Top 10 Skip Tracer Certifications

Certifications are important for a skip tracer in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that employers look for when hiring. Certifications also provide proof that an individual is competent in their field, which can be especially beneficial for individuals who may not have any prior experience or formal training. Furthermore, certifications can open up new job opportunities and help a skip tracer stand out from other applicants. They can also lead to higher salaries and better job prospects. Ultimately, having certifications as a skip tracer can give you an edge in the competitive job market.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Skip Tracers and explain how they can help a skip tracer advance their career.

What are Skip Tracer Certifications?

Skip tracer certification is a type of training program that provides individuals with the skills necessary to become successful skip tracers. Skip tracing is the process of locating people who have gone missing or are avoiding being found. This form of investigation requires an understanding of computer databases, investigative techniques, and legal regulations and requirements.

By obtaining skip tracer certification, individuals will gain knowledge in the areas of civil and criminal laws, court processes, credit reporting, data sources, and other topics related to skip tracing. The certification also educates individuals on how to use public records, social media sites, and other online resources in order to locate people.

Having a certification in skip tracing can open up numerous job opportunities as more organizations are looking for individuals with this specialized skill set. It also shows employers that you have mastered the techniques involved in finding missing persons effectively. Those with a skip tracer certification can find employment as private investigators or bounty hunters, or even work for law enforcement agencies or debt collection companies.

Pro Tip: Before pursuing a skip tracer certification, make sure you have the necessary background and experience in law enforcement or legal services. This will help to ensure that you have the knowledge and skills needed to be successful as a skip tracer. Additionally, research the specific certifications available and the requirements for each one so that you can choose the best one for your career goals.

Related: What does a Skip Tracer do?

Top 10 Skip Tracer Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Skiptracer (CPS)

Certified Professional Skiptracer (CPS) is a certification program developed by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the field of skip tracing, which is the process of locating an individual or entity who has left no traceable contact information. The CPS certification requires applicants to pass an exam and demonstrate their knowledge and experience in skip tracing techniques.

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions on topics such as data sources, legal issues, and best practices for conducting successful skips. Applicants must also submit a portfolio demonstrating their experience in skip tracing. The portfolio should include examples of successful skips, client testimonials, and any other relevant materials that demonstrate the applicant’s expertise in this field.

The CPS certification program takes approximately six months to complete from start to finish. During this time, applicants must complete all required coursework, pass the exam, and submit their portfolio for review. Upon successful completion of these requirements, applicants will receive their Certified Professional Skiptracer certificate.

The cost for obtaining the CPS certification varies depending on the provider offering it; however, most providers charge between $500-$1,000 USD for the program.

2. Certified Skiptracing Specialist (CSS)

A Certified Skiptracing Specialist (CSS) is a professional who specializes in locating and tracking individuals or businesses. Skiptracing is the process of finding individuals or businesses that have gone missing, or are difficult to locate.

The certification program is offered by the National Association of Professional Skip Tracers (NAPST). The program consists of an online course and exam, which must be completed within 30 days. The course covers topics such as skip tracing techniques, legal issues, search strategies, and data sources.

To become certified, applicants must complete the online course and pass the exam with a score of 80% or higher. Upon successful completion of the course and exam, applicants will receive their CSS certification from NAPST.

The cost for the CSS certification program is $295 USD.

3. Certified Skip Tracer and Locator (CSTL)

Certified Skip Tracer and Locator (CSTL) is a professional certification program offered by the National Association of Professional Process Servers (NAPPS). It is designed to provide training and certification for individuals who are interested in becoming a skip tracer or locator. A skip tracer is someone who specializes in locating people who have gone missing, while a locator is someone who specializes in finding people for legal purposes.

To become certified as a CSTL, an individual must complete an online course that covers topics such as skip tracing techniques, legal process service, public record research, and more. The course typically takes between 30-50 hours to complete and can be taken at your own pace. Upon completion of the course, applicants must pass an exam to receive their certification.

The cost of the CSTL certification varies but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD. This cost includes the online course materials and access to the exam.

In order to maintain their certification, CSTLs must complete continuing education courses every two years.

4. Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) is a professional certification offered by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in fraud prevention, detection, and deterrence. The CFE credential is the highest level of certification available in the field of fraud examination.

To become a Certified Fraud Examiner, you must meet certain educational and experience requirements and pass an exam administered by the ACFE. To be eligible to take the exam, you must have at least two years of full-time professional experience in fraud examination or related fields such as accounting, auditing, or law enforcement. You also must complete a minimum of 75 hours of anti-fraud training from an approved provider.

The CFE Exam consists of four sections: Financial Transactions and Fraud Schemes; Law; Investigation; and Business Practices and Ethics. Each section contains multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge and understanding of fraud examination topics. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost for taking the CFE Exam varies depending on where you are located. In the United States, it typically costs around $400-$500 USD for members of the ACFE and $800-$900 USD for non-members.

5. National Association of Fugitive Recovery Agents (NAFRA) Certification

The National Association of Fugitive Recovery Agents (NAFRA) is a professional organization that provides certification for fugitive recovery agents. NAFRA certification demonstrates that the agent has met certain standards of knowledge and expertise in the field of fugitive recovery.

NAFRA requires applicants to complete an online application and submit proof of their experience and training in the field. This includes a minimum of two years of active experience as a fugitive recovery agent, completion of an approved training program, or successful completion of a NAFRA-approved exam. Applicants must also provide proof of liability insurance coverage and pass a background check.

Once all requirements have been met, applicants will be eligible to take the NAFRA Certification Exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as legal issues, investigative techniques, safety protocols, and other related topics. The exam is administered online and takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost for NAFRA Certification is $250 USD, which includes the application fee and exam fee. Once certified, agents must renew their certification every two years by submitting proof of continuing education credits or retaking the certification exam.

6. Certified Skip Tracing Professional (CSTP)

Certified Skip Tracing Professional (CSTP) is a certification program developed by the National Association of Professional Process Servers (NAPPS). It is designed to provide professional process servers with an understanding of the techniques and tools used in skip tracing, or locating individuals who are evading service. The certification program consists of three levels: Basic, Advanced, and Master.

In order to obtain the CSTP certification, applicants must complete a series of courses and pass an exam. The Basic level requires completion of two courses and a 50-question exam; the Advanced level requires completion of four courses and a 75-question exam; and the Master level requires completion of six courses and a 100-question exam.

The cost for each course varies depending on which NAPPS member is offering it. Most courses range from $50-$100 per course. The cost for the exams also vary depending on which NAPPS member is offering them. Most exams range from $75-$150 per exam.

To become certified as a Certified Skip Tracing Professional (CSTP), applicants must successfully complete all required courses and exams within one year from their initial enrollment date. Upon successful completion, applicants will receive their CSTP certificate from NAPPS.

7. International Association of Professional Investigators (IAPI) Certification

The International Association of Professional Investigators (IAPI) Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge, skills, and abilities of professional investigators. It is intended to provide assurance that an individual investigator has achieved a certain level of competence in the field of investigation.

It typically takes between two and four months to complete the IAPI Certification process. The first step is to submit an application for certification, which includes providing proof of experience as a professional investigator. Once the application is approved, applicants must pass a comprehensive written exam that covers topics such as legal issues, investigative techniques, evidence collection and analysis, report writing, and ethics. After successfully completing the written exam, applicants must then pass an oral examination that tests their investigative skills and knowledge.

To get certified by IAPI, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have at least two years’ experience as a professional investigator or equivalent experience in law enforcement or military service. Applicants must also agree to abide by the IAPI Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

The cost of getting certified by IAPI varies depending on the type of certification sought; however, it typically ranges from $200-$400 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the written and oral examinations required for certification.

8. National Association of Investigative Specialists (NAIS) Certification

The National Association of Investigative Specialists (NAIS) is an international organization that provides professional certification for private investigators and security professionals. NAIS Certification is the industry standard for demonstrating a high level of knowledge and experience in the field of investigative services.

To become certified by NAIS, applicants must have at least three years of investigative experience, pass a comprehensive written exam, and complete an intensive training program. The training program includes topics such as criminal law, evidence collection, surveillance techniques, report writing, and interviewing skills.

The NAIS Certification process typically takes about six months to complete. Applicants must submit their application along with proof of their investigative experience and pay a fee before they can take the written exam. Once they pass the exam, they must complete the training program before they can receive their certification.

The cost to become certified by NAIS varies depending on the type of certification sought. For example, the cost for basic certification is $395 while advanced certification costs $495.

9. Certified Asset Location Specialist (CALS)

Certified Asset Location Specialist (CALS) is a certification program that provides training and recognition to professionals in the field of asset location. The CALS program was developed by the National Association of Asset Location Specialists (NAALS) to provide recognition for individuals who demonstrate a high level of expertise in locating assets, such as financial instruments, real estate, and other tangible items.

The CALS program consists of an online course that covers topics such as asset location laws, regulations, and best practices. Participants must complete the course within six months to be eligible for certification. After successfully completing the course, participants must pass an exam administered by NAALS to become certified.

The cost of the CALS certification program varies depending on the provider. Generally speaking, it costs between $500 and $1,000 USD for the online course and exam fee. Some providers may offer discounts or payment plans for those who cannot afford to pay upfront.

Once certified, CALS professionals are recognized as experts in their field and can use their credentials to gain access to exclusive job opportunities or earn higher salaries than non-certified asset location specialists.

10. American Society of Professional Investigators (ASPI) Certification

The American Society of Professional Investigators (ASPI) Certification is a voluntary certification program for professional investigators. It is designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of excellence in the field of professional investigation.

To obtain ASPI certification, applicants must have at least five years of experience as a professional investigator, pass an examination administered by ASPI, and pay all applicable fees. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as legal principles, investigative techniques, ethics and professionalism. Applicants must also submit a resume or curriculum vitae that outlines their experience in the field.

It typically takes about six weeks from the time an applicant applies until they receive their certification. During this time, applicants will receive notification when their application has been received and accepted, when their exam results have been processed and when their certification has been approved.

The cost of obtaining ASPI certification varies depending on the type of membership chosen and any additional services requested. Generally speaking, it costs between $200 - $400 USD to become an ASPI Certified Investigator. This fee covers the cost of membership dues and the exam fee. Additional fees may apply if you choose to purchase additional services such as continuing education credits or access to ASPI's online resources.

Do You Really Need a Skip Tracer Certificate?

No, you do not need a skip tracer certificate to perform skip tracing. Skip tracing is the process of locating an individual who has gone missing or cannot be found. It involves researching and gathering information from various sources in order to locate the individual.

Skip tracers may be private investigators, law enforcement officers, debt collectors, or other professionals that specialize in finding people. While some organizations may require a certification or license for certain types of skip trace work, most skip trace activities can be performed without any formal training or certification.

In fact, many people learn the skills necessary for successful skip tracing on their own by reading books and articles about the subject and studying up on various techniques used by experienced professionals. In addition to learning how to track down individuals through public records searches, credit reports, social media accounts, and other resources, independent researchers must also understand how to properly handle sensitive information while respecting privacy laws.

Although having some experience as a skip tracer may be beneficial in certain situations, it is not necessary to obtain a certificate or license in order to perform these tasks successfully. As long as you are willing to put in the time and effort needed to learn how to properly conduct these types of searches and understand the legal implications involved with handling someone’s personal data, you should have no problem becoming successful at this job.

Related: Skip Tracer Resume Examples

FAQs About Skip Tracer Certifications

1. What is a skip tracer certification?

A skip tracer certification is a professional designation that demonstrates proficiency in the field of locating missing persons, debtors, and other individuals who have evaded contact. It indicates someone has successfully completed an approved course or program and is competent in the necessary skills to pursue this type of work.

2. How do I get certified as a skip tracer?

In order to become certified as a skip tracer, you must complete an approved training program or course offered by an accredited institution. These programs cover topics such as legal issues, investigative techniques, data sources, and other related areas of expertise. After completing the program, you will be eligible to take an exam administered by the certifying organization. Passing this exam grants you your certification as a skip tracer.

3. What does it cost to get certified?

The cost for certifications can vary depending on the certifying organization and the type of training program you choose to take. Generally speaking, most courses range from $200-$500 USD and include study materials and test fees.

4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified?

Most certifying organizations will require applicants to have some experience in law enforcement or investigations prior to taking their exams. Additionally, some may require that applicants possess basic computer skills such as understanding databases and conducting online searches for information retrieval purposes.

5. Is a skip tracer certification required by law?

No, there are no laws requiring individuals to obtain a skip tracer certification before working in this field; however, having one may give employers assurance that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform your job effectively and efficiently.