Michigan Passed Private Investigator Law for Forensics

I just tried to get some details on getting my PI license for a state…

5 years of detective work.
What constitutes detective work?
If you are investigating crime.
But, without a PI license I would have to be a LEO to do that in this state.

Alternative I have to be employed by a PI firm…

Anyone know about PI license reciprocity between states?

Where did you find the 5 years of detective work requirement?

Licensing Requirements

The following is a summary of the requirements to become licensed as a professional investigator. For the complete requirement details see the Professional Investigator Licensure Act, Act 285 of 1965, as amended. A licensed professional investigator must meet the following requirements

(f) For a period of not less than 3 years has been or is any of the following on a full-time basis

(i) Lawfully engaged in the professional investigation business as a licensee, registrant, or investigative employee in another state.

(ii) Lawfully engaged in the investigation business as an investigative employee of the holder of a license to conduct a professional investigation agency.

(iii) An investigator, detective, special agent, intelligence specialist, parole agent, probation officer, or certified police officer employed by any government executive, military, judicial, or legislative agency, or other public authority engaged in investigative or intelligence activities.

(iv) A graduate of an accredited institution of higher education with a baccalaureate or postgraduate degree in the field of police administration, security management, investigation, law, criminal justice, or computer forensics certificated study that is acceptable to the department.

(v) Lawfully engaged in the investigation business as a full-time proprietary or in-house investigator employed by a business or attorney, or as an investigative reporter employed by a recognized media outlet, acceptable to the department.

DE. I am going to try to get it in PA.

Anyone know about PI license reciprocity between states?

PI licensing reciprocity is horrible. I have a copy of document that outlines this, but it's restricted access unfortunately. Basically, you're lucky if adjacent states reciprocate. Most states only recognise maybe 5-6 other state licenses. Some have other caveats.

The American Bar Association specifically addressed this issue of poor reciprocity as a reason why they recommend against licensing forensic computer examiners as PIs.

I have had great interest in pursuing Computer Forensics, but here in Michigan I just don't see I or many other people without some kind of LE background will meet the requirements.

For a period of not less than 3 years has been or is any of the following on a full-time basis

I completely don't understand what a PI license has to do with finding data in slack space or capturing an image off of the physical memory on a system? I'm drawing a blank here someone please help me out. Oh, I got it the criminals must have big pockets to lobby the politicians here, ok ok now I see.

… Oh, I got it the criminals must have big pockets to lobby the politicians here, ok ok now I see.

Actually it's the PI organizations lobbying to protect their turf.

… Oh, I got it the criminals must have big pockets to lobby the politicians here, ok ok now I see.

Actually it's the PI organizations lobbying to protect their turf.

Their turf?? ?

Their turf?? ?

Not sure I see the crossover in turf. I don't want to shadow/follow/tail a subject and most all of the PIs I know don't want to start examining computers.

Part of the issue in MI was LEO moonlighting in CF. Caused a wee bit of an issue so the legislature came up with their rather draconian measures.

That maybe, but they are worried that the riff raff like you and I might decide we can do their job.

Now, that's just not right.

… D

That maybe, but they are worried that the riff raff like you and I might decide we can do their job.

Now, that's just not right.

… D

Absolutely. I used to do quite a bit of work in MI. No more.