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There is currently no requirement for a private investigator to be licensed and you can trade unrestricted anywhere in England and Wales.

In 2001 the Private Security Industry Act was enacted which regulated the licensing of private investigators. The enforcement of this act was passed to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) that was tasked with bringing in the licensing regime. However, with the latest government cutbacks, the SIA is to be disbanded and no alternate authority has been formed to supersede it.

Licensing is not now anticipated for at least several years to come, if at all.

Should licensing ever come into force in the future the best way to ensure obtaining a license is to be a trained and trading as a professional private investigator now!

The best way to do both is with the International Private Investigators Union (IPIU), founded in 1989 to benefit both licensed private investigators and trainees.

Register for a FREE Guest Account here:

http://www.ipiu.org/forums/register.php?action=signup

Sincerely,

Ann Marie Ryan