# Reference Shelf

The official sources behind the work: federal agencies and standards, every state's boards, codes and courts, and the profession's own associations. Every link was opened before it was listed, and USCLI's source monitor keeps re-checking them.

Source: https://uscli.org/reference

## By state

For each state: the board that certifies peace officers, the body that oversees forensic science (or the state crime laboratory where no oversight body exists), the private investigator licensing authority, and the official statutes, administrative rules and courts. Where a site refused our automated check and no second official source confirmed the address, the name is given without a link.

State boards, codes and courts, 50 states and DC

| State | Officer standards | Forensic oversight or crime lab | Investigator licensing | Law and courts |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Alabama | [Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC)](https://www.apostc.alabama.gov/) | [Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences](https://adfs.alabama.gov/) | [Alabama Private Investigation Board (APIB)](https://apib.alabama.gov/PDF/2026/FinalApplication2026ApplicationInstructionsandChecklistLicensedPrivateInvestigator.pdf) | [Statutes](https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama) · [Rules](https://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/) · [Courts](https://judicial.alabama.gov/) |
| Alaska | [Alaska Police Standards Council](https://dps.alaska.gov/apsc/) | [Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory (DPS Crime Lab)](https://dps.alaska.gov/victim-services-forensic-science/crime-lab/) | [None at the state level. Anchorage and Fairbanks license investigators.](https://www.muni.org/Departments/Assembly/Clerk/Licensing/pages/privatedetective.aspx) | [Statutes](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp) · [Rules](https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp) · [Courts](https://courts.alaska.gov/) |
| Arizona | [Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST)](https://post.az.gov/) | [Arizona DPS Scientific Analysis Bureau](https://www.azdps.gov/content/basic-page/125) | [Arizona Department of Public Safety, Licensing Unit](https://www.azdps.gov/services/public-services-center/sgpi-licensing) | [Statutes](https://www.azleg.gov/arstitle/) · [Rules](https://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/CodeTOC.htm) · [Courts](https://www.azcourts.gov/) |
| Arkansas | [Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (CLEST)](https://dps.arkansas.gov/law-enforcement/clest/) | [Arkansas State Crime Laboratory](https://dps.arkansas.gov/crime-info-support/arkansas-state-crime-lab/) | [Arkansas State Police, Regulatory Services](https://dps.arkansas.gov/law-enforcement/arkansas-state-police/services-programs/private-investigators-security-companies-alarm-installation-monitoring/) | [Statutes](http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/arcode/) · [Rules](https://sos-rules-reg.ark.org/rules/search) · [Courts](https://arcourts.gov/) |
| California | [Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)](https://post.ca.gov/) | [California DOJ Bureau of Forensic Services](https://oag.ca.gov/bfs) | [Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), Department of Consumer Affairs](https://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/pi_fact.shtml) | [Statutes](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml) · [Rules](https://oal.ca.gov/publications/ccr/) · [Courts](https://courts.ca.gov/) |
| Colorado | [Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)](https://post.colorado.gov/) | [Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Forensic Services](https://cbi.colorado.gov/forensic-services) | [None. The Office of Private Investigator Licensure in the Division of Professions and Occupations closed August 31, 2021.](http://web.archive.org/web/20250323035336/https://dpo.colorado.gov/PrivateInvestigator) | [Statutes](https://leg.colorado.gov/laws/colorado-revised-statutes) · [Rules](https://www.coloradosos.gov/CCR/Welcome.do) · [Courts](https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/) |
| Connecticut | [Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST)](https://portal.ct.gov/despp/services/post) | [Division of Scientific Services](https://portal.ct.gov/despp/services/scientific-services) | [Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, State Police Special Licensing and Firearms Unit](https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_534.htm) | [Statutes](https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/titles.htm) · [Rules](https://eregulations.ct.gov/eRegsPortal/) · [Courts](https://www.jud.ct.gov/) |
| Delaware | [Police Officer Standards and Training Commission](https://post.delaware.gov/) | [Division of Forensic Science](https://forensics.delaware.gov/) | [Delaware State Police, Professional Licensing Section, with the Board of Examiners of Private Investigative, Private Security and Armored Car Agencies](https://delcode.delaware.gov/title24/c013/index.html) | [Statutes](https://delcode.delaware.gov/) · [Rules](https://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/) · [Courts](https://courts.delaware.gov/) |
| District of Columbia | None found | [Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS)](https://dfs.dc.gov/) | [Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Security Program, with approval by the Metropolitan Police Department](https://dlcp.dc.gov/page/security-program) | [Statutes](https://code.dccouncil.gov/) · [Rules](https://www.dcregs.dc.gov/) · [Courts](https://www.dccourts.gov/) |
| Florida | [Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission](https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CJSTC) | [FDLE Forensic Services](https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/forensics) | [Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Licensing](https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Private-Investigation-Licenses/Class-C-Private-Investigator-License-Requirements) | [Statutes](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/) · [Rules](https://flrules.org/) · [Courts](https://www.flcourts.gov/) |
| Georgia | [Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST)](https://gapost.org/) | [GBI Division of Forensic Sciences](https://dofs-gbi.georgia.gov/) | [Georgia State Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies, Secretary of State](https://sos.ga.gov/page/private-detective-and-security-agency-faq) | [Statutes](https://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/gacode/) · [Rules](https://rules.sos.ga.gov/) · [Courts](https://georgiacourts.gov/) |
| Hawaii | [Law Enforcement Standards Board](https://ag.hawaii.gov/law-enforcement-standards-board/) | None found | [Board of Private Detectives and Guards, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs](https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol10_Ch0436-0474/HRS0463/HRS_0463-0006.htm) | [Statutes](https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/) · [Rules](https://ltgov.hawaii.gov/the-office/administrative-rules/) · [Courts](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/) |
| Idaho | [Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)](https://post.idaho.gov/) | [Idaho State Police Forensic Services](https://isp.idaho.gov/forensics/) | [None at the state level. Some cities license investigators.](https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title54/) | [Statutes](https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/) · [Rules](https://adminrules.idaho.gov/) · [Courts](https://isc.idaho.gov/) |
| Illinois | [Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB)](https://www.ptb.illinois.gov/) | [Illinois State Police Division of Forensic Services](https://isp.illinois.gov/Forensics) | [Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)](https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/detective.html) | [Statutes](https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Chapters) · [Rules](https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/titles.html) · [Courts](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/) |
| Indiana | [Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA)](https://www.in.gov/ilea/) | [Indiana State Police Forensic Services Division](https://www.in.gov/isp/labs/) | [Indiana Private Investigator and Security Guard Licensing Board, Professional Licensing Agency](https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/private-investigator-and-security-guard-home/private-investigator-and-security-guard-licensing-information/) | [Statutes](https://iga.in.gov/laws/2025/ic/titles/1) · [Rules](https://iar.iga.in.gov/code) · [Courts](https://www.in.gov/courts/) |
| Iowa | [Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA)](https://ilea.iowa.gov/) | [Iowa DCI Criminalistics Laboratory](https://dps.iowa.gov/divisions-iowa-department-public-safety/iowa-division-criminal-investigation/iowa-dci-criminalistics-laboratory) | [Iowa Department of Public Safety](https://dps.iowa.gov/divisions-iowa-department-public-safety/administrative-services/pipsbe) | [Statutes](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/iowaCode) · [Rules](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/administrativeRules) · [Courts](https://www.iowacourts.gov/) |
| Kansas | [Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training (KSCPOST)](https://kscpost.gov/) | [KBI Forensic Science Laboratory](https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/about/forensicsciencelab.shtml) | [Kansas Attorney General, Private Detective Licensing Unit](https://www.ag.ks.gov/divisions/civil/licensing-inspections/private-detective-licensing) | [Statutes](https://www.ksrevisor.gov/ksa.html) · [Rules](https://sos.ks.gov/publications/kansas-administrative-regulations.html) · [Courts](https://www.kscourts.gov/) |
| Kentucky | [Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT)](https://www.docjt.ky.gov/) | [Kentucky State Police Forensic Laboratories](https://www.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/forensic-laboratories) | [Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators](https://kpi.ky.gov/) | [Statutes](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/) · [Rules](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/) · [Courts](https://www.kycourts.gov/Pages/index.aspx) |
| Louisiana | [Louisiana Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council](https://lcle.la.gov/programs/post/) | [Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory](https://lsp.org/about/leadershipsections/support/crime-lab/) | [Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners (LSBPIE)](https://lsbpie.com/licenseinfo.aspx) | [Statutes](https://legis.la.gov/legis/LawSearch.aspx) · [Rules](https://www.doa.la.gov/doa/osr/louisiana-administrative-code/) · [Courts](https://www.lasc.org/) |
| Maine | [Maine Criminal Justice Academy](https://www.maine.gov/dps/mcja/) | [Maine State Police Crime Laboratory](https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/investigation-traffic/crime-lab) | [Maine State Police, Weapons and Professional Licensing Unit](https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/32/title32sec8105.html) | [Statutes](https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/) · [Rules](https://www.maine.gov/sos/rulemaking) · [Courts](https://www.courts.maine.gov/) |
| Maryland | [Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission (PTSC)](https://mpctc.dpscs.maryland.gov/ptsc.htm) | [Office of Health Care Quality: Forensic Laboratories](https://health.maryland.gov/ohcq/Pages/Forensic-Laboratories.aspx) | [Maryland Department of State Police, Licensing Division](https://mdsp.maryland.gov/firearms-permits-professional-licenses/professional-licenses/private-detective-agency-license) | [Statutes](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/Statutes) · [Rules](https://dsd.maryland.gov/Pages/COMARHome.aspx) · [Courts](https://www.mdcourts.gov/) |
| Massachusetts | [Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission](https://mapostcommission.gov/) | [Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory](https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-state-police-crime-laboratory) | [Massachusetts State Police, Certification Unit](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter147/Section24) | [Statutes](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws) · [Rules](https://www.mass.gov/code-of-massachusetts-regulations-cmr) · [Courts](https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-court-system) |
| Michigan | [Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES)](https://www.michigan.gov/mcoles) | [Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division](https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/forensic-science) | [Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)](https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/cscl/licensing/prof/detectives/professional-investigator-agency-license/pi-agency-initial-license) | [Statutes](https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/ChapterIndex) · [Rules](https://ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us/) · [Courts](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/) |
| Minnesota | None found | [BCA Forensic Science Services](https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/bca-divisions/fss) | [Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services](https://dps.mn.gov/about-dps/associated-boards-cmtes-and-task-forces/private-detective-and-protective-agents-board/license-holders/license-fees) | [Statutes](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/) · [Rules](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/) · [Courts](https://mncourts.gov/) |
| Mississippi | [Office of Standards and Training](https://www.dps.ms.gov/public-safety-planning/standards-and-training) | [Office of Forensic Laboratories](https://www.dps.ms.gov/forensic-laboratories) | [None. Mississippi has no state private investigator licensing law.](https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2017/pdf/history/SB/SB2735.xml) | [Statutes](http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/mscode/) · [Rules](https://www.sos.ms.gov/regulation-enforcement/administrative-code) · [Courts](https://courts.ms.gov/) |
| Missouri | [Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Program](https://dps.mo.gov/dir/programs/post/) | [Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory Division](https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/CLD/index.html) | [Missouri Board of Private Investigator and Private Fire Investigator Examiners](https://pr.mo.gov/pi.asp) | [Statutes](https://revisor.mo.gov/main/Home.aspx) · [Rules](https://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/csr) · [Courts](https://www.courts.mo.gov/) |
| Montana | [Public Safety Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council](https://dojmt.gov/post/) | [Montana Forensic Science Division](https://dojmt.gov/forensic-science-division/) | [Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Private Security Program](https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/private-security/license-information/private-investigator) | [Statutes](https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/) · [Rules](https://rules.mt.gov/) · [Courts](https://courts.mt.gov/) |
| Nebraska | [Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center (NLETC)](https://ncc.nebraska.gov/nletc) | [Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory](https://statepatrol.nebraska.gov/divisions/administrative-services/crime-laboratory) | [Nebraska Secretary of State, Licensing Division](https://sos.nebraska.gov/licensing/private-detectives) | Not reachable at check · [Rules](https://rules.nebraska.gov/) · [Courts](https://nebraskajudicial.gov/) |
| Nevada | [Nevada Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training (POST)](https://www.post.nv.gov/) | None found | [Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-648.html) | [Statutes](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/) · [Rules](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/) · [Courts](https://nvcourts.gov/) |
| New Hampshire | None found | None found | [Department of Safety, Division of State Police, Licensing and Permits Section (Saf-C 2202.01)](https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/vii/106-f/106-f-mrg.htm) | [Statutes](https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/indexes/default.aspx) · [Rules](https://gc.nh.gov/rules/about_rules/listagencies.aspx) |
| New Jersey | [Police Training Commission](https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/office-of-public-integrity-and-accountability-home/police-training-commission/) | [New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences](https://njsp.njoag.gov/office-of-forensic-sciences/) | [New Jersey State Police, Private Detective Unit](https://njsp.njoag.gov/wp/wp-content/uploads/Private%20Detective%20Act%20of%201939.pdf) | [Statutes](https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=Publish:10.1048/Enu) · [Rules](https://www.nj.gov/oal/rules/accessp/) · [Courts](https://www.njcourts.gov/) |
| New Mexico | [New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy](https://www.lea.nm.gov/) | [New Mexico DPS Forensic Laboratory Bureau](https://www.dps.nm.gov/forensic-lab/) | [Regulation and Licensing Department, with the Private Investigations Advisory Board](https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title16/16.048.0002.html) | [Statutes](https://nmonesource.com/nmos/en/nav.do) · [Rules](https://www.srca.nm.gov/nmac-home/) · [Courts](https://nmcourts.gov/) |
| New York | [Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS): Police and Peace Officer Resources](https://criminaljustice.ny.gov/police-peace-officer-resources) | [Commission on Forensic Science (DCJS)](https://criminaljustice.ny.gov/forensic-lab-accreditation) | [New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services](https://dos.ny.gov/become-private-investigator) | [Statutes](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CONSOLIDATED) · [Rules](https://govt.westlaw.com/nycrr/) · [Courts](https://www.nycourts.gov/) |
| North Carolina | [North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission](https://ncdoj.gov/law-enforcement-training/criminal-justice/) | [North Carolina State Crime Laboratory](https://ncdoj.gov/crime-lab/) | [Private Protective Services Board, North Carolina Department of Public Safety](https://www.ncdps.gov/about-dps/boards-and-commissions/private-protective-services-board/licenses/apply-license) | [Statutes](https://www.ncleg.gov/Laws/GeneralStatutes) · [Rules](http://reports.oah.state.nc.us/ncac.asp) · [Courts](https://www.nccourts.gov/) |
| North Dakota | [North Dakota Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board](https://post.nd.gov/) | [North Dakota State Crime Laboratory](https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/criminal-justice-resources/crime-laboratory-general-information/) | [North Dakota Private Investigative and Security Board](https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t43c30.pdf) | [Statutes](https://ndlegis.gov/general-information/north-dakota-century-code/index.html) · [Rules](https://ndlegis.gov/agency-rules/north-dakota-administrative-code/index.html) · [Courts](https://www.ndcourts.gov/) |
| Ohio | [Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC)](https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Law-Enforcement/Ohio-Peace-Officer-Training-Academy/Ohio-Peace-Officer-Training-Commission) | [BCI Laboratory Division](https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Law-Enforcement/Bureau-of-Criminal-Investigation/Laboratory-Division) | [Ohio Department of Public Safety, Private Investigator Security Guard Services (PISGS)](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4749.03) | [Statutes](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code) · [Rules](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code) · [Courts](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/) |
| Oklahoma | [Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET)](https://oklahoma.gov/cleet.html) | [OSBI Criminalistics Services Division](https://oklahoma.gov/osbi/services/criminalistics-services-division.html) | [Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET)](https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=96649) | [Statutes](https://www.oklegislature.gov/osStatuesTitle.aspx) · [Rules](https://rules.ok.gov/) · [Courts](https://www.oscn.net/) |
| Oregon | [Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST)](https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/Pages/default.aspx) | [Oregon State Police Forensic Services Division](https://www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/forensics/Pages/default.aspx) | [Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST)](https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/pi/pages/new.aspx) | [Statutes](https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/Pages/ORS.aspx) · [Rules](https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/administrative-rules/pages/default.aspx) · [Courts](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/Pages/default.aspx) |
| Pennsylvania | [Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC)](https://www.pa.gov/agencies/mpoetc) | [Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Forensic Services](https://www.pa.gov/agencies/psp/contact-psp/bureau-and-office-directory/bureau-of-forensic-services) | [No state agency. Each county’s court of common pleas issues licenses; applications go to the county clerk of courts, and the district attorney investigates applicants.](https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/US/PDF/1953/0/0361..PDF) | [Statutes](https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated) · [Rules](https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/) · [Courts](https://www.pacourts.us/) |
| Rhode Island | [Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy](https://dps.ri.gov/department-public-safety-agencies/municipal-police-training-academy) | [Rhode Island Department of Health, Center for Forensic Sciences](https://health.ri.gov/laboratory-testing/forensic-sciences-center) | [City and town licensing authorities under the state Private Detective Act; apply where your business is based.](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE5/5-5/5-5-2.htm) | [Statutes](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/) · [Rules](https://rules.sos.ri.gov/organizations) · [Courts](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Pages/default.aspx) |
| South Carolina | [South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy](https://sccja.sc.gov/) | [SLED Forensic Services](https://www.sled.sc.gov/departments/forensic-services) | [South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Regulatory Services](https://www.sled.sc.gov/private-investigators) | [Statutes](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/statmast.php) · [Rules](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/statmast.php) · [Courts](https://www.sccourts.org/) |
| South Dakota | [Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission](https://atg.sd.gov/LawEnforcement/training/commission.aspx) | [South Dakota Forensic Laboratory](https://atg.sd.gov/LawEnforcement/Forensics/default.aspx) | [None. The Attorney General’s office says no state license is required.](https://atg.sd.gov/LawEnforcement/training/faq.aspx) | [Statutes](https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes) · [Rules](https://sdlegislature.gov/Rules/Administrative) · [Courts](https://ujs.sd.gov/) |
| Tennessee | [Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/post.html) | [TBI Forensic Services Division](https://www.tn.gov/tbi/divisions/forensic-services-division.html) | [Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, Private Investigation program](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/pi/license/how-to-get-license/private-investigator-.html) | [Statutes](http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/tncode/) · [Rules](https://sos.tn.gov/publications/services/effective-rules-and-regulations-of-the-state-of-tennessee) · [Courts](https://www.tncourts.gov/) |
| Texas | [Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)](https://www.tcole.texas.gov/) | [Texas Forensic Science Commission](https://www.txcourts.gov/fsc/) | [Texas Department of Public Safety, Regulatory Services Division, Private Security Program](https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/OC/htm/OC.1702.htm) | [Statutes](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/) · [Rules](https://www.sos.state.tx.us/tac/index.shtml) · [Courts](https://www.txcourts.gov/) |
| Utah | [Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)](https://post.utah.gov/) | [Utah Bureau of Forensic Services](https://forensicservices.utah.gov/) | [Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), Department of Commerce, since September 1, 2026. Before that, the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Identification.](https://commerce.utah.gov/dopl/private-investigators/apply-for-a-license/) | [Statutes](https://le.utah.gov/xcode/code.html) · [Rules](https://adminrules.utah.gov/) · [Courts](https://www.utcourts.gov/) |
| Vermont | [Vermont Criminal Justice Council](https://vcjc.vermont.gov/) | [Vermont Forensic Laboratory](https://vfl.vermont.gov/) | [Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/26/059) | [Statutes](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/) · [Rules](https://sos.vermont.gov/secretary-of-state-services/apa-rules) · [Courts](https://www.vtcourts.gov/) |
| Virginia | [Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), Division of Law Enforcement](https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/division-law-enforcement) | [Virginia Department of Forensic Science](https://dfs.virginia.gov/) | [Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title9.1/chapter1/section9.1-139/) | [Statutes](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/) · [Rules](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/) · [Courts](https://www.vacourts.gov/) |
| Washington | [Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission](https://cjtc.wa.gov/) | [Washington State Forensic Investigations Council](https://fic.wa.gov/) | [Department of Licensing](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.165&full=true) | [Statutes](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/) · [Rules](https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/) · [Courts](https://www.courts.wa.gov/) |
| West Virginia | [Law Enforcement Professional Standards, Justice and Community Services](https://das.wv.gov/JCS/law-enforcement/Pages/default.aspx) | [West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory](https://www.wvsp.gov/departments/laboratory/Pages/default.aspx) | [West Virginia Secretary of State, Licensing Division](https://code.wvlegislature.gov/30-18-2/) | [Statutes](https://code.wvlegislature.gov/) · [Rules](https://apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/) · [Courts](https://www.courtswv.gov/) |
| Wisconsin | [WILENET (Wisconsin Department of Justice, Training and Standards)](https://wilenet.widoj.gov/) | [Wisconsin State Crime Laboratories](https://www.wisdoj.gov/Pages/CriminalJusticeServices/wisconsin-state-crime-laboratories.aspx) | [Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)](https://dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/private-detective/) | [Statutes](https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/prefaces/toc) · [Rules](https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code) · [Courts](https://www.wicourts.gov/) |
| Wyoming | [Wyoming Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission](https://post.wyo.gov/) | [Wyoming State Crime Laboratory](https://wyomingdci.wyo.gov/state-crime-laboratory) | [None at the state level. Cities may license businesses (W.S. 15-1-103).](https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title33.pdf) | [Statutes](https://wyoleg.gov/StateStatutes/StatutesConstitution) · [Rules](https://rules.wyo.gov/) · [Courts](https://www.wyocourts.gov/) |

For investigator licensing requirements and how to verify a license, see the [licensing directory](https://uscli.org/resources). For what changed in each state's law, see the [State Desk](https://uscli.org/states).

## Federal and national

### Statistics and research

- **[Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)](https://bjs.ojp.gov/)** — Federal source of criminal justice statistics, including law enforcement, courts and corrections data. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs
- **[National Institute of Justice (NIJ)](https://nij.ojp.gov/)** — Research, development and evaluation agency of DOJ on crime and justice issues. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs
- **[Crime Data Explorer](https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/)** — Online tool for FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data, including NIBRS. Federal Bureau of Investigation
- **[NCJRS Virtual Library](https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs-virtual-library)** — Searchable library of criminal justice publications and research. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs
- **[FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin](https://leb.fbi.gov/)** — FBI publication with articles for law enforcement professionals. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Training Division
- **[National Registry of Exonerations](https://exonerationregistry.org/)** — Data and case stories on exonerations in the United States. Independent research project (university-affiliated)
- **[National Center for State Courts (NCSC)](https://www.ncsc.org/)** — Nonprofit that provides research, data and services to state courts. Private nonprofit

### Forensic science standards

- **[OSAC Registry](https://www.nist.gov/osac/registry)** — Repository of selected published and proposed forensic science standards that passed technical and quality review. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- **[NIST Forensic Science](https://www.nist.gov/forensic-science)** — NIST research, standards and reference work in forensic science. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- **[National Commission on Forensic Science (2013–2017)](https://www.nist.gov/forensic-science/interdisciplinary-topics/national-commission-forensic-science)** — NIST page on the former DOJ–NIST commission, with links to the DOJ archive of its meetings and work products. The DOJ archive (justice.gov/archives/ncfs) is blocked to automated check; it is linked from this NIST page. NIST and U.S. Department of Justice
- **[Uniform Language for Testimony and Reports (ULTR)](https://www.justice.gov/olp/uniform-language-testimony-and-reports)** — DOJ guidance documents on the scientific statements DOJ forensic examiners may make in reports and testimony, by discipline. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Legal Policy

### Officer standards and training

- **[FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division](https://le.fbi.gov/cjis-division)** — FBI division that runs national criminal justice information systems such as NCIC, NICS and fingerprint identification. Federal Bureau of Investigation
- **[CJIS Security Policy Resource Center](https://le.fbi.gov/cjis-division/cjis-security-policy-resource-center)** — Current CJIS Security Policy, which sets the rules for protecting criminal justice information. Federal Bureau of Investigation
- **[Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office)](https://cops.usdoj.gov/)** — DOJ office that funds and publishes resources on community policing. U.S. Department of Justice
- **[Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)](https://bja.ojp.gov/)** — DOJ grant and policy office supporting state, local and tribal justice programs. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs
- **[Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC)](https://www.fletc.gov/)** — Training provider for federal law enforcement agencies; also offers some state, local and tribal training. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- **[National Decertification Index (NDI)](https://www.iadlest.org/main/about-ndi)** — National registry of officer certificate or license revocation actions reported by participating state agencies. Access is limited to authorized users. Run by a private association, not a government agency. IADLEST (private nonprofit association)
- **[National Institute of Corrections (NIC)](https://nicic.gov/)** — Training, publications and technical assistance for corrections agencies. U.S. Department of Justice

### Law, rules and court records

- **[PACER](https://pacer.uscourts.gov/)** — Electronic access to federal court records and filings; fees apply. Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
- **[CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/)** — Free search of case law, PACER documents in the RECAP Archive, judges and oral arguments. Free Law Project (nonprofit)
- **[RECAP Suite](https://free.law/recap/)** — Free browser extension and archive that shares PACER documents users have bought. Free Law Project (nonprofit)
- **[Federal Register (FederalRegister.gov)](https://www.federalregister.gov/)** — Daily federal rules, proposed rules and notices. The site says the official legal edition is on govinfo.gov. Office of the Federal Register and U.S. Government Publishing Office
- **[Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/)** — Continuously updated online version of the Code of Federal Regulations. Office of the Federal Register and U.S. Government Publishing Office
- **[Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/)** — Federal bills, laws, and congressional records. Blocked to automated check (403); URL confirmed from links on uscode.house.gov. Library of Congress
- **[GovInfo](https://www.govinfo.gov/)** — Official published federal documents, including the U.S. Code, CFR, Federal Register and some court opinions. U.S. Government Publishing Office
- **[United States Code (uscode.house.gov)](https://uscode.house.gov/)** — Searchable text of the U.S. Code. Section-level links were showing a maintenance page during the check. Office of the Law Revision Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives
- **[Federal Rules of Evidence](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-evidence)** — Current text of the Federal Rules of Evidence. Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
- **[Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-criminal-procedure)** — Current text of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
- **[Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)](https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/fair-credit-reporting-act)** — FTC page on the FCRA (15 U.S.C. 1681–1681x), with the statute text. Blocked to automated check with curl; confirmed live with a second fetch tool. Federal Trade Commission
- **[Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, 18 U.S.C. 2721](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2721)** — Text of 18 U.S.C. 2721, which limits release and use of personal information from state motor vehicle records and lists permitted uses. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (nonprofit)
- **[LEOSA, 18 U.S.C. 926B](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/926B)** — Text of 18 U.S.C. 926B: concealed carry by qualified law enforcement officers. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (nonprofit)
- **[LEOSA, 18 U.S.C. 926C](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/926C)** — Text of 18 U.S.C. 926C: concealed carry by qualified retired law enforcement officers. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (nonprofit)
- **[Legal Information Institute (LII)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/)** — Free online text of the U.S. Code, CFR, federal rules and some state law. Cornell Law School (nonprofit)

### Missing persons and wrongful convictions

- **[NamUs](https://namus.nij.ojp.gov/)** — National clearinghouse and resource center for missing, unidentified and unclaimed person cases. National Institute of Justice
- **[National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)](https://www.missingkids.org/home)** — Nonprofit clearinghouse and reporting center on missing and exploited children; runs the CyberTipline. Private nonprofit
- **[Innocence Project](https://innocenceproject.org/)** — Nonprofit that litigates wrongful conviction cases and advocates for criminal justice policy changes. Private nonprofit advocacy organization

## Professional associations

Independent associations, listed so you can find them. USCLI has no affiliation with any of them, and listing one is not an endorsement.

### Private investigation

- **[National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS)](https://www.nciss.org/)** — National association for investigation and security businesses; tracks legislation.
- **[National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI)](https://www.nali.com/)** — Association of legal investigators, with professional canons of ethics.
- **[World Association of Detectives (WAD)](https://wad.net/)** — International membership association of licensed investigators and security professionals.
- **[Council of International Investigators (CII)](https://thecii.net/)** — International membership association of private investigators.

### Law enforcement

- **[International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)](https://www.theiacp.org/)** — Membership association of police leaders.
- **[National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA)](https://www.sheriffs.org/)** — Membership association for sheriffs, deputies and other criminal justice professionals.
- **[Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)](https://fop.net/)** — Organization of sworn law enforcement officers organized in local lodges.
- **[National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)](https://noblenational.org/)** — Membership association of law enforcement executives with chapters in regions across the country.
- **[International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST)](https://www.iadlest.org/)** — Association of state POST directors and training managers; runs the National Decertification Index.

### Forensic science

- **[American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)](https://www.aafs.org/)** — Membership society for forensic scientists, organized in discipline sections.
- **[International Association for Identification (IAI)](https://www.theiai.org/)** — Forensic association for physical evidence disciplines such as fingerprints.
- **[American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD)](https://www.ascld.org/)** — Nonprofit society of crime laboratory directors and forensic science managers.
- **[ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)](https://anab.ansi.org/)** — Accreditation body; its programs include forensic service provider accreditation.
- **[American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT)](https://abft.org/)** — Board that certifies forensic toxicologists.
- **[American Board of Criminalistics (ABC)](https://www.criminalistics.com/)** — Board that certifies criminalists.
- **[Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE)](https://afte.org/)** — Association for firearm and toolmark examiners.
- **[Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT)](https://www.soft-tox.org/)** — Membership society for forensic toxicologists.
- **[National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME)](https://www.thename.org/)** — Professional organization for medical examiners, forensic pathologists and medicolegal staff; publishes autopsy performance standards.

### Fire investigation

- **[International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)](https://www.firearson.com/)** — Membership association for fire investigators.

### Attorneys

- **[American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/criminal_justice/)** — ABA section for prosecutors, defense lawyers, judges and others in criminal justice.
- **[National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)](https://www.nacdl.org/)** — Membership association of criminal defense lawyers.
- **[National District Attorneys Association (NDAA)](https://www.ndaa.org/)** — Membership association of prosecutors; offers training and resources.
- **[National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA)](https://www.nlada.org/)** — Association of public defense and civil legal aid providers.
- **[National Association for Public Defense (NAPD)](https://thenapd.org/)** — Membership association of public defense practitioners.

### Legal staff

- **[NALA](https://nala.org/)** — National paralegal association.
- **[National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)](https://www.paralegals.org/)** — Federation of paralegal associations.

### Corrections

- **[American Correctional Association (ACA)](https://www.aca.org/)** — Corrections association; publishes standards and runs accreditation and certification.
- **[American Jail Association (AJA)](https://www.americanjail.org/)** — Association for jail professionals; offers news, training and professional development.

### Community corrections

- **[American Probation and Parole Association (APPA)](https://www.appa-net.org/)** — Association for probation, parole and community supervision staff.

### Security

- **[ASIS International](https://www.asisonline.org/)** — Membership association for security management professionals.

### Fraud investigation

- **[Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)](https://www.acfe.com/)** — Anti-fraud membership association; offers the Certified Fraud Examiner credential.

## Free research tools

Free to use. Some are run by companies; the description says so.

- **[Open States (Plural)](https://pluralpolicy.com/open/)** — Look up state legislators and bills in all 50 states. openstates.org now redirects to Plural (pluralpolicy.com/open), a commercial company that offers paid bill tracking.
- **[Google Scholar (case law)](https://scholar.google.com/)** — Free search of court opinions (choose “Case law”) and scholarly articles. Commercial (Google).
- **[Caselaw Access Project](https://case.law/)** — Harvard Law School Library project with U.S. court decisions published free.
- **[Justia](https://law.justia.com/)** — Free state and federal case law, codes and regulations. Commercial company.
- **[CourtListener](https://www.courtlistener.com/)** — Free case law search and PACER documents from the RECAP Archive. Free Law Project (nonprofit).

## How this list is kept

Every address was opened and confirmed on October 20, 2026. Each is then re-checked continuously by USCLI's source monitor, which flags a page that moves, disappears or stops answering. Agencies rename and move pages often; if a link here is wrong, write to [contact@uscli.org](mailto:contact@uscli.org?subject=Reference%20Shelf%20correction).

Some state codes are published for the state by a commercial publisher (LexisNexis, for example); those are still the state's official public access. The full list is also available as [JSON](https://uscli.org/reference.json).