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Thread: PI Licensing: Washington DC

  1. #1
    William Jimenez's Avatar
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    PI Licensing: Washington, DC

    § 47-2839. Private detectives; "detective" defined; regulations.

    (a) Private detectives, or detective agencies, by whatsoever name called, shall pay a license tax of $158 per annum; provided, that no license shall be issued under this section without the approval of the Chief of Police.

    (b) For the purpose of this section, the term "detective" or "detective agency" means and includes any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of, or advertising, or representing himself, or itself, as being engaged in the business of detecting, discovering, or revealing crime or criminals, or securing information for evidence relating thereto, or discovering or revealing the identity, whereabouts, character, or actions of any person or persons, thing or things.

    (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of detective, or operate, manage, or conduct a detective agency, for profit or gain, or to advertise or represent his business to be that of a detective, or that of conducting, managing, or operating a detective agency, without first obtaining a license so to do.

    (d) The Council of the District of Columbia is authorized and empowered to make such reasonable regulations as it deems advisable for the government and conduct of the business of private detectives licensed hereunder, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia is authorized and empowered to revoke the license of a private detective when in his judgment such is deemed advisable in the public interest.

    (e) All laws which govern the Metropolitan Police force of the District of Columbia in the matters of persons, property, or money shall be applicable to all private detectives licensed hereunder, and such detectives shall make like returns and dispositions of such matters as is required by existing law and the rules of the Mayor of the District of Columbia governing the Metropolitan Police Department.

    (f) Any license issued pursuant to this section shall be issued as a Class A Public Safety endorsement to a master business license under the master business license system as set forth in subchapter I-A of this chapter.

    Source link: DC Code


    EXCEPTIONS:

    § 47-2851.02. License required.

    (a) No person shall engage in or carry on any business in the District of Columbia without having first obtained a master business license and any necessary endorsements in accordance with this subchapter; provided, however, that no license shall be required of:

    (1) A person who does not maintain a business address in the District of Columbia and who engages in business only in affiliation with a licensed business providing the same or similar services; or

    (2) A person whose annual gross receipts are $2,000 or less in any calendar year; provided, that the person is not required to obtain a license under one of the Class A License endorsement categories set forth in § 47-2851.03.

    (b) Each license shall specify the particular business or businesses the licensee is authorized to operate, as defined by District law or regulation, and no licensee shall be permitted to engage in activities outside the scope of the license.

    (c) A license shall be required for each business location.

    (d) No person issued a license under this subchapter shall willfully allow any other person required to obtain a separate license to operate under his or her license.

    (e) Licenses granted under this subchapter may be assigned or transferred upon approval by the Department and payment of the applicable fee.

    Source link: DC Code


    TO APPLY:
    Security Officers Management Branch
    Metro Police Security Unit
    2000 14th Street, NW
    Washington, DC 20009
    phn: 202-671-0500
    fax: 202-673-7418

    (Web site pending till 2010)
    Last edited by William Jimenez; 06-18-2002 at 11:52 AM.
    William L. Jimenez
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  2. #2
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    If I'm reading this correctly I can't work in DC proper, even as a local operative, unless I have a license.

    Am I right or did I miss something?


    Michael J

  3. #3
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    Originally posted by Michael J Johnson
    If I'm reading this correctly I can't work in DC proper, even as a local operative, unless I have a license.

    Am I right or did I miss something?
    What is missing is more clarity of the exemptions. It appears one exemption is that you can start off as a private investigator and earn up to $2000 the first year without having a license. There are other exemptions too that need to be posted.

  4. #4
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    Thanks for the reply. I look forward to the other exemptions.

    Meanwhile, I think I see another loophole from the exemption list:

    1) A person who does not maintain a business address in the District of Columbia and who engages in business only in affiliation with a licensed business providing the same or similar services; or

    This seems to say as long as I don't have a business address in DC proper I can be affiliated with a licensed business. So it looks like I can live in DC proper as long as I don't have a business here as well. And if I'm working for someone else I should be fine.

    What think ye?


    Michael J

  5. #5
    David Copeland's Avatar
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    Originally posted by Michael J Johnson

    What think ye?
    I think William Jimenez will be the best to answer after he returns from the holidays.

  6. #6
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    William Jeminez,

    Can you clarify the PI licensing laws in DC for me, please? I'm not sure if I'm breaking the law, here, by working without a license. I posted a couple of comments in December but I still am not sure of the laws for DC.

    I appreciate any help you can give me.


    Michael J

  7. #7
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    I would suggest acquiring a city license (work out of your home) and name the company to reflect "investigations" or "private investigator". The city license should be cheap.

    Then keep your business income (for now) under $2000 a year for any investigations that require a "private investigator". Keep all other cases, such as mystery shopping or integrity assignments, under a separate business name to avoid pushing your licensed activities over the $2000 mark until you are ready.

    Get a copy of the ALL of the applications, but first post a topic in the private members-only forum titled Obtaining Your Private Investigator License or Agency License Forum

  8. #8
    Omar Castro's Avatar
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    Lightbulb Hey Mr. Johnson

    I have an idea I plan on opening a business in NYS and collaborate with other members or potential clients to network with one another. I also reside in Alexandria VA. Maybe we can collaborate in gathering some information together and possibly continue the networking? Let me know what you think and I will try my best to get the pertinent information for now.
    Good luck.
    O.A.C.V. Sr.

  9. #9
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    Let's talk some more, Omar.

    And call me Michael. Mr. Johnson is my father.


    Michael J

  10. #10
    Meriah Crawford Guest
    FWIW, the asst. director of the school in VA where I'm taking my PI training strongly recommended getting licensed in DC for folks who live/work in VA.

    Meriah Crawford...

  11. #11

    DC Licensing Requirements.

    Since there isn't no link online for the requirements for licensure as a PI, I'll just post SOME requirements.

    Must be at least 21 years of age.

    No felony conviction(s) within the last 10 years.

    No misdemenor coviction(s) within the last 5 years.

    There are No experience requirements.

    Private Investigators are NOT PERMITTED to carry weapons in the District of Columbia and are not required to wear a uniform.

    VIP/Executive Protection and/ or bodyguard services are PROHIBITED in the District of columbia.

    For more information on the bonding, building permits, etc, please request an application.

    To request an application, write to.....

    Metropolitan Police Department
    Security Officers management Branch
    2000 14TH Street. NW 3RD Floor
    Washington, DC 20009

    (Please allow 2-3 weeks to recieve your application package)

    Application process takes 3-6 months.

    Thank You,
    Jonathan J. DiBello

  12. #12
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    One could also go down to the building, go up to the second floor and pick-up the application in person. Believe me, it saves time.

  13. #13
    Hugh Brown Jr's Avatar
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    If I am understanding this right are they saying that I would be under the microscope from the mayor.

  14. #14
    Floyce N Garrett -'s Avatar
    Floyce N Garrett - is offline Licensed Private Investigator

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    Talking Re: Hey Mr. Johnson

    Maybe we can collaborate in gathering some information together and possibly continue the networking? Let me know what you think and I will try my best to get the pertinent information for now.
    Good luck

  15. #15
    Floyce N Garrett -'s Avatar
    Floyce N Garrett - is offline Licensed Private Investigator

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    Re: PI Licensing: Washington DC

    For more information contact me.

    F.N. GARRETT JR
    Licensed Private Detective (DC # 3096)

    http://garrett.investigation.pi-agency.us/
    garrettPI@pi-agency.us

  16. #16
    Floyce N Garrett -'s Avatar
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    Re: PI Licensing: Washington DC

    Quote Originally Posted by Hugh Goodwyn
    If I am understanding this right are they saying that I would be under the microscope from the mayor.
    YES .

  17. #17
    Floyce N Garrett -'s Avatar
    Floyce N Garrett - is offline Licensed Private Investigator

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    Re: Hey Mr. Johnson

    Quote Originally Posted by Floyce N Garrett
    Maybe we can collaborate in gathering some information together and possibly continue the networking? Let me know what you think and I will try my best to get the pertinent information for now.
    Good luck
    THANKS , SORRY FOR BEING LATE

  18. #18
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    Re: PI Licensing: Washington DC

    Thanks for the info it was very helpful and I know pretty much all I need to do
    George Powell
    Marine vet
    and
    Soon to be P.I

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