NYS PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR Exam: 2026/2027 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+

NYS PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR Exam: 2026/2027
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
• Who regulates Private Investigators in New York State -✓✓ The New York State
Department of State Division of Licensing

• What offense has been committed when a person operates as a PI without a license?
-✓✓ Class B Misdemeanor

• A corporation's PI license can be revoked if ___% or more of the corporate stock is
held by a person who cannot meet the character standard set for an individual PI
license -✓✓ 10%

• Is a licensee obliged to supply their books or records to the State upon State Request?
-✓✓ Yes

• What is the term of PI license? -✓✓ 2 years

• What is the cost of an *individual* PI license? -✓✓ $400

• What is the cost of a *corporate* PI license? -✓✓ $500

• Are Private Investigators in New York State required to be bonded? -✓✓ Yes

• Are Private Investigators in New York State required to be insured? -✓✓ No

• What is the surety bond requirement for PI? -✓✓ $10,000

• If a NY PI license is to be issued to a non-resident, what must the applicant file a
written consent to? -✓✓ Consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of NY in any case or
cases arising from PI services within NY state

• What is the minimum age for a PI license? -✓✓ 25

• What is the cost for the PI exam? -✓✓ $15

• Can a convicted felon be issued a New York PI License? -✓✓ No

• Are there misdemeanors that would disqualify a person from having a PI license? -✓✓
Yes

• Are the list of all pending and current PI license holders posted for public view? -✓✓
Yes

, • The Division of Licensing posts _____________ the list of PI licenses that have been
added or revoked. -✓✓ weekly

• Can an individual simultaneously hold a Private Investigator license and an
Employment Agency license? -✓✓ No

• How much does it cost to change the name of a PI license? -✓✓ $150

• How much does it cost to change the address of a PI license? -✓✓ $10

• How must the issued Pi license certificate be displayed? -✓✓ Posted up and displayed
in conspicuous place

• If the Division of Licensing or Secretary of State revokes your PI license, the physical
license must be surrendered within ______________ ? -✓✓ Within 72 hours

• What is the offense for failure to surrender a PI license? -✓✓ Misdemeanor

• What is the replacement cost of a PI license? -✓✓ $10

• A physical license or pocket card for a Private Investigator can only be replaced if they
are lost or destroyed ________________________________ -✓✓ Without fault of the
holder

• When should a NY PI file a PI license renewal application? -✓✓ 6 weeks before
expiration date on PI license

• What is the cost to renew an *individual* PI License? -✓✓ $400

• What is the cost to renew a *corporate* PI license? -✓✓ $500

• What is the late fee for filing a renewal of a PI license? -✓✓ $100

• What is the maximum amount of time a license can be expired before it can no longer
be renewed? -✓✓ 6 months after expiration

• What must be submitted alongside the renewal form and fee when renewing a PI
license? -✓✓ New surety bond

• May a licensee resign without the written approval of the Secretary of State? -✓✓ No,
without written approval of Secretary of State