Private Investigators in Florida by City

Licensing

How Florida Licenses Private Investigators

Florida regulates investigators under Chapter 493 of the Florida Statutes. The Division of Licensing, part of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, issues the licenses and handles discipline. Section 493.6201 sets out the classes. An agency operating a private investigative business needs a Class A license for each location, and each branch office needs its own Class AA license.

For a client, Florida's system has layers. The individual doing the work needs a Class C license and must own or work for a licensed Class A agency. An intern holds a Class CC license and works under the direction of a sponsoring licensee. Ask for both the individual and agency license numbers, and confirm each one with the Division before you sign.

Courts

How Florida Courts Are Organized

Florida's trial courts are the circuit courts and the county courts. Each county has a county court, and the circuit courts are grouped into judicial circuits that each cover one or more counties. Circuit courts hear felonies, larger civil cases, probate and guardianship, and family matters such as divorce and custody. County courts handle misdemeanors, traffic cases, small claims and smaller civil disputes.

Communities

Florida Communities With a Private Investigator Page

Every Florida community over 3,000 residents, by population (U.S. Census Bureau, April 1, 2020 estimates base and July 1, 2024 estimates (Vintage 2024)).

Read the full Florida investigator guide

Neighboring states: Alabama · Georgia