According to the U.S.Department of Labor, private investigation employment is expected to grow 22 percent through 2018, with 2008 statistics showing a median annual salary of $41,760. To start a private investigation business, it takes aptitude, training, equipment, licensing (for most states) and marketing.

Aptitude

To be a private investigator, you need an innate curiosity, a knack for thinking out of the box and the persistence to keep digging until you find the truth.

Training

Study the investigative profession by attending a conference, taking an online class or reading a book, such as "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Private Investigating" by Steven Kerry Brown. Rick Johnson, owner of the Private Investigators Academy of the Rockies, calls this book "one of the better introductory books for anyone considering a career as a PI."

Specialize

A popular concept is that all investigators catch cheating spouses. Actually, private investigators apply background skills to specialize in a particular field (for example, a paralegal might specialize in legal investigations or an animal trainer might become a pet detective).

Equipment

When starting your investigation business, focus on purchasing the basics: a good digital camera, a trusty vehicle, an audio recorder, a computer and a phone.

Licensure

Only five states don't require licensing or certification to be a private investigator (Colorado, Idaho, Mississippi, South Dakota and Wyoming). To review the licensing requirements for your state, contact your state licensing division.

Marketing

When you start a private investigations business, market it through business cards, Internet ads, websites and cold calls. Most successful professional private investigators build extensive marketing campaigns into their business plans every year.

Source:

U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-11

Private Investigator Conferences & Training Seminars

Be a Private Eye

More Information:

Private Investigators Academy of the Rockies

Private Investigation Categories

Private Investigator License Requirements by State