A company engaged exclusively in reports for insurance purposes puts a claimant under surveillance. Is it still outside the Act?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-101(j)(2)
A company only watches burglar and fire alarm signals from a central unit. Does it provide private detective services?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-101(j)(2)
A firm does nothing but report on the financial standing and creditworthiness of people. How does Title 13 treat it?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-101(j)(2)
A landlord investigates a break-in at his own building for himself. Does the title apply?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-102(7)
A law office's regular part-time employee does investigations for the firm's cases. What does section 13-102 say?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-102(3)
A licensed bail bondsman tracks down a client who skipped court. Is the bondsman providing private detective services?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-101(j)(1)
A Maryland lawyer interviews witnesses for a case she is handling. Does Title 13 apply to her?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-102(2)
A retail chain employs its own investigator, who works only for the chain. Is she subject to Title 13 while doing that job?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-102(4)
Show all 97 questions (89 more)
What the Act covers, continued
An investigator is paid to find out whether a trial witness can be believed. Where does that fall?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-101(j)(1)
For pay, a Baltimore man in plain clothes guards a visiting executive. Is that a private detective service in Maryland?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-101(j)(1)
How does Title 13 define a "private detective"?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-101(h)
In the Maryland Private Detectives Act, who is "the Secretary"?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-101(l)
The State Police investigate an applicant for a license. To whom may that information be divulged without a court order or subpoena?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-203
What does the roster the Secretary keeps under section 13-202 show for each certified individual?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-202(b)(2)
What is a "firm" in Title 13?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-101(d)
What is the Secretary responsible for under section 13-201?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-201
What is the short title of Title 13?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-801
Which of these is outside Title 13 by name?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-102(6)
Which paid activity does the Act leave out of "private detective services" by name?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-101(j)(2)
Who is a "firm member"?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-101(e)
The agency license 26
A corporation applies for an agency license. Who makes the application for it?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-302(b)
A fire destroys an agency's branch office certificate. What must the licensee do?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-312(b)
A former police officer served as a detective in an investigative capacity. How much of that experience qualifies for an agency license?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-303(b)(3)
A full-time police officer who was never a detective applies. Besides 5 years with an organized police agency, what does section 13-303 require?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-303(b)(2)
A licensee sends its renewal statements less than 15 days before the license expires. What does section 13-309 require?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-309(b)
An applicant relies on work as a full-time certified or licensed private detective. How many years does section 13-303 require?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-303(b)(1)
An applicant's trade name is nearly the same as another licensee's, so that the public may be misled. What does section 13-305 say?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-305
Before a person may solicit private detective business in Maryland, what must the person hold?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-301(a)
For how many past years must a renewing agency show that withholding and Social Security taxes were paid?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-309(a)
How many character names must accompany an individual's application?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-304(g)
How many complete sets of fingerprints go to the Central Repository for an applicant?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-304(c)
Section 13-301(b) opens the agency license to which applicants?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-301(b)
Section 13-302 sets a minimum age for the individual applicant or the representative member. What is it?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-302(d)
Section 13-308(c) has the Secretary transmit an expiration notice electronically. No later than when?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-308(c)
Section 13-312 tells an agency where its agency license certificate hangs. Where?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-312(a)
Under section 13-308(d), each renewal of an agency license adds how long a term?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-308(d)
What application fee does section 13-304 set for an individual applicant and for a firm?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-304(b)
What does the Secretary issue for each proposed branch office of a licensed agency?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-306(a)
What renewal fee does section 13-308 set for an individual licensee and for a firm?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-308(d)
What warning must the application form carry?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-304(e)
When a firm applies, whose character and reputation must be good?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-302(c)
Which document is a condition of renewing an agency license?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-309(a)
Which fire service background does section 13-303 accept for an agency license?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-303(b)(5)
Which of these counts as an "organized police agency" in section 13-303?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-303(a)
Which of these does an agency license authorize?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-307
Who signs a firm's application under oath?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-304(f)
Certification of private detectives 17
A certified private detective leaves Agency A and starts working cases for Agency B on the same card. Is that authorized?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-405
A certified private detective lets a friend borrow the certification card for a day. What does section 13-703 say?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-703(b)
A certified private detective loses the certification card. What does section 13-608 require?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-608
A new hire's certification application is pending. When may the new hire work cases meanwhile?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-401(b)
An agency's license is revoked. What happens to the authority of its certified private detectives?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-405
Before an individual personally provides a private detective service in Maryland, what does section 13-401 require?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-401(a)
By the State Police's certificate page, how long is a private detective certification valid?Maryland Department of State Police, Private Detective Certificate
By the State Police's certificate page, how old must an applicant for private detective certification be?Maryland Department of State Police, Private Detective Certificate
The Secretary revokes an individual's certification. By when must the card and any badge be surrendered?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-412
What application fee does section 13-403 set for certification as a private detective?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-403(3)
What kind of application does an employee submit for certification?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-403(2)
What must a certification card name besides the individual?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-406(b)
When may a certified private detective in Maryland wear or carry a badge?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-408
When must a certified private detective carry the certification card?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-407(a)
Which of these people qualifies for certification as a private detective under section 13-402 without being an agency employee?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-402
Who can require a certified private detective to show the certification card?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-407(b)
Who sets the standards for certifying agency employees as private detectives?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-202(b)(1)
Agency duties and confidentiality 17
A firm fails to appoint a representative member in time. What happens to its license?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-602(d)
A firm's representative member resigns. How long does the firm have to appoint another?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-602(c)
A partner withdraws from a licensed firm. What does section 13-311 require of the firm?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-311(b)
An agency adds a branch office. How soon must it give the Secretary written notice?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-311(a)
An agency employs 5 private detectives. What insurance must it maintain?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-604(a)
An agency investigates a case in Maryland and makes its file here. Where must the file be kept?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-310
An agency lets its required liability insurance lapse. When may its suspended license be reinstated?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-604(d)
An agency's required liability insurance is cancelled. Who must tell the Secretary?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-604(c)
An employee harms a client while conducting the agency's business. Who answers for the employee's acts under section 13-601?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-601
An employee leaves an agency holding a jacket that bears the agency's name. How soon must it be returned?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-607
The representative member dies. How long does the agency have to appoint a replacement?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-602(c)
The Secretary, in the course of an investigation, asks an agency employee about an assignment. May the employee answer?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-606(d)
What must a nonresident applicant for an agency license submit to the Secretary of State?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-605(a), (b)
When may a private detective agency divulge information it obtained while providing services?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-606(a)
Where may a suit be brought against a nonresident licensee who filed the consent?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-605(f)
While on a case an agency learns of a crime. To whom may it divulge that information under section 13-606(b)?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-606(b)
Who must supervise the offices of a private detective agency that is a firm?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-602(a)
Discipline and penalties 17
A client files a complaint against an agency. What form must it take?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-314(b)
A licensee is duly notified of a section 13-315 hearing and stays away. What then?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-315(f)
A licensee willfully tells clients that a well-known investigator works for the agency, which is false. Is that a ground for discipline?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-313(a)
An agency employee commits an act that is a ground for discipline. Whose act may it be treated as?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-313(b)
An agency hands a client a document saying the client's nephew is a private detective, though he is not certified. What does section 13-703 say?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-703(a)
An employed private detective willfully gives the agency a false report on a case. What does the Act say?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-706
An employee's violation was made on the agency's behalf. Whom may the Secretary fine for it?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-707(c)
An individual stops meeting the standards the Secretary set for certification. What may follow?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-409
An uncertified man calls himself a "private investigator" on his website. Does section 13-702 reach that title?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-702
How far ahead must written notice of a disciplinary hearing be sent?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-315(d)
How soon must a fine assessed by the Secretary be paid?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-707(b)
On a complaint with grounds under section 13-313, whom does the Secretary name as investigating officer?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-314(c)
The Secretary revokes an agency license. What must the former licensee do within 5 days?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-316
Section 13-704(b) is aimed at what a licensee might do to a certificate. Which act?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-704(b)
What is the criminal penalty for violating a provision of Title 13?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-707(a)
What is the most the Secretary may fine for one violation under sections 13-313 and 13-409?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-707(b)
Which of these may the Secretary do to a licensee under section 13-313?Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 13-313(a)
How this list was compiled: Annotated Code of Maryland, Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 13, the Maryland Private Detectives Act (sections 13-101 to 13-801), read on October 14, 2026 on the Maryland General Assembly's site (https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gbo§ion=13-101&enactments=false); and the Maryland Department of State Police pages on the Private Detective Agency License and the Private Detective Certificate (https://mdsp.maryland.gov/firearms-permits-professional-licenses/professional-licenses/private-detective-certificate), read the same day. Each question names its section and links to it. Licence: Own work. Every question, wrong choice and explanation was written for this site from the text of the law and the state pages named under "source". Nothing comes from an examination, a sample test, a testing company, a training course or a prep publisher.
How it works
Maryland gives no examination to private detectives, so this unofficial Maryland private investigator license practice test is law practice: 97 questions of our own from the Maryland Private Detectives Act. Not affiliated with the Maryland Department of State Police.
Read the full guide
Two credentials, one Act
The Act's word is private detective. A business holds a private detective agency license, and each person who does the work holds a certification that is good for one agency only (sections 13-301 and 13-405).
The five-day deadlines
A new branch or address, a firm member's withdrawal or death, and the surrender of certificates, cards and badges after a suspension or revocation each run on five days (sections 13-311, 13-316 and 13-412).
What is left out
Statute and the State Police's two license pages only. The regulations in COMAR Title 29, the handgun permit law and the security guard title are not asked.
Five or more private detectives on staff means $1,000,000 of commercial general liability insurance (§ 13-604).
A badge needs the Secretary's authorization, an approved design and issue by the agency (§ 13-408).
Agency equipment goes back within 10 days of leaving (§ 13-607).
Questions and answers
Is there an exam for a Maryland private investigator license?
No. Title 13 sets experience, character and fingerprint requirements and names no examination, and the State Police pages for the agency license and the certificate list none.
How do I become a private investigator in Maryland?
Apply for certification through a licensed private detective agency: a sworn application, fingerprints and a $15 fee (section 13-403). The State Police page sets a minimum age of 18.
What are the requirements for a Maryland private detective agency license?
Age 25, good character and one of the five backgrounds in section 13-303, such as 5 years as a full-time certified private detective or 3 years as a police detective. The application fee is $200 for an individual and $375 for a firm.
How long is a Maryland private detective license good for?
Three years. An agency license is renewed for a further 3-year term for $200 (individual) or $400 (firm) under section 13-308, and the State Police page gives a certification 3 years as well.
What is the penalty for working as a private investigator without a license in Maryland?
A misdemeanor: a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to 1 year, or both (section 13-707). The title "private investigator" is itself reserved to those authorized under the Act (section 13-702).