To become a licensed private investigator in Arkansas, you must complete two years of supervised experience under a licensed PI, pass a 100-question state board exam, clear a background check, and submit your application to the Arkansas State Police Regulatory Services Division. The license fee is $450, plus $38.50 for fingerprinting and background checks.
Arkansas private investigators aren’t the loner detectives of television legend. They’re former law enforcement officers, court reporters, journalists, and criminal justice graduates who’ve built careers uncovering fraud, locating missing persons, and helping clients get answers the legal system can’t always provide on its own. What they share is a commitment to working within the rules. In Arkansas, operating as a PI without a license is a serious legal matter.
You’ll need a valid license from the Arkansas State Police Regulatory Services Division before you can work as a private investigator in the state. Here’s what that process looks like.
Step 1. Meet Requirements for Applying for a License in Arkansas
Before you can sit for the state exam or submit an application, you’ll need to meet Arkansas’s baseline eligibility criteria. In addition to the two-year experience requirement covered in Step 2, applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Have no disqualifying criminal convictions (including felonies and certain misdemeanors), as determined by the licensing board
- Demonstrate good moral character, as determined by a background check and board review
- Pass a criminal background check
- Submit fingerprints through live scan
Step 2. Work Alongside an Arkansas Licensed PI for Two Years
Arkansas requires a minimum of two consecutive years of supervised experience under a licensed private detective before you can apply for your own license. This hands-on apprenticeship is where most of the real-world learning happens: surveillance protocols, evidence handling, client communication, and the legal boundaries that separate effective investigative work from liability.
The supervising PI’s license doesn’t have to be an Arkansas license. Arkansas may accept qualifying investigative experience earned under a licensed PI in other states, including Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, subject to review by the Arkansas State Police Regulatory Services Division.
For applicants who want to get a foot in the door before they’ve lined up a sponsoring agency, a criminal justice degree can help. Many agencies prefer candidates with formal education when evaluating apprenticeship applicants, and some states allow degree coursework to substitute for a portion of the experience requirements. Arkansas currently requires the full two years regardless of education level, but a degree still matters for getting hired in the first place.
Step 3. Be Prepared to Take the PI Examination in Arkansas
There’s no formal education requirement to sit for the Arkansas PI exam, but the exam covers enough ground that going in unprepared isn’t a strategy. The test draws from a wide range of topics, and applicants who’ve completed coursework in criminal justice or private investigation consistently report feeling more confident walking in.
Arkansas has numerous schools offering criminal justice programs, and several private institutions offer certificate programs focused on private investigation. Either can provide a solid foundation. Subject areas covered by the exam and relevant to day-to-day PI work include:
- Private investigation laws and regulations
- Evidence collection and documentation
- Surveillance techniques and methodology
- Computer database used for background checks
- Courtroom procedures and testimony
- Business management basics
Step 4. Take and Pass the Arkansas State Board Examination
The Arkansas PI exam consists of 100 questions. You need a score of at least 70 percent to pass. Results are typically available shortly after completing the exam. Questions cover a broad range of subjects — from sexual harassment laws and record-keeping requirements to surveillance procedures and evidence handling. For a state-by-state breakdown of PI exam formats and what to expect, see the PI licensing exam requirements by state guide.
To find out when and where exams are scheduled, contact the Arkansas Board of Private Investigation and Private Security Agencies directly:
Arkansas Board of Private Investigation and Private Security Agencies
1 State Police Plaza Drive
Little Rock, AR 72209
Phone: 501-618-8600
Step 5. Submit Application in Arkansas
Once you’ve passed the exam, you can submit your completed application to the Arkansas State Police Regulatory Services Division. The application must include all required documentation and fees. Missing items will delay processing.
| Required Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Experience verification | Written confirmation of two years of working under a licensed PI |
| Exam results | Passing score from the Arkansas state board examination |
| Proof of legal residency | Required if you are not a U.S. citizen |
| License fee | $450 — check or money order |
| Fingerprinting and background check fee | $38.50 |
Mail your completed application package to: Arkansas State Police Regulatory Services Division, 1 State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209.
Step 6. Go to Work in Arkansas as a PI
With your license in hand, you can join an established agency or open your own shop. Arkansas has a solid base of demand for investigative work. Little Rock has dozens of private detective agencies operating in the area.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state is projected to see 13.3% employment growth for private investigators between 2022 and 2032, compared with approximately 6% nationally over the same period. That’s a meaningful signal for anyone weighing whether the field has legs in Arkansas.
Private Investigator Salary Information for Arkansas
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2024, the median annual salary for private investigators in Arkansas is $54,090. That figure represents the midpoint — half of Arkansas PIs earn more, half earn less. Build a few years of experience and develop a specialty, and the ceiling climbs considerably: the top 10% of earners in the state bring in $109,010 or more annually. For the national salary context, see the private investigator salary overview.
The Arkansas State Police Regulatory Services Division oversees PI licensing in the state. Before you can earn your license, you’ll need to complete at least two consecutive years of supervised experience in investigations, either in law enforcement or working under a licensed PI, then pass the state board exam and clear a background check. A criminal justice degree won’t substitute for the experience requirement in Arkansas, but it can help you land an apprenticeship position in the first place and sharpen the analytical skills the job demands.
Private Investigator Salaries in Little Rock
The Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway metro area employs approximately 60 private investigators. Salaries in the metro area tend to fall below the statewide median. May 2024 BLS data shows the following salary range for that market:
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $40,220 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $46,350 |
| 75th percentile | $48,530 |
| 90th percentile | $62,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arkansas require a college degree to get a PI license?
No. Arkansas does not have a formal education requirement for PI licensure. You’ll need to pass the state board exam and complete two years of supervised experience under a licensed PI, but a degree isn’t mandatory. That said, criminal justice programs (both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees) are worth considering. They cover material directly tested on the exam and make you a stronger candidate when applying for an apprenticeship position.
Can experience from another state count toward Arkansas’s two-year requirement?
It may. Arkansas can accept qualifying investigative experience earned under a licensed PI in other states, including Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, subject to review by the Arkansas State Police Regulatory Services Division. If your experience was earned in a different state, contact the Division directly to confirm whether it qualifies before you apply.
How many questions are on the Arkansas PI exam, and what does it cover?
The exam has 100 questions and requires a score of at least 70 percent to pass. It covers a broad range of subjects, including Arkansas PI laws, surveillance methods, evidence documentation, background check procedures, courtroom conduct, and business management basics. Results are typically available shortly after you complete the test.
What is the PI license fee in Arkansas, and how long does a license last?
The license application fee is $450, paid by check or money order, plus $38.50 to cover fingerprinting and background check costs. For renewal periods and continuing education requirements, contact the Arkansas Board of Private Investigation and Private Security Agencies at 501-618-8600 — renewal terms can change, and the board is the authoritative source.
Key Takeaways
- Two years of supervised experience is required. You must work under a licensed PI before applying. Arkansas may accept qualifying experience earned in other states, including Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, subject to review by the Arkansas State Police Regulatory Services Division.
- The state board exam is 100 questions. A score of 70% or higher is required to pass. Results are typically available shortly after completing the exam. Contact the Arkansas Board of Private Investigation at 501-618-8600 for scheduling information.
- Application fees total $488.50. That breaks down as $450 for the license and $38.50 for fingerprinting and background checks.
- Arkansas PIs earned a median of $54,090 as of May 2024, according to BLS data. Top earners in the state bring in $109,010 or more annually.
- The field is growing. BLS projects 13.3% employment growth for Arkansas PIs between 2022 and 2032, compared with approximately 6% projected national growth over the same period.
Ready to start your PI career in Arkansas? Browse criminal justice and private investigation programs in the state to find one that fits your goals.
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.