50-State Security Licensing Compliance Guide
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Private Investigator Licensing in Illinois

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Private investigation licenses are typically issued for individuals and organizations conducting investigative services. This guide contains information about private investigator licensing in Illinois. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

Company Licenses

Illinois Security Company Licenses

Illinois Private Investigation Agency License

Agency:Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Division of Professional Regulation - Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Fingerprint Vendor Board

Initial Registration

Form:

Private Detective Agency Registration

Agency Fee:

$500

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$450

Due:

Triennially by August 31.

Individual Licenses

Illinois Individual Security Licenses

Illinois Private Alarm Contractor License

Agency:Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Division of Professional Regulation - Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Fingerprint Vendor Board
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Insurance Requirements:
  • Liability Insurance in an amount not less than $1,000,000 with the certificate holder listed as the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, ATTN: Division of Professional Regulation P.O. Box 7007 Springfield, Illinois 62791
  • This information must be submitted on Supporting Document DE-INS after the successful completion of the required examination
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Private Alarm Contractor Candidate Examination

Filing Method:
  • Mail the application packet, supporting documentation, and exam fee to: Continental Testing Services, Inc. P.O. Box 100 LaGrange, Illinois 60525

or

Agency Fee:
  • $298 exam fee (submitted to testing agency with application or paid online directly to testing agency
  • $500 license fee (license fee due upon receiving a passing exam score)
Notes:

An exam is required to qualify for a Private Alarm Contractor License in the State of Illinois. The exam is administered by Continental Testing. The process is:

  • Application packets, supporting documents, and application fees are sent to and processed by Continental Testing
  • Upon approval of these documents, an applicant will be scheduled for the next available examination and notified of the testing information (date/time/location)
  • A 70% or higher is needed to pass the exam
  • Once an applicant passes the exam, they will be sent a notice and prompted to provide verification of fingerprint processing, a Certificate of Insurance, and pay the license fee
Required Attachments:
  • ED form, if applicable
  • VE-SAC form, if applicable
  • Fingerprint Receipt
  • DE-INS form (proof of liability insurance)
  • CT form, if applicable
  • Acts and Rule
  • Certificate from an approved National Certification Program, if applicable
  • RS form, if applicable
  • Copy of DD214, if applicable
  • Proof of Name Change, if applicable

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail or online

Agency Fee:

$450 renewal fee

Due:

Triennially by May 31

Notes:

Renewal notices and instructions will be mailed prior to the expiration of the license

Required Attachments:
  • Certificate of Insurance

Illinois Private Investigator License

Agency:Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Division of Professional Regulation - Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Fingerprint Vendor Board

Initial Registration

Form:

Private Detective Application

Agency Fee:

$500

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$150

Due:

Triennially by May 31.

Learn about security licensing in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Firearm Qualification - An additional qualification attached to license applications for armed private investigators.

Private Investigator Apprentice - Apprentices are issued limited licenses and can only operate under the direction of a licensed investigator.

Qualified Representative - A licensed private investigator who is responsible for the operation and management of an investigative agency.

Reciprocity - When a private investigator is allowed to do business in a different state under the license issued by their home state.

National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI)
Industry association that sponsors education and certification efforts for members.

National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS)
Private investigation and security advocacy group.

United States Association of Professional Investigators (USAPI)
Industry association focused on education and certification.

Revised September 13, 2023. Complete data last reviewed November 14, 2018.
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