Getting a private investigator license in Vermont requires two years of investigative experience (as a licensed PI in any state, as a PI agency employee, or in sworn law enforcement) plus a Board-approved training program. Those who want to work independently or open their own agency must also pass a written state exam.
Vermont operates a two-tier licensing system for private investigators. New investigators start as registered PIs, working under the supervision of a licensed agency while they build their hours and complete required training. Once they’re ready to work independently or run their own firm, they can advance to full licensure as a qualifying agent or sole proprietor, which requires passing a written state exam. Knowing which tier you’re working toward shapes how you approach every step of the process. For a side-by-side look at how Vermont compares to other states, see the PI license requirements by state.
Vermont’s PI industry draws heavily from law enforcement and military backgrounds. The experience requirement makes it a natural fit, but it’s not a closed door to career changers. PIs here handle a wide range of assignments: background checks, insurance investigations, surveillance, missing-person searches, and work supporting attorneys on civil and criminal cases. Some carry firearms, and others work strictly unarmed, focusing on research and documentation. Vermont licenses both categories, with distinct requirements and fees at each tier.
The Vermont Board of Private Investigative and Security Services oversees licensing through the Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation. The governing statutes are Title 26, Chapter 59 of the Vermont Statutes.
Step 1. Meet Basic Requirements for Private Investigators in Vermont
Before applying, you’ll need to meet Vermont’s baseline eligibility criteria. The Board requires that all PI applicants:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Be a Vermont resident in good standing regarding child support orders, taxes, district court fines, and the judicial bureau
- Have two years of investigative experience (see Step 2 for the law enforcement equivalent)
- Pass a criminal background check
- Complete required training
- Have employment with a licensed Vermont private investigative agency
A few points that often come up: a dishonorable military discharge does not automatically disqualify you. A check of financial history is not required. Individual registered PIs are not required to carry liability insurance. What will hold up your application is any unresolved standing issue with child support, taxes, or court obligations. Those need to be cleared before the Board will approve you.
Step 2. Satisfy Training and Experience Requirements for Private Investigators in Vermont
Experience
Vermont requires at least two years of experience in investigative work, as determined by the Director. Per the Board’s administrative rules, qualifying experience includes working as a private investigator licensed in any state, working as an investigator for a licensed PI agency in any state, or serving as a sworn member of a federal, state, or municipal law enforcement agency. Experience does not need to be with a Vermont-based PI specifically.
If you’re coming from outside law enforcement, the supervised agency route is the standard path. Most people start by getting hired with a licensed PI firm and logging qualifying hours there. Keep thorough records and documented references from the start. The Board requires verified employment history and references from at least two professional peers as part of the character and fitness assessment.
Training
Before the Board issues your full registration, you’ll need to complete a 40-hour training program approved by the Board. Timing matters: you apply for temporary registration first, receive a 60-day approval, and complete the training during that window. Your agency then submits proof of completion, and the Board issues your permanent registration.
Every Board-approved training program must cover:
- Report writing
- Evidence
- Statements
- Observations and note-taking
- Investigative applications and tools
- Public relations and communication
- Legal powers and limitations (see also: private investigator laws)
- Ethics and professional conduct, including grounds for unprofessional conduct
- Role of the private investigator
If you plan to carry a firearm as a PI, you’ll also need to complete a Board-approved firearms training program taught by a licensed instructor, in both a classroom and on the range. That program must include:
- 12 hours of classroom instruction on firearms safety, legal responsibility, and usage
- 4 hours of classroom instruction on the safety and use of a specific firearm
- A written examination
- A qualifying range course
Education
A formal degree isn’t required to get a Vermont PI license, but many applicants pursue criminal justice coursework to strengthen their investigative foundation and stand out with larger agencies. Degrees that translate well to PI work include:
- Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Human Services concentration
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Law Enforcement concentration
Step 3. Apply for Registration as a Private Investigator in Vermont
Registration is the first tier: it lets you work as a PI employee under a licensed agency while you complete training and build experience. Applications are submitted electronically through the Office of Professional Regulation’s online services system. The application requires:
- Completed online registration application via the Office of Professional Regulation’s online services system
- Payment of the application fee (see fee schedule below)
- A recent passport-sized photo
- Supervisor signature on the Temporary Registration/Statement of Supervisor form
- If seeking armed status: FBI background check and fingerprinting (contact the Office of Professional Regulation to arrange)
- If requesting armed status: completed the Verification of Firearms Status form from your firearms instructor
If you prefer to apply by mail, send materials to: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation, 89 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Montpelier, VT 05620-3402.
Once the Vermont Criminal Information Center completes its background check, you’ll receive a 60-day temporary registration. Use that window to complete your 40-hour Board-approved training. Your agency submits proof of completion, and the Board issues your full registration.
Vermont PI License and Registration Fee Schedule
| Tier | Status | Initial Fee | 2-Year Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration (employee/registrant) | Unarmed | $60 | $80 |
| Registration (employee/registrant) | Armed | $120 | $130 |
| License (qualifying agent/sole proprietor) | Unarmed | $150 | $120 |
| License (qualifying agent/sole proprietor) | Armed | $200 | $180 |
Step 4. Apply for Vermont Licensure as a Qualifying Agent or Sole Proprietor
If you want to open your own agency, work as a sole proprietor, or serve as the qualifying agent responsible for a licensed PI firm, you’ll need to advance to full licensure by passing the Vermont Private Investigator Examination. For context on how Vermont’s exam compares to other states, see the guide to state PI licensing exam requirements.
The exam is multiple-choice and administered at the Board offices. Contact the Office of Professional Regulation to schedule your test date. The exam covers:
- Vermont public records law (1 V.S.A. sections 310-320)
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. section 1681)
- Vermont PI and security service licensing laws (26 V.S.A. sections 3151-3183; 3 V.S.A. sections 121-131; Administrative Rules)
- General knowledge of investigation through academic study and practical experience
Once you’ve passed the exam, submit your application package:
- Submit the Private Investigator and/or Security Guard Qualifying Agent Application
- Attach the appropriate fee via check payable to the Vermont Secretary of State (see fee schedule in Step 3)
- Include a passport-sized photo
- Have character references and experience verifications submitted directly to the Board by each reference (forms are included in the application packet)
- Complete fingerprinting requirements through the Office of Professional Regulation
- If requesting armed status, attach certification of completed firearms training
Mail to: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation, 89 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Montpelier, VT 05620-3402.
Step 5. Working as a Private Investigator in Vermont
Registered private investigators may work as employees of a licensed PI agency. Licensed qualifying agents can work independently, operate their own agency, or serve as the responsible person for a licensed firm.
Both registration and licensure renew on two-year cycles. Registered PIs use the Private Investigative and Security Services Armed/Unarmed Registrant Renewal Application. Licensed qualifying agents use the Private Investigative and Security Services Armed/Unarmed License Renewal Application. See the fee schedule in Step 3 for renewal amounts. Mail renewals to: Vermont Secretary of State, Attn: Renewal Clerk, Office of Professional Regulation, 89 Main St., 3rd Floor, Montpelier, VT 05620-3420.
Armed PIs must requalify every two years, completing at least six hours of requalification training in basic firearms safety, use, and legal responsibility, and requalifying on the firing range. Include your requalification course date and instructor’s name on the renewal application.
If you’re already licensed as a PI in another state and need to work a case in Vermont, the Board’s administrative rules provide for transitory permits under Section 4-6. These are available to out-of-state investigators who hold a valid license in a jurisdiction that regulates PI practice, and are limited to the continuation of an investigative engagement or assignment that originated in another state. Practice under a transitory permit may not exceed 30 days in any calendar year. Contact the Office of Professional Regulation directly for application procedures and current fee information. If you’re considering working across New England, see the New Hampshire PI license requirements as well.
Private Investigator Salary in Vermont
BLS data shows Vermont private investigators earned a median annual salary of $66,070 as of May 2024. The table below shows the full earnings range across percentile levels. For national and state-by-state comparisons, see the private investigator salary data hub.
| Earnings Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $66,070 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,490 |
| 90th Percentile | $88,450 |
The BLS projects a 25% increase in PI employment in Vermont between 2022 and 2032, growing from roughly 40 positions to 50. It’s a small market, and investigators who build a reputation in specialty areas, including insurance fraud, domestic cases, or attorney support work, tend to work toward the upper end of the pay range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a college degree to become a PI in Vermont?
No degree is required. Vermont’s licensing rules focus on work experience: two years under a licensed PI or equivalent law enforcement service, and a 40-hour Board-approved training program. That said, a criminal justice degree can help you land your first position with a licensed agency, which is where almost everyone starts.
What is the difference between a registered PI and a licensed PI in Vermont?
A registered PI is an employee who works under the supervision of a licensed agency. A licensed qualifying agent or sole proprietor can work independently, run their own agency, or serve as the responsible party for a licensed firm. Advancing to full licensure requires passing Vermont’s written PI exam. Registration does not.
Does prior law enforcement experience satisfy Vermont’s two-year requirement?
Yes. Two or more years of service as a sworn member of a federal, state, or municipal law enforcement agency fully satisfies the experience requirement. Out-of-state PI work also qualifies. The Board’s rules explicitly accept experience as a licensed PI in another state or as an investigator for a licensed PI agency in any state. You’ll still need to complete the required training program before the Board will issue a full registration or license.
Can I work in Vermont if I’m already licensed as a PI in another state?
Vermont’s Board rules provide for transitory permits for out-of-state investigators who are licensed in a jurisdiction that regulates PI practice. These permits are for the continuation of an engagement or assignment that originated in another state and are capped at 30 days per calendar year. They are not a full reciprocity arrangement. Contact the Office of Professional Regulation directly for current application procedures and fees.
What disqualifies someone from getting a Vermont PI license?
The Board runs a criminal background check and evaluates character, integrity, and reputation. Per statute, an application may be denied if an applicant fails to meet “a high standard as to character, integrity, and reputation,” fails to provide required information, or has engaged in unprofessional conduct as defined in section 3181. Unresolved standing issues related to child support, taxes, district court fines, or the judicial bureau will block your application until cleared. A dishonorable military discharge and financial history issues are not automatic bars under the current rules, but any application that does not meet the Board’s character standards is subject to denial.
Key Takeaways
- Two-tier licensing system: Vermont distinguishes between registered PIs (employees working under a licensed agency) and licensed qualifying agents (who can work independently or own an agency).
- Two-year experience requirement: You need two years of investigative work (as a licensed PI in any state, as a PI agency employee, or in sworn law enforcement) before the Board will issue a full registration or license.
- 40-hour training is required: Board-approved training covering report writing, evidence, legal limits, ethics, and related topics must be completed during the 60-day temporary registration window.
- Written exam for independence: Becoming a qualifying agent or sole proprietor requires passing Vermont’s multiple-choice PI exam, covering state statutes, the FCRA, and general investigative knowledge.
- Two-year renewal cycle: Both registration and licensure renew every two years. Armed PIs must also requalify on the range at each renewal.
- Median salary of $66,070: BLS data places Vermont PI median earnings at $66,070, with experienced investigators reaching $88,450 at the 90th percentile (May 2024).
Ready to take the next step toward a PI career in Vermont? Browse criminal justice programs that can help you build the knowledge and credentials employers look for.
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.