Having discovered the dangers associated with online dating apps, Julie Erickson opened a private investigating agency in Michigan with the aim of keeping her clients safe during blind dates.
Do you know how exciting being the third leg in an all-expense-paid date can be? Literally, you’d be working while having fun. Now, that’s the advantage of becoming a private investigator in Michigan!
Julie’s firm called JAE Investigations looks into the records of her clients to check for things like criminal convictions and domestic violence charges.
Truth is, there are different career paths you can take in Michigan but the most exciting of them is becoming a private investigator. It is so flexible that you can be hired by individuals, corporate organizations, or even the government to gather information.
Now, the era of social media will help make your work as a professional investigator easier. Let’s get right at how you can become a PI in Michigan.
The items we will discuss are outlined below.
What Kind Of Jobs Will I Do As a Private Investigator In Michigan?
Private Investigators in Michigan are called Professional Investigators. The Act defines a Professional Investigator as a person who accepts employment to conduct an investigation business.
Likewise, the Investigation business is defined as a business entity that conducts investigations for the purpose of obtaining information pertaining to crimes. Professional investigators are hence allowed to perform a number of activities, including:
Salary of A Private Investigator In Michigan?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a projection that there will be an 8% job growth for private investigators between 2018 and 2028.
Similarly, in its report in May 2015, after interviewing 260 professional investigators working in Michigan, they found out that the average salary for the year is $42,540.
Finally, according to Indeed, in 2020, the average salary for a private investigator is $19.61 per hour in Michigan.
How To Become A Private Investigator In Michigan- Requirements
In Michigan, private investigators are known as professional investigators. Moreover, they must be licensed by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). LARA maintains all the necessary licensing and education requirements.
The following are the steps you have to follow to become a professional investigator in Michigan.
 | Meet Michigan’s Minimum Licensing Requirements |
 | Meet Minimum Experience or Education Requirements in Michigan |
 | Apply for Michigan Licensure as a Private Investigator |
 | Get to Work in Michigan |
 | Maintain your Michigan License |
Step #1. Meet Michigan’s Minimum Licensing Requirements
These are the basic requirements you must meet in order to pursue a career as a private detective in Michigan. Specifically, we have listed all the basic licensing requirements below.
What Are The Licensing Requirement?
Requirements
According to Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, a professional investigator must meet these requirements.
Other Requirements Involving Experience Include;
Licensing Fees
Step #2. Meet Minimum Experience or Education Requirements in Michigan
The minimum education requirement to get licensed in Michigan is a bachelors degree in one of the following areas;
In similar fashion, you also need at least 3 years of full-time experience.
Furthermore, the state of Michigan does not require employee fingerprint information anymore to check employee fitness. Documents for it are no longer being submtted.
Step #3. Apply for Michigan Licensure as a Private Investigator
After you have met all the minimum requirements we have listed for a license. Now is the time to Apply for a Professional investigator License.
With the application, submit the following information;
Then, if you are currently a law enforcement officer, you will, in addition, provide one of the following;
Send this application package to;
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Licensing Division
Professional Investigator
Post Office Box 30018
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Step #5. Maintain your Michigan License
You must apply for re-licensure every 3 years as a private investigator in Michigan by completing the Application for Relicensure as a Professional Investigator Agency form and submitting a $750 renewal fee (payable to the State of Michigan).
What Are The Private Investigators Associations In MIchigan?
How To Hire A Private Investigator
Since a private investigator in Michigan is mandated by law not to discuss your case with anyone, you can be free to discuss your issue with him.
Thus, to hire a private investigator, you have to meet him at his office and discuss the details of the problem.
Next, you will fill out some paperwork. The purpose of the forms is to outline what is expected of the agency and what is expected of you.
Additionally, you will provide the details of the person you want to investigate. This may include a picture, name, vehicle type, plate number, date of birth, place of birth, just about all information that will be helpful.
Agree on a start time, then the mode of payment.
What Can I Study To Become A Private Investigator in Michigan?
Generally, there are different educational requirements for people seeking to receive a license for private investigating in the USA. Most states including Michigan have the minimum requirement of high school education. However, the experience of three years required can be covered by a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree.
If you want to become a professional investigator in Michigan, you can study any of the following courses;
Criminal Justice:
Criminal Justice is a great major for people who want to become private detectives. You will gain knowledge in ethics, laws, regulations, law enforcement, and the criminal justice process.
Political Science:
This is another great option for those looking to become private investigators. Students will become educated on the state and national laws existent.
Legal Studies:
With a degree in Legal Studies, you gain more in-depth knowledge of the law than in both criminal justice or political science.
Private Investigation Schools In Michigan
These schools offer both criminal justice, police science, and legal studies in Michigan. Attending any of them can qualify you to become a private investigator in Michigan.
We basically selected these schools because they have a variety of courses that an intending PI can undergo and get all the basic knowledge required of him. In the same way, we also gathered reviews done by students, and they chose these as the best PI schools in Michigan.
Lastly, criminal justice degree schools also agree with this choice.
They are listed in no particular order.
1. Ferris State University
The School of Criminal Justice at Ferris State University, through partnerships with agencies both local and international, prepares students for a successful career in professional investigation.
There are four options for students in this faculty; Law enforcement, corrections, generalists, and masters.
In addition, there are also minors in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Homeland Security-Digital Security and Forensics, and Military Science – ROTC.
Furthermore, they also offer police science and legal studies.
Read About The International Students Scholarship At this University.
2. Baker College
This is another great university in Michigan that offers both associate and bachelor degree coursees in criminal justice, law enforcement and legal studies.
For instance, the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program prepares you to start a career in law enforcement, corrections, or legal courts at the federal, state, or local levels. Those who work within the criminal justice system help maintain social order by reducing and preventing crime.
3. Madonna University (Livonia)
This is another great institution that prepares you for a career in professional investigating.
Consequently, you get a degree in criminal justice and forensic science. Also, there are certificate courses in private investigation, homeland security, crime laboratory technician, DNA analysis, and emergency management amongst others. All these will help students in gaining knowledge of the private investigation.
4. Michigan State University
Graduates gave this school a five start for being one of the best universities in the country, as well as for a good price.
This university offers many programs for professional investigators in Michigan. We will just list some of them. Criminal Justice, Global and Area Studies, Forensic Science, Judicial Administration, Law Enforcement Intelligence, and Analysis to mention but a few.
Read About: Michigan State University Scholarships 2022 – World
5. Wayne State University
This is also another school with some interesting courses related to professional investigating.
One of the reviews recommends Wayne for students on a budget. You still get quality education, though.
Some of the courses are criminal justice, dispute resolution, forensic investigation, alcohol, and drug abuse studies. Also, we have applied behavior analysis, peace and security studies, social welfare research, and evaluation.
Be assured of quality education with a budget.
FAQs on How To Become A Private Investigator in Michigan In 2022 | Schools, Requirements
No. You do not need to write a licensing exam to become a professional investigator in Michigan.
Yes. Any person or firm conducting business involving investigations needs to be licensed by the State of Michigan.
1. Ferris state university
2. baker college
3. madonna university
4. Michigan state university
5. Wayne state university
Conclusion
It is quite easy to get a professional investigator’s license in Michigan. All you need to do is to have the minimum education requirement, work experience, and meet all the license requirements. Then, you are on your way to becoming a private investigator in Michigan. World Scholarship Forum cares!