South Carolina private investigators must be licensed and bonded before they can legally work in the state. Both private detective agencies and their employees must submit applications for licensure, but only agencies need a bond.
Private investigators’ license and surety bond
Private investigators�agencies and employees�apply for a license through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). New business applicants need to gather the following information to submit to SLED:
- Nonrefundable $350 license fee
- Completed, signed, and notarized application
- Two sets of fingerprint cards
- Recent digital photo submitted according to SLED’s directions
- $10,000 surety bond
- Completed, signed and notarized Judgement Statement Affidavit
- Completed Form PD/PS-9 if company is incorporated
- Completed Disclosure of Principles form
- Sample contract for approval
Applicants must have three years’ experience as a law enforcement officer, employee of a licensed private investigator agency, or as an investigator for a government agency or another organization that is exempt from private investigator agency licensing. There are some criteria that render an applicant ineligible for licensure, including being under 18 years of age, not being a U.S. citizen, and conviction of a felony. Private investigator agency employees apply on the same form as armed and unarmed security guards, however investigators cannot choose a distinction because they are not legally allowed to be armed.
Private investigators renewing their license must submit proof of at least 12 hours of continuing education over the previous 24 months, or six hours per year. It is agency licensees’ responsibility to ensure their employees meet continuing education requirements. Consult SLED’s FAQs for private detective applicants with more questions about licensing requirements.
The state of South Carolina requires private investigator agencies to get a $10,000 surety bond to protect against loss to the state and to consumers. Should a private investigator violate a state law and incur fines or cause damages to a consumer, and then close their business to avoid the fines, the surety bond provides a way to recover those unpaid charges. Private investigators should note that they must reimburse the surety for any claims paid from their bond.