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Most states require licensure to practice Private Investigation. PIs gather
evidence in criminal and negliglence cases. States
that do not require licensure include Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri and South Dakota.
The private detective industry is regulated by state boards or other state agencies. Although regulation is at
the state level, or in Wyoming at the local level, a national exam has been designed by the National Association
of Legal Investigators (NALI). It is this organization that offers a Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) Program
and Exam.
In California, The Department of Consumer Affairs/Bureau of Security and Investigative Services regulates the
Private Investigator industry. In order to gain licensure, you must be at least 18 years of age, have coursework
in police science and criminal law or criminal justice along with 6000 hours experience. You must also face a criminal
background check and must not be a convicted felon. Most states will not allow convicted felons to become
Private Investigators. The California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI) says it is the largest
investigator association in the world.
