To become a licensed private investigator in Florida, you must complete 40 hours of state-approved training, obtain sponsorship from a licensed PI, work as a Class CC Intern for two years, pass a state exam, and apply for a Class C license through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Private investigators in Florida work alongside attorneys, corporations, and businesses that need solid, documented evidence. Personal injury cases, workers’ compensation disputes, insurance fraud investigations, background checks on potential hires and business partners: this is the day-to-day work of PIs throughout the state. Performing video surveillance, gathering witness statements, and building a paper trail that holds up in court takes skill, experience, and a license.
Florida requires every working private investigator and every PI intern to hold a valid license issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Licensing. If you don’t have two years of investigative experience yet, you’ll start with the Class CC Intern license and work your way up. If you already have the experience, you can apply directly for the Class C.
Florida Private Investigator License Classes
Before diving into the steps, it helps to understand what you’re working toward. Florida issues four classes of PI licenses, each covering a different role:
- Class CC Private Investigator Intern: The entry-level license for people without two years of experience. You work under the supervision of a licensed Class C, M, or MA investigator while building the experience required for full licensure.
- Class C Private Investigator: The standard working license. Requires two years of verifiable full-time investigative experience and a passing score on the state exam.
- Class M, Investigative Agency Manager: Required to manage a private investigative agency in Florida.
- Class MA, Manager of a Private Investigative Agency: Required for agency managers. Carries the same experience and exam requirements as the Class C.
Most people starting fresh will follow the CC-to-C path described below. If you already have two or more years of qualifying investigative experience, you can skip the intern stage and apply directly for the Class C.
Step 1. Meet Basic Qualifications for Licensure as a Private Investigator in Florida
To qualify for a Class C Private Investigator license in Florida, you must be at least 18 years old and be a U.S. citizen, legal resident alien, or have been granted authority to work in the United States by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Applicants must also meet the character and background requirements set out in Chapter 493 of the Florida Statutes, which governs private investigation licensing in the state. Review that chapter or contact the FDACS Division of Licensing directly if you have questions about specific disqualifying factors.
You must also have two years of verifiable full-time investigative experience. For most applicants, that means first obtaining a Class CC Private Investigator Intern License and building that experience under supervision (see Step 2).
Step 2. Complete Training and Experience Required of Private Investigators in Florida
Training: Because Class C applicants must have two years of experience, most people start by applying for the Class CC Private Investigator Intern license. Before you can apply for the intern license, you must complete at least 40 hours of professional private investigator training covering Chapter 493 of the Florida Statutes, offered by a state university or a school, community college, or university approved by the Florida Department of Education. A list of currently approved schools is here. Note that while the Department of Education approves these schools, the Division of Licensing does not regulate them directly, so confirm a school’s approval status before enrolling.
The 40-hour course is also available online through approved providers, so you’re not limited to in-person options. Whichever format you choose, your training provider will complete a proof of training certificate (FDACS Form #16062) to include with your intern license application.
The training programs offered by these schools result in a diploma and fulfill Florida’s requirements. Some applicants choose to continue with college degrees in related fields to strengthen their career prospects:
- Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice/Homeland Security
- Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Legal Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Up to one year of college coursework in criminal justice, criminology, or law enforcement administration, or successful completion of law enforcement-related training from a federal, state, county, or municipal agency, may substitute for one of the two required years of experience for a Class C license.
Firearms Training: If your work as a PI or PI intern will require you to carry a concealed firearm, you must complete firearms training from a Florida Class K licensed instructor. Acceptable forms of training are listed here.
Experience: Once you’ve applied for the Class CC Private Investigator Intern License and received it, you may begin working under the sponsorship of a Florida-licensed Class C, M, or MA investigator. To apply for the CC license, you’ll need a completed Letter of Intent to Sponsor (FDACS Form #16026) from your sponsoring investigator. The two years of full-time private investigative experience you build during this internship count directly toward the Class C requirement.
Step 3. Pass the Florida Private Investigator Licensing Examination
All applicants for a Class C license must pass a state licensing examination before applying for licensure. The exam covers Florida Statutes Sections 493.6100 through 493.6203 and Section 493.6301(5), which address the business practices of private investigation and the legal responsibilities of licensed PIs. The same exam is required for Class M and Class MA applicants.
FDACS has contracted with Everblue to administer the exam. Register through the Everblue Online Test Portal. You can schedule the exam at an Everblue facility or take it remotely online. Remote exams are available 24/7 without an appointment, but do require a computer with a webcam. The exam fee is $70, paid directly to Everblue. For registration help, contact Everblue at 1-888-502-8151 or [email protected].
You can also submit your application in person at a statewide Licensing Division Regional Office. Call ahead to confirm services and schedule an appointment.
Step 4. Apply for Class C Licensure as a Private Investigator in Florida
After passing the exam and meeting the experience requirement, you’re ready to apply for your Class C license. Mail the following to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing, P.O. Box 5767, Tallahassee, FL 32314-5767, or submit in person at a regional office:
- Completed Application for Class C Private Investigator License
- A color passport-sized recent photo of yourself
- A completed, signed, and notarized Affidavit of Experience (Form FDACS-16023)
- Certificate from Everblue confirming your passing exam score
- Proof of completion of training and/or educational requirements (diploma, degree, or transcript)
- A set of fingerprints, either on the fingerprint card included with the application package or via electronic fingerprint scan
- Application fees per the current FDACS fee schedule
Veterans note: Initial application and license fees are waived for veterans if the application is received within 24 months of discharge from any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Include a copy of your DD 214.
Firearms License: If you plan to carry a concealed weapon and are at least 21 years old, file the Class G Statewide Firearms License application. Include the certificate of firearms training completion, a health certificate signed by your physician or advanced registered nurse practitioner, a passport-sized photo, and fingerprint information. Submit to the Division of Licensing with the required fees per the current fee schedule.
Agency Management: To manage a private investigative agency, apply for the Class MA Manager of a Private Investigative Agency licensure. Experience, training, and exam requirements are the same as for the Class C license.
Step 5. Now That You are a Licensed Private Investigator in Florida
Your Class C license must be renewed every two years. Renewals can be completed and paid for online. Consider joining one of Florida’s professional PI organizations that offer advocacy, networking, and continuing education resources for licensed investigators:
- Florida Association of Licensed Investigators (FALI)
- Florida Association of Private Investigators (FAPI)
The BLS projects 13.6% employment growth for private investigators in Florida between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 500 job openings per year statewide, which is well above the national projected growth rate of 6% for the same occupation over the 2024–2034 period.
Private Investigator Salary Information for Florida
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida employed approximately 3,780 private investigators as of May 2024, making it one of the largest PI markets in the country. The median annual salary for PIs in Florida was $48,880, with the top 25% earning $71,440 or more and the top 10% earning $96,540 or more.
For comparison, the national median annual wage for private investigators was $52,370 as of May 2024, according to BLS data.
PI Salaries in Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, and More
Florida’s metro areas show meaningful variation in PI earnings. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area tops the state for both median wages and top-end earnings. The table below shows May 2024 BLS salary data for Florida metro areas where data is available.
| Metro Area | Median Annual Salary | 90th Percentile | PIs Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral–Fort Myers | $45,510 | $76,120 | 110 |
| Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach | $52,360 | $82,610 | 80 |
| Gainesville | $48,870 | $68,600 | 40 |
| Jacksonville | $49,050 | $84,570 | 370 |
| Lakeland–Winter Haven | $44,630 | $82,880 | 120 |
| Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach | $50,860 | $112,680 | 1,200 |
| North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota | $52,470 | $75,490 | 80 |
| Ocala | $47,020 | $100,380 | 40 |
| Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford | $42,340 | $83,090 | 400 |
| Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville | $48,120 | $78,150 | 60 |
| Panama City–Panama City Beach | $48,380 | $67,680 | 40 |
| Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent | $45,900 | $82,520 | 60 |
| Tallahassee | $44,910 | $81,660 | 100 |
| Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater | $47,860 | $89,270 | 670 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a sponsor to get a Florida PI intern license?
Yes. All Class CC Intern applicants must be sponsored by a licensed Florida investigator holding a Class C, M, or MA license. Your sponsor submits a Letter of Intent to Sponsor (FDACS Form #16026) as part of your application. Without a sponsor, you can’t apply for the intern license or begin accumulating the experience you need for full licensure.
Can I carry a firearm as a private investigator in Florida?
Yes, but you need a separate license to do it. Florida requires PIs and PI interns who carry concealed weapons to hold a Class G Statewide Firearms License. To qualify, you must be at least 21 years old and complete firearms training from a Class K licensed instructor. Contact the FDACS Division of Licensing for current training requirements and fee amounts.
What counts toward the two-year experience requirement?
Florida accepts several categories of qualifying experience. Full-time work as a Class CC Private Investigator Intern counts in full. Work in private investigation or a related field that provides equivalent experience or training may also qualify. Up to one year of credit can come from college coursework in criminal justice, criminology, or law enforcement administration, or from completed law enforcement training through a government agency. All experience must be verifiable and documented on the notarized Affidavit of Experience (FDACS Form #16023).
How long does it take to become a licensed PI in Florida?
You can begin working as a PI intern relatively quickly after completing the 40-hour training course and having your CC application approved. The path to a full Class C license takes a minimum of two years from there, which is the time required to meet the experience requirement. Add application processing time on both ends, and most applicants should plan for roughly two years and a few months, start to finish.
Does Florida require a college degree to become a PI?
No. Florida doesn’t require a degree for PI licensure. However, relevant college coursework in criminal justice, criminology, or law enforcement administration can substitute for up to one year of the two-year experience requirement, a meaningful shortcut for candidates who have that background.
Key Takeaways
- Two license tiers for most applicants. Start with the Class CC Intern license if you don’t have two years of investigative experience; advance to the Class C once you do.
- 40 hours of training are required first. Must come from a Florida Department of Education-approved school or state university; online programs are available and accepted.
- Sponsorship is mandatory for interns. A licensed Class C, M, or MA investigator must sponsor your CC application before you can begin working.
- An exam is required for Class C. Administered by Everblue. Register at the Everblue Online Test Portal. The exam fee is $70.
- Florida’s job market is growing. The BLS projects 13.6% employment growth for Florida PIs between 2022 and 2032, with roughly 500 openings per year.
- Statewide median salary is $48,880. Per May 2024 BLS data. Miami-area PIs top the state, with the top 10% earning over $112,000.
Ready to find a Florida-approved training program? Browse accredited schools that meet the state’s 40-hour requirement and get your PI career started.
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.