Delaware Private Investigator License Requirements

Delaware charges a $105 fee for a five-year license that expires on your birthday. You must already be working for a licensed agency, and Delaware accepts no other state’s license.

Delaware PI license at a glance

Item	Detail
Regulator	Delaware State Police, Professional Licensing
Age	21
Criminal history	No felony; misdemeanor, juvenile, military discharge and law-enforcement membership limits also apply
Employer	Must be employed by a licensed private detective agency
Training	No outside training required
Fee	$105, initial or renewal, non-refundable, paid through IdentiGO
Term	5 years, expiring on your birthdate
Reciprocity	None: “Delaware does not have reciprocity with any other states”

What’s different here: the license is tied to an agency employer, so you need the job before the license.

Delaware PI license FAQ

Can I use my out-of-state license?

No.

How long is it valid?

Five years.

Verified against: Delaware State Police Private Investigator FAQ. Contact (302) 739-5991. Reviewed October 13, 2026.

Who regulates private investigators in Delaware

The Delaware State Police Professional Licensing Section processes private investigator licenses (issued as ID cards) and agency applications under Title 24, Chapter 13 of the Delaware Code and the regulations at 24 Del. Admin. Code 1300.

The Board of Examiners of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies meets quarterly and must approve new agency licenses and agency changes, so plan your timing around its schedule.

Delaware PI license types

License or credential	Who it is for
Individual private investigator license (ID card)	Investigators employed by a licensed Delaware agency
Private investigative agency license	Businesses providing investigative services; approved by the Board

How to get licensed in Delaware: step by step

1. Get hired by a licensed Delaware private investigative agency.
2. Complete the individual application, noting your employing agency.
3. Get fingerprints and a photo ID through IdentoGO using the Delaware service code listed by the State Police.
4. Submit the application and the $105 fee to Professional Licensing.
5. Pick up your license in Dover (typically 3 to 5 business days after approval) or allow at least 10 business days for mail.
6. Carry your ID card whenever you work, and report any arrest within five business days.

Carrying a firearm as a Delaware investigator

Delaware agencies must keep a record book listing the weapons or items each employee is qualified to carry, with certification dates and scores. If you plan to carry a firearm while working, confirm the State Police and Board requirements for armed licensing and qualification.

Agency recordkeeping rules

Class A agencies must submit employee rosters quarterly (by the 10th of January, April, July and October), listing each employee’s name, date of birth, race, sex, license expiration and position code. They must also keep a record book at the business location covering employee names, positions, assigned locations, IDs, the weapons or items each is qualified to carry, and certification dates and scores.

What a private investigator in Delaware can and can’t do

A PI license is a business license, not police authority. In Delaware, as everywhere in the U.S., private investigators generally cannot:

• Impersonate law enforcement or claim official authority.
• Trespass on private property to watch or photograph someone.
• Obtain bank, phone or other protected records by pretexting, which federal law prohibits.
• Hack accounts, read someone else’s email or install spyware.
• Place a tracking device on a vehicle where state law forbids it.
• Detain or arrest anyone beyond the citizen’s arrest rights every person has.

Recording is a particular trap in Delaware. A 2024 legal summary by the law firm Kilpatrick lists Delaware among the states that require the consent of all parties for at least some recordings of conversations. Never record a conversation you are not part of, and get legal advice before recording calls or private conversations.

Building a career as a Delaware investigator

Knowing the rules in Delaware is only the first step. Our guide to becoming a private investigator covers what comes after: building qualifying experience, choosing a niche, a realistic first year, writing reports clients trust, and the most common reasons license applications get delayed. For earnings, see our private investigator salary guide.

Starter gear. A practical starting point for surveillance work is a long-zoom camera such as the Nikon Coolpix P1000 and a pair of binoculars like the Vortex Diamondback HD 10×42. Our private investigator equipment list covers the rest of a starter kit.

Frequently asked questions

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

Yes. Anyone working as a private investigator in Delaware needs a license from the State Police and must be employed by a licensed agency.

How long does it take to become a PI in Delaware?

Once you’re hired by an agency, the individual license can be processed quickly; Dover pickup typically takes 3 to 5 business days after approval.

Can I be a Delaware PI while working as a police officer?

No. Applicants cannot be members or employees of a law enforcement organization.