector unless he is the holder of a licence as a collector of a licensed collection agency.

:)

[Donna Coleman]

Bryan, I did one last check on the florida website www.dbf.state.fl.us/licensing and under the title of online licensing services there was a place for a collection agency to renew their licence so these agencies are not exempt under florida laws for having thier licence so if I were to work for a collection agency as a PI I am guessing I would be licenced under their agency to do work. I hope this is what you were asking :)

[Bryan McManis]

Originally posted by Donna Coleman
Bryan, I did one last check on the florida website www.dbf.state.fl.us/licensing and under the title of online licensing services there was a place for a collection agency to renew their licence so these agencies are not exempt under florida laws for having thier licence so if I were to work for a collection agency as a PI I am guessing I would be licenced under their agency to do work. I hope this is what you were asking :)

Greetings Donna,

You did some amazing work on this subject. You went above the call of duty to say the least. :)

I wanted to thank you for the time that you put into this subject. It is very informative. I will expand my own research on this subject and make any posts when and if I find out anything else.

May you find Favor here in the forums and all areas of your life. You are going to do very well in any area that you chose to work in. ;)

Sincerely,

Bryan McManis

[Donna Coleman]

Bryan, thanks for the kind words. When you asked the question I could not let it rest until I found the answer. I don't like to leave something unfinished. I think that is part of being an investigator researching information no matter what. I am ready to get into this new career change but I also know there is plenty to learn and read. Have a great week and I will be looking forward to any other posts you may have on this topic. :) :D :cool: :p

[Kim Barker]

Does anyone know if living in the state of FL, you can search for people on your own from home for someone else without having a license? Also, is it required to have a firearm or does it just depend on your line of work?

[Karen McQuilken]

KIm- anyone can do background checks on people. One does not need to be a PI to do so. But the real secret is to know where to get your information and do research. As far as a firearm, you do need a"G" license to carry one in the state of Florida. hope this helps, and good luck!!!

[Kim Barker]

Karen.

Do you know where the best place is to do background checks? Say if I were going to be hiring people for a job what's the best way to check their background or if you suspect a person has a criminal record.

Thanks,

Kim Barker

[Karen McQuilken]

There are many good sites out there. One I enjoy is www.find.intelius.com. Good luck!!

[Bryan McManis]

Originally posted by Karen McQuilken
There are many good sites out there. One I enjoy is www.find.intelius.com. Good luck!!

Greetings Karen,

I tried to access this link and could not do it. Let me know if this is the correct address.

Sincerely,
Bryan McManis

[Karen McQuilken]

Bryan- I'm sorry. The web page is www.intelius.com. good luck!!!

[Bryan McManis]

Originally posted by Karen McQuilken
Bryan- I'm sorry. The web page is www.intelius.com. good luck!!!

Greetings Karen,

Thank you for taking the time to correct the site information.

All the best,

[Omar Castro]

It is very informative all the information provided. Now if only we can get clients so we can make some money... Where online can we find them or what? ;)

[Joseph Krause]

I am a new trainee from Florida so this information is very helpful to me. Thank you all so much for your time and efforts.

Joe Krause

[Sidney Zisser]

Hi Donna,

That information was very helpful. :) I am awaiting my papers so I can become a trainee. New to upui and am looking forward to becoming a full fledged PI. I currently reside in NJ and am relocating to FL in August.

Again thanks for taking the time to find the info and pass it along.

Sidney Zisser

[Carmen Acai]

Hi Donna,

That information was very helpful. :) I am awaiting my papers so I can become a trainee. New to upui and am looking forward to becoming a full fledged PI. I currently reside in NJ and am relocating to FL in August.

Again thanks for taking the time to find the info and pass it along.

Sidney ZisserWelcome to IPIU, Sidney. :) Because you are a new member, I would like you to go here: http://www.ipiu.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=45 and post our introduction topic. We will join you in there and get you started with the first useful links you need to look at. Meanwhile, you can keep browsing these Forums you can access at your level while enjoing your reading. ;)

[Gary Hull]

Great information here. As a new member, these types of threads from the veteran members are a wonderful sourc of information. Thanks to all who contribute!

[Kim Barker]

Can we do online research and investigating in FL without being licensed?

[Technical Support]

Can we do online research and investigating in FL without being licensed?
Please read the PI LICENSING LAWS for FLORIDA in the LICENSING FORUM FOR PI LICENSES.

[Michael Held]

Wow,
I wish all the states would write their laws in easy to understand english so the people would know what is expected of them. Great information here.

[Roberta A Bryant]

Here is something else I found on those exempt from having a license

Exemptions
Those who are considered exempt from licensing include:
"In-house" investigators who are solely, exclusively, and regularly employed as an investigator in connection with the business of an employer that does not advertise or provide investigative services for a fee
Active law enforcement officers while engaged in his or her official duties
Insurance investigators or adjusters licensed by the Florida Department of Insurance
Those who exclusively furnish investigative information about the financial standing, habits, and responsibilities of applicants for insurance, indemnity bonds or commercial credit
Attorneys in the regular practice of their profession
Banks, credit unions, loan companies, and consumer credit reporting agencies
Persons holding professional licenses in Florida when providing expert advice in their professions
Those providing investigative services solely and exclusively for any United States agency

I have been taking criminal justice courses I am just 26 credits short of my AA. I used a lot of college credits from other areas that were excepted in this field that I had previously earned. although I have two years of college I still have to put in one year of internship. I have read many posts on aqcuiring this I am about to go and hit the beaten path to hhit PI's doorsteps to gain my intership credit. Florida has some tough standards but I believe it is to better serve residents here in Florida. If anyone has any fresh advice I would love to hear it.
Roberta Bryant

[Dominic Iannucci -]

Great info. Thank all of you for taking the time to research these topics, and post it on the forum for the rest of us. I am currently living in Germany, but will be returning to Florida to live very soon. I found this information most helpful. Enjoy your weekend. :)

[Robert Elliott Samuels]

Thanks for all of the information, very clear and thorough. But, what I want to know from individuals in florida is " Do you think it is a good idea to carry a pi badge in florida

[Harrison Cowan]

Thanks for all of this information. I'm almost perectly clear on the licensing laws down here in Florida. Yeah, I'm an implant from Tennessee.

[Steven D Mahan]

Great Information,florida Laws Change All The Time,thank You For The Update.

[Maria Beecher]

Hi,
I am trying to help someone locate their mother in Florida. I am doing this for free.
I am located in Maryland so I am having a little difficulty on getting information at this time. IF ANYONE COULD PLEASE HELP ME I WOULD REALLY BE GRATEFUL. If there is anyone out there with advice for me or any investigators that are located in Florida please let me know. Thank You very much.
Sincerely,
Maria Beecher :)

[Steven D Mahan]

Hi Maria,if Your Missing Person Is Around S.e. Florida,then I Can Try To Be Helpfull,

[Chris Schoolcraft -]

This is very helpful info, thank you.

I have one quick question though, from the first post of this thread (sorry I didn't see a spot to directly quote you):


Failure to maintain a $300,000 general liability insurance policy

Does this apply to PI agencies as a whole or even to individuals that work for an acency (ie. does each individual PI need to have this coverage)?

[Robin L Collins]

This is very helpful info, thank you.

I have one quick question though, from the first post of this thread (sorry I didn't see a spot to directly quote you):



Does this apply to PI agencies as a whole or even to individuals that work for an acency (ie. does each individual PI need to have this coverage)?

Chris,
I found this on the Florida's Division of License, Certification of Insurance from:

"Pursuant to Section 493.6110, Florida Statutes, a private investigative agency, a private security agency or a
recovery agency must maintain continuous insurance coverage as a prerequisite for doing business in the State of
Florida. As a person lawfully authorized to sell insurance in the State of Florida for an insurance company that is
lawfully engaged to provide insurance coverage in Florida, I hereby certify that the below named agency licensed
under Chapter 493, Florida Statutes, is presently insured in an amount of not less than $300,000 which includes
comprehensive general liability coverage for death, bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury coverage
including false arrest, detention or imprisonment, malicious prosecution, libel, slander, defamation of character and
violation of the right of privacy. I further state that this policy insures for the liability for all agency employees
required to be licensed by the State of Florida while engaged in activities pursuant to their employment."

Hope it helps, but from what it states, if you are the employ of an agency then you don't need the insurace but are covered. I'll post anything else I find on this subject.

Robin

[Maria Beecher]

Hi Maria,if Your Missing Person Is Around S.e. Florida,then I Can Try To Be Helpfull,


Hi Steven,
Thank You very much for the offer. I have just closed this investigation. If you ever need anything please feel free to email me or post something on the boards. I see that you posted this in June and I just now received the email that I had a response and it is now the last day of July - I am sorry that it took me so long to respond to you. I don't know why (IPIU) it always takes so long to email people and let them know that they have a response from one of their postings.
I want to THANK YOU once again.
Sincerely,
Maria :)

[Donna Reagan]

I see that you posted this in June and I just now received the email that I had a response and it is now the last day of July - I am sorry that it took me so long to respond to you. I don't know why (IPIU) it always takes so long to email people and let them know that they have a response from one of their postings.

Hi Maria,

Please check very carefully your AOL email settings. We have had enormous problems with AOL blocking or delaying our emails for the past 5 years, and is reason why most IPIU members use a Yahoo address.

There should be a setting to allow and permit ALL email from ipiu.org to come into your email box. AOL has it's own filters and spam blockers that are sometimes too restrictive.

Also, we have had some problems in the last month, which is not to say the issue was AOL alone.

If you wish to apply for a free upgrade to advertise a PI Email address assigned to you, read the following application topic:

http://www.ipiu.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19427

Thanks,

Donna

[Maria Beecher]

:)
Hi Maria,

Please check very carefully your AOL email settings. We have had enormous problems with AOL blocking or delaying our emails for the past 5 years, and is reason why most IPIU members use a Yahoo address.

There should be a setting to allow and permit ALL email from ipiu.org to come into your email box. AOL has it's own filters and spam blockers that are sometimes too restrictive.

Also, we have had some problems in the last month, which is not to say the issue was AOL alone.

If you wish to apply for a free upgrade to advertise a PI Email address assigned to you, read the following application topic:

http://www.ipiu.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19427

Thanks,

Donna

Hi Donna,
All my settings are fine.
Thanks,
Maria

[Hugh Goodwyn]

Donna it sound like Floida is strict with there laws.

Thanks

[Rafael J Ramos]

This was some wonderful information thank you very much. To add my 2 cents if you have a "G" license you need to have the weapon in plain site. with the "G" license you also need a consealed weapons permit to be able to hide the gun from view.

[Holly Krol -]

excellent! i turned dwn a case in missouri because i was not licensed there.

[Samuel Rodriguez]

This was some wonderful information thank you very much. To add my 2 cents if you have a "G" license you need to have the weapon in plain site. with the "G" license you also need a consealed weapons permit to be able to hide the gun from view.

Concealed weapons permit and the Florida "G" license are completly different and have nothing to do with each other.

A florida concealed weapons permit is a citizen's permit anyone that doesn't have any disqualifying circumstances (criminal record, mental record ect.) can recieve a permit, this permit is for personal use DO NOT confuse this permit with "work".

A class "G" license is needed when a class "B" security guard or class "C" or "CC" (intern) Private Investigator is required or given permission by their employer to carry a firearm "for their duties", a "B" licensed security guard must be for the "majority" of their duties to carry open with uniform and only for a limited time (case history of 3 days) plain clothed with firearm concealed under the class "G" firearms license.

Class "C" or "CC" PI may carry concealed in plain clothes i.e. private/executive security or for just general PI work as long as the employing agency for it needs to sign off on the class "G" license app of the PI.

The tricky part in Florida is for a class "C" "CC" licensed PI to work security armed or not you must be employed by a class "B" licensed agency (security agency). So if your looking to do both conventional PI work (missing persons, surveilence) and private security you must be employed by an agency that has both a class "A" and "B" license.

But I'm pretty sure a class "A" agency (PI agency not doing any security) may sign off on your "G" license app, please someone correct me if I'm wrong cause when it comes to Florida firearms laws (although I am proud to say we are one of the most gun rights friendly state) we DO NOT want to make a mistake especially when it comes to firearms licensing, it's a third degree felony in some instances.

SR

[Omar Castro]

I don't know per say but we need to make sure we don't go :)) with our posts.
Our PI Laws for Florida are here.
PI LICENSING: Florida (http://www.ipiu.org/forums/showthread.php?t=12781)
Although the preceding posts may not be :)) it will begin to have affect if we are looking for information.
This is just an additional post in assisting. Thanks.

[Sandra Briggs -]

Here is something else I found on those exempt from having a license

Exemptions
Those who are considered exempt from licensing include:
"In-house" investigators who are solely, exclusively, and regularly employed as an investigator in connection with the business of an employer that does not advertise or provide investigative services for a fee
Active law enforcement officers while engaged in his or her official duties
Insurance investigators or adjusters licensed by the Florida Department of Insurance
Those who exclusively furnish investigative information about the financial standing, habits, and responsibilities of applicants for insurance, indemnity bonds or commercial credit
Attorneys in the regular practice of their profession
Banks, credit unions, loan companies, and consumer credit reporting agencies
Persons holding professional licenses in Florida when providing expert advice in their professions
Those providing investigative services solely and exclusively for any United States agency
Great Info..Thanks for taking the time!

[Sandra Briggs -]

Great Info..Thanks for taking the time!
Thanks for the info!

[Michael J Peterson]

I hope someone can help me with a question I have.
I am an intern, so I understand this is a "CC" licence.
Do I have to get this license on my own, or does the sponsor angency take care of this.
Can some one direct me to the proper forum to fill out my "CC" license application.
Thank You in Advance,
Michael J Peterson

[Levin Melvin]

Florida law for PI license will chance Jan 08. Call the license department where you live at they should send you new law starting in Jan 08.

[Valerie Richardson]

I live in florida and carrying a PI badge is great but only use it WHEN YOU NEED TO. otherwise, why flash a badge and make people leary of who you are? It's always good to carry ID but you don't necessarily need to show the badge at every turn. With that said, I would not do any assignment without having an IPIU Badge, just in case....

[Raymond Griffin]

I was just informed by the Department of Agriculture that a new Florida law states you have to take a class in order to obtain your cc license and so far there are no classes available to anyone. :rolleyes:
They said that as far as they know (and it could change at anytime) the nearest available class will open up in about 6 months from now and is located in south Florida. :eek:

I have no idea why the law would be enforced without any classes being ready.

[Valerie Richardson]

Robert,
I am a PI for a govt agency and we have badges but believe it or not, I find that I get a lot more out of joe off the street if I don't have a badge. Now when I go into a business requesting information and they want to balk at me, that's when I flip out my badge and make my request a little more urgent. So unless you have something or someone to back that badge up, it's best not to be so quick to use it. Hope this helps. It's all a matter of judgement, discretion. Good Luck

[Valerie Richardson]

Florida now requires an exam before you can have a PI license. Go to http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/investigations/index.html and search the database for PI license requirements. Good luck