Indiana
Indiana licenses private investigator firms, not individual investigators, through the Private Investigator and Security Guard Licensing Board, staffed by the Professional Licensing Agency.
At a glance
- Authority
- Private Investigator and Security Guard Licensing Board, Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
- Statute
- IC 25-30-1
- Rules
- 874 IAC, articles 1 to 3
- Who is licensed
- Private investigator firms and security guard agencies
- Renewal
- Every four years; next renewal October 1, 2027 (874 IAC 1-1-3). Renewal fee $300 (874 IAC 2-1-1).
- Continuing education
- None found in 874 IAC or on the licensing agency’s pages
- Insurance
- General liability coverage of at least $100,000, including false arrest, malicious prosecution, and wrongful entry (IC 25-30-1-15; licensing information)
Changes, 2023 to 2026
Higher civil penalty cap for business entities
Amends IC 25-1-11-12, which applies to this board. The civil penalty a board may assess is now up to $1,000 per violation for an individual practitioner and up to $5,000 per violation for a business entity. The act also updates the renewal-date cross-reference in IC 25-30-1-16 after merging the licensing agency’s duties into IC 25-1-5. Renewal cycles and fees did not change.
For licensees: Licensed firms face a higher maximum penalty per violation. The board’s fines rule (874 IAC 2-1-2) sets fines at half the statutory maximum unless adjusted.
Proposed $50 late renewal fee
Would amend 874 IAC 2-1-1 to add a $50 late renewal fee for private investigator firms and security guard agencies. Public hearing held August 12, 2026. As of October 15, 2026, no final rule has been published.
For licensees: Renew by October 1, 2027. If the rule is finalized, a late renewal will cost $50 on top of the $300 fee.
Fines and civil penalties schedule
Adds 874 IAC 2-1-2. Board fines default to half the statutory maximum, or $1,000 where no maximum is set, with a $100 minimum, adjusted by listed factors such as self-disclosure and remediation, or dishonesty and a pattern of misconduct.
For licensees: Fines are more predictable, and cooperation and voluntary disclosure count in your favor.
Existing rules readopted without change
Readopted 874 IAC 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and 2-1 under Indiana’s five-year rule expiration law. Nothing was repealed.
For licensees: Licensing, renewal, and fee rules remain in force unchanged.
Convictions of concern and pre-licensure determinations
Adds 874 IAC 3. Lists the convictions that may disqualify an applicant, allows probationary licenses, and creates a $25 petition for a determination before applying.
For licensees: Applicants or firm qualifiers with a criminal record can get a ruling for $25 before applying.
The only change to IC 25-30-1 from 2023 to 2026 is the cross-reference update in P.L. 29-2026. Earlier 2026 versions of House Bill 1003, including the bill as passed by the House, would have amended IC 25-30-1-5, but the enrolled act contains no reference to IC 25-30.
Last updated October 15, 2026Source: United States Council for Law & Investigation