How to Become a Private Investigator in Delaware (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Becoming a licensed private investigator in Delaware is regulated by the Delaware State Police, Professional Licensing Section. Delaware requires separate licenses for individual PI agents and for PI agencies. To operate as an individual PI, you must be employed by or have a firm offer from a licensed agency – Delaware does not issue individual licenses to those operating independently. To open a Class A Private Investigative Agency, you need 5 years of qualifying experience (as a licensed PI, government investigator, or certified law enforcement officer), a surety bond, and $1 million in commercial general liability insurance. This guide covers every step using official DSP sources.

Private Investigator Requirements in Delaware at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
Individual PI License	Delaware State Police, Professional Licensing Section	$105 (application fee) + $20 (ID card)	Allow time for quarterly Board meeting approval
Background Check / Fingerprinting (IdentoGO)	IdentoGO (Service Code: 27RVQ3)	Included in $105 application fee	4-6 weeks
Class A PI Agency License (in-state, with employees)	Delaware State Police	$345	Quarterly Board meeting approval required
Class A PI Agency License (in-state, sole proprietor, no employees)	Delaware State Police	$230	Quarterly Board meeting approval required
Surety Bond (Class A, in-state with employees)	Licensed surety company	Bond amount: $10,000 (premium varies)	Before submitting agency application
Surety Bond (Class A, sole proprietor)	Licensed surety company	Bond amount: $5,000 (premium varies)	Before submitting agency application
Commercial General Liability Insurance ($1M per occurrence)	Private insurer	Varies by carrier and coverage	Before submitting agency application
Delaware Business License	Division of Revenue	$75/year	Immediate (temp) / 10 days

How to Become a Private Investigator in Delaware (Step by Step)

Step 1: Understand Delaware PI Licensing Structure

Delaware has two layers of PI licensing, both administered by the Delaware State Police, Professional Licensing Section:

1. Individual PI License: Required for anyone conducting PI work in Delaware. Must be employed by (or have a firm offer from) a licensed PI agency to apply. Individual PI work without agency employment is not permitted.
2. Class A Private Investigative Agency License: Required to operate a PI business. The agency license holder (or designated manager) must meet experience requirements. This is what you need to own and run your own PI firm.

Contact DSP Professional Licensing: Phone: (302) 739-5991 | Email: dsp_plapplicant@delaware.gov | Website: dsp.delaware.gov/private-investigators.

Step 2: Verify Eligibility

To apply for an individual Delaware PI license, you must:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Have no disqualifying criminal history (no felony convictions; no misdemeanors involving theft, drugs, or moral turpitude within the last 7 years)
• Not have a dishonorable military discharge
• Not be an active law enforcement officer
• Be employed by or have a firm offer of employment from a licensed Class A or Class C Delaware PI agency at time of application

For opening your own agency, you also need 5 years of qualifying experience (see Step 5 below).

Step 3: Complete the Background Check Through IdentoGO

All PI license applicants must pass a comprehensive background check. Schedule fingerprinting and background screening through IdentoGO using Service Code 27RVQ3. The background check covers:

• Criminal history check (state and federal)
• Sex offender registry check

The $105 application fee covers fingerprinting and background check costs. Allow 4-6 weeks for processing. Find an IdentoGO location at identogo.com.

Step 4: Submit Your Individual PI License Application

Complete and submit your individual PI license application to the Delaware State Police Professional Licensing Section. Application fee: $105 (non-refundable). Include:

• Completed application form
• Proof of employment or firm offer from a licensed Delaware PI agency
• IdentoGO background check registration confirmation
• Government-issued ID

Applications are reviewed by the Board of Examiners of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies at quarterly meetings. Time your submission to ensure it arrives well before the next Board meeting. Contact DSP Professional Licensing for the current meeting schedule.

After Board approval: pay the $20 ID card fee and receive your Delaware PI license and ID card. License validity: 5 years, expiring on your birthday. Renewal fee: $105. Replacement card: $10.

Step 5: Build Qualifying Experience to Open Your Own Agency

To be the owner or designated manager of a Class A PI Agency in Delaware, you must meet one of these experience requirements:

• Option 1: 5 years of experience as a licensed Private Investigator
• Option 2: 5 years of investigative experience with a government investigative agency (federal, state, county, or municipal)
• Option 3: Service as a police officer with graduation from a certified law enforcement academy

This requirement applies to whoever is the responsible License Holder for the agency. Other employees and contractors do not need to meet this threshold – they need individual PI licenses.

Step 6: Obtain Surety Bond and Liability Insurance

Before applying for a Class A Agency license, you must obtain:

• Surety Bond:
  • In-state agency with employees: $10,000 bond in the agency name
  • In-state sole proprietor (no employees): $5,000 bond in the agency name
  • Out-of-state agency: $10,000 (agency name) + $5,000 (Delaware manager’s name)
• Commercial General Liability Insurance: Minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence. The certificate of insurance must be submitted with the agency application and must remain current throughout the license period.

Step 7: Apply for Your Class A Agency License

Submit your Class A Private Investigative Agency license application to the Delaware State Police Professional Licensing Section. Application fees:

• In-state agency with employees: $345
• In-state sole proprietor (no employees): $230
• Out-of-state agency: $500

Include: completed application, proof of experience, surety bond documentation, certificate of liability insurance, and any required supporting documents. The Board of Examiners reviews and approves agency applications at quarterly meetings. Allow sufficient lead time before each quarterly meeting for processing. Contact DSP at (302) 739-5991 for the current schedule and application packet.

Step 8: Comply With Ongoing Requirements

• Quarterly employee roster reporting: Class A agencies must submit a quarterly roster of all licensed investigators employed by the agency to DSP.
• Delaware Business License: All operating businesses need a Business License ($75/year) from the Division of Revenue at onestop.delaware.gov.
• LLC formation: Form an LLC ($90) through the Division of Corporations for liability protection.
• Keep insurance and bond current: Lapses in liability insurance or the surety bond can result in license suspension.

Cost to Start a Private Investigation Business in Delaware

Item	Cost	Notes
Individual PI License Application Fee	$105	Includes IdentoGO fingerprinting and background check; non-refundable
PI ID Card Fee	$20	Paid upon receiving license
Class A Agency License (in-state with employees)	$345	DSP Board approval required
Class A Agency License (sole proprietor, no employees)	$230	DSP Board approval required
Surety Bond (with employees, $10,000 bond)	$100-$300/year (premium)	Annual premium; bond amount is $10,000
Surety Bond (sole proprietor, $5,000 bond)	$50-$150/year (premium)	Annual premium; bond amount is $5,000
Commercial General Liability Insurance ($1M/occurrence)	$1,500-$4,000+/year	PI-specific GL policy; required for agency license
Delaware Business License	$75/year	Division of Revenue
LLC Formation	$90	One-time; Division of Corporations
LLC Annual Franchise Tax	$300/year	Due June 1
PI equipment (cameras, GPS trackers, surveillance gear)	$1,000-$10,000+	Varies by specialty and quality
Business vehicle	$5,000-$30,000+	Surveillance vehicle; commercial auto insurance required

Estimated total first-year startup cost: $5,000-$50,000+ (licensing fees are modest; major costs are vehicle, equipment, and ongoing insurance)

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a private investigator license in Delaware?

Apply through the Delaware State Police Professional Licensing Section. Requirements: must be 21+, no disqualifying criminal history, not active law enforcement, and must be employed by (or have a firm offer from) a licensed Delaware PI agency. Application fee: $105 (includes IdentoGO fingerprinting/background check). ID card fee: $20. Applications are reviewed at quarterly Board meetings. Contact DSP at (302) 739-5991 or visit dsp.delaware.gov/private-investigators.

Do I need to be employed by an agency to get a Delaware PI license?

Yes. Delaware requires individual PI license applicants to be employed by or have a firm offer of employment from a licensed Class A or Class C Delaware PI agency at the time of application. You cannot obtain an individual PI license to operate as a completely independent freelancer in Delaware – you must have agency affiliation. To operate independently, you need to open your own Class A Agency (which requires 5 years of qualifying experience).

What experience do I need to open a PI agency in Delaware?

The owner or designated License Holder of a Delaware Class A Private Investigative Agency must meet one of three requirements: (1) 5 years as a licensed Private Investigator; (2) 5 years of investigative experience with a government investigative agency (federal, state, county, or municipal); or (3) service as a police officer with graduation from a certified law enforcement academy. There is no examination – it is experience-based.

How much does a Class A PI Agency license cost in Delaware?

Application fees: $345 for an in-state agency with employees; $230 for an in-state sole proprietor with no employees; $500 for an out-of-state agency. In addition, you need a surety bond ($10,000 for agencies with employees, $5,000 for sole proprietors) and $1,000,000 commercial general liability insurance. Annual bond premiums typically run $100-$300/year.

How long is a Delaware PI license valid and how do I renew it?

Individual PI licenses are valid for 5 years, expiring on the licensee’s birthday. Renewal fee: $105 (same as initial application). The renewal process is similar to the initial application including an updated background check. Replacement of a lost or damaged ID card: $10. Contact DSP Professional Licensing at (302) 739-5991 for renewal instructions before your expiration date.