Private Investigator License

[nitrogen]

I'm a computer/network security professional, as well as a network engineer. My day job is building networks, but in the past, for extra dough, I used to do computer and network forensics. (Basically figuring out who hacked into a network or computer, or who deleted what and when, that kind of thing)

I'm reading one of my computer security and design e-mails, and I am greeted with what's below.
Readers Digest version: There's a good chance I need to get a P.I. license to start doing this again, or risk comitting a felony.
Any experienced investigators know of a good way for me to get an appropriate license, so I could start this kind of work independantly again. the extra money would be wonderful, if the expense to start up again isn't extreme.

A new Georgia law aimed at private investigators now ``extends to computer
forensics and computer incident response, meaning that forensics experts who
testify in court without a PI license may be committing a felony''. The
``law requires all private investigators in the State of Georgia to be
licensed'', and is ``intended to prevent people from simply opening up shop
and claiming to be PIs.'' However, the ``problem lies in both the
definition and interpretation of what services can only be offered by a
licensed PI, and how that extends into the electronic world.'' Forensic
experts, by definition help individuals and business owners to find, the
`cause and responsibility for ... losses and damage to ... property'', which
is exactly how the law describes the duties of private investigators,
meaning that under the new law forensic experts would be committing a felony
in the course of their usual trade. Other states will similar laws include
California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Texas, Delaware, and New York. An
exception allowing attorneys, and those working directly under, as well as
any in- house experts a business may have, provides protection for some.

[txinvestigator]

I'm a computer/network security professional, as well as a network engineer. My day job is building networks, but in the past, for extra dough, I used to do computer and network forensics. (Basically figuring out who hacked into a network or computer, or who deleted what and when, that kind of thing)

I'm reading one of my computer security and design e-mails, and I am greeted with what's below.
Readers Digest version: There's a good chance I need to get a P.I. license to start doing this again, or risk comitting a felony.
Any experienced investigators know of a good way for me to get an appropriate license, so I could start this kind of work independantly again. the extra money would be wonderful, if the expense to start up again isn't extreme.

A new Georgia law aimed at private investigators now ``extends to computer
forensics and computer incident response, meaning that forensics experts who
testify in court without a PI license may be committing a felony''. The
``law requires all private investigators in the State of Georgia to be
licensed'', and is ``intended to prevent people from simply opening up shop
and claiming to be PIs.'' However, the ``problem lies in both the
definition and interpretation of what services can only be offered by a
licensed PI, and how that extends into the electronic world.'' Forensic
experts, by definition help individuals and business owners to find, the
`cause and responsibility for ... losses and damage to ... property'', which
is exactly how the law describes the duties of private investigators,
meaning that under the new law forensic experts would be committing a felony
in the course of their usual trade. Other states will similar laws include
California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Texas, Delaware, and New York. An
exception allowing attorneys, and those working directly under, as well as
any in- house experts a business may have, provides protection for some.

I will give you some links for PI licensing in Texas. The PI industry is regulated by the Texas Private Security Bureau of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/

Doing any of these things requires the person to be licensed as a PI or registered with a PI company;

Sec.A1702.104. INVESTIGATIONS COMPANY.AAA person acts as an
investigations company for the purposes of this chapter if the
10
person:
(1)engages in the business of obtaining or
furnishing, or accepts employment to obtain or furnish, information
related to:
(A)crime or wrongs done or threatened against a
state or the United States;
(B)the identity, habits, business, occupation,
knowledge, efficiency, loyalty, movement, location, affiliations,
associations, transactions, acts, reputation, or character of a
person;
(C)the location, disposition, or recovery of
lost or stolen property; or
(D)the cause or responsibility for a fire,
libel, loss, accident, damage, or injury to a person or to property;
(2)engages in the business of securing, or accepts
employment to secure, evidence for use before a court, board,
officer, or investigating committee;
(3)engages in the business of securing, or accepts
employment to secure, the electronic tracking of the location of an
individual or motor vehicle other than for criminal justice
purposes by or on behalf of a governmental entity; or
(4)engages in the business of protecting, or accepts
employment to protect, an individual from bodily harm through the
use of a personal protection officer.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/ ... TER%201702

http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/rea ... pt=1&ch=35

Licensing requires liability insurance, a state certified manager (3 years experence and passes a state test) a fee, ($350.00), etc.

If you have any other questions I will try to help you.

[one eyed fatman]

Only 16 hours of training and 150.00. Pretty easy to get.

[txinvestigator]

Only 16 hours of training and 150.00. Pretty easy to get.

I have no idea where you got that, but it is completely incorrect.

[one eyed fatman]

Only 16 hours of training and 150.00. Pretty easy to get.

I have no idea where you got that, but it is completely incorrect.

Here's where I got the info. Check it out and tell me what you think.

http://www.nsa2.com/details.asp?id=27

[nitrogen]

Only 16 hours of training and 150.00. Pretty easy to get.

I have no idea where you got that, but it is completely incorrect.

Here's where I got the info. Check it out and tell me what you think.

http://www.nsa2.com/details.asp?id=27

I don't see how this covers the education requirement. As far as what I just read, you either need to be employed by a security agency for 3 years, or have a 4 year degree.

In other words, i'm screwed.

[txinvestigator]

Only 16 hours of training and 150.00. Pretty easy to get.

I have no idea where you got that, but it is completely incorrect.

Here's where I got the info. Check it out and tell me what you think.

http://www.nsa2.com/details.asp?id=27

That is some security school that offers 16 hours of training. It would not qualify a person to obtain a PI license, nor is it necessary to be registered as a PI under someone else's license.

A PI must obtain 16 hours of Continuing Education every 2 years, and that course MIGHT qualify.

[one eyed fatman]

That is some security school that offers 16 hours of training. It would not qualify a person to obtain a PI license, nor is it necessary to be registered as a PI under someone else's license.

So you can work for a PI and use his license as an umbrella for yourself in that line of work?

[txinvestigator]

Only 16 hours of training and 150.00. Pretty easy to get.

I have no idea where you got that, but it is completely incorrect.

Here's where I got the info. Check it out and tell me what you think.

http://www.nsa2.com/details.asp?id=27

I don't see how this covers the education requirement. As far as what I just read, you either need to be employed by a security agency for 3 years, or have a 4 year degree.

In other words, i'm screwed.

Not exactly. You could register as a PI (only minimum background requirements needed for that) under another company license. You would have to do all work in the name of the company, all fees paid for your services would have to paid to the licensed company, and they would have to pay you AS AN EMPLOYEE. You could not work as an independant contractor.

In the alternative, you could start your own company and hire someone to act in the capacity of your licensed manager.