I’m currently looking at a “XYZ” Private investigator “level 3” course and I’m looking for information about licencing after I’ve done the program, I’ve noticed your organisation had information on the subject that I found rather confusing, how do I go about licencing?? what qualifications are necessary or where to apply are extremely vague, could you please explain licences and relevant information if at all possible, or whether the industry is still currently unregulated, thank you, I look forward to hearing your response.
The Industry have been told the SIA Private Investigator Licence should happen after Brexit and that the Level 3 Award for Professional Investigators (From SFJ/IQ or Pearson) are the only qualifications that the SIA will accept as a, “Proof of competency”.
The specification for the SFJ / IQ Level 3 Award for Professional Investigators should be studied and understood. This qualification is relevant to the Regulated Sector. The qualification you are looking at is relevant to the “Unregulated” sector.
Our IQ Level 3 Award for Professional Investigators is endorsed by the Association of British Investigators. The Association of British Investigators is the main trade body for professionals in our sector and is endorsed by the Law Society – you need to have this qualification as a condition of joining. They know what is around the corner.
Consider distance learning and then take your exam. We also enrol you on the Process Server course (On line), optional, for free. The cost is: £320.00 + VAT = £384.00 – this includes a resit if required and your exam registration.
If you have no relevant experience you must consider the 5 day classroom course – its only £800.00 (+ VAT) for the above mentioned distance learning and exam with invaluable days of workshop training.
I have no previous experience and have not worked in this field before but find it very interesting. I would not know where to start – what would you recommend?
Like everything in life, you need to work out whether or not your private investigator work can be financially viable, essentially to be successful you need to have good business acumen. If you can maybe start on a part time basis, then build up a client base you should be ok.
A significant factor to consider is that when Private Investigator licences are compulsory – (if you keep up to date with licensing issues you will know that an announcement to that effect is imminent), investigators in the private sector can expect an upturn in work, including low level Police work and the like.
We have followed the licensing debate closely and the Private Investigator licence will be issued by the SIA / Home Office – the competency criteria for licensing is the Award for Professional Investigators which we offer.
I am quite keen to obtain a further professional qualification, but must admit that it has to be an Accredited Investigation Qualification. There are numerous positions out there – and organisations in most cases state that you have to be an Accredited Investigator, if you want your application to be considered. I have done extensive homework on Investigation courses and I must admit there are some genuine ones out there and also ones that make a quick buck from you. Please don’t get this the wrong way, but I am talking from first-hand experience. After having completed the course you offer will I be considered an Accredited Investigator? What makes your course in Investigation different from the others?
What does it mean to be ACFS Accredited?
…you will be accredited to IQ and the qualification we offer is listed on the OFQUAL register of qualifications – you will have a fully accredited qualification. Indeed your accredited qualification will also be endorsed by the Association of British Investigators.
ACFS Accreditation, refers to: Accredited with Portsmouth University as part of the ACFS qualification – so technically speaking, here, the “Accreditation” is provided by Portsmouth University.
We offer investigative solutions to business in the staffing/recruitment industry, in the form of stress testing the individual companies for Rogue management and high performing sales staff.
We ideally want to obtain this information by using Honey traps/Covert camera footage where we capture un-ethical conduct on Camera to help us build our reports for the Client.
I have Hired 4 Guys who are all pretty much rookies to the industry. Ideally I am looking for Intensive onsite training, where they can actually get a Certificate at the end of it.
I need them to get an Insight of the PI industry, How to gather quality information, How to conduct Honey traps, Undercover operations, Report making, Researching targets, How we can stay ethical and still provide quality intel to clients. And all the other good bits that may be useful for us.
We aim to have you in next week onsite.
Take a 4 hour session – we can go through the following:
30 mins: Introductions and contextualising investigations in the Private Sector.
30 mins: Data Protection Act, Human Rights Act – ethics, probity, standards.
15 mins: Questions / Answers
40 mins: Equipment, covert surveillance, body worn cameras, conducting a surveillance, trackers, undercover work.
60 mins: Open Source enquiry work. Sources of Information. How and where to find your information…
15 mins: Question / Answers
30 mins: Reporting factually & lawfully. Awareness of legal pitfalls, maintaining quality and ethical reports. Computer crime awareness – key loggers, password cracking, etc.
20 mins: Summary Q/A.
Dear Private Investigator,
I have just completed a level 4 private investigator training course with learn direct. They said this was a recognised qualification. Can you please confirm this?
Thanks
It’s not on the Ofqual register https://register.ofqual.gov.uk/ that answers your question?
I have completed and graduated with an executive diploma in private investigation with the International Career Institute (ICI), is this qualification on par with the same as the course offered from yourselves?