Definitions, exemptions and who needs a license 10
A company's in-house investigator works exclusively and regularly for that one employer, on its affairs only. Does West Virginia require that person to hold a license?W. Va. Code § 30-18-1
A West Virginia business is paid to gather information on people seeking work in place of employees who are on strike. Under 30-18-1(2) this is:W. Va. Code § 30-18-1
A West Virginia law-enforcement officer works for a private employer in off-duty hours. Under 30-18-1(5)(B) the officer is:W. Va. Code § 30-18-1
Does an attorney's employee who investigates for the attorney need a West Virginia private investigator license?W. Va. Code § 30-18-1
In W. Va. Code 30-18-1(5), a "private investigator" is a licensee who conducts the business:W. Va. Code § 30-18-1
What turns investigating into a "private investigation business" under W. Va. Code 30-18-1(2)?W. Va. Code § 30-18-1
When a corporation applies for a West Virginia license, who is the "applicant" under 30-18-1(1)?W. Va. Code § 30-18-1
Which paid work falls inside West Virginia's definition of the private investigation business?W. Va. Code § 30-18-1
Which person is outside the term "private investigator" in W. Va. Code 30-18-1(5)(B)?W. Va. Code § 30-18-1
Who issues the license to conduct the private investigation business in West Virginia?W. Va. Code § 30-18-8
Show all 64 questions (54 more)
Eligibility, application, bond, fees and renewal 23
A character reference for a West Virginia license application must not be:W. Va. Code § 30-18-3
A person who qualifies for a West Virginia private investigator's license may also conduct security guard business after:W. Va. Code § 30-18-2
An applicant has a felony conviction but later received an executive pardon for it. Under W. Va. Code 30-18-2:W. Va. Code § 30-18-2
Besides a felony, which conviction bars a license under W. Va. Code 30-18-2(a)(9)?W. Va. Code § 30-18-2
Does chapter 29B, West Virginia's freedom of information law, reach an applicant's criminal history record check?W. Va. Code § 30-18-10
For how long does W. Va. Code 30-18-9 keep a license in effect from the date the certificate is issued?W. Va. Code § 30-18-9
For which damages is the surety on a West Virginia investigator's bond liable?W. Va. Code § 30-18-3
How much experience, education or training does W. Va. Code 30-18-2(a)(7) require of a private investigator applicant?W. Va. Code § 30-18-2
If a West Virginia applicant files a surety bond in lieu of liability insurance, what sum must the bond be in?W. Va. Code § 30-18-3
The license fee in W. Va. Code 30-18-3(g)(2) is $100 for an individual applicant. What is it for a firm?W. Va. Code § 30-18-3
May a sitting West Virginia magistrate work as a licensed private investigator?W. Va. Code § 30-18-2
On what is West Virginia's state and national criminal history record check based?W. Va. Code § 30-18-10
Under W. Va. Code 30-18-10(d)(6), the actual costs of fingerprinting and the record check fall on:W. Va. Code § 30-18-10
W. Va. Code 30-18-3(b) asks for the applicant's residences over how many preceding years?W. Va. Code § 30-18-3
W. Va. Code 30-18-3(g) calls for character references from at least how many reputable citizens?W. Va. Code § 30-18-3
What is the minimum age for a West Virginia license to conduct the private investigation business?W. Va. Code § 30-18-2
What is the most the West Virginia Secretary of State may charge to renew a license?W. Va. Code § 30-18-9
What is the nonrefundable application processing service charge in W. Va. Code 30-18-3(g)(2)?W. Va. Code § 30-18-3
When is the West Virginia license fee refunded?W. Va. Code § 30-18-3
Where do fees collected under West Virginia's private investigation article go?W. Va. Code § 30-18-13
Which applicant meets the citizenship requirement of W. Va. Code 30-18-2(a)(2)?W. Va. Code § 30-18-2
Which of these is listed in W. Va. Code 30-18-2(a)(7) as qualifying experience?W. Va. Code § 30-18-2
Who approves the form of the surety bond under W. Va. Code 30-18-3(i)(2)?W. Va. Code § 30-18-3
Firm licenses and employees 10
A corporation formed in another state applies for a West Virginia firm license. What must accompany the application?W. Va. Code § 30-18-3
A West Virginia firm lets an unpaid helper conduct investigations under its license. Is the firm license holder responsible for supervising that person?W. Va. Code § 30-18-4
A West Virginia individual licensee wants a friend to help with surveillance. What does the Secretary of State's guidance require first?WV Secretary of State, Applying for an Individual Private Investigator License
An investigative employee of a West Virginia firm must satisfy 30-18-2 except for:W. Va. Code § 30-18-4
In the Secretary of State's firm license instructions, who may act as a firm's qualifying agent?WV Secretary of State, Applying for Private Investigation Firm License
What does supervision by a West Virginia firm license holder include under 30-18-4(a)?W. Va. Code § 30-18-4
What makes a business a "private detective or investigative firm" in W. Va. Code 30-18-1(6)?W. Va. Code § 30-18-1
What must a West Virginia firm keep on file for every person who investigates under its license?W. Va. Code § 30-18-4
Where does a West Virginia firm keep the photographs and fingerprints of its investigative employees?W. Va. Code § 30-18-4
Who signs the application when a corporation seeks a West Virginia firm license?W. Va. Code § 30-18-3
Prohibitions, penalties and damages 10
A licensed West Virginia investigator subcontracts a case to an unlicensed person. Under 30-18-8(b) this is:W. Va. Code § 30-18-8
A prospective client wants information that the licensee knows is intended for an illegal purpose. Under W. Va. Code 30-18-8(c)(5):W. Va. Code § 30-18-8
For a West Virginia firm, the daily fine for unlicensed services is multiplied by:W. Va. Code § 30-18-11
How is the fine counted for conducting the private investigation business in West Virginia without a license?W. Va. Code § 30-18-11
To whom does the penalty section, W. Va. Code 30-18-11, apply?W. Va. Code § 30-18-11
What is the longest jail term for a violation of West Virginia's private investigation article?W. Va. Code § 30-18-11
What is the range of the fine for violating West Virginia's private investigation article?W. Va. Code § 30-18-11
What may an individual injured by a violation of West Virginia's private investigation article recover?W. Va. Code § 30-18-12
When may a West Virginia licensee divulge information acquired for a client to someone other than the client or the client's authorized agent?W. Va. Code § 30-18-8
Which act does W. Va. Code 30-18-8(c) make unlawful when done knowingly?W. Va. Code § 30-18-8
Denials, hearings and appeals 11
A West Virginia license is denied because of a conviction that bars licensure. What is the sole issue at the hearing?W. Va. Code § 30-18-10
A West Virginia licensee who was not granted a continuance fails to appear at the hearing. Under 153 CSR 12:153 CSR 12
After a denial of initial licensure in West Virginia, how long before a reapplication is accepted, absent documented corrections?153 CSR 12
By when must a written request for a subpoena be made before a West Virginia licensing hearing?153 CSR 12
How far ahead of a hearing must notice be served under West Virginia's 153 CSR 12?153 CSR 12
How long does a West Virginia applicant have to request a hearing after written notice of an adverse determination?W. Va. Code § 30-18-10
How many motions to continue or delay a hearing does 153 CSR 12 allow each party?153 CSR 12
Under 153 CSR 12, how soon after the Secretary of State receives a hearing request on a denied initial license must the hearing be held?153 CSR 12
When no transcript is prepared, how long after a West Virginia licensing hearing ends may a party submit proposed findings of fact?153 CSR 12
Which court does W. Va. Code 30-18-10(b) name for review of the Secretary of State's licensing action?W. Va. Code § 30-18-10
Which rules of evidence are followed at a West Virginia licensing hearing under 153 CSR 12?153 CSR 12
How this list was compiled: West Virginia Code, Chapter 30, Article 18, Private Investigative and Security Services (W. Va. Code §§ 30-18-1 to 30-18-13), read on October 16, 2026 on the West Virginia Legislature's site (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/30-18/); 153 CSR 12, the Secretary of State's rules of procedure for contested case hearings on these licenses (effective December 21, 2000), read the same day in the Code of State Rules (https://apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/ruleview.aspx?document=7476); and the Secretary of State's Private Investigator and Security Guard Licensing Information pages (https://sos.wv.gov/licensing/private-investigators-and-security-guards/private-investigator-and-security-guard), 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 statute, rule and agency 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
West Virginia sets no examination for a private investigator license. This unofficial West Virginia private investigator license practice test asks 64 of our own questions on the licensing article. Not affiliated with the West Virginia Secretary of State.
Read the full guide
Individual license or firm license
An individual license covers a person who investigates alone. Employing anyone, or allowing anyone to assist, takes a firm license, and the firm's qualifying agent must supervise its investigations (the Secretary of State's application steps).
What is left out
The security guard sections of the article, firearms law and investigative technique. Dollar figures that appear only on the agency's pages are not asked.
Unlicensed work is fined for each day the business was conducted (W. Va. Code 30-18-11).
Subcontracting a case to an unlicensed person counts as transferring the license (W. Va. Code 30-18-8).
A hearing request is due within 15 days of the written notice of denial (W. Va. Code 30-18-10).
Questions and answers
Is there an exam for a West Virginia private investigator license?
No. Neither W. Va. Code 30-18-2 and 30-18-3 nor the Secretary of State's application steps name an examination or a required course.
How do I become a private investigator in West Virginia?
File the Secretary of State's application with five character references, a photograph, fingerprints for the state and national criminal history check, and a $5,000 surety bond or proof of liability insurance (W. Va. Code 30-18-3 and 30-18-10).
What experience do I need for a West Virginia private investigator license?
The statute asks a minimum of one year of experience, education or training, such as college course work, law enforcement or licensed agency work (W. Va. Code 30-18-2). The Secretary of State's application steps ask 100 weeks of 32 hours when experience alone is offered.
How much does a West Virginia private investigator license cost?
The statute sets a nonrefundable $50 processing charge plus a license fee of $100 for an individual or $200 for a firm (W. Va. Code 30-18-3). The Secretary of State's application page lists $550 in all for a non-resident individual.
How long is a West Virginia private investigator license good for?
Two years from the date the certificate is issued, renewable for two years at a time on application, a fee of no more than $50 and a current bond or proof of insurance (W. Va. Code 30-18-9).