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

A private investigator listening to a clients issue

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

Company Licenses

Washington Security Company Licenses

Washington Private Investigation Agency License

Agency:Washington State Department of Licensing - Business and Professions Division
Bond Requirements:

$10,000

Initial Registration

Form:

Private Investigative Agency Application

Filing Method:

Mail or Online

Agency Fee:
  • $640 for agencies with an unarmed principal
  • $750 for agencies with an armed principal

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail or Online

Agency Fee:
  • $385 for agencies with an unarmed principal
  • $390 for agencies with an armed principal
Due:

Annually by date of issuance.

Washington Private Security Guard Company License

Agency:Washington State Department of Licensing - Business and Professions Division
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Private Security Guard Company/Qualifying Principal License Application

Filing Method:

Online or Mail to:

Private Security Guard Program
Washington State Department of Licensing
PO Box 35001
Seattle WA 98124-3401

Agency Fee:

$364

Registration Renewal

Form:

Private Security Guard Company License Renewal Application

Filing Method:

Online or Mail to:

Private Security Guard Program
Washington State Department of Licensing
PO Box 35001
Seattle WA 98124-3401

Agency Fee:

$332

Due:

Annually by date of issuance.

Individual Licenses

Washington Individual Security Licenses

Washington Private Investigator License

Agency:Washington State Department of Licensing - Business and Professions Division

Initial Registration

Form:

Private Investigator License Application

Agency Fee:

$200 for unarmed private investigators, $300 for armed private investigators.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Private Investigator License Renewal

Agency Fee:

$175

Due:

Annually

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 August 13, 2026