About Investigator & Guard Licensing

Any person or group of people who perform investigative or security guard functions in West Virginia are required to be licensed, unless one of the exemptions specified by law applies.   To understand whether licensing requirements apply, see Definitions and Exemptions.

Several types of licenses are issued, and the requirements are slightly different for each one.

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Private Investigator Licensing

Eligibility requirements for licensing
Definitions and exemptions to licensing requirements
Applying for a new individual license
Applying for a new firm license
Renewing an individual license
Renewing a firm license
Changing information

Security Guard Licensing

Eligibility requirements for licensing
Definitions and exemptions to licensing requirements
Applying for a new individual license
Applying for a new firm license
Renewing an individual license
Renewing a firm license
Changing information

Combined Licensing

Eligibility requirements for licensing
Applying for a new combined individual and firm private investigator license
Applying for a new combined individual and firm security guard license
Applying for a new combined private investigative and security guard individual license
Applying for a new combined private investigative and security guard firm license
Renewing a combined license
Changing information