To verify a Florida private investigator license, search the investigator and the agency on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Licensing website and confirm both licenses are active. The agency should hold a Class “A” license, and the person doing the work should hold a Class “C” license or a Class “CC” intern license.
By Alexander Maynfeld, Director of Investigations, MAYN Investigations (Florida Class “A” agency license A3400126). Updated October 29, 2026.
Who licenses private investigators in Florida?
Private investigation in Florida is regulated by Chapter 493 of the Florida Statutes. Licenses are issued by the FDACS Division of Licensing.
Our guide to the Florida PI license law (Chapter 493) covers the statute in more detail.
What do the Florida license classes mean?
- Class “A”: the private investigative agency license. The business needs it.
- Class “C”: the individual private investigator license.
- Class “CC”: the private investigator intern license, which requires a sponsor.
- Class “MA”: the agency manager license.
Under §493.6201, Class “C” and “CC” licensees must own or work for a licensed Class “A” agency or branch office. A lone investigator with no agency behind them is a warning sign.
How do I check a license on the FDACS website?
- Go to the FDACS Division of Licensing website and open its license lookup.
- Search by the agency name first, then by the investigator’s name or license number.
- Check the license class, the status and the expiration date.
- Make sure the name on the license matches the business name on the contract and invoice.
If you cannot find the license, ask the investigator for the exact license number and search again. If it still does not appear, do not hire them until FDACS confirms it.
What should the license status show?
It should show active. Expired, suspended or revoked licenses mean the person should not be doing paid investigations.
Check the dates. Individual licenses are valid for 2 years and agency licenses for 3 years (§493.6111). The license must be active on the dates the work is done.
Why does license status matter for my case?
An unlicensed investigator is easy to attack on cross-examination. Even good evidence can lose weight if the person who gathered it broke the law to do it.
Licensed investigators are trained on legal limits, such as Florida’s all-party consent rule for recording conversations. See our guide to Florida recording law (§934.03).
For attorneys, the Florida Bar rules also make you responsible for supervising the investigators you hire. Read our guide to Florida Bar Rule 4-5.3.
Is a former police officer automatically licensed?
No. A retired or off-duty officer doing paid private investigation generally needs a Chapter 493 license. Police experience can count toward the license requirements, but it does not replace the license.
What other questions should I ask before hiring?
- Is your agency licensed and insured in Florida?
- Who will do the field work, and what is their license number?
- Will you put the scope, rates and budget in writing?
- What will the final report include?
- Have you testified about your work in Florida courts?
What are red flags when hiring a Florida investigator?
- No license number on the website, contract or business card.
- Offers to get phone records, bank records or passwords. Those methods are generally illegal.
- Promises of guaranteed results.
- Pressure to pay large amounts in cash up front with no written scope.
How can I verify MAYN Investigations?
MAYN Investigations holds Florida Class “A” agency license A3400126. Search it on the FDACS website and you will see the agency and its status.
Learn more about our team on the About Us page, or see our litigation support and surveillance services.
Does a Florida PI license cover work in every county?
Yes. A Florida license is issued by the state, so a licensed agency can work in any Florida county, from Miami to Pensacola.
Work outside Florida may need a license in that state or a partner agency there. Ask before the case crosses state lines.
Should the agency be insured?
Yes. Ask whether the agency carries liability insurance. A licensed and insured agency protects you if something goes wrong in the field.
You can ask for a certificate of insurance before work starts, especially for law firm and corporate engagements.
Where should the license number appear?
A professional agency shows its license number openly, for example on its website, contracts, reports and invoices. If an agency hesitates to give you its number, treat that as a red flag.
Write the number into your file. If the case goes to trial, you will want it ready.
What if I already hired an unlicensed investigator?
Stop the work and talk to your attorney. Counsel can judge whether any evidence gathered so far can still be used and how to deal with it in discovery.
A licensed agency can often repeat or confirm key observations lawfully, so the case does not rely on evidence that is easy to attack.
Can I report an unlicensed investigator?
Yes. FDACS accepts complaints about unlicensed activity and licensee misconduct. Gather the person’s name, business name, advertising and any contract before you file.
We work statewide from Central Florida, including Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville. See every city and county we cover on our Florida service areas page.
Frequently asked questions
What license does a Florida private investigator need?
A Florida investigator working for clients generally needs a Class “C” private investigator license, or a Class “CC” intern license under a sponsor. The agency itself needs a Class “A” license (Chapter 493, Florida Statutes).
Who issues private investigator licenses in Florida?
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Licensing.
How do I look up a Florida PI license?
Use the license lookup on the FDACS Division of Licensing website. Search by the agency name, the investigator’s name or the license number, and check that the status is active.
How long is a Florida PI license valid?
Individual licenses such as Class “C” and “CC” are valid for 2 years. Class “A” agency licenses are valid for 3 years (§493.6111).
Can a Class C investigator work on their own?
No. Class “C” and “CC” licensees must own or be employed by a licensed Class “A” agency or branch office (§493.6201).
What is MAYN Investigations’ license number?
MAYN Investigations holds Florida Class “A” agency license A3400126.
Work with a licensed Florida investigator
Call (321) 340-3280 to talk to a licensed investigator. We answer 24/7, and you can also send a case request.
MAYN Investigations is a licensed and insured Florida private investigation agency working statewide. Follow us on Instagram at @mayninvestigations, and browse more investigation insights.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Questions about admissibility, discovery and case strategy belong to your attorney.
