Re: PI Licensing: Virginia
Originally Posted by
Jenifer Jewell
As far as I am aware, no one can set themselves forth as a "private investigator" without being legally registered with the state
What do you mean by "set themselves forth"? Do you mean as in business for themselves or as a private investigator who works for someone else who is exempted?
Originally Posted by
Jenifer Jewell
requires that you attend a DCJS certified course ( 60 hours) have fingerprints and a background check completed and passed and pay required fees to DCJS. Once you are registered, you can ONLY open your own business if you complete the requirements of a "compliance agent" which requires a person to have 5 years full time previous experience in the security field, such as being a retired police officer before they are able to apply for such a business license.
That is correct for those who wish to conduct regulated cases, as Legal Affairs stated. But it is not required for unregulated cases.
Originally Posted by
Jenifer Jewell
Once you are registered, you can ONLY open your own business if you complete the requirements of a "compliance agent" which requires a person to have 5 years full time previous experience in the security field, such as being a retired police officer before they are able to apply for such a business license. If you can get someone to act as your compliance agent and you are DCJS registered, then you can operate as a partnership in a PI business at any time once you are registered.
In other states this is referred to as either a sponsor for your agency license or a qualifying manager for your agency license. The partnership is not required if the applicant is a corporation and the president hires a compliance manager to oversee the cases.
Originally Posted by
Jenifer Jewell
Any work done by a person possessing a "99" registeration ( the 60 hours etc) must work under someone who carries a "11" license which is a Private Investigators business license. No Private Investigative Agency in this state will ever hire an unlicensed person for private investigative work.
Yes and no. If a portion of a case, such as investigating court records or using certain generic skills (including the internet) to locate a target, does not require a licensed PI, then an unlicensed operative can be hired without the need of a license.
A famous licensed PI once said he uses his license to get 100 cases a week, of which 50-90 of those cases did not require him to use his license because they fell within the unregulated areas of the statutes.
Originally Posted by
Jenifer Jewell
For those "exceptions" previously posted here are for conditions of employment where you are working in house for your employer and not as "private investigator".
Any company can employ someone and titled them a private investigator for the affairs of the company employer without a license. That is one of the exemptions.
A licensed Pi or an unlicensed "person" can charge a fee for obtaining background records for a client.
A licensed Pi or an unlicensed "person" can charge a fee for conducting an undercover video covert assignment for a mystery shopping company.
Is it confusing? It can be if we limit our reading and our understanding of the entire statutes. That is why we must first agree to the Oath and Mission Statement:
http://www.ipiu.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6688
Michael Newman
Licensed Private Investigator