To get a private investigator license in Virginia, you must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or GED, pass a background check, and complete a 60-hour DCJS-approved training course and exam. Applications go through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. Registration fees start at $25.
Virginia is one of the more attractive states to build a PI career. The proximity to Washington D.C. and the dense concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and intelligence community organizations create a steady demand for background investigators, corporate PIs, and security specialists that you won’t find in most other markets. If you’re coming out of the military or law enforcement, you’re already on the radar of firms that service that ecosystem.
The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services oversees registration and licensing for private investigators in the state. Here’s how the process works, step by step.
In Virginia, a private investigator is defined as any person who engages in the business of, or accepts employment to make, investigations to obtain information on crimes or civil wrongs; the location, disposition, or recovery of stolen property; the cause of accidents, fires, damages, or injuries to persons or property; or evidence to be used before any court, board, or investigative committee. The definition also covers individuals who provide personal protection services.
One important distinction: in Virginia, there are two separate license types. A registered PI is an individual who has completed training and holds a personal registration through DCJS. A Private Investigations Business License is a separate license required to operate as an independent firm and contract directly with clients. Registered PIs must either work through a licensed PI business or obtain their own business license to operate independently. You cannot operate independently on just a personal registration alone. If you’re planning to go independent, factor in the business licensing requirements covered in Step 4.
Step 1. Learn the Basic Virginia Private Investigator License Eligibility Requirements
Before you apply, you need to meet these basic eligibility requirements set by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Hold a high school diploma or GED
- Be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
- Complete all required initial training for each registration category
Virginia doesn’t require prior law enforcement experience or a college degree, which makes it one of the more accessible states for career changers entering the field for the first time.
Criminal History and Automatic Disqualifications
Any felony conviction is an automatic disqualifier. On the misdemeanor side, convictions involving the following categories may disqualify applicants depending on severity, recency, and DCJS review: damage to real or personal property, moral turpitude, controlled substances or imitation controlled substances, firearms, battery and assault, or prohibited sexual behavior. Minor traffic violations (speeding tickets, parking citations) don’t count against you.
If you have any criminal history beyond minor traffic matters, you’ll need to submit a Criminal History Supplemental Form with your application. The same applies if you’ve been subject to a military court-martial.
Step 2. Get Fingerprinted and Complete the Initial Training Requirements
The core training requirement is 60 hours of DCJS-approved entry-level instruction, known as the “02E” Private Investigator Course. Per DCJS regulations (6VAC20-174-310), the 60-hour course must be completed within 12 months of application submission. Training is typically delivered in person or in a hybrid format; fully online completion is generally not permitted.
The curriculum covers five subject areas:
- Orientation: applicable Virginia codes, professional ethics, and signs of terrorism
- Law: basic law, criminal and civil law, evidence, and privacy
- General investigative skills: surveillance, research, and interviewing
- Documentation: photography, audio recording, courtroom testimony, and communications
- Types of investigations: accident, insurance, background, fraud, and financial
Each subject area, except orientation, includes a practical exercise. Those exercises don’t count toward the 60-hour minimum. They’re in addition to it.
Partial Training Exemption
If you have prior law enforcement or private security service experience, you may qualify for a partial training exemption. Instead of the full 60 hours, exempt applicants complete 6 hours of orientation training and 16 hours of law training. You still need to pass the licensing exam regardless of which path you take.
Registration Categories
The 02E course covers the entry-level private investigator registration category. If you intend to add other categories to your registration later (such as personal protection specialist), each requires its own category-specific training. You can add categories after your initial registration is approved through the Additional Registration Category process at DCJS.
Fingerprinting and Background Check
You’ll submit fingerprints as part of the application process. Virginia State Police conducts the background check. Submit the fingerprint processing application along with the applicable $50 processing fee. This is separate from the registration application fee.
Licensing Exam
You must pass the required DCJS-approved exam associated with your training program before you can be licensed. Your training provider will give you instructions for enrolling as you near completion of the course.
Application Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial registration application | $25.00 | Nonrefundable; submit online through DCJS |
| Fingerprint processing | $50.00 | Subject to change; may vary slightly by processing vendor |
| Firearms endorsement (initial) | $10.00 | Only required if you plan to carry a firearm on duty |
| License renewal (every 2 years) | $20.00 | Must renew within 60 days of expiration or reapply as new |
| Firearms endorsement renewal | $10.00 | If applicable at renewal |
Applicants submit the initial registration application online through the DCJS portal. The criminal history processing form is embedded in the online application.
Optional Education
Virginia has no degree requirement, but many applicants choose to pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice to build a stronger foundation before entering the field and improve their odds on the licensing exam.
Step 3. Firearms Endorsement (Optional)
Carrying or having access to a firearm in the course of PI duties requires a separate firearms endorsement on your registration. A PI registration alone doesn’t authorize you to carry a concealed weapon on duty. Those are two separate approvals.
To carry concealed, you’ll also need a Concealed Handgun Permit from the Circuit Court of the county where you reside, in addition to the firearms endorsement through DCJS.
The Firearms Endorsement page of the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services details the permissible firearm types, required training hours, and the endorsement card you’ll receive upon completion.
Step 4. Insurance, Bonding, Business Licensing, and Additional Required Forms
Individual registration and operating a PI business are two different things in Virginia. A registered PI must either work under a licensed PI firm or hold their own business license to contract directly with clients.
PI businesses are required to carry a $100,000 surety bond and maintain at least $300,000 in general liability insurance. These requirements apply to the business license holder, not to individual investigators who are employed by or affiliated with a licensed firm.
If you’re already registered with the DCJS but want to add additional registration categories, you’ll file an Additional Registration Category request. Details are on the Additional Registration Category page.
Reciprocity
Virginia has limited reciprocity agreements with select other states. An out-of-state PI may work in Virginia if the investigation originates in their state of licensure and that state offers equivalent reciprocity to Virginia-registered investigators. Reciprocity is limited and not commonly used. Most out-of-state investigators will need to obtain a Virginia registration directly. Current agreements are listed on the DCJS website.
Step 5. Continuing Education
Your PI registration is valid for 24 months from the date of issue. To renew, you’ll need to complete at least 8 hours of DCJS-approved continuing education (CE) during that period. This is separate from the 8-hour in-service training requirement that applies after your initial registration is approved.
The DCJS maintains a list of approved CE courses. If you let your registration lapse more than 60 days past expiration, you’ll need to reapply as an initial applicant and repeat the training and fees.
The Private Investigators Association of Virginia is worth joining for CE opportunities, industry news, and networking with established investigators in the state.
Private Investigator Salary in Virginia
According to May 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private investigators in Virginia earn a median annual salary of $48,740, with a mean annual salary of $61,010. The top 25% of earners in the state earn $75,940 or more, and the top 10% earn $103,910 or more. Virginia employs approximately 900 private investigators (estimate based on BLS occupational data, which may include related roles and contract investigators).
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area is where the highest earnings are concentrated. That market reflects Virginia’s proximity to federal agencies, the intelligence community, and the defense contracting ecosystem: a pipeline of background investigation and corporate work that keeps demand steady.
Private Investigator Salaries by Metro Area in Virginia
The BLS tracks salary and employment data for PIs across Virginia’s major metro areas. Here’s how the three primary markets compare as of May 2024:
| Metro Area | PIs Employed | Median Annual Salary | Mean Annual Salary | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 490 | $62,190 | $79,050 | $152,080 |
| Richmond, VA | 170 | $63,580 | $70,660 | $105,700 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 130 | $39,310 | $50,370 | $81,180 |
The spread between Virginia Beach and the other two markets is significant. Richmond’s median actually edges out the DC metro slightly, though the DC area’s mean and top-end earnings are in a different tier entirely. The 90th percentile there starts at $152,080, reflecting the premium for high-security background work and government-adjacent investigation contracts.
The BLS also projects 6.4% employment growth for private investigators in Virginia between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 170 job openings per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a PI license in Virginia?
Most applicants who complete the 60-hour training course and have their paperwork in order can expect the process to take four to eight weeks from application to approval, though timelines can vary based on background check processing and application volume. The 60-hour course itself can be completed in less than two weeks at some intensive programs. You can search for DCJS-approved training providers on the DCJS licensure page.
Do I need a degree or prior experience to become a PI in Virginia?
No. Virginia doesn’t require a degree or prior investigative experience to obtain registration. The 60-hour DCJS-approved training course is the primary requirement. That said, if you have prior law enforcement or private security experience, you may qualify for a partial training exemption that significantly reduces the required hours.
What disqualifies you from getting a PI license in Virginia?
Any felony conviction is an automatic disqualifier. On the misdemeanor side, convictions involving moral turpitude, firearms, controlled substances, damage to property, battery and assault, or prohibited sexual behavior may disqualify applicants depending on severity, recency, and DCJS review. Minor traffic violations don’t count. If you have any relevant history, include the Criminal History Supplemental Form with your application.
Can I carry a firearm as a private investigator in Virginia?
Not automatically. Your PI registration alone doesn’t authorize firearms carry on duty. You’ll need a separate firearms endorsement from DCJS, which requires completing an approved firearms training course, plus a Concealed Handgun Permit from the Circuit Court in your county of residence. Both are required to carry legally on the job.
Do I need to work for a PI firm, or can I go independent?
You must either work under a licensed PI business or hold your own business license to contract with clients. Registration alone doesn’t let you operate independently. If you’re planning to work for yourself, you’ll need to obtain a business license and meet the associated bonding and insurance requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Registration through DCJS. Virginia PI licensing is handled by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Applications are submitted online.
- 60-hour training is the core requirement. The DCJS-approved 02E course must be completed within 12 months of application submission. Veterans and prior LE may qualify for a partial exemption.
- Fees are modest. The initial registration costs $25. Fingerprinting runs $50. A firearms endorsement adds $10. Renewal every two years is $20.
- Business licensing is a separate step. Working independently requires a business license, a $100,000 surety bond, and $300,000 in liability insurance.
- Firearms require a separate endorsement. Your PI registration does not cover concealed carry. You need a DCJS firearms endorsement plus a county-level Concealed Handgun Permit.
- Virginia’s market is strong. BLS data shows 900 PIs employed statewide, with the DC metro area offering the highest earning potential and projected 6.4% job growth through 2032.
Ready to find a Virginia PI training program? DCJS-approved schools offer the 60-hour entry-level course you need to apply for registration.
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.