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 Private Investigator Licensing Requirements for CPAs 

 
 PI Licensing Regulations by State
   
 Map of USA The following are current legislative bills, state statutes, and websites that are to be utilized only as reference information to help aid CPAs in determining if their practice activities warrant the need for a private investigator license within different states of the United States.

This matrix is designed to provide illustrative information with respect to the subject matter covered. 

If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.  The AICPA staff and this publisher make no representations, warranties, or guarantees about, and assume no responsibility for, the content or application of the material contained herein and expressly disclaim all liability for any damages arising out of the use of, reference to, or reliance on such material. 

This information was last updated on March 27, 2013.




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BillFilterStatuteFilter
Government Entity
State CPA Organization
CommentFilter
Title
2011 AL SB 42 2011 AL HB 323
Section 40-12-43: Actuaries, Auditors, and Public Accountants Section 40-12-43.1: Added fee for Private Examining or Collecting Firms Section 40-12-93: Detective Agencies Section 40-2A-14: Licensing and Bonding of Private Examining Firms Section 40-2A-15: Alabama Local Tax Institute of Standards and Training
Alabama Legislative Information System (ALISON)Alabama Society of CPAs
Currently, the practice of private investigators is not regulated by the state of Alabama. There are no P.I. licensing requirement in Alabama, although some cities, such as Birmingham and Mobile, have their own, and a state business license is required to operate any business in Alabama.
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NCISS: Alaska P.I. RequirementsAlaska Society of CPAs
At this time, there are no P.I. Licensing requirement in Alaska, although some cities, such as Fairbanks, have their own, and a state business license is required to operate any business in Alaska. There is a Process Server License requirement through Alaska DPS. The only licenses a P.I. needs in Alaska is a State Business license.
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Arizona Revised Statutes: Title 32, Chapter 24 Arizona Title 32, Section 2409: Exemptions
Arizona Department of Public Safety: LicensingArizona Society of CPAs
Statute does not specifically state that CPA's are exempt, but says under 32-2409 - "a person, firm or corporation, or employee of a person, firm or corporation, engaged in the business of obtaining and furnishing financial and related personal information for others, if the person, firm or corporation does not engage in other investigative research and if the employee is not employed or connected with any private investigator's business" is exempt.
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Arkansas Code: 17-40 Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies Arkansas Code: 17-40-103 Exemptions
Arkansas Legislative BranchArkansas Society of CPAs
The Arkansas Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies Act designates the Arkansas State Police as an administering agency to regulate private investigators, private security agencies and individuals or businesses offering security or investigative services. Paragraph 17-40-103 of the statute lists individuals who are exempt. Although attorneys are on this list, there is no mention of CPA's being exempt.
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CA Code: Division 3, Chapter 11.3 Private Investigators: Sections 7512-7573 CA Code: Business and Professions, Chapter 11.3, Section 7522: Exemptions
California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services: P.I.California Society of CPAs
According to the California Business and Professions Code, private investigators must be licensed. The chapter does not specifically exempt CPA's, however there is language exempting "persons employed exclusively and regularly by any employer who does not provide contract security services for other entities or persons, in connection with the affairs of such employer only and where there exists an employer-employee relationship if that person at no time carries or uses any deadly weapon...", and "a person engaged solely in the business of securing information about persons or property from public records."
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2011 CO HB 11-1195
Colorado LegislatureColorado Society of CPAs
There are currently no state licensing requirements for private investigators. This bill permits a private investigator in Colorado to obtain a voluntary license if he/she meets certain criteria. There is mention of CPA's and employees or independent contractors of a CO licensed attorney as exempt individuals. According to section (III) "An employee or independent contractor of an attorney licensed to practice law in this state" as well as section (VI) "A certified public accountant certified or authorized to provide accounting services in the state pursuant to Article 2 of this title and any employee or affiliate of an accounting firm registered pursuant to section 12-2-117" are exempt. There is no statewide control over persons who seek to operate a Detective business, nor any bonding requirements.
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2004 CT SB 70
2011 CT General Assembly Vol 9, Title 29, Chapter 534
CT Department of Public Safety: Special Licensing and Firearms Unit: Private DetectivesConnecticut Society of CPAs
An investigator in Connecticut must be licensed. The statute does not make any reference to persons who may qualify for an exemption.
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Delaware Code Title 24, Chapter 13, Sections 1301-1341
Delaware State Police: Bureau of Identification-LicensingDelaware Society of CPAs
An investigator in Delaware must be licensed.  The statute does not make any reference to persons who may qualify for an exemption.
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Greater Washington Society of CPAs
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Florida Statutes Title 32, Chapter 493: P.I., Private Security and Repossession Services Florida Statutes & Constitution: Chapter 493.6102 Inapplicability
FL Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Private Investigative IndustryFlorida Institute of CPAs
An investigator in Florida must be licensed. Private investigators are regulated and licensed through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. There is an exemption provided for "persons holding professional licenses in Florida when providing expert advice in their professions."
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