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Best private investigator certifications
Private investigator certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an private investigator to employers. However, not all private investigator certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a private investigator are Professional Certified Investigator (PCI), Certified Crime Scene Investigator, and Certified Criminal Investigator.
Below is a list of the best private investigator certifications. Obtaining an private investigator certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
5 best certifications for private investigators
| Rank | Private investigator certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) | ASIS |
| 2 | Certified Crime Scene Investigator | IAI |
| 3 | Certified Criminal Investigator | ACFEI, Cr.FA |
| 4 | Certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI) | CFI |
| 5 | Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law | NBTA |
5 best private investigator certifications
1. Professional Certified Investigator (PCI)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Certified Crime Scene Investigator
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
3. Certified Criminal Investigator
The Certified Criminal Investigator program instructs, measures, and assesses knowledge and competency of investigators in both the public and private sectors. Providing a foundation of forensics basics, this course creates a measure of standardization in the field of investigation. As the National Academy of Sciences' report on the Forensic Sciences reflects, certification for investigators is more crucial than ever before to fill the gaps in the field.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required?
4. Certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI)
The objective of this certification program is to create comprehensive, universally accepted professional standards combined with an objective measure of an interviewer's knowledge of those standards.The ultimate goal is that every person and every organization with a stake in interviewing will benefit from the program, as will the reputation and effectiveness of the entire profession.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
5. Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law
Board Certification is a rigorous testing and approval process that officially recognizes the extensive education and courtroom experience of our attorneys. NBLSC provides Board Certification for Trial Lawyers, Civil Lawyers, Criminal Lawyers, Family Lawyers and Social Security Disability Lawyers.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
What is the best certification for a private investigator?
The best private investigator certification is Professional Certified Investigator (PCI). The Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) is awarded by the ASIS International. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this private investigator certification:
- To become a certified Professional Certified Investigator (PCI), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What certifications can impact a private investigator career and salary?
The Certified Criminal Investigator certification will help you to secure a investigator position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A investigator's average salary is $59,669 whereas private investigators make an average salary of $48,019.
The most common combination of private investigator certifications include: Professional Certified Investigator (PCI), Certified Crime Scene Investigator, and Certified Criminal Investigator.
Online courses for private investigators to earn certifications
1. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes
‘Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes’ is the second course in Leiden University’s new series on International Law in Action. The first course covered international courts and tribunals in The Hague in general. This second course provides an insider perspective into the work of international criminal courts and tribunals. You will learn about the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in The Hague. Atrocities produce unspeakable forms of violence. We will explore...
2. Threat Investigation
If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you understand how threat-centric SOC must prepare for analyzing new and emerging threats by implementing robust security investigation procedures • By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Understand cyber-threat hunting concepts • Describe the five hunting maturity levels (HM0–HM4) • Describe the hunting cycle four-stage loop• Describe the use of the Common...
3. Investigative Journalism
How to find hidden sources. How to look for documents and people...
4. IFCI Expert Cybercrime Investigator's Course
Protect your network - Put cybercriminals in jail. Learn computer forensics, malware analysis and hacker investigations...
5. Investigating Epidemics like COVID-19: An Analyst's Guide
Do you want to learn how to detect, identify the cause, and decrease the morbidity and mortality from outbreaks or pandemics like COVID-19? Are you considering a career in public health practice, but aren’t sure how health departments collect and use outbreak data? Are you working in public health, but interested in moving into analytical and/or technical roles or curious how health departments investigate outbreaks? If so, this course is for you. After taking this course you be able to define...
6. International Law in Action: A Guide to the International Courts and Tribunals in The Hague
International Law in Action explains the functions of each international court and tribunal present in The Hague, and it looks at how these institutions address contemporary problems. On the basis of selected cases, and through interviews with judges and lawyers, you will explore the role of these courts and tribunals and their potential to contribute to global justice. The first module of the course will investigate how judicial settlement is different from other more political forms of...
7. AML Case Investigation Skills
A guide to conducting AML case investigations, writing quality case narratives and the submission of STRs (STR filing)...
8. Forensic accounting, fraud investigation and fraud analytics
The 14 hour course(50casestudies) helps to understand fraud examination, forensic audit,financial crime, data analytics...
9. Digital Forensics Masterclass: Forensic Science 2023 DFMC+
Learn digital forensics and be computer forensics investigator / Certificate after completing course / DFMC+ / DFIR 2023...
10. Digital Forensics and Cyber-Crime Investigation
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11. The Complete Computer Forensics Course for 2023 PRO: CFCT+
Start Computer Forensics Career now and see your Growth step by step and Unlock your potential. Digital Forensics Police...
12. Computer Forensics and Digital Forensics Masterclass 2023+
Learn computer forensics, digital forensics, mobile forensics, windows forensics, linux forensics and other forensics...
13. Fundamentals of Insurance - 2
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14. Fundamentals of Insurance - 1
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15. Digital Forensics and Electronic Evidence
An introduction for legal professionals and other individuals with an interest in computer forensics...
16. Check Point CCSA
Learn all about Check Point firewall administration. Master to deploy Checkpoint blades efficiently. Upgrade to R80.30...
17. Forensic Psychology - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
Become a specialist in criminal investigations and forensic profiling, start your career and add certificate to resume!...
18. Criminal Law in 120 Minutes: A Fast Track Course
A 2 hour fast track summary of Criminal Law, targeting all common law LL.B examinations!...
19. Cyber Crime Analyst Part 2
Cyber Forensics Investigator...
20. Certificate Course in Clinical Research (CCCR)
A Clinical Research Course-ICH-GCP E6(R2), Clinical Trials, Essential Documents, Sponsor, Investigator, Pharmaceuticals...