Private Investigators in Texas by City

Licensing

How Texas Licenses Private Investigators

Texas regulates investigators under Occupations Code Chapter 1702, which the Department of Public Safety enforces through its Private Security Program. The program runs fingerprint-based background checks on applicants and investigates complaints. Its rules sit in Title 37, Chapter 35 of the Texas Administrative Code. Investigative work for hire in Texas requires both a company license and an individual license.

The two layers matter for a client. A company offering investigations holds a Class A license, or a Class C license if it also provides security services. Under Section 1702.221, each person doing the work must hold an individual license and be employed by a licensed company. Both records can be checked in TOPS, so look up the person and the company before you sign.

Courts

How Texas Courts Are Organized

Every Texas county has at least one district court, the general trial court for felonies, divorce, land title cases and larger civil suits. Some district courts serve several rural counties, while large counties have many, some focused on family or criminal cases. Each county also has a constitutional county court, and many have county courts at law for misdemeanors and mid-sized civil cases. Justice courts handle small claims and minor offenses by precinct, and some metro areas have statutory probate courts.

Communities

Texas Communities With a Private Investigator Page

Every Texas 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 Texas investigator guide

Neighboring states: Arkansas · Louisiana · New Mexico · Oklahoma