Thursday, March 1, 2018

Steps To Follow To Become A Private Investigator Alabama

By Timothy Howard


There are hardly any private investigators who complain about how much they make from their careers. With an ample supply of clients ranging from companies to individuals, the possibilities are endless for anyone wishing to establish himself in this line of work. If you have been thinking of starting a career as a private investigator Alabama, the following steps will help you know how to go about it.

The state has an investigation board that has the mandate to license aspiring investigators. The board was put in place with the primary aim of ensuring civilians are protected against unwarranted investigation. Besides this, it also ensures investigators operate under strict professional and ethical codes of conduct.

Before you apply, you might want to make sure you meet the minimum requirements for licensing. To begin with, you must be aged 21 years and above. Furthermore, an applicant must not have a proven history of mental ailment. Those convicted of felonies and other serious crimes are also ineligible.

There is no law that states one must have undertaken higher learning in order to qualify. Even then, there is no harm in enrolling for a criminal justice program to bolster your credentials. Education is a sure way to gain better skills and edge out competitors during the search for contracts.

It is a requirement for all applicants to be examined by the board prior to being licensed. The exam is often geared towards ascertaining if one is competent enough. It is issued two times a year and is overseen by a reputable exam body contracted by the investigation board.

Once you complete this exam, you may go ahead and fill the licensing application form. The form can be downloaded from the website of the licensing board. Your application must be submitted alongside copies of your examination score, citizenship form, photograph, sworn affidavit and 3 fingerprint cards. The license costs $300 while the application fee is $125.

It is important to note that a license only stays valid for two years. One must renew it when the time is due. Renewal is usually done at a cost of $200. Routine competency tests are also administered to licensed investigators in a bid to keep standards high.

Salary prospects are always a point of concern for career seekers. In 2012, researchers found than the annual wage in Alabama stood at an average of $58320. Some regions within the state offer better prospects nonetheless. There are investigators who have reported earning up to $131800 per year in some areas.

Be advised some regions still require investigators to get liability insurance and undergo background checks by the FBI even when licensed. Notable examples of such areas are Mobile and Montgomery. The best thing to do after acquiring your license is to consult the local police chief to find out if there are other requirements you ought to meet.

Your specialty will determine the kind of clients you serve. Investigators often engage defense attorneys, individuals and insurance firms. Fraud investigation tends to be the in thing at the moment, so you might want to establish your footing in it.




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