How to Become a Detective In Minnesota

Steps To Become A Detective In Minnesota

When becoming a detective in Minnesota, an applicant can apply as an individual or as a business with a qualified representative candidate. The process can vary depending on the individual, and their background and interests, the State of Minnesota provides detailed information used here: we outline high-level steps below.

Meet State Requirements

Meet State Requirements for Private Detective License, more in depth below, but should include

  • 18 years of age and
  • No criminal record and
  • A $10,000 surety bond

Meet State Duration Requirements

Meet State Duration Requirements (Experience), more in following sections, and can depend on your career path, but should include

For a private detective; 6000 hours of experience as

  • an investigator with a licensed private detective/investigative agency, or
  • an investigator with a U.S. government investigative service or
  • an investigator for a city police department or sheriff’s office.

Submit your application

Submit your application, state requirements are

  • Complete all application forms for the license for which you are applying.
  • Complete an informed consent criminal history form.
  • Submit a recent (durable) photograph and a full set of fingerprints.
  • Provide five (5) references (from people who are not related by blood or marriage) who have known you for a minimum of five (5) years.
  • The Qualified Representative and Minnesota Manager must include documentation of work experience (with completed releases).

Pay for the license

Pay for the license, for Private Detective, costs are:

  • Individual – $1,000
  • Partnership/LLP – $1,700
  • Corporate/LLC – $1,900

Complete Initial Training

Complete Initial Training for Private Detectives, state training requirements can be found here

  • 12 initial hours

Maintain State License

Maintain State License, requirements:

  • 6 additional hours of training
  • Pay licensing fees ($540-$1,220 depending on employees)

Optional; Education

Optional; Education: many Private Detectives have an Associates or bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, or other subjects.

Requirements To Become A Detective In Minnesota

In the State of Minnesota, becoming a detective is managed by the Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services. They outline requirements and procedures for the application, highlighted below:
Basic Requirements: Listed below are some of the basic requirements for all applicants

  • Each person signing the application must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Each person must have a record free of felony convictions and no record of convictions of offenses identified in the statute
  • A $10,000 Surety Bond (private detective or protective agent) at the time of application.
  • Acceptable Proof of Financial Responsibility documentation
  • Complete the required application materials and supporting documents.
  • Be of good character, honesty, and integrity.

Duration To Become A Detective In Minnesota

Similar to requirements, In the State of Minnesota, duration and experience required are managed by the Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services. Duration, measured in hours of experience, outlined below:

Private Detective: 6,000 hours of investigative employment experience in one or more of the following:

  • Employed as an investigator with a licensed private detective/investigative agency.
  • Employed as an investigator with a U.S. government investigative service.
  • Employed as an investigator for a city police department or sheriff’s office.
  • Be employed in an investigative occupation the board finds equivalent in scope, responsibility, and training as one of the specific occupations listed above.

Protective Agent: 6,000 hours of security/protective employment experience in one or more of the following:

  • Employed in a protective/security capacity with a licensed protective agent, or in a protective/security for investigative capacity for a licensed private detective.
  • Employed in a protective/security or investigator capacity with a U.S. government investigative service.
  • Employed in a protective/security or investigator capacity with a city police department or sheriff’s office.
  • Be employed in an occupation the board finds equivalent in scope, responsibility, and training as one of the specific occupations listed above

Salary of A Detective In Minnesota

The State of Minnesota Center for Employment and Economic Development shows a range of $29.24 per hour (25th percentile) to $42.48 per hour (75th percentile) for detectives and private investigators. These jobs include Criminal Investigator, Deputy United States Marshal, FBI Investigator, Homicide Detective, Narcotics Detective, Narcotics Investigator, and Police Detective.
The salary of a detective in Minnesota can vary greatly depending on several factors:

Seniority

detectives with more experience command higher wages. Their industry experience is not supplemented by additional education or other factors, and as a result, their annual pay is higher.

Location

detectives working in larger cities with more people and more crimes to cover can see an increase in their salaries.

Type of Employment;

private detectives are often paid higher wages than their public counterparts, but this is not always the case

Crime Rate

Areas with high crime rates can impact salaries and demand for detectives.

Author Bio: Maria Gold is a Content Manager/Writer for Empire Resume. She is dedicated to helping educate people with the latest career articles and job search advice. When Maria is not working, she enjoys reading and spending quality time with her family.