# Private Investigator Felons **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 27, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/private-investigator-felons/626467 "2012-06-27T15:15:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/private-investigator-felons/626467/1 "2012-06-27T15:15:10Z")
I know someone who was convicted of a felony, and who wants to be a private investigator. Everything we can find seems to indicate this will not be possible in the US, though. My question is, is there anything we missed? Are there states where felons can be PI’s? Are there time limits past which felon status no longer matters? Etc. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/private-investigator-felons/626467/2 "2012-06-27T15:17:40Z")
Never mind, already found the answer on further searching–many states have appeals processes which can waive the non-felon requirement. It helps to have a sponsor. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/private-investigator-felons/626467/3 "2012-06-27T16:55:52Z")
I assume you’re talking about being a “licensed private investigator” licensed by the state to practice. In that case it can be very tricky but not impossible to achieve for a felon. One can become an investigator for a business and not have to be a state licensed P.I… Such as being an investigator for an insurance company or working in corporate security for one employer. Also, in many states one does not need to be licensed to be a process server. In investigations such as skip traces are a natural extension of that profession. Bounty hunters are also a form of investigator and many states do not have specific licenses for it. But as a felon he would not be able to carry a firearm. In fact, some states do not let felons carry any weapons including pepper spray. What was the felony, how long ago was it, and how old was he when he did it? Has he considered trying to get a pardon for it? ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/private-investigator-felons/626467/4 "2012-06-27T20:09:07Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Such as being an investigator for an insurance company Preferably one with an action-packed expense account. (… and all the Boomers get confused. ;)) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/private-investigator-felons/626467/5 "2012-06-27T20:23:47Z")
According to this Cracked article: > [@](#): > > And then, of course, there’s Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, South Dakota and Mississippi, where you can just set up your office right the hell now, as these states have no requirements for private investigators whatsoever. > **[6 Badass Jobs That You're Probably Already Qualified to Do](https://www.cracked.com/article_19577_6-badass-jobs-that-youre-probably-already-qualified-to-do.html)** > > It turns out some of the most awesomely portrayed jobs in movies require almost no training whatsoever and can be done by almost any old jackass who walks in off the street. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/private-investigator-felons/626467/6 "2012-06-27T20:29:43Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Preferably one with an action-packed expense account. > > (… and all the Boomers get confused. ;)) Yours Truly - Johnny Dollar. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/private-investigator-felons/626467/7 "2012-06-28T01:14:40Z")
Didn’t James Rockford do jail time? And it you can’t go by 70s crime shows, what can you go by? ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/private-investigator-felons/626467/8 "2012-06-28T01:27:33Z")
> [@D18](#): > > Didn’t James Rockford do jail time? And it you can’t go by 70s crime shows, what can you go by? I was waiting for that question - Jimmy was eventually found to be innocent, released, and had his conviction expunged, enabling him to get a PI license. He had the pardon framed on his wall for a while, as I recall.