Private investigator services in Florida are governed by the Florida Statutes Chapter 493 and regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture — Division of Licensing. A state-level license is required to operate as a private investigator for compensation in Florida.
Quick Facts: Florida PI Licensing
| License required | Yes |
| Licensing authority | Florida Department of Agriculture — Division of Licensing |
| Governing statute | Florida Statutes Chapter 493 |
| Official license lookup | https://licensing.fdacs.gov/ |
| Authority website | https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Private-Investigators |
| Last reviewed | 2026-05-17 |
Verifying a PI's License in Florida
Before retaining any private investigator in Florida, verify the individual’s license is active and in good standing. The Florida Department of Agriculture — Division of Licensing maintains a public license search at https://licensing.fdacs.gov/. Search by the individual’s name or company name; the record will show the license number, status, and any disciplinary history on file.
What This Means for Hiring
Florida’s licensing requirement means the investigator you hire has, at minimum, completed the state’s training and background screening process. It does not guarantee competence on your specific case — surveillance, family-court, corporate, and skip-trace work each demand specialized experience. When evaluating a Florida PI, ask about case-type specialization, evidentiary chain-of-custody process, and prior testimony in the jurisdiction where your matter is pending.
Reference: All 50 States + DC
For licensing requirements in other jurisdictions, see the full PI licensing reference map.