Public Safety & Security training

Private Investigator Training

Learn what private investigators do and how they do it: a semi-in-depth, practical course covering the role, vocabulary, common procedures, safety and career launch.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Enroll nowView syllabus
What you’ll learn in Private Investigator training

A practical, general introduction to the private investigator job: what the role involves, 15+ key terms, how to perform common tasks such as conduct legal surveillance and run a skip trace, safety essentials and how to launch your career. Online, self-paced, about 10 hours, $89.99.

  • Tuition
    $89.99
    Volume pricing from 2 seats
  • Length
    10 hours
    10 modules
  • Format
    Online
    Self-paced, any device
  • Access
    12 months
    LMS access
  • Level
    Beginner
    To intermediate
  • You receive
    Certificate
    Of completion

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Explain what a private investigator does day to day, where they work and how the role fits into the team
  • Use 15+ essential private investigator terms correctly
  • Walk through conduct legal surveillance, run a skip trace, and write an investigation report step by step
  • Identify the tools, equipment and technology used on the job
  • Apply core safety, compliance and professional standards
  • Map your path into the field, including credentials such as State private investigator license

Course syllabus

10 modules, about 10 hours in total.

MODULE 01Introduction to the Private Investigator Role50 min
  • What private investigators do and why the role matters
  • Where they work: settings, employers and teams
  • Pay, job outlook and the career ladder
  • Professional and ethical expectations
MODULE 02A Day on the Job35 min
  • A realistic shift, start to finish
  • Schedules, shifts and workload
  • Working with supervisors, coworkers and customers
  • The best and hardest parts of the job
MODULE 03Essential Private Investigator Vocabulary1 hr
  • Key term: Surveillance
  • Key term: Skip trace
  • Key term: Background check
  • Key term: Public records
  • Key term: Pretexting
  • Plus 10 more terms with practice drills
MODULE 04Core Duties and Responsibilities1 hr
  • Conduct surveillance
  • Research public records and databases
  • Run background checks
  • Locate people and assets
  • Interview witnesses and subjects
MODULE 05Common Tasks, Step by Step2 hr 10 min
  • How to conduct legal surveillance
  • How to run a skip trace
  • How to write an investigation report
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
MODULE 06Tools, Equipment and Technology50 min
  • Cameras and video equipment
  • Investigative databases
  • Public records portals
  • GPS and mapping tools
  • Laptops and phones
MODULE 07Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards1 hr 10 min
  • Plan for personal safety during surveillance
  • Know and follow privacy and recording laws
  • Avoid confrontations
  • Share your location with your office
MODULE 08Skills Employers Look For50 min
  • Surveillance techniques
  • Records research
  • Interviewing
  • Patience
  • Discretion
MODULE 09Launching Your Private Investigator Career50 min
  • Education and training pathways
  • Credential overview: State private investigator license
  • Credential overview: Professional Certified Investigator (PCI)
  • Resume and interview preparation
  • Your first 90 days on the job
MODULE 10Final Knowledge Check50 min
  • Comprehensive practice exam with explanations
  • Certificate of completion on passing

Who this training is for

  • Students: find out what the private investigator job is really like before choosing a program or major.
  • Career changers: test-drive the field and build vocabulary and confidence before investing in formal training.
  • New hires and employers: shorten ramp-up time with a consistent foundation for every new private investigator.

Pricing

$89.99 per learner. Buying for a team? Volume pricing applies automatically from 2 learners.

SeatsDiscount
2 to 101% off
11 to 202% off
21 to 503% off
51 to 1005% off
101 to 2507% off
251 to 5008% off
501 to 1,00010% off

Free preview lessons

Sample the course material for free:

Why train for this career

Private detectives and investigators search for information about legal, financial and personal matters, conducting surveillance, background checks, interviews and records research for clients. BLS reports a median wage of $51,220 (May 2025) and about 3,200 openings per year. Read the full private investigator career profile or see salary details.

Enroll in Private Investigator Training

Fill this out and press the button: your email app will open with a pre-filled message to our enrollment team (info@hazwoper-osha.com). We reply with a payment link or invoice and your learning-platform login. Nothing you type is stored on this website.

Course Private Investigator Training · 10 hours · $89.99 per learner

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Private Investigator training FAQ
How long is the Private Investigator training?
About 10 hours, online, self-paced. You get 12 months of LMS access, so you can learn around work or school.
How much does the Private Investigator training cost?
$89.99 per learner. Volume pricing applies automatically from 2 learners, up to 10% off for large groups.
Is the course online?
Yes. The course runs on our online learning platform (LMS). After you enroll, we email your login details.
Will this course make me a licensed or certified private investigator?
No. This is a general career-preparation course. It does not by itself grant a state license, national certification or academic credit. Most states license private investigators, often requiring experience, a background check, insurance and an exam. Laws limit surveillance, recording and access to records. It is designed to help you understand the job and prepare for the formal training, exams and interviews that follow.
Who is this course for?
Students exploring careers, adults changing careers, new hires who want a faster ramp-up, and employers onboarding private investigators.
How do I enroll?
Use the enrollment form on this page. It opens a pre-filled email to our team, and we reply with your payment link or invoice and your LMS access. You can also call 1-866-429-6742.
Do you offer group or employer pricing?
Volume pricing from 2 seats. Choose “My team or employees” on the form or visit our employer training page.
What do I receive when I finish?
Certificate of completion from Career Education Institute after you pass the final knowledge check.


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