In Georgia, licenses are issued to companies — not to individual private investigators. To work in the field, you register as an employee under a licensed PI agency and complete a required 70-hour Board-approved training course before you can legally begin working. To open your own agency, you’ll need two years of relevant experience or a four-year degree, plus passing the state exam and securing a $25,000 surety bond.
Private investigation work in Georgia draws people from a lot of different backgrounds — former law enforcement, military veterans, legal professionals, and career changers who bring sharp research instincts from entirely different fields. Investigators working with nonprofits like the Georgia Innocence Project review wrongful conviction claims alongside attorneys, conducting witness interviews, gathering new evidence, and assisting in case strategy. That kind of work sits at one end of the spectrum. Corporate fraud investigations, insurance claims, domestic cases, and background work sit at the other. The licensing structure is the same entry point for all of it.
 | Choose Your Employment Route |
 | Meet the Basic Minimum Requirements |
 | Meet Education Qualifications |
 | Complete the 70-Hour Training Course |
 | Submit Your Registration Application |
 | Start Working in Georgia |
The Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies regulates the profession statewide. Understanding how the licensing structure actually works, including the distinction between employee registration and company licensure, is the first thing to get right before you start the process. If you’re exploring other states, check our private investigator license requirements by state for a national overview.
Georgia’s job market for investigators is growing. The state projects 13.3% employment growth for private investigators between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 120 job openings per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Step 1. Choose Your Employment Route
There are two ways to work as a private investigator in Georgia, and the path you choose determines what requirements apply to you.
Work as a registered employee. This is the standard starting point. You get hired by a licensed PI agency, your employer registers you with the Board within 30 days of hire, and you must complete the required 70-hour training course before you can legally begin working. No prior experience is required by the Board for this route; the agency takes responsibility for your registration and training.
Open your own agency. Company licenses in Georgia are issued only to businesses, not individuals. To qualify as the license holder for your own agency, you’ll need to meet experience or education requirements, pass the state exam, and cover the financial obligations that come with operating a licensed business. This route takes more time and capital but gives you full independence.
Most people enter the field through the employee route first, build their experience, and then pursue an agency license later. The Board does not require prior PI experience to be hired as a registered employee — that door is open to career changers.
Agency License Requirements and Costs
If you’re pursuing an agency license, you’ll need to meet the following financial obligations in addition to the experience and exam requirements covered in later steps:
| Requirement | Option | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Financial security | Surety bond | $25,000 |
| Financial security | General liability insurance | $1 million policy |
| Financial security | Net worth (certified audited statement) | $50,000 or more |
| Application fee | Agency license application | $100 |
| License fee | Private Detective Company license | $300 (verify current amount via GOALS) |
| Exam fee | PSI Services exam | $125 |
The surety bond is typically the most affordable financial security option, requiring only a small annual premium rather than the full $25,000 upfront. Fees are subject to change; verify current amounts through the Georgia Secretary of State’s GOALS portal before applying.
Step 2. Meet the Basic Minimum Requirements
Whether you’re registering as an employee or applying for an agency license, all applicants must meet Georgia’s baseline eligibility requirements. These are set by the Board under O.C.G.A. 43-38-7.
- Be at least 18 years old
- Hold a high school diploma or GED
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Be of good moral character and integrity
- Have no felony convictions or convictions for crimes involving weapons or moral turpitude (considered case by case)
- Have not committed acts of fraud or dishonesty
- Not be on active parole or probation for a disqualifying offense
- Have not previously practiced private investigation in Georgia without a license
A criminal background check and fingerprinting are required for all applicants. If any of the disqualifying factors apply to your situation, the Board may review your case individually; automatic disqualification isn’t always the outcome, but it’s worth contacting the Board directly before investing time in the application process.
Step 3. Meet the Education or Experience Requirements
Private Investigator School Requirements in Georgia
If you’re registering as an employee of a licensed agency, the Board doesn’t require prior experience or a specific degree. Your employer handles your registration and is responsible for ensuring you complete the required training.
If you’re applying for an agency license, you’ll need to satisfy one of the following through experience or education:
- Two years of full-time experience as a registered private detective employee with a licensed company
- Two years of full-time experience in law enforcement with a federal, state, county, or municipal agency
- A four-year degree in criminal justice or a related field from an accredited college or university
A degree isn’t required to start in this field, but it can be a strong asset, particularly if you want to qualify for an agency license without waiting two years. Georgia colleges and universities offer relevant programs in criminal justice, forensic science, and legal studies both on campus and online. Even if you’re entering through the employee route, a solid educational background improves your hiring prospects and sets you up for career advancement. See our guide to the education path for private investigators for a broader look at how credentials factor into licensing across the country.
Relevant Degree Areas in Georgia
- Criminal Justice
- Law Enforcement
- Forensic Science
- Psychology
- Business (particularly for fraud and corporate investigation work)
Step 4. Complete the 70-Hour Training Course
All private detective employees in Georgia must complete a Board-approved 70-hour training course before they can legally begin working. You can take the course before being hired (the most common approach) or complete it after registration, but before your first assignment. Either way, the training must be finished before you perform any PI work.
The course must come from a state-approved provider; a list of active licensed instructors is available through the Secretary of State’s license verification page. Many GAPPI members are licensed instructors who teach classes throughout the Atlanta metro area and Savannah. Online options are also available from Board-approved providers.
The 70-hour curriculum covers:
- Industry history and professional standards
- Georgia law and Board rules
- Criminal law and search and seizure
- Rules of evidence and evidence handling
- Crime scene investigation
- Witness and suspect interviewing
- Surveillance techniques
- Case management and report writing
If you plan to carry a firearm on the job, you’ll also need to complete the Board-required firearms training curriculum for your weapon type (Board Rules 509-3-.08 and/or 509-3-.10) and hold the appropriate weapons permit. Armed detective registration carries an additional fee ($70 vs. $45 for unarmed); your employer pays this when submitting your registration.
Step 5. Submit Your Registration Application
Georgia’s licensing system moved entirely online. All applications are submitted through the GOALS portal (Georgia Online Licensing System). Paper applications are no longer accepted; any paper application received will be returned.
Your hiring agency is responsible for submitting your employee registration application on your behalf within 30 days of hire. The process requires:
- Completed, signed, and notarized employee registration application submitted through GOALS
- Fingerprinting for a background check through FieldPrint Georgia (LiveScan digital fingerprinting; fees approximately $52–$60)
- Proof of completed training certification, if you’ve already finished the 70-hour course
- Any weapons permits and certifications, if applying as an armed detective
The agency pays a $45 registration fee for unarmed employees or $70 for armed employees, plus a $5 processing fee for online applications. Make sure the email address on your application is current, as the Board communicates primarily by email, and incomplete applications are withdrawn after 60 days if deficiencies aren’t resolved.
Important: You may not legally perform PI services in Georgia until your registration is active. Don’t start work before the paperwork clears.
Step 6. Start Working in Georgia
Once your registration is active, you can begin working under your employer’s agency license. Georgia requires 16 hours of continuing education through a Board-approved provider each year; your agency can help you find approved courses, and professional associations are another reliable resource.
License renewals are due on different schedules depending on your registration type. Individual employee registrations renew by August 31 of odd-numbered years; agency (company) licenses renew by June 30 of odd-numbered years. Renewal fees vary by license type; confirm current amounts through the GOALS portal. Keep an eye on those deadlines; a lapsed license means you can’t legally operate until it’s reinstated.
Out-of-State Licensees and Reciprocity
Georgia generally requires all applicants for a company license to pass the state exam, including veterans and investigators licensed in other states. There are no reciprocity agreements for company licenses, and no exemptions based on experience or out-of-state credentials are offered at this time.
That said, Georgia has Limited License Recognition Agreements with eight states: California, Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama. Under these agreements, a licensed investigator from one of those states can work in Georgia for up to 30 days per case per year on cases that originated in their home state. A Georgia-licensed investigator gets the same 30-day window in any of those states.
The Agency License Exam
If you’re pursuing a company license, you’ll need to pass the Georgia private detective exam administered by PSI Services. The exam is taken on a computer at a proctored testing facility and typically runs about three hours. It covers:
- Legal, ethical, and professional standards
- Observation and surveillance techniques
- Rules of evidence and evidence handling
- Interviewing and interrogation
- Case management, administration, and reporting
No study materials are provided by the Board other than Georgia law and Board rules, available on the Secretary of State’s website. The exam fee is $125. Results may be available immediately after testing. For a full comparison of how Georgia’s exam stacks up against other states, see our PI licensing exam requirements by state.
Professional Associations
Joining a professional organization is worth doing early. The Georgia Association of Professional Private Investigators (GAPPI) is the state’s primary professional association; they maintain a member directory, offer networking opportunities, and many members are also licensed training instructors. The Investigative and Security Professional Association of Georgia (ISPAG) is another option worth looking into.
Private Investigator Salary Information for Georgia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private investigators in Georgia earned a median annual salary of $44,590 as of May 2024. The mean annual wage was $55,190. Investigators in the top 10% of earners in the state brought in $92,780 or more per year. For national figures and state comparisons, see our full private investigator salary data.
Private Investigator Salaries in Atlanta, Augusta, and Savannah
Earnings vary considerably across Georgia’s metro areas. Atlanta, the state’s dominant economic center, has by far the largest concentration of PI work and the highest top-end salaries. Augusta and Savannah offer more modest compensation but a smaller competitive field.
| Metro Area | Median Annual Salary | Top 10% Annual Salary | Approx. Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $44,590 | $100,650 | 890 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $43,920 | $64,350 | 40 |
| Savannah, GA | $46,500 | $77,180 | 50 |
Atlanta’s top-10% figure of $100,650 reflects the market for experienced investigators working in corporate, legal, and insurance sectors, where the city’s business concentration drives demand for specialized PI work. Investigators who build niche expertise and a strong client base can move well beyond the median, particularly in Atlanta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to work as a private investigator in Georgia?
Individual PIs in Georgia don’t hold personal licenses; licenses are issued to companies. To work legally, you must be registered as an employee of a licensed PI agency. Your employer handles that registration with the Georgia Secretary of State’s Board. If you want to operate your own business, you’ll need to obtain a company license.
How long does it take to get registered as a PI employee in Georgia?
Once your employer submits the registration application through the GOALS portal, processing time depends on the Board’s current workload. Applications are reviewed in the order received. If there are deficiencies in your application, the Board will contact you by email; unresolved deficiencies within 60 days result in withdrawal. Plan for the process to take several weeks from submission to active status.
Can I transfer my PI license from another state to Georgia?
Georgia generally requires all applicants for a company (agency) license to pass the state exam, regardless of prior licensing or experience in another state. No reciprocity agreements apply to company licenses. Georgia does have Limited License Recognition Agreements with California, Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama; these agreements only allow licensed investigators from those states to work in Georgia for up to 30 days per case per year on cases originating in their home state.
What does the Georgia private detective exam cover?
The exam is required only for agency license applicants, not for employees. It covers legal and ethical standards, observation and surveillance, rules of evidence, interviewing techniques, and case management. The test is administered by PSI Services at a proctored testing facility and takes approximately three hours. The fee is $125. No official study materials are provided beyond Georgia law and Board rules.
How much does it cost to open a PI agency in Georgia?
Plan for a $100 application fee, a $300 license fee (for a Private Detective Company), and a $125 exam fee. You’ll also need to secure a $25,000 surety bond (or a $1 million liability policy or documented net worth above $50,000). Employee registration fees run $45 per unarmed employee and $70 per armed employee. Fees are subject to change; confirm current amounts through the GOALS portal before applying.
What is the 70-hour training course, and when do I have to take it?
The 70-hour basic training course is a Board requirement for all registered PI employees in Georgia. It covers criminal law, surveillance, evidence handling, interviewing, and Georgia-specific regulations. The course must be completed before you can legally begin performing PI work. Most people take the course before being hired, which can speed up your start date, or you can complete it after registration, as long as it’s done before you start any assignments. The course must come from a Board-approved provider; a list of licensed instructors is available through the Secretary of State’s GOALS portal.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia licenses companies, not individuals. You’ll register as an employee under a licensed agency or obtain a company license to operate independently.
- No prior experience is required to start as a registered employee. The Board’s experience requirements only apply to agency license holders.
- The 70-hour training course is mandatory and must be completed before you can work. Take it through a Board-approved provider before hire or before your first assignment.
- All applications go through the GOALS portal. Paper applications are no longer accepted; fingerprinting is done through FieldPrint Georgia.
- Agency license applicants generally must pass a state exam. No reciprocity agreements apply to company licenses; veterans and out-of-state licensees are not currently exempt.
- Georgia projects 13.3% growth for PI employment through 2032. Atlanta is the state’s largest market, with the highest earning potential for experienced investigators.
Ready to take the next step? Find Georgia criminal justice programs that can help you qualify for a PI agency license or strengthen your career in investigations.
May 2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Private Detectives and Investigators reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2026.