Occupation
Private investigator
Carries out investigations for private clients, insurers, or law firms — tracing people, verifying claims, conducting surveillance, and checking backgrounds. Findings are delivered as written reports and sometimes as testimony, so lawful method and accurate note-taking matter more than speed. Investigators hold no police powers.
Also known as: Private detective · Licensed investigator · Insurance investigator
Occupation content
Part of Public safety, defence and emergency response
What the work involves
- Take instructions from a client and scope what can lawfully be done
- Conduct surveillance and record observations with times and locations
- Search public records, registries, and open sources for corroboration
- Interview cooperative witnesses and document their statements
- Write investigation reports and preserve exhibits for possible court use
How people commonly enter
- Investigator licensing course and examination set by the local regulator
- Experience in policing, insurance, military, or security followed by licensing
- College diploma in investigation or criminal justice before applying for a licence
Typical training: Certificate or college diploma
Licensing: Regulated in most jurisdictions — confirm the current requirement with the regulator in your province, state, or country.
Typical work context
Works independently · Varied work · Involves travel · Client sites
Related interests
Investigative (analytical) · Enterprising (leading) · Realistic (hands-on)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
- Critical thinking
- Attention and concentration
- Written communication
- Deductive reasoning
- Reading comprehension
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Public safety, defence and emergency response.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — occupation search: Private detectives and investigators · United States
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- Canada Job Bank — Explore careers index (Private investigator) · Canada
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- UK National Careers Service — Private investigator job profile · United Kingdom
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Public safety, defence and emergency response in Canada, not a figure for Private investigator. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Public safety, defence and emergency response family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Public safety, defence and emergency response: education pathways
Some roles in Public safety, defence and emergency response may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Public safety, defence and emergency response: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)