A. No! Anyone can become a Private Investigator. Whilst it is true to say that many ex-police may have a slight initial advantage due to their knowledge of criminal law, it is certainly not a requirement. Through the course, you will not only gain the knowledge of criminal law, but also civil law in which police officers have little or no experience. In fact, many former and serving police officers have obtained their Diploma through the Academy.

Q. Do you require a licence to be a Private Investigator?

A. Licensing varies greatly throughout the world, ranging from no licensing requirement at all, as is the case in the United Kingdom at the present time, 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.

Q. What do I require to get started?

A. Completing the Distance Learning Course will not only provide you with the fundamental investigative skills and knowledge, but also The Nationally Recognised, Level 3 BTEC Advanced Diploma in Private Investigation, putting you in the elite category of truly Professional Private Investigators which will dramatically increase your employment opportunities within the industry, and also provide the opportunity to start your own business, obtain your first clients, as well as successfully and profitably carry out their assignments.

Q. What monies can I expect to earn?

A. With your new found knowledge, and some practical experience behind you, you could expect to receive a reasonable income working as an investigator. Of course, if you start your own business much will depend on the amount of time, commitment, effort and enthusiasm that you are willing to devote to it. Once established, you could well achieve £50,000 p.a. upwards.

Q. What are the main sources of business?

A. Private Investigators obtain business from four main categories; the legal profession, commerce, industry and the general public dealing in all areas of civil, criminal and personal matters. The Guide To Starting, Running And Building Your Own Private Investigation Agency provides all the necessary ‘Know-How’ in obtaining all types of business.

Q. Do I require an office?

A. No, you can work from home, renting a small office once established. Some Private Investigators work permanently from home and use an accommodation address facility at a local business centre. Most are situated at prestige locations in Town centres and provide interview and secretarial facilities as and when you require them.

Q. Do I need to advertise my business?

A. Unless you intend only working on a sub-agency basis, that is, for other established Investigators you will of course need to advertise your business and services to obtain clients. The Guide To Starting, Running And Building Your Own Private Investigation Agency provides detailed information on how and where to advertise for the best results from media advertising to internet networking.

Q. Are there any Course examinations to sit?

A. The Academy has mentors available to answer any questions or queries that you may have throughout the duration of the course. At the end of each Module, you will have the opportunity to evaluate your new-found knowledge through a test exercise that you complete at home. The tests are not a case of pass or fail, they are to show you how you are progressing and identify the areas that may require revision.

These methods of assessment are to ensure that individual students are given regular feed back. Students are also required to complete portfolio assignments throughout the course. These assignments can also be used as further evaluation of the student’s abilities in understanding the very diverse subject of Private Investigation. This is in part achieved by the student submitting their work at the completion of Modules 3, 6, 9, and 12, after which the course is concluded with a final examination, which you also complete at home and return together with your portfolio work to the Academy, if the pass marks have been attained, being, 65% & over for a Pass, 80% & over for a Pass with Merit, and 90% & over for a Pass with Distinction. You will receive your Edexcel BTEC Advanced Private Investigation Level 3 Diploma, putting you in the elite category of being a qualified professional private investigator and entitling you to use the letters API Dip.

Q. Who will be my course tutor?

A. The Level 3 BTEC Advanced Diploma in Private Investigation Course has been designed, prepared and written by practising Professional Private Investigators with a combined total of over 100 years' experience. One of these highly qualified and experienced Investigators will be assigned to be your tutor, who will not only monitor your progress through the Course but will also answer any written questions within 7 days, completely free of charge, regarding any aspect of the Course.

Q. What are my employment prospects?

Once you have obtained your Level 3 BTEC Advanced Diploma in Private Investigation, you will then be in a strong position to acquire employment within the investigation profession, or even start your own agency.

Q. How long will it take to complete the course?

A. Regarding how long it takes to complete the course will depend very much on the time, commitment, effort and enthusiasm that you are willing to devote to it. On average students studying on a part-time basis will take about 3 to 6 months. However, we have had students, who have studied full time, and completed the course within 6 weeks.

Q. When can I start trading as a Private Investigator?

A. When you have completed the Course. With each module you’ll learn how to deal with new types of enquiries and when you have completed the course, you will not only be qualified and competent, but also have the confidence to deal with all types of assignments.

Q. Why should I enrol?

A. Enrolling on the course is a solid investment in your future and could prove to be one of your best decisions, in providing you with an nationally recognised qualification, together with providing you with an opportunity of achieving a high level of job satisfaction in a wide range of activities, leading to an exciting, rewarding and adventurous career.

Q. How do I enrol on the Course?

A. The fastest way to embark on your new and exciting career is to enrol online making your payment through our secure payment facilities. You may use PayPal or Google Checkout, neither require you to open an account and you can pay using your credit card. Once payment has been received the course will be dispatched to you, the hard copy version is sent within the UK by courier and takes between 7 & 10 days, the CD version is dispatched by ordinary first class post world wide. However overseas deliveries of the hard copy version are subject to additional cost on application.

Q. How do I ask questions that are not covered by this brochure?

We appreciate that there may be some further questions that you would like to ask; therefore we have provided a facility for you to email one of our senior course tutors who will be pleased to answer any question not answered on this page. Please go to our Questions Form where you will find an email questions facility.

You may also email us directly with your question to: questions@becomeadetective.com