Definitions, who needs a license and exclusions 14
An agency incorporated in another state wants to do business in New Hampshire under RSA 106-F. It is deemed a foreign corporation and must:RSA 106-F:3
Before becoming an employee of a New Hampshire private investigative agency, a person must:RSA 106-F:3
The definition of "private investigative agency" in RSA 106-F:2 covers collecting information or evidence for:RSA 106-F:2
"Full-time" in RSA 106-F:2 means engaged in the business of security guard or private investigator:RSA 106-F:2
How does RSA 106-F:2 classify a person providing "executive protection" or bodyguard services?RSA 106-F:2
In RSA 106-F:2, an "individual" is a licensed private investigator or security guard who:RSA 106-F:2
Under RSA 106-F:4, persons engaged in computer or digital forensic services are:RSA 106-F:4
What is "doing business" under RSA 106-F:2?RSA 106-F:2
Which activity is on the list of private investigator work in RSA 106-F:2, XII?RSA 106-F:2
Which of these is excluded from RSA 106-F by section 4?RSA 106-F:4
Which out-of-state persons does RSA 106-F:4, XV exclude from New Hampshire licensing?RSA 106-F:4
Which person does RSA 106-F:4 exclude from the chapter?RSA 106-F:4
Who is a "license holder" in RSA 106-F:2?RSA 106-F:2
Who licenses private investigators in New Hampshire under RSA 106-F?RSA 106-F:2
Show all 73 questions (59 more)
Applications, qualifications, fees and the bond 20
A full-time firefighter with 4 years' experience qualifies under RSA 106-F:5, VII(d)(4) with certification by:RSA 106-F:5
A New Hampshire licensee holds both a private investigator license and a security guard license. The surety bond must be at least:RSA 106-F:9
A New Hampshire renewal application arrives after the deadline. Under Saf-C 2204.04:N.H. Admin. Rules Saf-C 2204.04
How many years as a full-time law enforcement officer qualify an applicant under RSA 106-F:5, VII(d)(1)?RSA 106-F:5
New Hampshire license application forms are executed under penalty of:N.H. Admin. Rules Saf-C 2203.05
RSA 106-F:5, III asks an original application to name at least how many unrelated persons as character references?RSA 106-F:5
RSA 106-F:5, VII(b) sets what minimum age for a private investigator applicant?RSA 106-F:5
RSA 106-F:7 makes a license good for how long after the date of issue?RSA 106-F:7
RSA 106-F:7 wants the renewal application in hand at least how long before the old license runs out?RSA 106-F:7
Saf-C 2208.01 has the surety warn the division how far ahead of cancelling a bond?N.H. Admin. Rules Saf-C 2208.01
Under RSA 106-F:9, I, which officer keeps a licensee's surety bond on file?RSA 106-F:9
What is the fee for a New Hampshire private investigative agency license when the agency employs more than one licensed person?RSA 106-F:7
What is the smallest principal sum allowed for a New Hampshire licensee's surety bond?RSA 106-F:9
When a question arises in a New Hampshire background investigation, a questionnaire goes to the applicant's references. Which traits do they rate?N.H. Admin. Rules Saf-C 2203.08
Where are the two photographs for a New Hampshire photo license card taken?RSA 106-F:5
Which parts of a New Hampshire license application are not kept confidential under RSA 106-F:5?RSA 106-F:5
Which record bars a New Hampshire private investigator applicant under RSA 106-F:5, VII(c)?RSA 106-F:5
Who else is told when the New Hampshire commissioner issues or denies a license?RSA 106-F:6
Who is excepted from the experience qualifications in RSA 106-F:5, VII(d)?RSA 106-F:5
Who pays the licensing fee for an employee of a New Hampshire agency?RSA 106-F:7
Duties of licensees and prohibitions 17
A client is barred by court order from contacting a person and hires a New Hampshire investigator to make the contact instead. Under RSA 106-F:10, V the licensee:RSA 106-F:10
A New Hampshire license holder moves from one agency to another. How must the commissioner be told?RSA 106-F:9
A New Hampshire licensee is employed or contracted and supervised by an attorney. Under RSA 106-F:9, IX the licensee need not report:RSA 106-F:9
A New Hampshire licensee learns mid-case that the client is legally barred from the activity requested. What must the licensee do?RSA 106-F:10
A New Hampshire licensee observes a felony while working. Subject to the confidentiality exceptions, RSA 106-F:9, VI requires the licensee to:RSA 106-F:9
A New Hampshire licensee reports criminal activity to the police in good faith and with reasonable belief in its truth. Under RSA 106-F:9, VII the licensee is:RSA 106-F:9
An officer looking into a report of loitering or prowling questions a New Hampshire licensee who is on surveillance. Under RSA 106-F:9, VIII the licensee:RSA 106-F:9
Apart from the listed exceptions, by what means can a New Hampshire licensee be required to reveal the substance of an investigation?RSA 106-F:9
Besides the licensee's own, whose signature appears on a New Hampshire identification card under Saf-C 2207.02?N.H. Admin. Rules Saf-C 2207.02
Does RSA 106-F:10 let a private investigator identify himself or herself with a badge?RSA 106-F:10
How soon must a New Hampshire licensee notify the commissioner of the discharge of a licensed employee or a change of office address?RSA 106-F:9
May a sworn police officer employed by a New Hampshire town hold a private investigator license?RSA 106-F:10
RSA 106-F:9, V gives a license holder who is arrested and charged how long to notify the commissioner?RSA 106-F:9
Under RSA 106-F:9, the employees of a New Hampshire agency are covered by:RSA 106-F:9
Under RSA 106-F:10, a New Hampshire licensee may not use a trade name that:RSA 106-F:10
What is the most continuing education the New Hampshire commissioner may require of a licensee per license period?RSA 106-F:9
Which word may not be used in any way on a New Hampshire licensee's seal, card, badge or advertisement?RSA 106-F:10
Armed licenses and firearms proficiency 7
A New Hampshire licensee fails the firearms proficiency requirement. Under Saf-C 2206.02 the licensee:N.H. Admin. Rules Saf-C 2206.02
A New Hampshire licensee who is not licensed for firearms proficiency under RSA 106-F:8 may not:RSA 106-F:10
How many hours of instruction on firearms techniques and safety, deadly force law and the ethical use of force does RSA 106-F:8 require?RSA 106-F:8
How often must an armed New Hampshire private investigator meet the firearms proficiency requirements?RSA 106-F:8
What handgun qualification result does Saf-C 2206.03 require?N.H. Admin. Rules Saf-C 2206.03
What minimum qualification score does RSA 106-F:8 set on the pistol or revolver course?RSA 106-F:8
Which New Hampshire applicants must submit to a fingerprint examination conducted by the FBI under RSA 106-F:6, II?RSA 106-F:6
Denial, suspension, appeal and the advisory board 15
A corporation engages in business as a private investigative agency in New Hampshire without a license. Under RSA 106-F:14 it is guilty of:RSA 106-F:14
A New Hampshire applicant has been arrested for a crime that would bar a license on conviction, and the case is pending. Under Saf-C 2209.02:N.H. Admin. Rules Saf-C 2209.02
A New Hampshire license is suspended or revoked and no appeal is taken. Whom must the licensee immediately notify?RSA 106-F:12
After a timely request, how soon must the New Hampshire commissioner hold the hearing on a denial?RSA 106-F:6
After an emergency suspension without a hearing, a New Hampshire licensee is notified of the right to a hearing within:N.H. Admin. Rules Saf-C 2209.05
Does an appeal under RSA 106-F:13 suspend the commissioner's decision?RSA 106-F:13
For how long may the New Hampshire commissioner suspend a license for just cause under Saf-C 2209.03?N.H. Admin. Rules Saf-C 2209.03
RSA 106-F:6, VI gives a denied applicant how long to ask for a hearing?RSA 106-F:6
RSA 106-F:12, III sets what deadline for handing a suspended or revoked license to the commissioner?RSA 106-F:12
RSA 106-F:15 gives an appointed advisory board member a term of:RSA 106-F:15
RSA 106-F:15 reserves how many advisory board seats for licensed private investigators?RSA 106-F:15
Saf-C 2209.04 keeps a person whose license was revoked from applying again for how long?N.H. Admin. Rules Saf-C 2209.04
To which court are the New Hampshire commissioner's licensing decisions appealed under RSA 106-F:13?RSA 106-F:13
Under RSA 106-F:15, appointments to the advisory board are made by:RSA 106-F:15
Which is a ground for revoking or suspending a New Hampshire license under RSA 106-F:12?RSA 106-F:12
How this list was compiled: New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, Chapter 106-F, Private Investigators, Security Guards, and Bail Recovery Agents (RSA 106-F:1 to 106-F:15, effective July 1, 2019), read on October 16, 2026 on the New Hampshire General Court's site (https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/VII/106-F/106-F-mrg.htm); and the Department of Safety's rules, Chapter Saf-C 2200, Licensing of Private Investigators, Security Guards, and Bail Recovery Agents, read the same day on the General Court's rules pages (https://gc.nh.gov/rules/state_agencies/saf-c2200.html). 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 statute and rules named under "source". Nothing comes from an examination, a sample test, a testing company, a training course or a prep publisher.
How it works
New Hampshire sets no written examination for a private investigator license. This unofficial New Hampshire private investigator license practice test asks 73 of our own questions on the licensing chapter. Not affiliated with the New Hampshire Department of Safety.
Read the full guide
Three kinds of license
The rules give an individual license to an investigator who works alone under his or her own name, an agency license to a business with more than one licensed person, and an employee license to each person an agency employs (Saf-C 2201.01, 2201.08 and 2201.09).
What is left out
The security guard and bail recovery provisions that do not reach investigators, the shotgun and rifle courses, and investigative technique.
Arrested or charged: tell the commissioner within one business day (RSA 106-F:9).
No badge for identification, and never the word "police" (RSA 106-F:10).
A suspended or revoked license goes to the commissioner within 72 hours of the notice (RSA 106-F:12).
Questions and answers
Is there an exam for a New Hampshire private investigator license?
No written examination. RSA 106-F:5 and 106-F:6 call for an application, references and an investigation of character, competency and integrity; only an armed license adds a firearms course passed at 75 percent or better (RSA 106-F:8).
What are the requirements to be a private investigator in New Hampshire?
Be a United States resident, at least 18, with no felony conviction, and, unless licensed as an agency's employee, hold one of the listed backgrounds, such as 4 years as a full-time law enforcement officer or investigator (RSA 106-F:5).
How much does a New Hampshire private investigator license cost?
The rules collect $150 for an individual license, $350 for an agency license and $5 for an employee license, plus a $10 background investigation fee (Saf-C 2205.03 and 2205.04).
What bond does a New Hampshire private investigator need?
A surety bond of at least $50,000, raised by $50,000 for each additional type of license held, filed with the secretary of state (RSA 106-F:9).
How long is a New Hampshire private investigator license valid?
Two years from the date of issue. The renewal application is due at least 15 days before the license expires, and a late one is returned (RSA 106-F:7; Saf-C 2204.04).