To get a private investigator license in North Dakota, you need to be at least 18 with a high school diploma, accumulate approximately 2,000 hours as a registered employee of a licensed detective agency, and pass a written state exam administered by the NDPISB. Applications go to the North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board (NDPISB) with a total initial cost of approximately $270 — confirm current fees at pisb.nd.gov before submitting.
Private investigators in North Dakota work insurance fraud cases in Williston, track missing persons across the Badlands, and conduct surveillance for law firms in Fargo and Bismarck. It’s methodical, varied work — and the licensing path to get there is more structured than most people expect. North Dakota generally requires approximately 2,000 hours of investigative experience before you can apply for your individual PI license, which means the road runs through an established agency first.
Step 1. Meet North Dakota Requirements to Obtain a License
North Dakota licenses private investigators through the North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board (NDPISB). Before you start the application process, it helps to understand that the state offers two distinct ways to work as a PI, and many applicants begin on the first track before pursuing a full license.
Two Licensing Tracks
Registered Employee — If you’re hired by a licensed detective agency, you can register with the NDPISB as an employee of that agency and begin working as an investigator immediately, without your own license. The agency holds the licensing responsibility. The registration fee is $71.25. This is how many investigators in North Dakota accumulate the approximately 2,000 hours required to qualify for a full individual license.
Individual PI License — A full individual license lets you work independently or open your own agency. This is the path covered in the steps below. You’ll need to meet all eligibility requirements, complete approximately 2,000 hours of experience as a registered employee, and pass the state exam before applying.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for an individual PI license in North Dakota, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Be free of any mental defect or condition that would impair your ability to perform investigative services professionally
- Have no record of an act indicating bad moral character
- Have no disqualifying criminal convictions (see below)
Residency is not a requirement. You don’t need to be a North Dakota resident to hold a license here. Active law enforcement officers cannot hold a PI license in North Dakota — off-duty LE may work as security officers, but not as licensed private investigators.
Criminal History Disqualifiers
The following convictions or adjudications — including juvenile records — will disqualify you from licensure:
- Any felony
- Any Class A or B misdemeanor involving violence, intimidation, or controlled substances
- Any offense involving theft, including shoplifting
- Any offense required to be reported to the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation under NDCC section 12.1-32-15
The NDPISB has discretion to issue a license if it determines the offense doesn’t have a direct bearing on your ability to serve the public or that you have been sufficiently rehabilitated. If you have a prior conviction, contact the board before investing time in the process.
Step 2. Obtain the Necessary Education and Training in North Dakota
North Dakota doesn’t mandate a specific educational credential to get licensed, but it does generally require approximately 2,000 hours of investigative services performed as a registered employee of a licensed detective agency. That’s the non-negotiable foundation. Everything else — formal education, certifications, business coursework — is supplementary, but not without value.
The state exam draws on applied knowledge of investigative procedures, North Dakota law, and professional ethics. A degree in criminal justice from an in-state institution or through an online private investigator degree program gives you a meaningful head start on that material. Both associate’s and bachelor’s programs are worth considering, depending on your experience level and timeline. The exam also includes business management questions, so if your investigations work will lean toward corporate or insurance cases, coursework in that area pays off.
Armed PI Training
A standard North Dakota PI license does not authorize you to carry a firearm while performing investigative services. According to NDPISB firearms licensing requirements, the state’s constitutional carry law does not extend to PI work. To carry a weapon on the job, you need a separate armed PI certification from the NDPISB.
Armed certification requires completing the same firearms training as peace officers in North Dakota, plus passing a two-part NDPISB exam covering both written knowledge of ND firearms law and a practical demonstration of your shooting skills. You must score at least 70% overall and 100% on the ND laws section. The NDPISB will provide fingerprint cards for the background component upon request, or you can use standard FBI applicant cards.
Step 3. Take the North Dakota Examination
Before applying for your license, you must pass the NDPISB’s written examination. The exam has historically consisted of approximately 150 questions and has been offered in multiple versions. It’s not offered on a set schedule — you arrange it directly with the board’s Executive Director by calling 701-222-3063. The exam is proctored in Bismarck on an individual basis.
Prepare thoroughly before you schedule. The test covers investigative procedures, North Dakota statutes, and professional conduct. Fail once, and you wait at least 30 days before retaking it. Fail twice, and you wait a full year. Your passing results are valid for 12 months from the date you’re notified, so make sure you have your application ready to submit within that window.
Step 4. Submit Your North Dakota Application
Once you’ve passed the exam, download the required forms from the NDPISB forms page and submit them with your documentation and fees. Your application package must include:
- Completed application form
- Personal authorization for a criminal background check (BCI and FBI)
- Certification of training
- Employment history for the past ten years
Here’s what the fees look like for an individual PI license:
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New applicant fee | $100 | One-time. Paid on first application only |
| Criminal background check (BCI & FBI) | $40 | Required on initial application |
| Individual PI license | $130 | Annual. Expires September 30 each year |
| Total initial cost | $270 | First year only. Renewals are $130 |
| Agency status (if opening your own firm) | $300 | Additional one-time fee. Requires an individual license first |
Fee amounts shown above are sourced from the NDPISB FAQ — verify current figures at pisb.nd.gov before submitting, as licensing fees can change. Processing times vary depending on application volume and completeness. Submitting a thorough, accurate packet from the start is the most reliable way to avoid delays. Follow the application instructions carefully and respond promptly to any board requests.
Step 5. Start Work as a Private Investigator in North Dakota
Once your license arrives, you’re required to display it conspicuously at your place of business. The NDPISB will send you a laminated pocket card to carry when interviewing witnesses or subjects in the field.
Your license expires on September 30 each year. You have a 30-day grace period to renew, but working without a current license is a criminal offense in North Dakota — don’t let it lapse. The annual renewal fee is $130. Set a calendar reminder well before September, especially since renewal requires processing time.
If you open your own agency, your individual license makes you the responsible party for every employee conducting investigative work. Each must be registered with the NDPISB as a registered private investigator, subject to the $71.25 registration fee. All board correspondence is routed to you as the license holder, and compliance obligations are your responsibility to manage.
Private Investigator Salary Information for North Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private investigators in North Dakota earned a median annual salary of $45,710 as of May 2024. The mean annual wage was $48,050 — the gap between the two reflects the influence of higher earners in more specialized or senior agency roles. BLS data counts approximately 60 employed investigators across the state.
| Earnings Percentile | Annual Salary (May 2024) |
|---|---|
| Median (50th percentile) | $45,710 |
| 75th percentile | $58,240 |
| 90th percentile | $64,820 |
| Mean annual wage | $48,050 |
State-level BLS projections (2022–2032) show PI employment in North Dakota holding flat — no net new positions are projected, with roughly 10 openings per year driven by turnover rather than growth. National projections for the occupation (2024–2034) are more optimistic: the BLS estimates 6% employment growth and approximately 3,900 job openings per year nationwide.
With a workforce of around 60 investigators statewide, the North Dakota job market is tight. Law firms, insurance companies, and established investigative agencies are the primary employers. The relationships you build during your 2,000-hour registered employee phase are often what open doors to steady work once you’re independently licensed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a North Dakota resident to get a PI license?
No. The NDPISB does not require residency. You can be licensed in North Dakota regardless of where you live, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements, complete the 2,000 hours of experience, and pass the state exam. All board correspondence goes to the license holder, so you’ll need a reliable address on file with the board.
What automatically disqualifies me from getting a North Dakota PI license?
Any felony conviction disqualifies you. So do Class A or B misdemeanors involving violence, intimidation, or controlled substances, and any offense involving theft, including shoplifting. Juvenile adjudications are treated the same as adult convictions. The board has some discretion when it believes an offense won’t affect your ability to serve the public, but if you have any prior convictions, contact the NDPISB directly before starting the licensing process.
Does North Dakota’s constitutional carry law let me carry a firearm as a PI?
No. According to the NDPISB firearms licensing requirements, constitutional carry does not apply to private investigative work in North Dakota. To carry a weapon on the job, you must complete the same firearms training required of state peace officers and pass the NDPISB’s weapons exam — both the written component on ND firearms law and a practical shooting demonstration. A standard concealed carry permit doesn’t satisfy this requirement.
How long does it take to get licensed as a PI in North Dakota?
Once you’ve submitted a complete application with all required forms, documentation, and fees, processing times vary depending on volume and completeness of submissions. The longer part of the process is the approximately 2,000 hours of experience you must complete before you can even apply. Working full-time as a registered employee at a licensed agency, those hours take roughly a year to accumulate.
How do I get started if I don’t have any investigative experience?
Get hired as a registered employee at a licensed detective agency in North Dakota. You don’t need your own license for this — the agency registers you with the NDPISB under their license for a $71.25 fee. From there, you work under the agency’s supervision, build your 2,000 hours, and sit for the state exam when you’re eligible to apply for your individual license. Backgrounds in law enforcement, military service, or criminal justice are common entry points that make candidates more attractive to agencies.
Key Takeaways
- Two tracks to PI work in North Dakota. You can work as a registered employee under a licensed agency without your own license, or pursue an individual PI license to work independently or open your own firm.
- 2,000 hours of experience is required. You must complete those hours as a registered employee of a licensed detective agency before you can qualify for an individual license.
- A written state exam is required. The NDPISB administers the exam in Bismarck on an individual basis — it has historically consisted of approximately 150 questions. Passing results are valid for 12 months, so submit your application within that window.
- Residency is not required. You don’t need to live in North Dakota to hold a North Dakota PI license.
- Initial licensing costs approximately $270. That covers the new applicant fee, background check, and annual license fee — confirm current amounts at pisb.nd.gov before submitting.
Ready to take the first step toward your North Dakota PI license? Explore criminal justice programs that can help you build the knowledge base for the state exam and lay the groundwork for a career in investigative work.
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.