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

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Starting a private investigation business in Utah requires a license from the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) under the Department of Public Safety. Utah offers three license tiers – Agency, Registrant, and Apprentice – to accommodate investigators at different experience levels. The Apprentice license is particularly valuable: it allows individuals with no prior PI experience (minimum age 18) to enter the field and build their hours toward a Registrant or Agency license. Importantly, Utah does not require a written exam for PI licensing, and the state is a one-party consent state for recording conversations. Utah’s growing population, business community, and outdoor recreation industry create demand for PI services including background investigations, insurance fraud, corporate investigations, and domestic cases.

Private Investigator Requirements in Utah at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC formation	Utah Division of Corporations	$59	Instant online
Agency License (5,000 hours experience)	Utah BCI	$247 initial / $115 renewal	4-8 weeks
Registrant License (2,000 hours experience)	Utah BCI	$147 initial / $65 renewal	4-8 weeks
Apprentice License (no experience required)	Utah BCI	$147 initial / $65 renewal	4-8 weeks
Surety bond (Registrant or Apprentice)	Private surety company	$100-$250/year ($10K bond)	1-3 days
Liability insurance (Agency)	Private insurer	Varies	Min. $500K required
Background investigation	Utah BCI	Included in application	During review
Local business license	City or county clerk	$50-$200/year	1-2 weeks

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

Step 1: Determine Which License You Qualify For

Utah BCI issues three types of PI licenses under Utah Code Chapter 53-9:

License Type	Experience Required	Minimum Age	Initial Fee	Renewal Fee
Agency License	5,000 hours of investigative experience	21	$247	$115
Registrant License	2,000 hours of investigative experience	21	$147	$65
Apprentice License	No prior experience required	18	$147	$65

Legacy exception: Those holding a Utah registrant or apprentice license on or before May 1, 2010 only need 2,000 hours for an Agency license.

For most new investigators: Start with the Apprentice license if you do not have 2,000+ hours of qualified experience. The Apprentice license allows you to perform PI work under a licensed agency and build your hours toward a Registrant or Agency license.

Step 2: Form Your Business Entity

If you plan to operate a PI agency (employing other investigators), form an LLC with the Utah Division of Corporations at businessregistration.utah.gov for $59. The Agency License requires the business to maintain $500,000 in liability insurance and requires a background investigation of all principals. Sole Registrants or Apprentices working independently may operate as sole proprietors, but an LLC provides important liability protection.

Step 3: Obtain Your Bond or Insurance

For Registrant and Apprentice licensees:

• A $10,000 surety bond is mandatory
• The bond must reference Utah Code Section 53-9-110
• The bond must remain active throughout your entire license period – if your bond lapses, your license is automatically cancelled
• A $10,000 surety bond costs approximately $100-$250 per year from a licensed surety company

For Agency licensees:

• Minimum $500,000 liability insurance is mandatory
• Must comply with Utah Code Section 53-9-109
• A workers’ compensation certificate is required if you employ other investigators
• License will be automatically cancelled if liability insurance lapses

Step 4: Submit Your BCI Application

Submit your application to:

Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification
4315 South 2700 West, Suite 1300
Taylorsville, UT 84129
Website: bci.utah.gov/private-investigator-licensing/

Your application must include:

• Completed application form
• Documentation of investigative experience (for Registrant or Agency; not required for Apprentice)
• Surety bond certificate (Registrant/Apprentice) or liability insurance certificate (Agency)
• Application fee ($147 or $247 depending on license type)
• Any other documentation requested by BCI

There is no written exam for Utah PI licensing – this is one of the more accessible requirements compared to other states.

Step 5: Pass the Background Investigation

BCI conducts a comprehensive background investigation after receiving your application. The investigation is reviewed by the Private Investigator Hearing and Licensure Board. “Good moral character” is a required qualification under Utah law. Serious criminal convictions, particularly for dishonesty, fraud, or violent offenses, will likely disqualify an application. The background check process typically takes 4-8 weeks.

Utah Recording Consent Law – One-Party State

Utah is a one-party consent state for recording conversations, governed by Utah Code Section 77-23a-4. Recording a phone call or in-person conversation is lawful as long as at least one party to the conversation consents – which includes the person doing the recording. This means a Utah PI can legally record conversations they are personally participating in without disclosing the recording to other parties. Illegally intercepting a communication (where the recorder is not a party) remains a serious felony.

Important: Interstate calls and federal jurisdiction may trigger federal wiretap laws (18 U.S.C. 2511) with stricter standards. Consult legal counsel for interstate recording situations.

Step 6: Ongoing Compliance

• Keep your surety bond or liability insurance active at all times – lapse = automatic license cancellation
• Renew your license before expiration: Registrant/Apprentice renewal is $65; Agency renewal is $115
• Notify BCI of any address changes or changes to your bond/insurance coverage
• Maintain the required workers’ comp coverage if you have employees

Cost to Start a Private Investigation Business in Utah

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC formation	$59	One-time, online, instant
LLC annual renewal	$18/year
Apprentice/Registrant License (initial)	$147	No exam required
Agency License (initial)	$247	5,000 hours experience required
License renewal (Registrant/Apprentice)	$65	Per renewal cycle
License renewal (Agency)	$115	Per renewal cycle
Surety bond ($10,000)	$100-$250/year	Required for Registrant and Apprentice
Liability insurance ($500K, Agency)	$1,000-$3,000/year	Required for Agency license
Workers’ comp insurance	Varies by payroll	Required if employing investigators
Local business license	$50-$200/year
PI equipment (camera, GPS, database access)	$1,000-$5,000	Initial setup
Vehicle (surveillance capable)	$10,000-$35,000	Recommended for field work

Estimated startup cost (Registrant, no vehicle): $2,000-$6,000

Estimated startup cost (Agency with employees): $5,000-$15,000+

Related Utah Business Guides

• How to Start a Cleaning Business in Utah
• How to Start a Food Truck in Utah
• How to Start a Daycare in Utah
• How to Start an HVAC Business in Utah
• How to Start a Hair Salon in Utah
• How to Start a Landscaping Business in Utah

← Back to all Utah business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to be a private investigator in Utah?

Yes. Utah requires all private investigators to be licensed by the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) under Utah Code Chapter 53-9. Three license types are available: Agency (5,000 hours experience, 21+), Registrant (2,000 hours, 21+), and Apprentice (no experience required, 18+). No written exam is required.

Can I start as a PI in Utah with no prior experience?

Yes. The Apprentice License requires no prior investigative experience and is available to individuals age 18 and older. The application fee is $147. Apprentices must work under a licensed PI agency, and hours worked build toward the 2,000-hour Registrant threshold.

How much does a Utah PI license cost?

The Apprentice and Registrant license initial fee is $147; renewal is $65. The Agency license initial fee is $247; renewal is $115. These fees do not include the required surety bond ($100-$250/year for a $10,000 bond) or Agency liability insurance ($500,000 minimum).

Is Utah a one-party or two-party consent state for recording?

Utah is a one-party consent state under Utah Code Section 77-23a-4. A PI can legally record any conversation they are participating in without disclosing the recording to other parties. Recording a conversation without being a party (wiretapping) remains a felony.

How long does it take to get a PI license in Utah?

After submitting a complete application, BCI conducts a background investigation and the Private Investigator Hearing and Licensure Board reviews your case. The process typically takes 4-8 weeks for a complete application with no issues.

Can a Utah PI carry a firearm?

Utah is a constitutional carry state as of May 5, 2021 – no permit is required to carry a concealed firearm for eligible individuals. However, PIs should be fully aware of the legal boundaries of their investigative activities and the serious liability of using force. Utah PI law does not grant special law enforcement powers. Consult legal counsel on firearms and PI operations.