(Updated 10-5-01 By Moderator to include State Law Quote)
40-12-93
Detective Agencies
Each person engaged in the business of operating a detective agency, or each company or corporation doing business as such in this State, shall pay a license tax of:
License Amount Fee Total
$150.00 $1.00 $151.00
Each person so engaged who also solicits or receives notes or accounts for collection shall pay an additional license tax of:
License Fee Total
$150.00 .00 $150.00
Interpretations:
An agency is not required to purchase a license in each county they operate in, only the counties where an office is maintained.
An out-of-state agency sending a detective to do investigative work in this state and not maintaining an office, answering service, etc., whereby the general public could contact them to obtain services, would not require a license.
Private investigators and security guards should contact the local authorities (sheriff or city hall) when doing business in a municipality as most municipalities require a license.
A company providing guard service only is not required to procure this license.
Part-time detectives are required to procure this license.
For State Statutes, click here: Alabama Statutes Link
(The following topic is the original before the state law was added to thei topic)
"I have read all of the threads in this topic and only one mentioned Alabama. Of course with my luck the link for the Alabama information did not pull up on my computer.
So my question is if Alabama does not have a licensing requirement, does that mean anyone in AL can be a PI? Surely I am understanding it wrong! Isnt there a test or something that would have to be taken or experience of some sort working under another PI for a certain amount of time?And who gives the test? Also is there any way to be a PI for the government or is that working for the CIA? I really have a longing in my heart to help our country in some way even if I had to travel great lenghths to do this. If ther is a way who would I talk to and what kind of training would that take?
"Im sorry if I have to many questions but I am very young and not very knowledgable about any of this business. Although I do know I have wanted to be PI since I was very young. Playing like I was Sherlock Holmes in my backyard and watching Columbo with my mom.........and another thing... thank you for all of your help. I will catch on eventually."