Applying for Private Investigation Firm License

Apply for a firm license if you plan to employ or allow anyone to help you perform investigations. Your firm may be a sole proprietorship, general partnership, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or voluntary association.

Follow these steps:

1. Organize your company in West Virginia or get an out-of-state (foreign) company authorized by registering with the Business Division. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships register through the State Tax Department. All other entity types register through the Secretary of State. A certificate of good standing from your home state will be required with your business registration if the company is an entity from another state. Registration of your business is a separate registration from your Private Investigation firm license and may be filed online through One Stop Business Portal.

2. Complete the application form and follow the instructions for the fingerprint requirement. Use one of the following methods:

   • Download the application form,

   • Request the application packet by e-mail at licensing@wvsos.gov or

   • Call (304) 558-8000 to request an application packet with the correct fingerprint instructions.

The online form requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can fill it out on screen, then print. If you start with a printed form, please type or print in ink and make certain every entry is legible.

3. Make sure the qualifying agent (the person who is eligible to be licensed as a private investigator and who will be responsible for the operation of the investigations of the firm) completes the private investigator license application.

   • Note: It is not permissible to have a person act as qualifying agent unless that person is directly involved with and responsible for supervising the investigations of the firm.
   • Also, each officer, member or partner of a corporation, LLC, or partnership is required to submit a completed application form including references. Documentation of qualifications are not required for anyone other than the qualifying agent.



4. Complete the firm application, including the list of employees (include only those employees who will conduct investigations in West Virginia). Each officer of a corporation or voluntary association, member of a limited liability company, or partner of a partnership must sign the application.

5. Get the one (1) required photograph for the qualifying agent, and for each officer, member or partner, taken within the last year. Have passport size color photos taken by a photographer. A colored background, such as light blue or gray, works best. Attach one (1) photo to the application for the qualifying agent and one for each officer, member or partner.

6. Choose one (1) of the following methods of proof of bond:

   • Find a surety company authorized to do business in West Virginia who will agree to issue a surety bond of $5,000 naming you, the applicant, as principal. Take the surety bond form and instructions (included in the application) to the agent representing that company. If your firm is a corporation, the president or vice-president is required to sign the bond and have that signature notarized, unless a corporate resolution authorizing someone else to sign is attached, and a corporate seal must be attached, if applicable. The surety agent's signature must be notarized, and a power of attorney must be attached. Your signature as principal must be notarized. The agent's signature must be notarized, and a power of attorney must be attached; or
   • Provide sufficient proof of liability insurance as required by Secretary of State.
   
   

7. Provide five character references. For the qualifying agent, and for each officer, member or partner, provide a blank character reference letter form (included in the application) to five reputable citizens who have known the individual for whom the reference is given for five years and who are not related to that individual by blood or marriage. Ask each person to complete and sign the reference and return it to you. DO NOT mail or deliver the firm application until you have five completed references for each individual.

8. Provide copies of the documentation proving that the qualifying agent has met the training and/or experience requirements. Documentation may include:

   • A copy of your diploma from an accredited college or university showing graduation from a two or four year program in criminal justice, criminal investigation, law enforcement or a related investigative field; or
   • A transcript showing successful completion of at least sixty hours of credit in investigative studies; or
   • A sworn statement (under penalty of false swearing) signed by one of the principals of a licensed private investigative firm which specifies the time you were employed (hours per week and number of weeks), the skills you acquired, and your competency; or evidence of equivalent law enforcement employment. If all requirements are to be met by this experience, the work must include a minimum of 32 hours per week for 100 weeks; or
   • A combination of transcripts and experience certified as provided above. To determine if the requirements are met, divide the number of appropriate college credits by sixty to determine the percentage of the total requirement met by education. For example, 24 credit hours / 60 hours = 40% met by education. This leaves 60% to be met by experience. Multiply the percentage to be met by experience times 100 weeks. For example 60% x 100 weeks = 60 weeks (minimum 32 hours per week) of experience; or
   • Verification of the training you received during your military service relating to the private investigator and/or security guard business.



9. Pay the fee. A $50 non-refundable application processing fee is included in the fee. If your license is denied, the remainder will be refunded. The initial license is valid for two (2) years. If it is not renewed after the initial two (2) year period, and you wish to do private investigations, you must register as a new applicant. After the initial two (2) year term, the license can be renewed each subsequent year for an effective term of two(2) years by filing the renewal application. The fee for an individual license is:

   • $250 West Virginia Resident
   • $250 Non-Resident of West Virginia



10. Submit your application, photographs, references, surety bond or proof of liability insurance, documentation of qualifications, and fee to:

    West Virginia Secretary of State
    Licensing Division
    1900 Kanawha Blvd. East
    Building 1, Suite 157-K
    Charleston, WV 25305

Contact the Licensing Division for further assistance regarding Private Investigator and/or Security Guard licensing.