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New Hampshire’s State Police take individual and employee applications in person at its Concord licensing office, and mail is accepted only for agency applications.
New Hampshire PI license at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regulator | New Hampshire State Police, Permits and Licensing |
| Law | RSA 106-F; Saf-C 2200 |
| Forms | Individual DSSP 259; employee DSSP 247; agency DSSP 258; renewals DSSP 157 and 221; bond DSSP 55 |
| Filing | In person at 33 Hazen Drive, Room 106, Concord; do not mail (agency applications are the exception) |
| Armed applicants | Call (603) 223-3873 to schedule fingerprinting before arrival |
| Bond | A bond form (DSSP 55) is part of the licensing packet |
What’s different here: armed applicants must book a fingerprint appointment before they show up.
New Hampshire PI license FAQ
Can I mail my application?
Not for individual or employee forms.
Where do I file?
33 Hazen Drive, Concord.
Verified against: NH State Police Permits and Licensing page and RSA 106-F, 570-A:2, 91-A:4 and 159:6. Last verified October 23, 2026.
Who regulates private investigators in New Hampshire
The Permits and Licensing Unit of the New Hampshire State Police licenses private investigative agencies, investigators and security services under RSA 106-F. Fees and the license term are set in RSA 106-F:7, summarized below.
New Hampshire PI license types
| License or credential | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| Private investigator license | Individuals or agencies providing investigative services |
| Employee license | Individuals working for a licensed agency (separate application) |
How to get licensed in New Hampshire: step by step
- Confirm your qualifying route with the State Police.
- Complete the application and background checks.
- File the surety bond.
- Pay the fee set by RSA 106-F:7 (agency $150 or $350; employee fee set by rule, up to $100) and record check fees.
- Apply for employee licenses for anyone you hire.
Carrying a firearm as a New Hampshire investigator
Armed investigators must show firearms proficiency at initial licensure and at least once a year (RSA 106-F:8).
What a private investigator in New Hampshire can and can’t do
A PI license is a business license, not police authority. In New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire. A 2024 legal summary by the law firm Kilpatrick lists New Hampshire 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.
Who needs a New Hampshire license (RSA 106-F:3)
RSA 106-F:3 requires a license from the commissioner of safety for anyone running a private investigative, security guard or bail recovery agency, and for anyone providing those services. Anyone who wants to work for such an agency must get an employee license first. An out-of-state corporation is treated as a foreign corporation and must register under RSA 293-A.
Who qualifies (RSA 106-F:5)
For private investigator licenses, the statute requires you to be a U.S. resident aged 18 or older. It bars applicants with any felony conviction, with misdemeanor convictions involving theft, honesty, fraud, controlled substances, domestic violence or abuse, or with an active domestic violence protective order in any U.S. jurisdiction. Original applicants name at least three unrelated people who can speak to their integrity and honesty, and must provide verifiable proof of their qualifications at application.
You also need one of six experience or education routes. Employees are exempt from this requirement.
- 4 years as a full-time law enforcement officer, as a director of security or senior officer of a company, with a licensed security service, or as a full-time adjuster, risk manager or claims investigator for an insurance carrier or adjusting company.
- An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or fire service, or ASIS certified professional investigator or NALI certified legal investigator status, plus 2 years as a full-time investigator for a private investigative agency.
- 4 years as a full-time investigator for a licensed private investigator or agency.
- 4 years as a full-time firefighter plus International Association of Arson Investigators certification.
- ASIS certification in security operations plus 2 years providing those services.
- ASIS certification in executive protection plus 2 years providing those services.
New Hampshire fees and license term (RSA 106-F:7)
The statute sets agency and service fees at $150 if the agency employs one licensed person and $350 if it employs more than one, with a separate fee for each license type held. The fee for an individual employee license is set by rule at no more than $100 and is paid by the employing agency before the license is issued. Licenses are valid for 2 years. Renewal applications are due at least 15 days before expiry, and agency renewals need certified evidence that the surety bond is still in force. Confirm current amounts with the State Police before you file.
New Hampshire firearms, penalties, recording and records
Armed investigators must meet firearms proficiency requirements at initial licensure and at least once a year (RSA 106-F:8). The statute calls for a handgun course with a minimum 75 percent qualifying score, plus four hours of instruction on firearms techniques and safety, laws on deadly force, and the moral and ethical use of force, certified by a qualified firearms instructor. Separately, RSA 159:6 says the availability of a carry license does not prohibit carrying a firearm without one by a person who is not otherwise barred from having a firearm. Employer and client rules still apply.
Operating an agency or service without a license is a misdemeanor for a natural person and a felony for any other person (RSA 106-F:14). On recording, RSA 570-A:2 makes willful interception of a telecommunication or oral communication without the consent of all parties a class B felony. For public records, a Right-to-Know request must be answered within 5 business days: the agency makes the record available, denies the request, or gives a written statement of the time reasonably needed (RSA 91-A:4).
Building a career as a New Hampshire investigator
Knowing the rules in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire?
Yes. New Hampshire requires private investigators and their employees to be licensed by the State Police.
How long does it take to become a PI in New Hampshire?
It depends on your qualifying route; once eligible, plan for background checks and bond filing.
Is New Hampshire an all-party consent state for recording?
Yes, it’s on the list of all-party consent states in a 2024 legal summary by Kilpatrick, so be very careful with any audio recording.
How long does a New Hampshire PI license last?
Two years. Renewal applications are due at least 15 days before expiry (RSA 106-F:7).
What experience does a New Hampshire PI license require?
One of six routes: generally 4 years in qualifying work, or a degree or certification plus 2 years, depending on the route. Employees are exempt (RSA 106-F:5).
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Private Detectives and Investigators
- Kilpatrick — Wiretap laws in the United States (2024)
- RSA 106-F:3 — License required
- RSA 106-F:5 — Application for license
- RSA 106-F:7 — Application and renewal fees
- RSA 106-F:8 — Licensee firearms proficiency
- RSA 106-F:14 — Penalty
- RSA 570-A:2 — Interception of communications
- RSA 91-A:4 — Right-to-Know access
- RSA 159:6 — Loaded pistols and revolvers
- NH State Police — Permits and Licensing
Last verified: October 23, 2026. Requirements and fees change; confirm with the regulator before applying.
Legal disclaimer: This page is for general information and education only. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Security Dogma is not a law firm. Laws, licensing rules and court decisions vary by state and change often, and what is written here may not match your situation or be current when you read it. Before you act on anything here, check the official rules from your state licensing agency, follow your employer’s and client site’s policies, and talk to a licensed attorney in your state for legal questions. See our Terms and Conditions and how facts are checked in our Editorial Policy.
Firearms and weapons disclaimer: This page discusses firearms or other weapons for general information only. It is not legal advice, not firearms training, and not a recommendation to buy, carry or use any weapon. Laws on owning, carrying, transporting and using firearms, stun guns, pepper spray, batons and knives vary by state, county and city. They change often, can be different for security work, and breaking them can lead to criminal charges. Before you carry or use any weapon, confirm the current law where you are, get any required permit or license, train with a certified instructor, and follow your employer’s, client’s and property owner’s rules. You alone are responsible for how you buy, carry, store and use any weapon. Security Dogma and its authors accept no liability for any injury, loss, damage or legal consequence that results from acting on this information. A product link does not mean the item is legal where you live, so check local restrictions before you buy.
Security guard work is covered in a separate guide: New Hampshire’s guard license requirements. You can also compare PI license rules in Vermont with those in Maine.