Effective 1/1/2025, all Professional Licensing applications (including Security Guard, Private Detective, Security System Technician, Special Police, Railroad Police, Security Guard Agency, Security Guard Employer, Private Detective Agency, Dual Agency, Security Systems Agency and Bullet Proof Body Armor) and application fees shall be submitted electronically in the Licensing Portal. Additional information, issued Advisories, training videos and a registration link for virtual training can be found on the Security Guard page at the following link: Security Guard
For additional information you may contact the Professional Licensing Unit at msp.professionallicensing@maryland.gov.
All applicants are REQUIRED to sign and date the FBI PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THEIR FINGERPRINTS
A private detective agency license is required to:
- Conduct business that provides private detective services for compensation
- Maintain an office for that business
- Employ individuals as private detectives
- Represent to the public as a private detective agency
Private detective services include, but are not limited to: conducting investigations, securing evidence for use before any investigating committee or board of arbitration, non-uniformed personal protection, and locating or apprehending fugitives from justice. For more information, refer to Business Occupations and Professions Title 13.
Who Should Apply?
A person who conducts a business that provides private detective services must be licensed by the Maryland Department of State Police. Unless otherwise provided, a person must be licensed by the Maryland State Police as a private detective agency before the person may conduct a business that provides private detective services in the State and/or employ certified private detectives.
An applicant may be either an individual or a firm. An individual shall be of good character and reputation. If the applicant is a firm, each firm member shall be of good character and reputation. The individual or firm representative shall be at least 25 years old. All applicants shall meet the required experience outlined below:
- At least 5 years of experience as a full-time certified or licensed private detective; OR
- At least:
- 5 years of experience as a full-time police officer with an organized police agency; and
- completed successfully a police officer training course that is recognized and approved by the Maryland Police Training Commission; OR
- At least 3 years of experience in an investigative capacity as a detective while serving as a police officer with an organized police agency; OR
- At least:
- 3 years of experience in an investigative capacity in any unit of the United States, of the State, or of a county or municipal corporation of the State for the purpose of law enforcement; and
- completed successfully the police officer training required by the Maryland Police Training Commission; OR
- At least:
- 5 years of experience as a full-time fire investigator for a fire department or law enforcement agency of the State or of a county or municipal corporation of the State; and
- completed successfully the training certified by the Maryland Police Training Commission or the Maryland Fire-Rescue Education and Training Commission.
How To Apply
The Maryland State Police application for Private Detective Agency licensure can ONLY be completed through the Licensing Portal.
Allow 90 business days for the completion of the application process. If the Licensing Division does not receive the renewal application, satisfactorily completed, by the expiration date, the applicant must begin as a new applicant and complete all requirements necessary for an initial application.
All original applications require FBI and CJIS fingerprint submissions. Additionally, applicants must upload a passport style photograph of the applicant. They must also submit two tax forms and the Article of Corporation.
NOTE: ALL OUT-OF-STATE APPLICANTS PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL FINGERPRINT SUBMISSION PROCEDURES
Application Fees
Application fees will be collected electronically in the Licensing Portal.
Acceptable forms of payment include Visa and MasterCard.
The fee for an initial application is $200 for an individual (unincorporated) and $375 for a firm (incorporated). The fee for a renewal application is $200 for an individual and $400 for a firm. Additional fees and fines may apply; see the Fee Schedule for more information.
Application fees are non-refundable.
When Should I Renew?
A Private Detective Agency License expires three (3) years after its date of issuance and upon the date the Secretary of State Police sets. Licenses are staggered resulting in expiration in either January or July depending on the date of initial application. The license may be renewed for an additional 3-year term.
The Licensing Division will electronically send the licensee a renewal notice at least 90 days prior to expiration. The renewal notice will include:
- A renewal application checklist; and
- A notice that states:
- the date on which the current license expires;
- that the Secretary must receive the renewal application and the statements required under § 13-309 of this subtitle, at least 15 days before the license expiration date, for the renewal to be issued and mailed before the license expires;
- the amount of the renewal fee;
- that, if the statements required under § 13-309 of this subtitle are not received at least 15 days before the license expiration date, a fee of $10 per day shall be charged against the licensee until the statements are received; and
- that the submission of a false statement in the renewal application or in the annual statements is cause for revocation of the license.
The renewal application must be received by the Maryland State Police at least 15 days prior to the expiration date.
Note: it is the responsibility of the employing agency to notify the Maryland State Police when the holder of a private detective identification card is terminated.
Frequently Asked Questions
