# RCW 18.165.010: RCW 18.165.010: Definitions > Washington · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S010 ## Section - **Citation:** RCW 18.165.010 - **Heading:** RCW 18.165.010: Definitions - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Code / Title 18 / Chapter 165 / Section 010 ## Text Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter. (1) "Armed private investigator" means a private investigator who has a current firearms certificate issued by the commission and is licensed as an armed private investigator under this chapter. (2) "Chief law enforcement officer" means the elected or appointed police administrator of a municipal, county, or state police or sheriff's department that has full law enforcement powers in its jurisdiction. (3) "Commission" means the criminal justice training commission established in chapter 43.101 RCW. (4) "Department" means the department of licensing. (5) "Director" means the director of the department of licensing. (6) "Employer" includes any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, company, society, manager, contractor, subcontractor, bureau, agency, service, office, or an agent of any of the foregoing that employs or seeks to enter into an arrangement to employ any person as a private investigator. (7) "Firearms certificate" means a certificate issued by the commission. (8) "Forensic scientist" or "accident reconstructionist" means a person engaged exclusively in collecting and analyzing physical evidence and data relating to an accident or other matter and compiling such evidence or data to render an opinion of likely cause, fault, or circumstance of the accident or matter. (9) "Person" includes any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, company, society, manager, contractor, subcontractor, bureau, agency, service, office, or an agent or employee of any of the foregoing. (10) "Principal" of a private investigator agency means the owner or manager appointed by a corporation. (11) "Private investigator" means a person who is licensed under this chapter and is employed by a private investigator agency for the purpose of investigation, escort or body guard services, or property loss prevention activities. (12) "Private investigator agency" means a person or entity licensed under this chapter and engaged in the business of detecting, discovering, or revealing one or more of the following: (a) Crime, criminals, or related information; (b) The identity, habits, conduct, business, occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, knowledge, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activity, movement, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation, or character of any person or thing; (c) The location, disposition, or recovery of lost or stolen property; (d) The cause or responsibility for fires, libels, losses, accidents, or damage or injury to persons or to property; (e) Evidence to be used before a court, board, officer, or investigative committee; (f) Detecting the presence of electronic eavesdropping devices; or (g) The truth or falsity of a statement or representation. (13) "Qualifying agent" means an officer or manager of a corporation who meets the requirements set forth in this chapter for obtaining a private investigator agency license. (14) "Sworn peace officer" means a person who is an employee of the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision, agency, or department branch of a municipality or other unit of local government, and has law enforcement powers. ## Nearby sections - [RCW 18.165.010 RCW 18.165.010: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S010.md) - [RCW 18.165.020 RCW 18.165.020: Exemptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S020.md) - [RCW 18.165.030 RCW 18.165.030: Private investigator license—Requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S030.md) - [RCW 18.165.040 RCW 18.165.040: Armed private investigator license—Requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S040.md) - [RCW 18.165.050 RCW 18.165.050: Private investigator agency license—Requirements, restrictions—Assignment or transfer.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S050.md) - [RCW 18.165.060 RCW 18.165.060: Armed private investigator license authority—Registration of firearms.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S060.md) - [RCW 18.165.070 RCW 18.165.070: Investigation of applicants.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S070.md) - [RCW 18.165.080 RCW 18.165.080: License cards and certificates—Issuance and requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S080.md) - [RCW 18.165.090 RCW 18.165.090: Preassignment training and testing.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S090.md) - [RCW 18.165.100 RCW 18.165.100: Agency license—Surety bond or certificate of insurance required.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S100.md) - [RCW 18.165.110 RCW 18.165.110: Regulatory provisions exclusive—Authority of the state and political subdivisions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S110.md) - [RCW 18.165.120 RCW 18.165.120: Out-of-state private investigators operating across state lines.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S120.md) - [RCW 18.165.130 RCW 18.165.130: Required notice of certain occurrences.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S130.md) - [RCW 18.165.140 RCW 18.165.140: Out-of-state private investigators—Application—Fee—Temporary assignment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S140.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S010. 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