Top 10 Detective Certifications

Certifications can be an important part of a detective's job market profile. They demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise in the field, as well as a commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the industry. Additionally, certifications can provide detectives with access to exclusive professional networks and resources that can help them stay ahead in their career. Lastly, certifications can also provide added credibility when applying for jobs or promotions, giving employers more confidence in the detective's ability to perform well on the job.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Detectives and explain how they can help advance a detective's career.

What are Detective Certifications?

Detective certification is an official designation given to those who have completed a specialized program in the field of criminal investigation and forensics. The certification is usually granted by a professional organization or a state agency and provides evidence of a person’s expertise in their chosen specialty.

The certification process requires that applicants demonstrate knowledge and experience in specific areas such as investigative techniques, criminal law, evidence collection, crime scene analysis, and courtroom testimony. It also requires that they pass written exams and undergo background checks.

Having detective certification can help individuals to stand out from the competition when applying for jobs in the criminal justice field. It shows employers that the individual has taken the time to gain specialized training in the area of criminal investigations and forensics, which can give them an edge over other applicants who lack this credential. It also gives certified professionals credibility with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and other legal professionals—allowing them to better serve their clients or employers. Additionally, it may allow access to exclusive job postings or opportunities that are only available to certified detectives.

Pro Tip: When pursuing detective certification, make sure to research the requirements and regulations in your state or jurisdiction, as they can vary widely. Also, it is important to gain experience through internships and volunteer work in the field before attempting to become certified.

Related: What does a Detective do?

Top 10 Detective Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Detectives today.

1. Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE)

A Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) is an individual who has been certified by the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) as having the knowledge, skills and abilities to properly conduct forensic examinations on digital evidence. The CFCE certification is considered a gold standard in the field of computer forensics and is highly sought after by employers.

The CFCE certification requires that applicants complete a comprehensive training program and pass an exam administered by IACIS. The training program consists of two parts: a self-study portion and a hands-on laboratory portion. The self-study portion requires applicants to read through the IACIS course materials and take online quizzes to demonstrate their understanding of the material. The laboratory portion requires applicants to attend an approved IACIS laboratory facility for hands-on training with actual digital evidence.

The entire process typically takes between three and six months to complete, depending on how quickly applicants can complete the self-study portion and attend a laboratory session.

The cost of obtaining the CFCE certification varies depending on which IACIS approved provider you choose for your training program. Costs typically range from $2,500 - $4,000 USD.

2. Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

A Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) is a professional designation granted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). CFEs are experts in detecting and preventing fraud, and they have specialized knowledge in areas such as financial transactions, anti-fraud controls, interviewing techniques, and forensic accounting.

It typically takes between one to two years to obtain the CFE credential. To become a CFE, you must pass the four-part CFE Exam administered by the ACFE. The exam covers topics such as fraud prevention, detection and deterrence; law; investigation; and financial transactions. You must also complete an ethics course and submit evidence of at least two years of professional experience related to fraud examination or investigation.

The cost for obtaining the CFE credential varies depending on your country of residence. In the United States, it costs $395 USD for members of the ACFE or $495 USD for non-members. Other countries may have different fees associated with obtaining the credential.

Once you have obtained your CFE credential, you will be able to demonstrate your expertise in fraud examination and investigation to employers and clients alike.

3. Certified Legal Investigator (CLI)

Certified Legal Investigator (CLI) is a certification program offered by the National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI). It is designed to recognize those with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct legal investigations in a professional manner. The CLI certification requires that candidates have at least two years of experience in legal investigation or related fields, such as law enforcement or private investigation.

To become certified, applicants must complete an online application and submit it to NALI for review. Once approved, applicants must take and pass a written examination that covers topics such as investigative techniques, legal research, evidence collection, interviewing witnesses and more. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

Once the exam has been passed, applicants must also submit a portfolio demonstrating their investigative skills and experience. This portfolio should include case studies, reports, affidavits and other documents that demonstrate the applicant's ability to conduct legal investigations in an ethical manner. After the portfolio has been reviewed by NALI's board of directors, applicants will be issued their certification.

The cost for the CLI certification program is $395 for members of NALI and $495 for non-members. The cost includes registration fees for both the application process and the examination. If an applicant fails the exam on their first attempt, they may retake it one time without incurring any additional costs.

4. Certified Professional Investigator (CPI)

Certified Professional Investigator (CPI) is a professional certification for private investigators. The certification is offered by the National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI). It is designed to provide a standard of excellence in the field of private investigation and to recognize those individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, skill, and experience in the profession.

To become certified as a CPI, applicants must meet certain criteria including having at least five years of investigative experience, completing an approved training program, passing an examination, and submitting proof of continuing education credits. The examination covers topics such as legal issues, investigative techniques, ethics and professionalism.

The process typically takes between six months to one year to complete. To get started on the path to becoming a CPI, applicants must first submit an application with their qualifications to NALI. Once accepted into the program, applicants will need to take an approved training course and pass the exam. Upon successful completion of these requirements, applicants will receive their certificate from NALI.

The cost for becoming a Certified Professional Investigator varies depending on the type of training program chosen and other associated fees. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere between $500-$2,000 USD for all associated fees including application fee, training course fee and exam fee.

5. Certified Protection Professional (CPP)

Certified Protection Professional (CPP) is a professional certification offered by ASIS International, the world’s leading organization for security professionals. The CPP designation is recognized as the global benchmark for security management professionals. It demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the areas of security principles, operations, and management.

To become a CPP, individuals must first meet certain prerequisites and then pass a comprehensive exam. The prerequisites include having at least three years of full-time experience in security management or related fields, plus 40 hours of approved continuing education credits within the last three years.

The CPP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions divided into two sections: Security Principles & Practices (90%) and Security Management Practices (10%). The exam is administered at Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide and takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost to take the CPP exam is $450 for ASIS members and $550 for non-members. In addition to the exam fee, candidates must also pay an application fee that varies from country to country. Once certified, individuals must renew their certification every three years by completing at least 60 hours of approved continuing education credits.

6. Private Investigator License

A Private Investigator License is a credential issued by the state or local government that allows an individual to legally practice as a private investigator. It typically requires passing a background check, completing an approved training program, and passing a licensing exam.

It can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to obtain a Private Investigator License depending on the state in which you are applying. The process usually involves submitting an application, providing proof of education and experience, undergoing a criminal background check, and taking and passing the licensing exam.

To get a Private Investigator License, you must first meet the requirements set forth by your state’s private investigator licensing board. This includes having a high school diploma or equivalent; completing an approved training program; obtaining liability insurance; submitting fingerprints for a criminal background check; and paying all applicable fees. Once these requirements have been met, you will be able to apply for the license.

The cost of obtaining a Private Investigator License varies from state to state but typically ranges from $100-$500 depending on the fees associated with the application process and any additional costs such as fingerprinting or background checks.

7. National Association of Legal Investigators Certification

The National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI) Certification is a professional certification program for legal investigators. It is designed to recognize the highest level of professional achievement in the field and to promote ethical standards, professionalism, and competence among legal investigators.

In order to become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as having a minimum of two years of investigative experience and passing an examination. The NALI Certification Examination consists of two parts: a written exam and an oral interview. The written exam covers topics such as criminal law, civil procedure, evidence, interviewing techniques, and report writing. The oral interview focuses on the applicant’s investigative skills and experience.

It typically takes approximately three months from the time an application is submitted until a candidate receives their certification. During this time period, applicants must complete all required documentation and submit it for review by the NALI Certification Board. Once all documents are approved, candidates will be notified of their eligibility to take the examination.

The cost for obtaining NALI Certification varies depending on whether or not you are already a member of NALI. For non-members, there is an initial application fee of $100 plus an additional $250 fee for taking the examination. For current members of NALI, there is no initial application fee but they must still pay the $250 examination fee. Additionally, if you need to retake either part of the examination due to failing one or both portions initially, there will be an additional fee of $125 per retake attempt.

Once certified by NALI as a Certified Legal Investigator (CLI), individuals can use this designation in their professional work and marketing materials to demonstrate their expertise in legal investigations to potential employers or clients.

8. International Association of Investigative Professionals Certification

The International Association of Investigative Professionals (IAIP) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the investigative profession. IAIP offers a certification program that provides recognition to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in their field.

The IAIP Certification Program consists of two levels: Certified Professional Investigator (CPI) and Certified Senior Professional Investigator (CSPI). The CPI designation is for those who have achieved an advanced level of knowledge, skills, and abilities in the investigative profession and have demonstrated a commitment to professional development. The CSPI designation is for those who have achieved an even higher level of expertise and experience in the investigative profession.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the requirements for either certification. To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria including having at least three years of full-time investigative experience or equivalent part-time experience. They must also pass an examination administered by IAIP and submit documentation verifying their experience and education.

The cost for the CPI certification is $595 USD while the cost for the CSPI certification is $795 USD. This fee includes access to study materials, registration fees, exam fees, and application processing fees.

9. Council of International Investigators Certification

The Council of International Investigators (CII) Certification is a professional certification program for private investigators. It is designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct in the field of private investigation. The CII Certification is awarded to those individuals who demonstrate a commitment to excellence, have achieved a high level of experience, and have successfully passed an examination demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of the profession.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain prerequisites such as having at least two years of investigative experience, be able to provide proof of training or education in the field, and pass an examination administered by the CII. The exam covers topics such as legal issues, investigative techniques, report writing, interviewing skills, evidence collection and preservation, surveillance methods, technology applications in investigations, ethics and professional responsibility.

The process typically takes between four to six weeks from start to finish. Applicants must submit their application online along with supporting documents such as proof of experience or training and payment for the certification fee. Once all required materials are received by CII staff members will review them for accuracy before scheduling an appointment for the exam. After passing the exam applicants will receive their certification within two weeks.

The cost for obtaining CII Certification varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of CII. For non-members it costs $500 USD while members pay only $400 USD.

10. American Board for Certification in Homeland Security

The American Board for Certification in Homeland Security (ABCHS) is a professional certification program that provides recognition of the knowledge, skills and abilities of individuals who work in the field of homeland security. The ABCHS certification program is designed to recognize those individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the core competencies necessary to effectively perform their duties in this field.

The ABCHS certification process typically takes 3-6 months to complete depending on the applicant's experience level and background. Applicants must first submit an application packet that includes a resume, letters of recommendation, and other relevant documents. Once approved, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as emergency management, terrorism prevention, cyber security, intelligence analysis, and more.

The cost for ABCHS certification varies depending on the type of certification being sought. Generally speaking, it costs between $400-$600 USD to become certified by ABCHS. This fee covers the cost of the application packet review and exam fees.

Do You Really Need a Detective Certificate?

No, you do not need a detective certificate to become a private investigator. While some states require private investigators to be licensed or certified, it is not necessary for all states. The exact requirements for becoming a private investigator can vary from state to state, but typically involve some combination of education and/or experience in the field, passing an exam or criminal background check, and possibly other forms of training.

For example, some states may require private investigators to have a certain amount of experience working as an investigator before they can apply for licensure or certification. Other states may require that applicants take classes at an accredited school or attend specialized training seminars related to the profession. In addition, some states may mandate that individuals pass a criminal background check before they can become licensed as private investigators.

In any case, having a detective certificate is not required in order to become a private investigator; however, it can help demonstrate expertise and commitment to the profession if one decides to pursue it. A certificate can also provide access to resources and networking opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable without one. Ultimately, whether or not someone chooses to pursue a detective certificate will depend on their individual goals and circumstances.

Related: Detective Resume Examples

FAQs About Detective Certifications

1. What are the different types of detective certifications?

Answer: There are a variety of certifications available for detectives, including Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI), Certified Criminal Investigator (CCI), and Certified Law Enforcement Investigator (CLEI).

2. How do I become certified as a detective?

Answer: To become certified as a detective, you must first meet the requirements for the specific certification you wish to pursue, such as completing an approved training program or having a certain amount of experience in the field. After meeting these requirements, you can then apply for the certification through its governing body.

3. What is the cost of obtaining a detective certification?

Answer: The cost of obtaining a detective certification varies depending on the type of certification and may include application fees, exam fees, and other associated costs. Generally speaking, most certifications range from $100-$500.

4. What is the duration of a detective certification?

Answer: The duration of a detective certification varies depending on the type of certification but generally lasts between one and five years before needing to be renewed or re-certified.

5. Are there any continuing education requirements for maintaining my detective certification?

Answer: Yes, some certifications require that you complete continuing education courses in order to maintain your certification status.