# RCW 18.165.030: RCW 18.165.030: Private investigator license—Requirements

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S030

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 18.165.030
- **Heading:** RCW 18.165.030: Private investigator license—Requirements
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 18 / Chapter 165 / Section 030

## Text

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2632.SL ) ***

An applicant must meet the following minimum requirements to obtain a private investigator license: (1) Be at least eighteen years of age; (2) Be a citizen or resident alien of the United States; (3) Not have been convicted of a crime in any jurisdiction, if the director determines that the applicant's particular crime directly relates to his or her capacity to perform the duties of a private investigator and the director determines that the license should be withheld to protect the citizens of Washington state. The director shall make her or his determination to withhold a license because of previous convictions notwithstanding the restoration of employment rights act, chapter 9.96A RCW; (4) Be employed by or have an employment offer from a private investigator agency or be licensed as a private investigator agency; (5) Submit a set of fingerprints; however, if an applicant has been issued a license as a private security guard under chapter 18.170 RCW within the last twelve months, the applicant is not required to undergo a separate background check to become licensed under this chapter; (6) Pay the required nonrefundable fee for each application; and (7) Submit a fully completed application that includes proper identification on a form prescribed by the director for each company of employment.

## 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)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T18_C165_S030. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.