Private Investigator Licensing in Hawaii

Guard Employee Requirements, Instructions, and Application

Mail

The license period runs on a triennial cycle and is set regardless of when an applicant applies. License fees are prorated based on when an application is submitted within this period. 

• If registration is submitted between July 1 and June 30 of the first year of the triennium, the license fee is $151
• If registration is submitted between July 1 and June 30 of the second year of the triennium, the license fee is $116
• If the registration is submitted between July 1 and June 30 of the third year of the triennium, the license fee is $81

• All applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent 
• All applicants must complete 8 hours of classroom instruction given by a board-approved instructor on board-approved curricula before the first day of service.

• Attach evidence of the 8-hour board-approved course given by an instructor approved by the board. 
  • Certificate must state name of the approved curricula and guard instructor, name of the organization providing the course, date of the class, and signature of the approved guard instructor 
• Proof of high school education (see application for examples of documents that qualify as providing proof)
• If suffering from a psychiatric or psychological disorder you must submit the following:
  • An explanation of the underlying facts and circumstances surrounding your psychiatric/psychological disorder and treatment
  • Letters from your treating licensed health care practitioner (e.g. psychologist, psychiatrist, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, adult psychiatric and mental health clinical nurse specialist) regarding the diagnosis, status of your psychiatric or psychological disorder, and assessment of your ability to work in the registered/ licensed profession (principal guard, guard employee, principal detective)
  • Letters of recommendation from your current employer regarding your reliability, trustworthiness and ability to work as a guard employee
• If you answered "yes" to questions 4 or 5 you must submit:
  • A detailed statement signed by you explaining the underlying circumstances
  • Copies of any documents from the agency, including final orders, petitions, complaints, findings of fact and conclusions of law, and any other relevant documents
• If question 6 of your application indicates a criminal conviction you must submit:
  • A detailed statement signed by you explaining the underlying circumstances leading to the conviction
  • A copy of all related court documents (i.e. indictments, judgments, guilty pleas, verdict, and terms of sentence) if applicable, proof of payment of fines
  • If applicable, a copy of the terms of probation and/or parole and a statement from your probation or parole officer as to your compliance with the court orders
  • Letters of recommendation from any physicians, counselors, and other members of the community (no relative) who can objectively attest in writing to a firm belief that you have been sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public's trust
  • Letters of recommendation from your current employer regarding your reliability and trustworthiness to work as a guard employee

Online

• $105 to renew as active status
• $12 to renew as inactive status

Renewals must be submitted triennially by June 30 of the license period regardless of when the initial license was issued. Renewal years include 2024, 2027, 2030, etc. 

Guard employee registrations NOT renewed by June 30 of the license period are forfeited and the holders of a forfeited registration are considered unregistered and may not engage in the trade or profession.

• Applicants are required to complete a 4-hour board-approved continuing education course given by an instructor approved by the board to renew the guard registration
  • A guard employee who was issued a new registration within one-year of the applicable renewal date shall not be required to complete the 4-hour CE training for their first renewal.
  • Do NOT submit proof of this CE training with your renewal unless requested to do so by the board. Random audits will be conducted after the renewal period.

Private Detective License Application

$50 application fee + $50 exam fee + $280 if issued between July 1st of even-numbered years or $108 if issued outside of this period.

$196

June 30 of even-numbered years.

Renewal forms are provided by the department.