| Private investigators and private detectives did | | | | work takes place can be at home or in an office |
| not just wake up one morning, go out, and start | | | | on a computer, out in performing surveillance, or |
| doing this type of employment. In addition, even | | | | in a courtroom offering testimony. |
| though this type of job sounds appealing it is not | | | | Education and Training |
| for everyone. A person that wants to get into | | | | In the United States, all private investigating |
| private investigating must be prepared to work | | | | detectives must be licensed. There are no |
| irregular hours and understand the work may be | | | | educational requirements for many of the |
| dangerous. The majority of private investigators | | | | positions you will find in this field. On the other |
| are self-employed, have some college education, | | | | hand, according to the type of work you desire |
| and experience in the investigative field. The | | | | you may need postsecondary such as police |
| competition is also pretty strong. | | | | science and criminal justice. Corporate |
| Type of Work to Expect | | | | investigators normally need a bachelor's degree |
| In the majority of cases, a private eye, | | | | usually in a business related field. Forensic |
| detective, or investigator works with others | | | | computer work an accounting or computer |
| finding, collecting, and analyzing information. The | | | | science degree over a criminal justice degree. The |
| information they find can include personal, financial | | | | good news is that these courses are normally |
| or legal matters. In most cases, your job will entail | | | | offered through a certificate program at many |
| a wide array of services to individuals and | | | | colleges. |
| business and will include pre-employment | | | | Licenses |
| verification, executive protection, celebrity | | | | In the United States, Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, |
| protection, corporate protection, and performing | | | | Idaho, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Wyoming do |
| background profiles. Some investigators are in the | | | | not have a statewide licensing requirement. Some |
| computer sector and investigate such crimes as | | | | states have very few requirements in order to |
| illegal downloading of copyrighted material, identity | | | | receive your license while others have very |
| theft, and harassing e-mails. You will also in most | | | | strong requirements. In California as an example, |
| cases be involved in civil and criminal liability cases | | | | the requirements include the individual must be 18, |
| including child custody, insurance claims, fraud | | | | have a combination of education in justice, criminal |
| cases, missing person cases, child protection | | | | law, and police science totaling three years, |
| cases, and premarital screening. | | | | receive a qualifying score on an exam, and pass a |
| The environment in which private investigating | | | | background check. |