Why?

Well, private investigation is currently enjoying an increased employment growth and the outlook in the short term is very encouraging. However, the downside is there will be increased competition for jobs within the industry.

Many people who are joining the ranks of private investigators are qualified in many areas of the workforce and are bringing skills which are very much sought after.

Does this mean you need to be qualified in another occupation to have any chance of making an impression within the industry. No, not on your life!

One of the biggest attractions in the private investigation field is the fact just about anyone with an inkling for investigative work can join. Obviously, there are some restrictions which will prevent some from pursuing P.I.careers such as those with a history of criminal activity but for the majority, it's open slather and now is the time to join.

So how do you be a private investigator? Let's take a look at some of the requirements to help you get a start in this exciting profession. You should check with the governing body in your state about the requirements for licensing as they do differ from state to state.

In fact, there are still some states in the US which don't require a private investigator to be licensed but given the growth curve of the industry, this could soon change.

- In the US, many states require private investigators to be licensed. In some instances, certain age requirements need to be met.

- If you come from a background such as law enforcement, the military or legal oriented work then you have a head start. More stringent requirements by some states are now requiring prospective P.I.'s to have a minimum number of experience in the investigation field.

- Training courses are becoming the norm rather than the exception and again, there are several states who require a prospective P.I. to have completed a training program relating to the industry before being licensed.

- It would be a definite advantage to complete a course in subjects of an investigative nature such as police science or even computer science. The latter in particular, is a strong area of opportunity with the P.I. industry following the lead of most professions and utilizing the benefits the internet has to offer.

While no rigid education requirements are needed to be a private investigator, there are a "few hoops you need to jump through" before you embark on your new career.