Private Detective Certificate

Learn how to become a certified private detective in Maryland, including the requirements, application process, and training needed to get licensed. Find step-by-step guidance, eligibility criteria, and key information to help you start your career in private investigations.

Application process changes/updates

​January 2025 - All Professional Licensing applications are converted from a paper application submission process and fee collection to an electronic submission and fee collection process in the Licensing Portal.​

Who should apply

• An employee of a private detective agency who wishes to operate as a private detective.
• Individuals seeking employment with a private detective agency.
• You must be at least 18 years of age.

Private detectives require a separate certification for each agency they work for. Changing agencies necessitates a new application with the new agency as their sponsor.

You are not eligible for a private detective certification if any of the following apply:

• You’ve been convicted of a crime of violence as defined in COMAR 29.04.08.03 or of a felony.
• You have an addiction to or are a habitual user of narcotics, barbiturates, or amphetamines.
• You are a habitual drunkard.
• You are a fugitive from justice.
• You’ve been confined to an institution for treatment of a mental disorder unless you have a physician's note within 30 days before the application, certifying that you are not a danger to the yourself or others.
• You lied on your application.
• You’ve been convicted of a crime directly related to your private detective work.

Pre-application requirements

Submit Livescan fingerprints to the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System CJIS and the FBI. Authorized LiveScan vendors can be found at Fingerprinting Services. Below is the information that you will need to provide to the LiveScan technician for fingerprinting:

• Agency Authorization Number: 9400082495
  Agency ORI Number: MDMSP6000
  Reason Fingerprinted: MD Business Occupations and Professions Sections 13-101 & 13-801

Livescan fingerprints are only valid for 30 days from the date that they were submitted to CJIS and the FBI. Your Private Detective application must be submitted to the Maryland State Police within this 30-day period or new Livescan fingerprints will be required.

Applicants must sign and date the FBI Privacy Act Statement - PDF pdf before submitting their fingerprints.​

A digital color passport style photograph taken within 30 days prior to the date that you submit the application.

How to apply

1. Create or log into your existing Licensing Portal account.
2. Complete the application in the Licensing Portal.
3. Upload the following documents to the application document section:
   1. Livescan fingerprint receipt
   2. color passport style photograph
4. Once you have submitted the application, you will receive an email containing your application number and application PIN number. You must provide this information to your sponsoring Private Detective Agency so they can complete and submit the application and application fee to the Maryland State Police.

Please allow 90 business days for completion of the application process.

A Private Detective valid for certification is 3 years and can only be used for the agency listed in your application. 

Certification renewal

To renew your certification, you must submit an application through the Licensing Portal at least 90 days before your current certification expires. You must include the following information:

• A properly completed renewal application.
• Livescan fingerprint receipt taken within 30 days prior to renewal application submission.
• Renewal application fee of $10.00.
• Any applicable late fees.

The Maryland State Police will assess a $5 per day late fee, up to $150, if the certification renewal application is not received at least 30 calendar days before its expiration.

Late fees will not be assessed if you did not make timely renewal because of incapacity, hospitalization, being called to active military duty, or other hardship.

Note: If a prohibiting conviction or event has occurred, you will not be able to renew your certificate. 

Your certificate card is the property of the State of Maryland and must be returned within 5 days if:

1. The private detective certification is voluntarily surrendered.
2. The private detective certification is revoked by the State Police.
3. The private detective is convicted of a prohibiting crime.
4. Death of the cardholder.
5. The private detective is terminated by the private detective agency through which the certification was obtained.

Application fees

Acceptable methods of payment include Visa or MasterCard. Application​ fees are non-refundable.

All application fees are collected electronically in the Licensing Portal. Application fees do not include fingerprint fees.

• Original/Initial: $15.99

• Renewal: $20.00

Application timeline

• Applicant: Once the above pre-application requirements have been satisfied, the initial application can be completed within 30-60 minutes. Renewal applications can be completed within 15-30 minutes.
• Private Detective Agency: Verification of applicant's identity, review of the application and documentation, and submission of the application and fees can be completed within 10-20 minutes.
• Licensing Division processing time: Once the completed application and the required fees are received, the applicant will be notified of the decision within 90 days.
• Incomplete Applications: Applications received by the Licensing Division will be reviewed for completeness​ within 5-10 business ​days. Applicants who submitted incomplete applications will be notified of the status of their application via email within 5 business days of the review. Failure to respond within 15 days will result in the application being cancelled.

Statutes

The Maryland Private Detectives Act is codified as Title 13​​​​​ of the Business Occupations and Professions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Current versions of any statute can be found at LexisNexis or on the Maryland General Assembly's website.​​​​​

Advisories & documents

Please visit our archive section for any documents.

Questions?