How to Start a Private Investigation Business in Missouri (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Missouri has required state licensing for private investigators since 2007, administered by the Board of Private Investigator and Private Fire Investigator Examiners under the Division of Professional Registration. To get licensed, you need a minimum of 2 years of investigative experience, pass a 75-question written exam (waivable with recent practice), carry $250,000 in liability insurance, and pay a $500 application fee – one of the higher initial costs among states. On the positive side, Missouri is a one-party consent state for recording, which gives PIs significant flexibility for surveillance work compared to the all-party consent states. As someone who owns and operates a private investigation firm, I can tell you Missouri’s framework is well-structured and the Board is straightforward to work with.

Private Investigator Requirements in Missouri at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
Individual PI License	Board of PI Examiners	$500 application	After background check + exam
PI Agency License	Board of PI Examiners	$400 application	After individual license
Written Exam	Board of PI Examiners	$80	75 questions, 2-hour limit
FBI Fingerprint Background Check	MO State Highway Patrol / FBI	~$44.75	7-10 business days
Liability Insurance ($250,000)	Private Carrier	$1,500-$3,500/year	Before application
LLC Formation	MO Secretary of State	$50 (online)	3-5 business days
Federal EIN	IRS	Free	Immediate (online)
Workers’ Compensation Insurance	Private Carrier	Varies	Required if you have employees
License Renewal (individual, biennial)	Board of PI Examiners	$300	Every 2 years
License Renewal (agency, biennial)	Board of PI Examiners	$200	Every 2 years
Continuing Education	Board-approved providers	Varies	16 hours every 2 years

How to Start a Private Investigation Business in Missouri (Step by Step)

Step 1: Meet the Basic Qualifications

The Board of Private Investigator and Private Fire Investigator Examiners requires:

• Age: Minimum 21 years old
• Citizenship: U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Education: High school diploma or GED
• Experience: Minimum 2 years of investigative experience

Qualifying experience includes:

• Work as a law enforcement officer (police, detective)
• Work as an investigator for a licensed private investigator
• Military police or intelligence roles
• Other relevant professional investigative experience (government investigation, corporate security)

Contact the Board at (573) 522-7744 or pi@pr.mo.gov with questions about qualifying experience.

Step 2: Get Liability Insurance

Before submitting your application, you must secure $250,000 in business general liability insurance from a company licensed to do business in Missouri. The Certificate of Insurance must list the Board of Private Investigator and Private Fire Investigator Examiners as a certificate holder.

Typical cost: $1,500-$3,500/year depending on coverage limits and your claims history. Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is not mandated by statute but is recommended as a professional best practice.

Step 3: Submit Your Application and Fingerprints

Complete the Application for Licensure and submit:

• Application fee: $500 (check or money order to the Board)
• Two passport-style photographs
• Fingerprints: Submit through the MACHS portal for state and FBI background checks (~$44.75)
• Proof of insurance: Certificate of Insurance with Board named as certificate holder
• Workers’ compensation proof or written statement explaining exemption
• Documentation of 2+ years investigative experience

The Board conducts a complete background investigation. Processing includes criminal history checks through the Missouri State Highway Patrol and FBI. Manage your license online at mopro.mo.gov.

Step 4: Pass the Written Exam

Once your application is approved, the Board sends you an exam study guide and registration form.

• 75 questions: 55 on Missouri PI rules and regulations, 20 on general PI practice
• Passing score: 70% or better
• Time limit: 2 hours
• Fee: $80
• Location: Division of Professional Registration, 3605 Missouri Blvd, Jefferson City
• Time: Exams begin promptly at 1:00 PM

Exam waiver: The exam may be waived if you can demonstrate 2 years of lawful PI practice within the past 3 years, plus show registration and good standing as a business in Missouri for the preceding 2 years, and $250,000 liability insurance. Details: pr.mo.gov/pi-exam-information.asp

Step 5: Form Your Business Entity

Register an LLC with the Missouri Secretary of State ($50 online, no annual report). Apply for a free federal EIN from the IRS.

Workers’ compensation: Required if you have employees. If operating solo, provide a written statement explaining your exemption. PI work is generally not classified as construction, so the standard 5-employee threshold applies.

Step 6: Apply for an Agency License (If Running Your Own Firm)

If you want to operate your own PI firm (not work under someone else’s agency), apply for a PI Agency License:

• Fee: $400
• Renewal: $200 biennial
• Must already hold an individual PI license
• Agency employees who conduct investigations must also be individually licensed

Missouri PI Laws: What You Can and Cannot Do

Missouri’s legal framework for private investigators is defined in RSMo Sections 324.1100-324.1148. Here are the key boundaries:

Recording Laws – One-Party Consent

Missouri is a one-party consent state (RSMo 542.402). This means you can legally record a conversation if at least one party to the conversation consents – and that one party can be you. This is a significant advantage compared to all-party consent states like Maryland, Illinois, or California.

• You CAN: Record conversations you are a party to without notifying the other person
• You CAN: Record with consent of one party who is part of the conversation
• You CANNOT: Record if the purpose is to commit a criminal or tortious act
• Violation: Unauthorized wiretapping is a Class E felony
• Civil liability: Injured parties can also sue for damages

GPS Tracking

• Missouri does not have a specific statute restricting GPS tracking by PIs
• GPS must be placed on the vehicle’s exterior while the vehicle is in a public location
• The device must only record information obtainable by physically following the vehicle
• Warning: Unauthorized/covert installation of a tracking device can be a Class D felony under RSMo 575.205 (fines up to $10,000, up to 7 years imprisonment)

Concealed Carry / Armed Investigations

Missouri is a constitutional carry (permitless carry) state since January 1, 2017. Anyone 19 or older (18 if active military or honorably discharged) who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. PIs automatically benefit from this law. However:

• Armed investigator licensing requires additional firearm qualification attached to the license application
• Missouri’s optional Concealed Carry Permit (CCP) system remains available for those wanting reciprocity with other states
• Local authorities can restrict carry in certain government buildings

What PIs Cannot Do in Missouri

• Cannot impersonate law enforcement (RSMo 324.1134) – no badges, uniforms, or claims of government authority
• Cannot trespass on private property – PIs have no special authority to enter without permission
• Cannot access police-only databases or sealed/expunged criminal records
• Cannot harass or stalk subjects – surveillance must be conducted from public areas
• Cannot make arrests beyond citizen’s arrest rules
• Cannot use false pretext to access private financial or phone records
• Cannot operate without a valid license – practicing PI work unlicensed violates RSMo 324.1124

Continuing Education Requirements

• Licensed PIs: 16 hours of Board-approved CE every 2 years
• Agency investigator employees: 8 hours of CE every 2 years
• Deadline: April 30 of every even-numbered year (next: April 30, 2026)
• POST-approved courses (Peace Officer Standards and Training) may count toward CE
• Attending an open Board meeting session earns 1 hour of CE credit
• Course providers must submit attendance records to the Board within 2 weeks

Cost to Start a Private Investigation Business in Missouri

Item	Cost	Notes
Individual PI License Application	$500	Board of PI Examiners
Written Exam	$80	75 questions, may be waived
Fingerprint Background Check	~$44.75	State + FBI via MACHS portal
PI Agency License	$400	Required to run your own firm
Liability Insurance ($250,000)	$1,500-$3,500/year	Required, Board named as certificate holder
LLC Formation	$50	Secretary of State (online), no annual report
Federal EIN	Free	IRS, immediate online
Equipment (camera, GPS, computer)	$500-$3,000	Surveillance and research tools
Database subscriptions	$100-$500/month	TLO, IRB, Skip Smasher, etc.
Office space/home office	$0-$2,000	Many PI firms start from home
Vehicle expenses	$500-$2,000	Gas, maintenance (personal vehicle)
Individual License Renewal	$300/2 years	Biennial
Agency License Renewal	$200/2 years	Biennial

Estimated total startup cost:

• Solo, unarmed: $3,500-$7,000 (license fees are significant in Missouri)
• With employees and full equipment: $6,000-$15,000+

Missouri’s PI licensing costs are on the higher end nationally ($500 individual + $400 agency), but the $250,000 insurance requirement and biennial renewal structure are in line with most regulated states.

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← Back to all Missouri business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to become a private investigator in Missouri?

You need to be at least 21 years old, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, hold a high school diploma or GED, and have 2 years of investigative experience. Apply to the Board of PI Examiners ($500), pass a background check, and pass the written exam ($80). You also need $250,000 in liability insurance before applying.

How much does a PI license cost in Missouri?

The individual license application is $500, the exam is $80, and the background check is ~$44.75. An agency license (to run your own firm) is an additional $400. Add $1,500-$3,500/year for required liability insurance. Total startup for a solo PI: $3,500-$7,000.

Can I record conversations as a PI in Missouri?

Yes – Missouri is a one-party consent state. Under RSMo 542.402, you can record any conversation where at least one party consents. You can record conversations you participate in without notifying the other person. This is a major advantage for surveillance work compared to all-party consent states.

Can I carry a firearm as a PI in Missouri?

Yes. Missouri is a constitutional carry state – anyone 19+ who can legally possess a firearm may carry concealed without a permit. However, armed investigator licensing requires additional firearm qualification with your Board application. An optional Concealed Carry Permit provides reciprocity with other states.

Is the PI exam required in Missouri?

The 75-question written exam is standard, but it can be waived if you demonstrate 2 years of lawful PI practice within the past 3 years, show business registration and good standing in Missouri, and carry the required $250,000 liability insurance.

What continuing education is required for Missouri PIs?

Licensed PIs must complete 16 hours of Board-approved continuing education every 2 years. Agency investigator employees need 8 hours. The deadline is April 30 of every even-numbered year. POST-approved law enforcement courses may count toward this requirement.