Texas Private Investigator License Practice Exam –
2026 Edition: Comprehensive Questions, Detailed
Answers, and Rationales
1. Which Texas law primarily governs private investigators?
A. Texas Penal Code
B. Texas Business and Commerce Code
C. Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702
D. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code
Rationale: Texas private investigators are regulated under the Texas
Occupations Code, Chapter 1702, which outlines licensing, duties, and
penalties for violations.
2. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a Texas PI
license?
A. 18
B. 19
C. 21
D. 25
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 21 years old to qualify for a
Texas private investigator license.
3. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a Texas PI
license?
A. U.S. citizenship or legal presence
B. Completion of a four-year degree in criminology
C. Background check and fingerprinting
D. Experience or training in investigative work
,Rationale: A college degree is not required. The law focuses on
experience, training, and good moral character.
4. How many hours of continuing education are required annually
for a licensed Texas PI?
A. 4 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 8 hours
D. 8 hours every 2 years
Rationale: Texas law requires licensed PIs to complete 8 hours of
continuing education every two years to maintain licensure.
5. Which entity issues Texas private investigator licenses?
A. Texas Department of Public Safety
B. Texas Attorney General
C. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
D. Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
Rationale: The TDLR is responsible for licensing, oversight, and
regulation of private investigators in Texas.
6. A private investigator in Texas may carry a firearm if:
A. They have a PI license only
B. They are licensed under Chapter 1702 and also have a state
handgun license
C. They possess a license to carry (LTC) in addition to a PI license
D. Texas law does not allow PIs to carry firearms
Rationale: PI licensing alone does not authorize carrying a firearm; a
separate LTC is required.
,7. Which of the following actions would likely result in denial of a PI
license?
A. Minor traffic violation
B. Failure to complete CE hours
C. Conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude
D. Late renewal application
Rationale: Felonies involving moral turpitude indicate
untrustworthiness and may bar licensure.
8. Texas PI licenses must be renewed every:
A. Year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Rationale: PI licenses are valid for two years; renewal requires CE
compliance and a fee.
9. Which of the following is considered unauthorized practice for a
Texas PI?
A. Conducting surveillance on a missing person
B. Impersonating a law enforcement officer
C. Performing background checks for employers
D. Providing skip tracing services
Rationale: Impersonating law enforcement is illegal and can lead to
criminal charges and license revocation.
, 10. A Texas PI may access which type of records without violating
the law?
A. Private medical records without consent
B. Public records such as court filings and property records
C. Social media accounts by hacking
D. Bank account information
Rationale: Public records are legally accessible; unauthorized access
to private or confidential information is illegal.
11. The PI Act requires applicants to submit:
A. Only a photo ID
B. A completed application, fingerprints, and background check
C. Proof of college degree
D. A business plan
Rationale: Proper application documentation ensures the applicant
meets legal and ethical standards.
12. How much investigative experience is generally required for
Texas PI licensing?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Rationale: The law requires applicants to have three years of
investigative experience under a licensed PI or related professional.
13. Which of the following is NOT considered private investigative
work under Texas law?
2026 Edition: Comprehensive Questions, Detailed
Answers, and Rationales
1. Which Texas law primarily governs private investigators?
A. Texas Penal Code
B. Texas Business and Commerce Code
C. Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702
D. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code
Rationale: Texas private investigators are regulated under the Texas
Occupations Code, Chapter 1702, which outlines licensing, duties, and
penalties for violations.
2. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain a Texas PI
license?
A. 18
B. 19
C. 21
D. 25
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 21 years old to qualify for a
Texas private investigator license.
3. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a Texas PI
license?
A. U.S. citizenship or legal presence
B. Completion of a four-year degree in criminology
C. Background check and fingerprinting
D. Experience or training in investigative work
,Rationale: A college degree is not required. The law focuses on
experience, training, and good moral character.
4. How many hours of continuing education are required annually
for a licensed Texas PI?
A. 4 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 8 hours
D. 8 hours every 2 years
Rationale: Texas law requires licensed PIs to complete 8 hours of
continuing education every two years to maintain licensure.
5. Which entity issues Texas private investigator licenses?
A. Texas Department of Public Safety
B. Texas Attorney General
C. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
D. Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
Rationale: The TDLR is responsible for licensing, oversight, and
regulation of private investigators in Texas.
6. A private investigator in Texas may carry a firearm if:
A. They have a PI license only
B. They are licensed under Chapter 1702 and also have a state
handgun license
C. They possess a license to carry (LTC) in addition to a PI license
D. Texas law does not allow PIs to carry firearms
Rationale: PI licensing alone does not authorize carrying a firearm; a
separate LTC is required.
,7. Which of the following actions would likely result in denial of a PI
license?
A. Minor traffic violation
B. Failure to complete CE hours
C. Conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude
D. Late renewal application
Rationale: Felonies involving moral turpitude indicate
untrustworthiness and may bar licensure.
8. Texas PI licenses must be renewed every:
A. Year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Rationale: PI licenses are valid for two years; renewal requires CE
compliance and a fee.
9. Which of the following is considered unauthorized practice for a
Texas PI?
A. Conducting surveillance on a missing person
B. Impersonating a law enforcement officer
C. Performing background checks for employers
D. Providing skip tracing services
Rationale: Impersonating law enforcement is illegal and can lead to
criminal charges and license revocation.
, 10. A Texas PI may access which type of records without violating
the law?
A. Private medical records without consent
B. Public records such as court filings and property records
C. Social media accounts by hacking
D. Bank account information
Rationale: Public records are legally accessible; unauthorized access
to private or confidential information is illegal.
11. The PI Act requires applicants to submit:
A. Only a photo ID
B. A completed application, fingerprints, and background check
C. Proof of college degree
D. A business plan
Rationale: Proper application documentation ensures the applicant
meets legal and ethical standards.
12. How much investigative experience is generally required for
Texas PI licensing?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Rationale: The law requires applicants to have three years of
investigative experience under a licensed PI or related professional.
13. Which of the following is NOT considered private investigative
work under Texas law?
