How to Become a Private Investigator in North Dakota (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Becoming a licensed private investigator in North Dakota requires completing 2,000 hours of qualifying investigative experience, passing a written examination, and clearing comprehensive background checks through the North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board (NDPISB). Total fees for an individual PI license run approximately $291.25. Unlike some states, North Dakota does not license investigators through its Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) – the NDPISB is the dedicated licensing authority established under North Dakota Century Code Chapter 43-30. If you plan to open your own detective agency, an additional $300 agency registration fee applies, and a surety bond is required.

Disclosure: The author of this guide owns and operates a private investigation firm. The information below reflects current North Dakota licensing requirements as of 2026.

Private Investigator Requirements in North Dakota at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC formation (Articles of Organization)	ND Secretary of State (FirstStop)	$135	1-3 business days
2,000 hours qualifying experience	Earned with licensed ND detective agency	No fee (earned through employment)	Completed before applying
Written examination	NDPISB	Included in application fee	Pass within 12 months before application
Background check (BCI + FBI fingerprints)	ND BCI / IdentoGO	$41.25	Allow 2-4 weeks
Application and testing fee	NDPISB	$100	Paid with application
Individual PI license fee	NDPISB	$150	Annual renewal (September 30)
Agency/detective agency registration (if opening own firm)	NDPISB	$230-$345 (by class)	Quarterly board review cycle
Surety bond (agency)	Licensed ND surety company	Varies by bond amount	Required at agency registration

How to Become a Private Investigator in North Dakota (Step by Step)

Step 1: Verify Eligibility Requirements

To apply for a North Dakota individual PI license through the NDPISB, you must meet all of the following:

• Age: 18 years or older
• Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Criminal history: No felony convictions; no convictions for crimes of moral turpitude, theft, controlled substance offenses; no assault or violence convictions within the past 3 years (some disqualifications may be permanent depending on offense type)
• Character: Good moral character as determined by the Board

Contact the North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board (NDPISB) directly for the full eligibility criteria:

• Address: 513 East Bismarck Expressway, Suite 5, Bismarck, ND 58504
• Phone: (701) 222-3063
• Website: pisb.nd.gov

Step 2: Accumulate 2,000 Hours of Qualifying Experience

This is the most significant hurdle for aspiring PIs in North Dakota. Before applying for an individual PI license, you must have completed 2,000 hours of private investigative work as a registered employee of a licensed North Dakota detective agency.

What this means in practice:

• You must first be hired as a registered investigative employee by an existing licensed detective agency
• The agency registers you as an employee investigator (fee: $71.25 per registered investigator) with the NDPISB
• You accumulate hours performing PI work under the agency’s license
• At 2,000 hours (approximately 1 year of full-time investigative employment), you become eligible to apply for your individual license

There is no shortcut through prior law enforcement or military experience for the individual license – however, prior law enforcement experience of 5 years qualifies you to open your own PI agency if you wish to start there.

Step 3: Pass the NDPISB Written Examination

After accumulating your 2,000 hours, you must pass the NDPISB’s written examination. Key points:

• The exam must be passed within 12 months before submitting your license application (older passing scores are not accepted)
• Contact the NDPISB at (701) 222-3063 to schedule the exam
• The exam covers North Dakota PI laws and regulations (NDCC Chapter 43-30), legal boundaries of investigative activity, surveillance law, evidence handling, and professional ethics
• Exam fee is included in the $100 application and testing fee

Step 4: Complete Your Fingerprint Background Check

Schedule fingerprinting for the BCI (Bureau of Criminal Investigation) and FBI background check through IdentoGO. The fee is $41.25. The NDPISB reviews your criminal history upon receipt of background check results from the BCI. Allow 2-4 weeks for the full background check to be processed and forwarded to the Board. Do not submit your license application before completing this step.

Step 5: Submit Your License Application and Pay Fees

Once your exam is passed and background check is cleared, submit your individual PI license application to the NDPISB with the following fees:

• Application and testing fee: $100.00 (non-refundable)
• Background check fee: $41.25 (paid at IdentoGO)
• Individual license fee: $150.00
• Total: approximately $291.25

Your license is valid until September 30 of each year. The Board processes applications on a rolling basis, but also reviews agency applications on a quarterly cycle – individual license processing times vary.

Step 6: Register Your Business Entity and Agency (If Opening Your Own Firm)

Holding an individual PI license allows you to work as an investigator for a licensed agency. To operate your own detective agency, you need additional registration:

Qualifying to open a PI agency requires one of:

• 5 years of private investigative experience, OR
• 5 years of sworn law enforcement officer experience, OR
• Graduation from a certified law enforcement academy

Agency registration fees:

• Class A agency (in-state or out-of-state, no employees): $230
• Class A agency (with employees, partners, or corporate officers): $345
• Class C agency: $520

Required steps for agency registration:

1. Form an LLC with the North Dakota Secretary of State via FirstStop ($135)
2. Obtain a surety bond from a North Dakota-licensed surety company using the NDPISB’s Private Investigative & Private Security Agency Bond Form
3. Submit agency application, proof of entity registration, and bond to NDPISB
4. The Board reviews agency applications quarterly – check with the Board for the next review cycle date

Step 7: Renew Your License Annually

North Dakota PI licenses expire September 30 of each year. There is a 30-day window after expiration to file a late renewal, but operating with an expired license during that period may have consequences. Renewal fee mirrors the initial license fee – contact the NDPISB for the exact renewal amount. Keep your address and contact information current with the Board.

Cost to Become a Private Investigator in North Dakota

Item	Cost	Notes
Application and testing fee	$100.00	Non-refundable; includes exam
Background check (BCI + FBI)	$41.25	Via IdentoGO
Individual PI license fee	$150.00	Annual renewal; expires September 30
Total individual license	~$291.25
LLC formation (for agency)	$135	One-time via FirstStop
Annual LLC report	$50/year	Due November 15
Agency registration – Class A (no employees)	$230	For solo practitioners
Agency registration – Class A (with employees)	$345	For agencies with staff
Surety bond (agency)	Varies by bond amount	Required for agency registration; from licensed ND surety
Employee registration (per investigator)	$71.25/person	For each registered investigative employee at your agency
Replacement ID card	$10.00	If lost or damaged

Estimated total to open a solo PI agency: $800 to $1,000+ (individual license + LLC + agency registration + bond)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who licenses private investigators in North Dakota?

The North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board (NDPISB) is the exclusive licensing authority for private investigators and detective agencies in North Dakota. The Board operates under NDCC Chapter 43-30 and is separate from the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), which conducts background checks as part of the licensing process but does not issue PI licenses. Contact the Board at (701) 222-3063 or visit pisb.nd.gov.

How much experience do I need to become a licensed PI in North Dakota?

North Dakota requires 2,000 hours of qualifying private investigative work experience before you can apply for an individual PI license. This experience must be earned as a registered investigative employee working under the license of an existing licensed North Dakota detective agency. There is no waiver for prior law enforcement experience for the individual license – though 5 years of law enforcement qualifies you to open your own agency directly.

How much does a North Dakota PI license cost?

The total cost for an individual North Dakota PI license is approximately $291.25: application and testing fee ($100) + background check fees ($41.25) + individual license fee ($150). This does not include the cost of forming a business entity or registering as a detective agency. To open your own agency, add LLC formation ($135), agency registration ($230-$345 depending on class), and surety bond costs.

Can I open my own PI agency in North Dakota without prior experience?

No. To register a detective agency in North Dakota, you must have one of: 5 years of private investigative experience, 5 years of sworn law enforcement experience, or graduation from a certified law enforcement academy. The individual PI license (which requires 2,000 hours under an existing agency) does not by itself qualify you to open an agency. After earning your individual license and accumulating the required experience, you can register an agency with the NDPISB and obtain a surety bond.

When does a North Dakota PI license expire and how do I renew it?

All North Dakota PI licenses expire on September 30 each year. There is a 30-day renewal window after expiration. Contact the NDPISB at (701) 222-3063 before your expiration date to confirm the current renewal fee and process. Allow sufficient time for the Board to process your renewal before September 30 to avoid any lapse in your license status.