Washington Private Investigator License Requirements

Washington licenses both the individual and the agency, and an unarmed investigator pays $220 to start through the Department of Licensing, while the agency itself pays separately through the Department of Revenue.

Washington PI license at a glance

Item	Detail
Regulator	Washington Department of Licensing (RCW 18.165); agency business license through the Department of Revenue
Age	18, U.S. citizen or resident noncitizen
Employment	Employed by, or with an offer from, a PI agency, or licensed as an agency
Criminal history	No conviction the director finds directly related to the duties of a PI
Fingerprints	Required; a security guard license issued in the last 12 months may waive a separate check
Individual fees	Unarmed: $220 initial, $193 renewal, $228 late. Armed: add $110 at initial licensing
Agency fees	Unarmed principal: $640 initial, $385 renewal. Armed principal: $740 initial, $390 renewal
Change of principal	$150

What’s different here: you apply for each company of employment on its own application.

Washington PI license FAQ

Does armed work cost more?

Yes, $110 more at initial licensing.

Do I need a job first?

You need to be employed by, or have an offer from, an agency, or hold your own agency license.

Verified against: RCW 18.165.030 and the DOL private investigator fee and agency pages, plus RCW 18.165.020, 18.165.100, 18.165.120, 18.165.140 and 18.165.150. Last verified October 23, 2026.

Who regulates private investigators in Washington

DOL licenses private investigators and agencies under RCW 18.165. The agency license is issued as an endorsement on your Washington business license, processed through the Department of Revenue.

Washington PI license types

License or credential	Who it is for
Private investigator license (unarmed or armed)	Individuals employed by a licensed agency
Private investigative agency license	Businesses, through a qualifying agent
Armed private investigator	Investigators 21 and older with firearms certification

How to get licensed in Washington: step by step

1. Get hired by a licensed agency and apply for your PI license.
2. Complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO (or local law enforcement outside Washington).
3. Complete any training or testing DOL requires for your license type (RCW 18.165.090).
4. To open an agency, document three years of experience for your qualifying agent.
5. Provide the bond or insurance and a Washington physical location.
6. Apply online or by mail for the agency endorsement on your business license.

Carrying a firearm as a Washington investigator

Armed private investigators must be at least 21 and meet DOL’s firearms certification requirements in addition to state carry law.

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

A PI license is a business license, not police authority. In Washington, 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 Washington. A 2024 legal summary by the law firm Kilpatrick lists Washington 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.

Washington exemptions (RCW 18.165.020)

The chapter does not apply to attorneys acting as attorneys, licensed insurers and adjusters within their insurance duties, certified public accountants, and people who only obtain information from public records.

Washington agency bond or insurance (RCW 18.165.100)

An agency license requires either a $10,000 surety bond payable to the state or a certificate of comprehensive general liability insurance of at least $25,000 for bodily or personal injury and $25,000 for property damage. The director may approve other methods of financial responsibility. DOL’s agency page asks the qualifying agent to provide written certification of three years of investigative experience or a passed exam (RCW 18.165.050).

Washington training, testing and penalties

RCW 18.165.030 sets no exam for an individual license. RCW 18.165.090 tells DOL to adopt preassignment training and testing rules and lets it set continuing education by rule, so check DOL’s current rules for your license type. Performing investigator work without a license, operating an agency without an agency license, or employing unlicensed investigators is a gross misdemeanor (18.165.150). Agency licensees must notify the director within 30 days of changes in officers, directors or material information (18.165.080).

Washington rules for out-of-state investigators

Investigators registered and certified in another state may operate in Washington up to 30 days a year if the director finds that state’s requirements at least equal to Washington’s (18.165.120). A valid out-of-state card is recognized for 90 days, but only during a temporary assignment for the same employer, and those investigators may not solicit business in Washington or claim to be Washington-licensed (18.165.140).

Building a career as a Washington investigator

Knowing the rules in Washington 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 Washington?

Yes. Washington requires private investigators and agencies to be licensed by the Department of Licensing.

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

Individual investigators can be licensed relatively quickly once hired by an agency. Agencies need a qualifying agent with three years of experience.

Is Washington an all-party consent state?

Yes. Washington appears on the list of all-party consent states in a 2024 legal summary by Kilpatrick, so treat audio recording with great care.

Can an out-of-state investigator work in Washington?

Investigators registered in another state may work in Washington up to 30 days a year if the director finds that state’s requirements at least equal to Washington’s. They may not solicit business or claim Washington licensing (RCW 18.165.120 and 18.165.140).

Is unlicensed PI work a crime in Washington?

Yes. Performing private investigator functions without a license is a gross misdemeanor (RCW 18.165.150).