How to Apply to Become a Florida Board Certified Investigator (FBCI)

• $150 Initial application Fee
  (Includes a $50 non-refundable processing fee should the application be rejected.)
  
  
• Proof of minimum three years’ continuous experience by submitting one of the following:
  
  
  1. Documentation confirming at least three (3) continuous years of similar duties as a full-time investigative employee of an attorney, insurance company or law enforcement agency, whose position was exempted from Florida private investigative licensure, or in place thereof,
     
     
  2. Documentation confirming not less than five (5) continuous years of similar investigative duties as approved by the FBCI Board. These duties must have been performed in other related professional disciplines.(Example: investigative reporter; business/financial/stock analyst; certified fraud examiner; law enforcement, military law enforcement, fire/arson investigator, may receive FBCI consideration on a case-by-case basis.)
     
     
  3. Documentation confirming a minimum of three (3) years of continuous licensed investigative experience including at least (1) year as a Florida licensed Class C private investigator, under Chapter 493 of the Florida Statutes, or in place thereof,
     
     
• Pass the FBCI Proctored Exam with a minimum score of 70%
  Applicants must sit for, and pass, with a minimum score of 70%, a proctored written exam prepared and given by a member of the FBCI Committee, or another designated proctor. Those who qualify under sections 1 and 2 above, will be required to pass a proctored exam proving knowledge of Florida Statute 493. Those who qualify under section 3 above will be required to pass a proctored exam demonstrating overall knowledge of investigative techniques; statutory, ethics, and legal issues.
  
  The exam will be offered several times a year, at FALI-U events, and the annual FALI Conference. Exact dates will be announced, and listed on the website. (See study materials below.)
  
  

• Three letters of recommendation from clients and/or investigative professionals.
  Please submit with application.

Click HERE to Apply Online

Click HERE to download an application to mail, or email

Click HERE to download the FBCI Policies & Procedures

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FBCI Testing
The FBCI exam consists of 50 questions taken from standard private investigation case experiences, ethics, public records and common-sense matters.
The following publications are helpful study tools:

* Florida Statute 493
Everything you need to know about Florida’s private investigator and private security law can be found HERE

* The Florida Private Investigator Handbook
All PIs should have a copy but the 36-page online summary can be found by clicking HERE

* Florida Citizen’s Public Records Request Letter
Can be found online at the University of Florida’s Brechner Center for Freedom of Information by clicking HERE

* Florida Attorney General’s Public Records/Open Government FAQ Page
Most questions about public records and open government can be found online by clicking HERE

* 2024 Florida Sunshine Manual
Although not mandatory reading, for PIs requesting many public records and navigating statutory exemptions, the current Florida Sunshine Manual by the Florida AG’s office is a useful tool found HERE

It is also suggested that investigators have a basic understanding of government laws including:
* Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA);
* Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA);
* Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).