PI LICENSING: Illinois

[Judy Snyder]

The following are the Illinois Exemptions to being licensed:

NO PI LICENSE NEEDED:
(If you fall into the following exempted categories)

Sec. 30. Exemptions to licensing:
(a) The Private Investigators Licensing Act does not apply to:

1. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person provides any service that this Act does not prohibit as regulated in this State under any other Act from engaging in the practice for which they are licensed, provided that they do not represent themselves by any title prohibited by this Act.
   
   
2. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person is engaged exclusively and employed by a person, firm, association, or corporation in the business of transporting property or persons in interstate commerce and making an investigation related to the business of that employer.
   
   
3. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: Any person is employed exclusively and regularly by one employer in connection with the affairs of that employer only and there exists an employer/employee relationship.
   
   
4. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person provides Information for employment purposes.
   
   
5. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person provides tracing and compiling lineage or ancestry.
   
   
6. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: An attorney-at-law is licensed to practice in Illinois while engaging in the practice of law.
   
   
7. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person is engaged exclusively in the business of obtaining and furnishing information as to the financial rating or credit worthiness of persons;
   
   
8. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person provides consumer reports in connection with Credit transactions involving the consumer on whom the information is to be furnished and involving the extensions of credit to the consumer.
   
   
9. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who provides services under the Illinois Public Accounting Act if performed in the course of their professional practice.
   
   
10. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person provides Information for the underwriting of insurance involving the consumer.
    
    
11. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED FOR: An officer or employee of the United States, this State, or any political subdivision of either while the officer or employee is engaged in the performance of his or her official duties within the course and scope of his or her employment with the United States, this State, or any political subdivision of either.
    
    
12. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED FOR: Insurance adjusters legally employed or under contract as adjusters and who engage in no other investigative activities other than those directly connected with adjustment of claims against an insurance company or self-insured by which they are employed or with which they have a contract.
    
    
13. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED FOR: Any law enforcement officer, as defined in the Illinois Police Training Act, who has successfully completed the requirements of basic law enforcement and firearms training as prescribed by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, employed by an employer in connection with the affairs of that employer, provided he or she is exclusively employed by the employer during the hours or times he or she is scheduled to work for that employer, and there exists an employer and employee relationship.
    
    
14. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED FOR: A person who sells burglar alarm systems and does not install, monitor, maintain, alter, repair, service, or respond to burglar alarm systems at protected premises or premises to be protected, provided:
    
    (i) The burglar alarm systems are approved either by Underwriters Laboratories or another authoritative source recognized by the Department and are identified by a federally registered trademark.
    
    (ii) The owner of the trademark has expressly authorized the person to sell the trademark owner's products, and the person provides proof of this authorization upon the request of the Department.
    
    (iii) The owner of the trademark maintains, and provides upon the Department's request, a certificate evidencing insurance for bodily injury or property damage arising from faulty or defective products in an amount not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit; provided that the policy of insurance need not relate exclusively to burglar alarm systems.
    
    
15. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED FOR: A person who sells, installs, maintains, or repairs automobile alarm systems.
    
    
16. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person provides professional engineering as defined in the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989.
    
    (L) The practice of structural engineering as defined in the Structural Engineering Practice Act of 1989.
    
    (M) The practice of architecture as defined in the Illinois Architecture Practice Act of 1989.
    
    
17. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED FOR: A person who provides servicing, installing, repairing, or rebuilding automotive locks by automotive service dealers, as long as they do not hold themselves out to the public as locksmiths.
    
    
18. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED FOR: A person who provides opening a lock in an emergency situation, as long as they do not hold themselves out to the public as locksmiths.
    
    
19. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED FOR: A person who provides duplicating keys, from installing, servicing, repairing, rebuilding, reprogramming, or maintaining electronic garage door devices or from selling locks or similar security accessories not prohibited from sale by the State of Illinois, as long as they do not hold themselves out to the public as locksmiths.
    
    
20. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED FOR: A person who provides the installation or removal of complete locks or locking devices by members of the building trades when doing so in the course of residential or commercial new construction or remodeling, as long as they do not hold themselves out to the public as locksmiths.
    
    
21. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED FOR: A person who provides towing services, repossessors, or auto clubs from opening automotive locks in the normal course of their duties, as long as they do not hold themselves out to the public as locksmiths. Additionally, this Act shall not prohibit employees of towing services from opening motor vehicle locks to enable a vehicle to be moved without towing, provided that the towing service does not hold itself out to the public, by yellow page advertisement, through a sign at the facilities of the towing service, or by any other advertisement, as a locksmith.
    
    
22. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED FOR: A person who provides the practice of locksmithing by students in the course of study in programs approved by the Department, provided that the students do not hold themselves out to the public as locksmiths.
    
    (G) Servicing, installing, repairing, or rebuilding locks by a lock manufacturer or anyone employed by a lock manufacturer, as long as they do not hold themselves out to the public as locksmiths.
    
    (H) The provision of any of the products or services in the practice of locksmithing as identified in Section 5 of this Act by a business licensed by the State of Illinois as a private alarm contractor or private alarm contractor agency, as long as the principal purpose of the services provided to a customer is not the practice of locksmithing and the business does not hold itself out to the public as a locksmith agency.
    
    (I) Any maintenance employee of a property management company at a multi-family residential building from servicing, installing, repairing, or opening locks for tenants as long as the maintenance employee does not hold himself or herself out to the public as a locksmith.
    
    
23. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED FOR: A person who provides fire protection engineering, including the design, testing, and inspection of fire protection systems.
    
    
24. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person provides services under the Illinois Public Accounting Act if performed in the course of their professional practice.
    
    
    (Source: P.A. 89-366, eff. 1-1-96; 90-436, eff. 1-1-98; 90-633, eff. 7-24-98; 91-91, eff. 1-1-00.)

OTHER LINKS:

Look up a PI License:

https://www.idfpr.com/DPR/licenselookup/default.asp

http://www.idfpr.com

PI Licensing Law for Illinois

PS: See the Educational Forum too. There's a book there that has all the states regs.

---

Copy of non-interpretative exemptions:

2004:

Sec. 15‑5. Exemptions; private detective.

The provisions of this Act relating to the licensure of private detectives do not apply to any of the following:

(1) An employee of the United States, Illinois, or a political subdivision of either while the employee is engaged in the performance of his or her official duties within the scope of his or her employment. However, any such person who offers his or her services as a private detective or uses a similar title when these services are performed for compensation or other consideration, whether received directly or indirectly, is subject to this Act.

(2) A person, firm, or other entity engaged exclusively in tracing and compiling lineage or ancestry who does not hold himself or herself out to be a private detective.

(3) A person engaged exclusively in obtaining and furnishing information as to the financial rating or creditworthiness of persons or a person who provides reports in connection with (i) consumer credit transactions, (ii) information for employment purposes, or (iii) information for the underwriting of consumer insurance.

(4) Insurance adjusters employed or under contract as adjusters who engage in no other investigative activities other than those directly connected with adjustment of claims against an insurance company or a self‑insured entity by which they are employed or with which they have a contract. No insurance adjuster or company may use the term "investigation" or any derivative thereof, in its name or in its advertising.

----------
Sec. 10‑10. General exemptions.

This Act does not apply to any of the following:

(1) A person, firm, or corporation engaging in fire protection engineering, including the design, testing, and inspection of fire protection systems.

(2) The practice of professional engineering as defined in the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989.

(3) The practice of structural engineering as defined in the Structural Engineering Practice Act of 1989.

(4) The practice of architecture as defined in the Illinois Architecture Practice Act of 1989.

(5) The activities of persons or firms licensed under the Illinois Public Accounting Act if performed in the course of their professional practice.

(6) An attorney licensed to practice in Illinois while engaging in the practice of law.

(7) A person engaged exclusively and employed by a person, firm, association, or corporation in the business of transporting persons or property in interstate commerce and making an investigation related to the business of that employer.

(8) A person who provides canine odor detection services to a unit of federal, State, or local government on an emergency call‑out or volunteer and not‑for‑hire basis.

---

2001:

1. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person is engaged exclusively and employed by a person, firm, association, or corporation in the business of transporting persons or property in interstate commerce and making an investigation related to the business of that employer.
   
   
2. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: Any person, watchman, or guard employed exclusively and regularly by one employer in connection with the affairs of that employer only and there exists an employer/employee relationship.
   
   
3. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person engaged exclusively in the business of obtaining and furnishing information as to the financial rating or credit worthiness of persons;
   
   
4. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who provides consumer reports in connection with Credit transactions involving the consumer on whom the information is to be furnished and involving the extensions of credit to the consumer.
   
   
5. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who provides Information for employment purposes.
   
   
6. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who provides Information for the underwriting of insurance involving the consumer.
   
   
7. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: An attorney-at-law licensed to practice in Illinois while engaging in the practice of law.
   
   
8. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: An officer or employee of the United States, this State, or any political subdivision of either while the officer or employee is engaged in the performance of his or her official duties within the course and scope of his or her employment with the United States, this State, or any political subdivision of either.
   
   
9. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: Insurance adjusters legally employed or under contract as adjusters and who engage in no other investigative activities other than those directly connected with adjustment of claims against an insurance company or self-insured by which they are employed or with which they have a contract.
   
   
10. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: Any law enforcement officer, as defined in the Illinois Police Training Act, who has successfully completed the requirements of basic law enforcement and firearms training as prescribed by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, employed by an employer in connection with the affairs of that employer, provided he or she is exclusively employed by the employer during the hours or times he or she is scheduled to work for that employer, and there exists an employer and employee relationship.
    
    
11. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who sells burglar alarm systems and does not install, monitor, maintain, alter, repair, service, or respond to burglar alarm systems at protected premises or premises to be protected, provided:
    
    (i) The burglar alarm systems are approved either by Underwriters Laboratories or another authoritative source recognized by the Department and are identified by a federally registered trademark.
    
    (ii) The owner of the trademark has expressly authorized the person to sell the trademark owner's products, and the person provides proof of this authorization upon the request of the Department.
    
    (iii) The owner of the trademark maintains, and provides upon the Department's request, a certificate evidencing insurance for bodily injury or property damage arising from faulty or defective products in an amount not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit; provided that the policy of insurance need not relate exclusively to burglar alarm systems.
    
    
12. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who sells, installs, maintains, or repairs automobile alarm systems.
    
    
13. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who provides tracing and compiling lineage or ancestry.
    
    
14. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who provides servicing, installing, repairing, or rebuilding automotive locks by automotive service dealers, as long as they do not hold themselves out to the public as locksmiths.
    
    
15. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who provides opening a lock in an emergency situation, as long as they do not hold themselves out to the public as locksmiths.
    
    
16. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who provides duplicating keys, from installing, servicing, repairing, rebuilding, reprogramming, or maintaining electronic garage door devices or from selling locks or similar security accessories not prohibited from sale by the State of Illinois, as long as they do not hold themselves out to the public as locksmiths.
    
    
17. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who provides the installation or removal of complete locks or locking devices by members of the building trades when doing so in the course of residential or commercial new construction or remodeling, as long as they do not hold themselves out to the public as locksmiths.
    
    
18. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who provides towing services, repossessors, or auto clubs from opening automotive locks in the normal course of their duties, as long as they do not hold themselves out to the public as locksmiths. Additionally, this Act shall not prohibit employees of towing services from opening motor vehicle locks to enable a vehicle to be moved without towing, provided that the towing service does not hold itself out to the public, by yellow page advertisement, through a sign at the facilities of the towing service, or by any other advertisement, as a locksmith.
    
19. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who provides the practice of locksmithing by students in the course of study in programs approved by the Department, provided that the students do not hold themselves out to the public as locksmiths.
    
    (G) Servicing, installing, repairing, or rebuilding locks by a lock manufacturer or anyone employed by a lock manufacturer, as long as they do not hold themselves out to the public as locksmiths.
    
    (H) The provision of any of the products or services in the practice of locksmithing as identified in Section 5 of this Act by a business licensed by the State of Illinois as a private alarm contractor or private alarm contractor agency, as long as the principal purpose of the services provided to a customer is not the practice of locksmithing and the business does not hold itself out to the public as a locksmith agency.
    
    (I) Any maintenance employee of a property management company at a multi-family residential building from servicing, installing, repairing, or opening locks for tenants as long as the maintenance employee does not hold himself or herself out to the public as a locksmith.
    
    
20. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who provides fire protection engineering, including the design, testing, and inspection of fire protection systems.
    
    
21. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who provides professional engineering as defined in the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989.
    
    (L) The practice of structural engineering as defined in the Structural Engineering Practice Act of 1989.
    
    (M) The practice of architecture as defined in the Illinois Architecture Practice Act of 1989.
    
    
22. NO PI LICENSE NEEDED IF: A person who provides any service that this Act does not prohibit as regulated in this State under any other Act from engaging in the practice for which they are licensed, provided that they do not represent themselves by any title prohibited by this Act.
    (Source: P.A. 89-366, eff. 1-1-96; 90-436, eff. 1-1-98; 90-633, eff. 7-24-98; 91-91, eff. 1-1-00.)

[Christine Anderson -]

Here is the address for Licensing in the state of Illinois.

Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786

[Sandra Johnson -]

Hey thank you for the input.

[Crystal Breezee]

It sounds to me like the Illinois laws are stating that a person needs to have some kind of experience in this field to be licensed. I am not sure if I am interpreting this the wrong way but I was hoping someone could clarify this for me. Also are they also stating that I would need at least an associates degree in a related field?

[Carolyn Kemph]

I have gone to the URL's that everyone has listed and read just about everything there is to read about the Illinois laws on PI's but have failed to completely understand them.. I feel like you have to be a lawyer to do so..

Can anyone help me out with figuring out exactly what the law states?

What I get out of it is that I do not need a license from the state unless I am going to go into business for myself..

And that if IPIU places me I will still be working for these companies, therefore not working on my own or for my own business, etc..

I also believe that the law is telling me that you have to do PI work for 3-5 years BEFORE you can even apply for a PI license through the state..

Is this all correct?

Can anyone tell me anything else I will need to know about these laws and what else I need to do before doing any PI work besides gaining my PERC card?

It seems as though other future trainees from Illinois also have these questions.

Thank you for any help that you can provide..

Sincerely,
Carolyn Kemph

[Admin]

Carolyn, please read the the exemptions above and keep your questions to this topic regarding licensing.

Thank you for your support.

[Odell Jamison]

I think Carolyn asked a very good question. I'm not intrested in exemptions. I want to know what I have to do to obtain a license in Illinois. I down loaded the application and regulations for licensure and it is confusing. It appears more suited for security guards and lock smiths. Do you have exact and clear details as to what members must do to obtain a license in Illinois ?

[Stephen Emmett]

Odell if you go to www.dpr.state.Il.us and then click on Private Investigator requirements a big 29 page Adobe PF is available.
But to cut to the chase. You have to have either three years of experience , which are several ways to obtain the experience,to set for the exam, or bachelors degree criminal justice and 1 year of experience or Associates degree and 2 years of investigation experience within a Five year period of taking the state exam. Write me if I can be of more help. I am a forner Illinois Police Officer and was a Licensced P.I. In Georgia, and am now interested in opening an office in the Chicago area. If I can help Please advise. Stephen

[Stephen Emmett]

Originally posted by Crystal Breezee
It sounds to me like the Illinois laws are stating that a person needs to have some kind of experience in this field to be licensed. I am not sure if I am interpreting this the wrong way but I was hoping someone could clarify this for me. Also are they also stating that I would need at least an associates degree in a related field?

Crystal Please see reply I posted on Nov.23 2002, if I can help just e-mail. Good Luck

[Joe McCool -]

Hi stephen! Thanks for your information regarding licensing in Illinois. I just moved here from washington and I have a lot of questions, would love to talk with you more about P I work in general, Hope to talk with you soon.

[Henry Anderson]

A company from"CALF. LA" call me up after posting a resume on monster.com asking to use my license to start up in chicago

I said yes when I was ask did I have a license I do but not for starting up a business.

But There's two type of licensing be stated.

[Admin]

Originally posted by Odell Jamison
I'm not intrested in exemptions.

That's too bad.

There were no licensing laws when private investigators were doing their jobs for over 100 years. Then along came some people who thought they should lock down the PI business and regulate private investigators through licensing. And there is some good in licensing, but the lawmakers control the licensing boards so they don't get too carried away.

That is why there are un-regulated areas of privae investigators. We have members that have been doing investigations for over 20 years with no license by working for criminal and civil law firms. They don't need license.

While some IPIU union members are waiting and waiting and waiting, other members are raking in lots of paid assignments and building their experience rating for their own license down the road. Or better, getting an offer from a law firm to hire on.

Originally posted by Odell Jamison
I want to know what I have to do to obtain a license in Illinois.

For IPIU union members, we have a private forum titled OBTAINING YOUR LICENSE.

In that forum IPIU also provides free assistant in obtaining your own Illionois Agency license with no experience on your part. There are additional forms to complete, but by owning your agency you obtain a faster approach to experience, earnings, and assignments.

In the meantime, please click on the following Newcomer's Topic and do the instructions listed to get the most benefits from your membership:

Click here:
http://www.ipiu.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=5008

[Mary Fontaine--*]

I was recently talking to a PI about getting into this business. He said that according to Illinois law, I must have my PERC before I can do any kind of work including mystery shopping. I have applied for the card and I have been doing the integrety investigations. I thought that as long as I was working for a company that I would be ok. Now I'm not so sure. I don't want to do anything against the law.
Mary Anne Fontaine

I hope I posted this to the right forum.

[Carolyn Kemph]

The person you spoke with is correct. Within Illinois to do any type of PI work you must have your PERC card. It does not take that long to receive so I would hold out for a bit longer before taking any assignments asside from the mystery shopper type. I do not believe that you need your PERC card for the integrity assignments, with these you whould be ok. Anything other, hold off and wait for your card.

[Linda Manning]

Originally posted by Mary Fontaine
I was recently talking to a PI about getting into this business. He said that according to Illinois law, I must have my PERC before I can do any kind of work including mystery shopping.

I doubt you need the perc card for mystery shopping (which is also known as Integrity Investigation types of work).

To the state, they want to hear "Mystery Shopping" to avoid a perc card.

The PI you spoke to may not have had a copy of the statutes as posted above in this topic. Always back an opinion up with facts, and in this case - state law. Opinions by the PI Licensing bureau must be based on an exact statute that the lawmakers authored, and not what someone thinks it is.

Go to their website and study the PI Act and all of the statutes. If no word is mentioned about mystery shopping, then you may not be required to spend the money, take the test, and wait.

Another excellent source would be to call the mystery shopping companies in your state, especially the ones that have been in business for years. They could quote you chapter and verse.

[Mary Fontaine--*]

Thanks for the info. I applied for my PERC card about 2 weeks ago. I hope it doesn't take too long. I can't imagine that there would be a problem since I have already been fingerprinted and had the background check done with IPIU. The PI I talked to was very helpful. He told me that it wasn't that hard to get into this type of work and he highly recommended getting the card which I was planning on doing anyway. That way I can work in
security or loss prevention if necessary.
Thanks again.
Mary Anne Fontaine

[Peter Eleuteri]

What is a PERC card?

I think I missed something in this topic.



Thanks Pete

[Louis Greiner]

Will I need to get a PERC card if I'm doing assignments through IPIU? Maybe I'm not understanding this clearly. Is IPIU similiar to an employment/temp agency? In other words, we receive assignments to work with more local firms/agencies, but yet are a part of IPIU? In this case, if the agency/firm is in my state (IL) will I need the PERC card? (Sorry if I just got of the topic.)

I will be contacting the state Monday, now that I have my manual, etc., but was wondering what other PI trainees have found?

[Cheryl]

I asked this question in the trainee forum and was referred here. What is a PERC card? Is that something I need in Illinois above and beyond the credentials I'll receive through IPIU? And I'm assuming if I get it through the state, it's something I should be working on getting now if I want it in a month or two, is that right?
Thank you in advance for helping.
Cheryl

[Larry Lewis -]

If you wish to apply for an Illinois PERC, try the following website:
http://www.dpr.state.il.us/apply/forms/perc.pdf

This document is called a Permanent Employee Registration Card , or PERC. As you look at the application, you will see that there are places for employers to fill in data.

The actual purpose of this card is buried somewhere in the various Illinois statutes. Good luck finding it.

My own feeling is that, when you find employment, you will be advised if you need the PERC. Whether that employment comes from IPIU or another source.

I don't think I would invest the additional dollars (and time) until I know that I need the form.

If any one has more details on the use of the PERC in Illinois, let us know!!

[Cheryl]

Larry,
Thanks for the reply, and after doing a little more searching I think you're right. Apparently you can work while your PERC application is pending.
The only thing that sounds any different about getting the PERC card and the application with IPIU is that Illinois wants you to go to one of 3 vendors who do electronic fingerprinting.
And you're right, there's a $55 charge to go with the application and who knows how much it costs to do the fingerprinting.
Since I am still waiting for my IPIU application, I think I'll get through that first.
So thanks neighbor - and let me know if you find out anything more about the whole issue and working, since you've been here longer than I - you'll probably know first.
Cheryl

[Louis Greiner]

I believe that you are correct.
Louis Greiner. Good luck with everything.

[Kevin E Stroud -]

Greetings fellow Illini!

I've already posted my introduction (and have my PERC card and am associated with a local PI Agency), but my ultimate goal is obtaining an agency license on my own so I've read this thread with great interest.

I'm still winding my way through the IPIU processes to access the "Establishing Your Own Agency License" Forum, and look forward to working with you all!

Kevin

[Cheryl]

Good morning Kevin,
Aren't you enjoying our freezing weather? It's so good to live in Canada (LOL).
Can I ask you, since you are so far ahead of where I am right now, what did you do first? Get your PERC card or start working?
And what kind of assignments have you been on?
Thanks for the help,
Cheryl

[Kevin E Stroud -]

Originally posted by Cheryl Hall
Can I ask you, since you are so far ahead of where I am right now, what did you do first? Get your PERC card or start working?
And what kind of assignments have you been on?
Thanks for the help,
Cheryl

Cheryl,

Pleased to meet you!

Here's a link to my "Introduction": http://www.ipiu.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=12236 which answers some questions. I have a significant background in intelligence and technology, and have partnered with a local PI agency on some projects. They "know the ropes" enough to have gotten me through the PERC card process (actually that was more than a year ago). Getting the PERC card didn't take real long (a few weeks at most).

The kind of work I do is computer-forensics and technology oriented and, humbly speaking, am pretty good at that part of PI work - but have no experience at other areas such as "trailing the dallying spouse"

I'm interested in establishing my company (I'm a business owner of a 10-person technology outfit) as a PI Agency and the process for doing that in Illinois is rather, shall we say, formidable!

So... I'm not sure I'm qualified to offer any guidance (this should put my post count all the way up to "4" ) but I would recommend:
A) You pursue partnering with a local Agency, even on a part-time basis, to learn first hand from them. Not just the PI-skills part, but the Illinois State requirements.
B) You start to think about specializing in a particular area of PI work (skip-tracing, etc.)

Please do keep in touch!

Regards,

Kevin

[Louis Greiner]

I am currently looking into this whole progress, so far it seems to be taking a little time, I know it will be worth it. There is alot to learn about different laws, but they do make you feel better when you learn them in IL.

Louis Greiner

[Michael Hudson -]

Reference states not requiring Licensess.

The state of Alabama does not require a specific license as a PI. However, you must apply for a Business license and be registered in State and County to operate in addition to furnishing some info that you possessess the skills for this application (May be Optional). New laws are forthcoming in the future and do not not anymore that that. I personally vhave my own agency license as well as PI licenses in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Virginia who do require specialized training and or internships.

[Cheryl]

Kevin,
Hi again neighbor. I just wanted to ask you (or anyone in this forum who would know) a related question.
I just read that if you wanted to open your own agency, even though you personally may not be licensed, you can have a "qualifying" person, who's license you run the agency under.
I guess this means you would only have to have a business license, at least here in Illinois.
Can anyone confirm this?
Thanks,
Cheryl

[Kevin E Stroud -]

Cheryl,

I would "PM" you with more details, but don't have that access yet

I already have a business license and own a 10-person technology company and believe you're correct that I could hire someone as the "qualifying person." But honestly I'd rather just jump through the hoops myself so that I'm the "qualified person" and not then dependent on someone else.

I'm just an "independent minded person" that way!

Kevin

[Cheryl]

Kevin,
I totally agree. I would be really nervous starting a business where my revenue depends on another person. That sounds like it has failure written all over it.
Plus I want to learn. I want to read as much as I can but I also want the "hands-on" knowledge.
I just thought it was a rather odd way of getting around the red-tape involved. And just as a side note, after checking Wisconsin's regulations, they're just so much easier!
Anyway, thanks for letting me pick your brain so much. I'm sure I'll have more questions later.
Have a good Saturday!
Cheryl

[Louis Greiner]

This is great, learning more and more from everyone's comments, very busy for the next few days. Happy Holidays to all.

Louis P. Greiner

[Shannon Gospodarek]

I really don't even know where to start. I am taking criminal justice in school right know(I just started) I would like to get into crime scene investigating or Evidentiary photography.

I was wanting to start off in an entry level investigating position now to kind of learn some of the ropes, but I'm not sure where to start.

[Michael Hudson -]

Shannon,

You are on track. Formal training such as the one you have chosen is an excellent way to start. In the interim, I would suggest you try and get attached to a licensed agency as an intern where you can perform supervised taskings in these areas. Between the two combined you cannot go wrong. If you are not up or current on photography, you may also wish to contact an agency who specailaizes in these specific disclipines and go from there. Although with the advent of digital photography, I would suggest you become very familiar with 35MM photography first if you are not already versed. Hope this helps.

[Barbara Hardin -]

I do have a strong interest in the Law. I have spent the last three years in Private Security, but it is not my passion. I also have been to Paralegal school. This is a good chance for me to use all my different type of skills. My husbnd and I have talk about it in great length, I do have family upon there in illinois.

[Lance Jefferson]

Originally posted by Barbara Hardin
This is a good chance for me to use all my different type of skills. My husbnd and I have talk about it in great length, I do have family upon there in illinois.

Welcome.

Please click on the following link for a newcomer message:
http://www.ipiu.org/forums/showthrea...&threadid=5008

[Daphane Davis]

Stephen,

This is my first time on the forum and I have read alot of the comments about obtaining a license in IL etc. Would you suggest that a newcomer first accept an assignment through IPIU before attempting to obtain a license? Secondly, where can I obtain more information about how this process works. I am brand new to the game and will need to do a lot of reading about regulations, policies, etc.

[Barbara Hardin -]

Hi Stephen,


We are both new at this, just keep on seaching and reading about the difference regulation and policies. Also respond to the comments, that is on the difference forum. Believe me it do take time. Have a good day!

[Daphane Davis]

Barbara,

Thanks for your reply. I'm Daphane by the way. I'll keep searching and reading. Have a good one!

[Barbara Hardin -]

Thanks, for bring up the licensing in Illinois, have been going over the no license laws. To me it would be better to be license, you could work more independent in the field.

[Jennifer L. Gilbertson-]

While I have yet to formally introduce myself in the Introductions forum, I thought I might go ahead and add my experience with pursueing this career in Illinois.

Many community colleges offer private investigations/security community education courses to get your PERC. I took the course and the optional firearms training. Passed and qualified. After talking to the only private investigator in my region concerning employment, I was told that upon hiring that I would have to sign a non-compete clause, which naturally dashed my hopes of pursueing an agency of my own in my region. I ended up not applying for my PERC.

Finding this board has renewed my interest and I am wondering if I need to take the course again to pursue my PERC or if my previous training would be enough. I remember that you had to recertify, but I am not sure if that was for both courses or the firearms course.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
-jini