Check with the Licensing Board

An investigator working without a license has complete disregard for the law.

Before you consider hiring a private investigator for hire, check with the local licensing board. The licensing board can provide you with a list of investigators who are licensed to work in your area.

If you encounter a private investigator that does not have a license, don’t even consider hiring him. An investigator working without a license has complete disregard for the law. Furthermore, an investigator without a license is likely to be hiding something undesirable, such as a criminal record or a lack of experience. In either case, this investigator is not right for you.

On the other hand, most states have strict guidelines for obtaining a private investigator’s license, including background checks, proof of applicable experience, and insurance. An investigator with a license has met these expectations and is more likely to be a competent private investigator.

After obtaining a list of licensed private investigators, ask the licensing board if any complaints have been filed against the investigators on the list. In most cases, the board will give you this information if you ask. Don’t, however, discount an investigator right off the bat if he has had a complaint filed against him. Look at the complaints and try to determine if they seem valid or trivial. Some people just like to complain, and the investigator shouldn’t be punished for coming in contact with one of these people.

After sifting through the complaints and narrowing down your list of potential investigators, contact the Better Business Bureau. Ask if any complaints have been filed against the investigators remaining on your list. Also, some investigators work for a company or have their own privately owned investigative business. Be sure to check into these names with the Better Business Bureau, as well.