The association frequently receives inquiries on how to become a private detective in Kansas. In response to these requests, the following information has been prepared to assist those who are interested.
Qualifications

The Kansas Private Detective Licensing Act and the Kansas Administrative Regulations for Private Detectives establish these minimum requirements for obtaining a license in Kansas: Agency, Independent or Individual License [Initial fee is prorated at $10.00 per month for 2 year license which expires on December 31 on the year after it is first obtained]

• 21 years of age.
• Citizen of United States
• High school degree or G.E.D.
• Good Moral Character: Reputation for truth, honesty, etc.
• No felony convictions
• No misdemeanor convictions within 10 years immediately prior to the application for any crime involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, vehicular homicide, assault, battery, assault of a law enforcement officer, misdemeanor battery against a law enforcement officer, criminal restraint, sexual battery, endangering a child, intimidation of a witness or victim or illegally using, carrying, or possessing a dangerous weapon.
• No history of drug or alcohol dependency or abuse
• No history of mental incompetence

Firearm Permit (Optional) [Initial fee is $50.00 for a 2 year license]

• Must hold Private Detective License
• Must complete a 16-hour initial training course given by an instructor certified by the Office of the Attorney General under the Private Detective Licensing Act
• Must demonstrate a need to carry a firearm
• Firearm Trainer License [Initial fee is $100.00 for a 2 year license]
• Be 21 or more years of age.
• Have a minimum of one-year supervisory experience with a private detective agency, a private patrol operator, a proprietary investigative or security organization or any federal, United States military, state, county or city law enforcement agency; and
• Be personally qualified to train private detectives in the handling of firearms and the lawful use of force. [This is interpreted as having graduated from a 40 hour firearm instructor course which includes at least 10 hours of instruction of use of deadly force]
• Not have been convicted of a felony or, within 10 years immediately prior to the date of application, been convicted of a misdemeanor. If the applicant is not licensed as a private detective, the applicant shall submit two classifiable sets of the applicant's fingerprints one of which shall be submitted to the federal bureau of investigation for a fingerprint check for any criminal history of the applicant.
  

Application Steps.

• Obtain licensing packet by either downloading it from this Web Site or by mailing $15.00 to: Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Attn: Private Detective Licensing, 1620 Tyler, Topeka, KS 66612
• Obtain notarized statements of good character from five citizens in the community who have known you for five years and are not relatives. [Form included in packet]
• Obtain identification photographs
• Obtain two sets of applicant fingerprints from a local law enforcement agency
• Obtain a professional liability insurance police or professional bond in an amount of at least $100,000.00 [May deposit $100,000.00 in cash with state instead]
• Complete an initial firearm permit training course offered by an instructor certified by the Office of the Attorney General
• Complete the application and included employment history. The application should include the following:
  
  • Completed forms for Agency, Individual or Independent License, Firearm Permit or Trainer License
  • Fees for each license - prorated as necessary
  • Two identification photographs of the correct size 1 1/4 inches by 1 1/4 inches
  • Two sets of applicant fingerprints
  • An insurance certificate, bond certificate or deposit receipt for $100,000.00
  • 5 notarized statements
  • Training completion form for initial firearm training if applying for a firearm permit
  • Training certificates for firearm instructor courses or similar background if applying for a trainer certificate
  
  

Submit the completed packet to: Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Attn: Private Detective Licensing, 1620 Tyler, Topeka, KS 66612

The agency is required to award or deny the license within 90 days. If they choose to deny the license, they are required to notify you by summary letter of the reasons. You then have the right to contest the decision under the Kansas Administrative Procedures Act K.S.A. 77-501 thru K.S.A. 77-541. In most cases, the license is received in about 45-60 days.