About Michigan Licensed Private Investigators

In Michigan, the profession of Private Detective is regulated by the State, Department of Consumer and Industry Services, based in Lansing, MI. In order to engage in the any of the activities performed by Private Detective for compensation, one must be licensed.

Private Detectives are regulated under Public Act 285 of 1965, as amended. The Act defines a private detective or investigator as a person who accepts employment to conduct an investigation for the purpose of obtaining information concerning threats or crimes against the United States; obtaining information concerning the identity, occupation, reputation or character of a person; locating or recovering lost or stolen property; determining the cause or responsibility for fires, losses, accidents or damage to persons or property; and securing evidence to be used in court. You can also read the actual law.

An applicant for a private detective agency license must meet the following requirements:

Be not less than 25 years old.
Have a high school education or its equivalent.
Have not been convicted of:
- dishonesty or fraud
- unauthorized divulging or selling of information or evidence.
- impersonation of a law enforcement officer or employee of the US, Michigan or a political subdivision of Michigan.
- Illegally using, carrying or possessing a dangerous weapon.
- Two or more alcohol related offenses.
- Controlled substances.
- Assault.
Have not been dishonorably discharged from the US military.
Possesses a bachelors degree in police administration or criminal justice from an accredited college or university or for a period of not less than 3 years has been:
- Lawfully engaged in the private detective business in another state.
- An investigative employee of a licensed private detective agency.
- An investigator, detective, special agent or certified police officer of a city, county, or state government or the United States government.
Has posted a $10,000 surety bond with the Department or furnishes an insurance policy in the amount of $10,000.00 for property damages, $100,000.00 for the injury or death of one person, and $200,000.00 for injuries to or deaths of more than one person.

Note: it is important to know that from a consumer’s standpoint, a bond does not afford the same protections that “insurance” does. (i.e., the bond won’t cover liability and damages that result from the private investigator getting into a car accident and hurting someone while working on your case.) We at A.S.G. strongly recommend that you verify that any private detective you are considering working with has insurance as well as a valid license. A.S.G. currently carries $2,000,000.00 in liability insurance to protect our clients.

Michigan does not currently have a continuing education requirement for private detectives.

To verify if someone has a license, phone your request the State at (517) 241-9418.

Many private detectives are members of the main industry association, the Michigan Council of Private Investigators, A.S.G. among them. For more information, visit their site at www.mcpihome.com

Noteworthy information about Private Detectives in Michigan

Confidentiality

The private investigator - client privilege is currently amongst the most stringent levels of confidentiality offered to any profession including attorney - client or doctor - patient privileges. In a recent Michigan Court of Appeals case, the court up held the PD - Client privilege by refusing to allow a prosecutor to subpoena information from an investigator who worked for a client accused of murder.

We proudly help clients from Birmingham to Grosse Pointe, Sterling Heights to Livonia, Southfield to Detroit, Bloomfield Hills to Grand Rapids and every where in between.