Private Investigator Exam Expected Questions and Answers

Private Investigator Exam Expected Questions and Answers What are the 6 tasks that categorize a business or a professional as "private investigator" in Missouri? (Hint: Acronym PRICIE) - ANSWER-1. PROPERTY - Locating or recovering lost or stolen property. 2. RESPONSIBILITY - Investigating the cause of responsibility for libel, losses, damage, or injury. 3. IDENTITY - Obtaining information related to any person's identity, habits, conduct, business, occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, knowledge, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activity, movement, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation, character, etc. 4. CRIMES - Investigating crimes or wrongs done against any government entity within the US. 5. INFORMATION - Selling personal identification information to the public. 6. EVIDENCE - Securing evidence for a court or investigating body. In which year was the Board of Private Investigator and Private Fire Investigator Examiners created and PI licensure required in Missouri? - ANSWER-2007 Which 16 occupations that have functional overlap with private investigation are NOT deemed to be engaging in the "private investigation" business, as defined in the statutes of Missouri? - ANSWER-1. Any person working for an employer and only investigating for affairs related to that employer. 2. Officers or employees of any government entity, while performing their official duties. 3. Anyone working under and within a contract with a government entity. Copyright © KAYLIN 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FIRST PUBLISH NOVEMBER, 2024 Copyright ©Stuvia International BV Page 2/21 4. Attorneys, paralegals, or employees of a law firm. 5. Certified public accountants (CPA) 6. Collection agencies 7. Insurers 8. Banks 9. Insurance adjusters 10. Private fire investigators who only investigate the origin, nature, cause, or losses relevant to a fire 11. Real estate brokers, sellers, or appraisers 12. Criminal history and background history checking organizations 13. Expert witnesses 14. Anyone employed by or contracted with a governmental entity, who does not hold themselves out to the public as a "private investigator" 15. Legal process servers 16. Consumer reporting agencies What are 9 things that can cause a PI license to be denied? - ANSWER-1. Having committed any act that would incur disciplinary action, were that applicant already a licensee. 2. Having been convicted of or plead guilty to a felony in the last two years. 3. Having been convicted of or plead guilty to a misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude in the last two years. Copyright © KAYLIN 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FIRST PUBLISH NOVEMBER, 2024 Copyright ©Stuvia International BV Page 3/21 4. Having lied in an employment application, evidence record, or while under oath in the last two years. 5. Having abused alcohol or drugs in the last two years. 6. Having used, possessed, or trafficked in any illegal substance in the last two years. 7. Having been denied a PI license, or having had a PI license revoked, in any state. 8. Having performed any private investigative work while unlicensed. 9. Having knowingly made any false statement in the application for PI licensure. How many different private investigative agencies can you work for at a given time? - ANSWER-Only one agency at a time. Can a licensed private investigator work for any private investigator agency? - ANSWER-No. Only for the agency whose ID number appears on that investigator's application. How many continuing education unit hours do PI licensees need to complete, and how often? - ANSWER-16 unit hours every two years. What must a PI licensee do with the full-sized license and pocket-sized license, after receiving them? - ANSWER-The full-sized license must be displayed in a conspicuous place in the licensee's place of business, and the pocket-sized license must be kept in the licensee's wallet at all times. How long after ceasing employment as a private investigator does a licensee have to mail their license back to the board? - ANSWER-5 days. How long does a private investigator have to notify the board of a change of address? - ANSWER-30 days. How long are PI licenses valid for? - ANSWER-2 years. Copyright © KAYLIN 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FIRST PUBLISH NOVEMBER, 2024 Copyright ©Stuvia International BV Page 4/21 How long can a PI license be expired for, before the license is completely voided and can no longer be renewed? - ANSWER-2 years after the expiration date. After how long does a new photograph of a licensee need to be submitted to the board? - ANSWER- When the photograph currently on file is 2 years old. Other than one's client or PI agency employer, to whom are the only people a PI may divulge information regarding criminal offenses? - ANSWER-The PI licensing board, law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys, or one's own legal representative. Is it ever permissible for a PI to make a false report to their client or employer? - ANSWER-No. May anyone other than the license-holder submit a report to a client? - ANSWER-No. Is it ever permissible for a PI to use a title, uniform, insignia, ID card, or make any statement to give anyone the impression that they are in some way connected to a government or political entity? - ANSWER-No. Is it ever permissible for a PI to appear as an assignee party in any proceeding involving claim and delivery, replevin or other possessory action, or action to foreclose a chattel mortgage or lien? - ANSWER-No. Is it ever permissible for a PI to manufacture false evidence? - ANSWER-No. Is it ever permissible for a PI to allow a non-license-holder to perform any part of the investigative work for the PI? - ANSWER-No. Is a PI agency owner responsible for the conduct of all of his or her employees? - ANSWER-Yes. Copyright © KAYLIN 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FIRST PUBLISH NOVEMBER, 2024 Copyright ©Stuvia International BV Page 5/21 Is it ever permissible for a PI to make a video recording of another person within their domicile without that person's prior permission? - ANSWER-No. What are the 4 elements that a PI's advertisement must include? - ANSWER-Their name, city, state, and license number, as they appear in the board's records How long does a PI licensee have to notify the board after closing or changing the location of a branch office? - ANSWER-10 days. If the board takes disciplinary action against a PI licensee, how long does the licensee have to make a written petition for a hearing? - ANSWER-30 days. If the head of a PI agency has their license suspended or revoked, what can the agency do? - ANSWER-The agency can appoint another license-holder to take over the agency temporarily (or permanently) What is the longest that the board may suspend a PI license? - ANSWER-No longer than 3 years. What is the longest that the board may place a PI licensee under probation? - ANSWER-No longer than 5 years. How long must a PI hold on to records of their business transactions? - ANSWER-7 years for most records. Indefinitely, for records relating to cases that went to trial (in case of appeal). Does the PI licensing board have subpoena power? - ANSWER-Yes