LICENSING OF PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS

England and Wales

At the present time, there is no requirement to have a licence. However, with the forthcoming licensing of the UK Private Investigation Industry, it will be necessary for all applicants applying for a Private Investigators Licence to be able to prove competence in all the core units, as specified by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) or its successor.

The Academy, in conjunction with IQ & Edexcel, both being UK Government qualifications awarding Bodies, have developed the Level 3 BTEC Advanced Diploma in Private Investigation Qualification, which the SIA have confirmed sufficiently covers the scope of the SIA specification for Private Investigators, when the licensing of Private Investigators commences, which will lead to an exemption for proof of competence for those applicants who have achieved the qualification.

Scotland and Ireland

Very similar legislation is in the process of being enacted which broadly follows the same line In Scotland and Ireland as above.

Licensing Outside the United Kingdom

Licensing varies greatly throughout the world, ranging from no licensing requirement at all, to strictly enforced conditions. Therefore, it is important that students should check the licensing requirements for the country they wish to trade in as a Private Investigator.