Washington Private Security and Private Investigation Licensing Guide

Washington maintains a centralized, statewide licensing regime for private investigators and security guards under RCW 18.165 and RCW 18.170. Licensing is administered by the Washington State Department of Licensing.

RCW 18.165 governs private investigators and private investigator agencies. Individual private investigators must be licensed, and private investigator agencies must be licensed at the state level.

RCW 18.170 governs security guards and security guard companies. Security guard companies must be licensed, and individual security guards must be licensed prior to performing regulated services.

Licensure is required prior to engaging in regulated activities. Both business entities and individual practitioners are regulated at the state level.

Firearms authorization for armed security personnel is governed under separate provisions of Washington law and related administrative rules and is not itself a private security or private investigation license.

Regulation of private investigation and private security services is centralized at the state level.

Washington regulates private investigation and private security under two separate statutory chapters administered by the Department of Licensing.

Business entities must be licensed under the applicable chapter. Individual security guards and private investigators must obtain individual licensure prior to performing regulated services.

Firearms authorization is governed under separate statutory provisions and does not substitute for required licensure under RCW 18.165 or RCW 18.170.