Private investigator services in Maryland are governed by the Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-101 et seq. and regulated by the Maryland State Police — Licensing Division. A state-level license is required to operate as a private investigator for compensation in Maryland.
Quick Facts: Maryland PI Licensing
| License required | Yes |
| Licensing authority | Maryland State Police — Licensing Division |
| Governing statute | Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-101 et seq. |
| Official license lookup | https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/CriminalInvestigationBureau/LicensingDivision/default.aspx |
| Authority website | https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/CriminalInvestigationBureau/LicensingDivision/PrivateDetectiveLicense.aspx |
| Last reviewed | 2026-05-17 |
Verifying a PI's License in Maryland
Before retaining any private investigator in Maryland, verify the individual’s license is active and in good standing. The Maryland State Police — Licensing Division maintains a public license search at https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organization/Pages/CriminalInvestigationBureau/LicensingDivision/default.aspx. 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
Maryland’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 Maryland 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.