How to Become a Private Investigator in New Hampshire (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

New Hampshire requires private investigators to be licensed under RSA 106-F, administered by the NH State Police Permits and Licensing Unit. This is a state with real licensing teeth: you need 4 years of qualifying experience (or 2 years plus a criminal justice degree), a $50,000 surety bond, a criminal background check, and a $150 biennial license fee. Businesses operating as PI agencies need a separate $350 agency license. Applications are submitted in person to the State Police in Concord. This guide covers every requirement, fee, and step to get licensed and open your NH PI business.

Private Investigator Requirements in New Hampshire at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
Individual PI license (biennial)	NH State Police, Permits and Licensing Unit	$150 + $25 criminal record check	Submit in person; processing varies
PI Employee license	NH State Police, Permits and Licensing Unit	$5	For employees working under a licensed PI
PI Agency license	NH State Police, Permits and Licensing Unit	$350	Required for PI businesses/agencies
Surety bond	Licensed bonding company	~$500-$1,000/year ($50,000 bond)	Required with license application
Fingerprinting (armed applicants)	NH Dept of Safety	$23.25	Required for armed PI license; FBI check
Criminal record check	NH Dept of Safety	$25	Required for all applicants
4 years qualifying experience	Documented with application	N/A (experience requirement)	Must be established before applying
LLC formation (if operating as agency)	NH Secretary of State	$100-$102	1-3 business days
General liability + E&O insurance	Private carrier (PI specialist)	~$900-$1,500/year combined	Before operating; required by most clients

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

Step 1: Verify Your Experience Qualifications

Unlike some states, New Hampshire has firm experience requirements for individual PI licensure under RSA 106-F. You must meet one of the following qualifying paths:

1. 4 years full-time law enforcement with a federal, state, county, college/university, or municipal police department
2. 4 years as director of security or senior officer of a company or corporation
3. 4 years with a licensed security service in an investigative or security role
4. 2 years as a full-time investigator for a licensed PI agency PLUS an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice

Employee applicants (those working under a licensed PI, not independently) have different and less stringent qualifications – they do not need to meet the 4-year experience or education requirements. The $5 employee license allows you to work as a licensed PI’s employee while building experience toward your own individual license.

Applicants must also be a U.S. resident, at least 18 years old, and have no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving theft, fraud, substance abuse, violence, or domestic abuse.

Step 2: Obtain Your $50,000 Surety Bond

A $50,000 surety bond is required with every individual and agency PI license application in New Hampshire. The bond must remain in force throughout the license period – your license may be revoked if the bond lapses.

• Annual bond cost: approximately $500-$1,000/year depending on your credit history
• Form: Bond for Private Investigator Services (DSSP 55)
• Obtain the bond from any licensed NH surety company or through a national PI bond specialist
• The bond must name the Commissioner of the NH Department of Safety as obligee

Step 3: Complete the Background Check

All NH PI license applicants must complete a criminal record check ($25 fee) through the NH Department of Safety. The record check covers NH criminal history.

If you will be armed (carrying a firearm on duty), you must also undergo FBI fingerprinting ($23.25) that enables a national criminal history check. Prior to approval of any armed PI license, the Department of Safety must obtain and review FBI records. You must also complete the Firearms Proficiency Certification (DSSP 158).

Step 4: Gather Required Application Forms and Submit in Person

Obtain the required application forms from the NH State Police Permits and Licensing Unit website at nhsp.dos.nh.gov:

• Individual Application for Private Investigator (DSSP 259)
• Bond for Private Investigator Services (DSSP 55)
• Firearms Proficiency Certification (DSSP 158) – armed applicants only

Submit in person (individual applications cannot be mailed) to:

NH State Police
Permits and Licensing Department
33 Hazen Drive, Room 106
Concord, NH 03305

Individual license fee: $150 (biennial). Criminal record check: $25. Fingerprinting (armed): $23.25.

Step 5: Apply for Agency License (If Operating as a Business)

If you are operating a PI agency – a business entity that employs or contracts with PIs – you need a separate PI Agency license:

• Agency license fee: $350
• Form: Agency Application (DSSP 258)
• Renewal: Agency Renewal Application (DSSP 221)
• The agency must be bonded separately from individual licensees

Contact the Permits and Licensing Unit to confirm current agency license requirements and whether agency applications may be submitted by mail or must be in person.

Step 6: Form Your Business Entity

Form an LLC with the NH Secretary of State at quickstart.sos.nh.gov. Formation fee: $100-$102. Annual report: $100, due April 1.

Apply for a free EIN from the IRS at irs.gov. Open a dedicated business bank account. Maintaining separate finances is essential for preserving the LLC’s liability protection.

If you operate under a name other than your LLC’s legal name (e.g., “Granite State Investigations”), register a Trade Name with the NH SOS for $50 (5-year term).

Step 7: Get Professional Liability and General Liability Insurance

NH state law does not mandate PI insurance, but the market does. Law firms, insurance companies, and corporations that hire PIs almost universally require proof of coverage:

• General liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate
• Professional liability (E&O): $250,000 minimum; $1M for larger operations
• Combined annual cost: approximately $900-$1,500 for a solo PI

Specialized PI insurance providers: Brownyard Group and OREP Insurance. Both have PI-specific policies that understand the unique risks of surveillance, background investigations, and process serving.

Continuing Education

The NH Commissioner of Safety may adopt continuing education requirements of up to 10 hours per license period for licensed PIs. Confirm current continuing education requirements with the Permits and Licensing Unit when you renew. The NH League of Investigators (NHLI) at nhli.net is the state professional association and a valuable source of training, networking, and legislative updates.

Cost to Start a Private Investigation Business in New Hampshire

Item	Cost	Notes
Individual PI license (biennial)	$150	Every 2 years; renewal fee same
Criminal record check	$25	Required for all applicants
Fingerprinting (armed only)	$23.25	FBI check for armed license applicants
$50,000 surety bond (annual premium)	~$500-$1,000/year	Required; must stay current
PI Agency license (if operating agency)	$350	Business-level license; separate from individual
LLC formation (Secretary of State)	$100-$102	One-time
Annual LLC report	$100/year	Due April 1
General liability + E&O insurance	~$900-$1,500/year	Annual; combined GL + professional liability
Surveillance equipment (camera, GPS, laptop)	$500-$3,000	One-time startup; varies by specialty
Database access subscriptions (skip tracing, records)	$50-$300/month	TLO, IRB Search, Accurint, etc.
Year 1 Total (solo PI, unarmed)	~$3,500-$7,000	License + bond + insurance + equipment

Estimated total startup cost: $3,500-$7,000 (solo, unarmed) or $4,000-$8,000 (armed, with agency license)

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← Back to all New Hampshire business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to work as a private investigator in New Hampshire?

Yes. New Hampshire requires a state PI license under RSA 106-F, administered by the NH State Police Permits and Licensing Unit. The individual license costs $150 (biennial) plus $25 for a criminal record check. You must also post a $50,000 surety bond and meet experience requirements: 4 years of qualifying law enforcement or investigative experience, or 2 years plus a criminal justice degree. Operating as a PI without a license is a violation of RSA 106-F.

What are the experience requirements for a NH PI license?

Individual PI license applicants must meet one of these paths under RSA 106-F: (1) 4 years full-time law enforcement; (2) 4 years as director of security or senior officer of a company; (3) 4 years with a licensed security service; or (4) 2 years as a full-time PI agency investigator PLUS an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Employee applicants working under a licensed PI do not need to meet these experience requirements – the $5 employee license is available while you build qualifying experience.

How much does a NH PI license cost?

The individual PI license fee is $150 (biennial – valid 2 years). The criminal record check costs $25. Armed applicants also pay $23.25 for FBI fingerprinting. A $50,000 surety bond costs approximately $500-$1,000/year in annual premiums. A PI agency license costs $350. Total first-year cost for an individual licensed PI: approximately $700-$1,300 (license + bond + criminal check).

Where do I apply for a NH PI license?

Individual PI license applications must be submitted in person to the NH State Police Permits and Licensing Department, 33 Hazen Drive, Room 106, Concord, NH 03305. You cannot mail individual applications. Bring completed forms DSSP 259 (Individual Application), DSSP 55 (Bond), and payment. Contact the unit at nhsp.dos.nh.gov before visiting to confirm current hours and any additional requirements.

Does New Hampshire require PI insurance?

NH state law does not specifically require liability insurance for PI licensees (separate from the surety bond). However, law firms, insurance companies, and corporate clients that hire PIs routinely require proof of general liability ($1M) and professional liability / E&O coverage. A combined GL + E&O policy costs approximately $900-$1,500/year for a solo PI. Operating without this coverage effectively limits you to individual consumer clients who are less likely to require it.