Private Investigator and Security Guard Licensing Information

 

 

Any person or group of people performing investigative or security guard functions in West Virginia are required to apply for licensure, unless one of the exemptions specified by law applies. To determine whether licensing requirements apply, see “Exemptions” under each license type.

Several types of licenses are available, and the requirements are slightly different for each one. Carefully review the information below to determine the correct filing procedure.

To report problems related to either Private Investigators or Security Guards, please use the General Complaint Form.

Eligibility Requirements* for All Private Investigator and Security Guard Licensing

• Basic Eligibility Requirements*See Additional Eligibility Requirements by license type below.

Forms

• Initial Application

• Renewal Application

• Changing Information

• Privacy Act Statement

• Challenge My Fingerprint Results

• FBI Guide to Challenging Criminal Record

Private Investigator Licensing

• Additional Eligibility Requirements

• Exemptions for Private Investigators

• Applying for an Individual Private Investigator License

• Applying for a Private Investigation Firm license

• Renewing an Individual Private Investigator License

• Renewing a Private Investigation Firm License

Security Guard Licensing

• Additional Eligibility Requirements

• Exemptions for Security Guards

• Applying for an Individual Security Guard License

• Applying for a Security Guard Firm License

• Renewing an Individual Security Guard License

• Renewing a Security Guard Firm License

Combined Licensing

• Additional Eligibility Requirements
  

• Applying for a Combined Individual and Firm Private Investigator License

• Applying for a Combined Individual and Firm Security Guard License

• Applying for a Combined Individual Private Investigation and Security Guard License

• Applying for a Combined Firm Private Investigation and Security Guard License

• Renewing a Combined License

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