A Private Investigator's licence is required if you are employed to perform any of the following functions:
a. Obtain and furnish information on the personal character or actions of any person or as to the character, nature of the business or occupation of any person;
b. Search for missing persons;
c. Obtain and furnish information on the causes, origin of or responsibility for fires, libels, losses, incidents, damages or injuries to real or personal property;
d. Locate or recover lost or stolen property or obtain information on that property; or
e. Secure evidence for use in civil or criminal proceedings.
A licensed Private Investigator is not allowed to solicit for services on his own. Only the licensee of a Private Investigation Agency can advertise to provide private investigation services.
To be eligible for a Private Investigator's licence, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a fit and proper1person
- Be a Singapore Citizen or a Singapore Permanent Residentand above the age of 16
1Section 21(8) and 21(9) of the Private Security Industry Act 2007, states:
In deciding whether a person or an officer of a business entity is a fit and proper person, the licensing officer may consider any of the following matters as indicating that the person or officer may not be a fit and proper person:
(a) that the person or officer associates with a criminal in a way that indicates involvement in an unlawful activity;
(b) that in dealings in which the person or officer has been involved, the person or officer —
(i) has shown dishonesty or lack of integrity; or
(ii) used harassing tactics;
(c) that the person or officer is or was suffering from a mental disorder; or
(d) that the person or officer is an undischarged bankrupt or has entered into a composition with his debtors.
The above mentioned shall not limit the circumstances in which a person or an officer of a business entity may be considered by the licensing officer not to be a fit and proper person.
|
Types of Applications |
Validity |
Fees (Non-Refundable) |
|
New Private Investigator Licence Application |
5 Years |
$16 |
|
Renewal of Private Investigator Licence Application |
5 Years |
$16 |
| Amend of existing Private Investigator Licence Application | NA | NA |
|
Cancellation of existing Private Investigator Licence Application |
NA |
NA |
|
Withdrawal of Private Investigator Licence Application |
NA |
NA |
New
This is for persons who wish to apply for a Private Investigator Licence.
You may submit a new Private Investigator Licence here.
Renew
You should receive the notification for renewal about 2-3 months before the expiry of your licence. Upon approval of the renewal application and payment of the prescribed fees, the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department will send the licence by post to the licensee’s registered mailing address.
Amend Licence Details
You can amend the following information of your existing Private Investigator licence:
- Biodata*
- Training Records and Experience
*If the biodata to be amended/updated are the same data items found in MyInfo, you do not have to submit a separate request for update. Any changes/update in MyInfo will automatically update your licence records. You can also make a check via GoBusiness Licensing to confirm that your biodata has been updated as per MyInfo.
Cancel Licence
You are permitted to terminate your existing Private Investigator licence any time before its expiration.
Please be informed that there will be no refund upon cancelling the existing Private Investigation licence.
Withdrawal
You can withdraw your application for a Private Investigation licence any time before licence approval.
Please be informed that there will be no refund of fees paid upon withdrawal of application.
If licence has been approved and issued, you will have to submit a request to cancel licence.
A copy of the Private Investigator licensing conditions can be found here.
New & Renew
You are required to obtain the following documents before applying for a Private Investigator licence.
Scanned Copy of Passport (for Singapore Permanent Resident)
if applicable, WSQ certificate in ‘Perform Investigation Activities in Compliance with Legal Requirements (PI)’*
*You may apply for an exemption from the training requirement. Please click here to find out if you are eligible for exemption.
Amend Licence Details
You are required to obtain the following document before amending your existing Private Investigator licence.
|
For amendment of: |
Documents required: |
|
Biodata |
No document is required as information will be verified by MyInfo.
|
|
Training Records |
A scanned copy of the WSQ certificate in ‘Perform Investigation Activities in Compliance with Legal Requirements (PI)’
|
Cancel Licence
No supporting document is required.
Withdrawal
No supporting document is required.
New & Renew
At least 4-6 weeks from the receipt of the application, processing fee and the necessary supporting documents (if required). Any incomplete or incorrect submission will be rejected.
You will be notified of the outcome of the application by post. Alternatively, you can login to GoBusiness Licensing to view your application status.
Amend Licence Details
About 4-6 weeks from the receipt of the submission and the necessary documents, if required. Any incomplete or incorrect submission will be rejected.
You will be notified by post once your training record(s) has been updated. Alternatively, you can login to GoBusiness Licensing to view your application status.
Cancel Licence
Immediate upon the submission of your Cancellation Request.
Withdrawal
Immediate upon the submission of your Cancellation Request.
You will be directed to GoBusiness Licensing webpage, which will require you to sign in using your SingPass
If you require assistance or guidance on the GoBusiness portal, please contact their helpdesk at (+65) 6774 1430 or email licences-helpdesk@crimsonlogic.com.sg
The process may take around 15-20 minutes to complete.
Under Section 20 of the Private Security Industry (Private Investigation and Security Agencies) Regulations 2009, all licensed Security Officers or Private Investigators must carry an ID card whilst on duty for identification purposes. The ID card does not confer any statutory powers on its holder.
More information on ID card can be found here.
Application For Private Investigator Identification Card (ID Card)
1. The Union of Security Employees (USE) is administering the ID card application.
2. You can only apply for an ID card at USE’s online application portal (go.gov.sg/applycard).
3. Before applying for an ID card, please ensure that you have:
a) A valid Private Investigator’s Licence
b) Obtained the requisite training certification, and your training status is Trained / Exempted^
c) A softcopy of a recently taken passport sized photo (must be 35mm wide and 45mm in length, without border, and taken within the last 3 months against a white background )
d) Singpass account ready
e) PayNow, eNETS or Credit/Debit Card for payment of $22.50/-
4. The steps to apply for ID card are as follows:
a) Login to go.gov.sg/applycard using your SingPass. (Note: you will be redirected to USE webpage)
b) Update your mobile number and email address.
c) Fill out the application form.
d) Upload a recently taken passport size photo (per specifications indicated at para 3(c) above).
e) Choose one of the following three payment methods and make a payment of $22.50 - PayNow, eNETS or Credit/Debit Card.
f) Upon successful payment transaction, to book a date and time to collect your card. An email or SMS confirmation will be sent to you with the details of collection.
^ HOW TO CHECK YOUR TRAINING STATUS
Login to GoBusiness Licensing at https://dashboard.gobusiness.gov.sg/login using your SingPass account
1. Select ‘Licensed Entities’ > ‘Singapore Police Force’.
2. Select ‘Enquiry on Security Officer and Private Investigator Licences’
3. Select ‘Search”
You will see your training status under the ‘Training Status Column’, and the list of certifications obtained.
If your status shows ‘Untrained’ but you had been certified competent for the required WSQ training modules, please write to PLRD at spf_licensing_feedback@spf.gov.sg. You are required to attach the supporting document in the email.
You are required to pass the WSQ module ‘Perform investigation activities in compliance with legal requirement (PI)’ and submit the certificate of attainment* before you can be deployed.
You are given up to 3 months, upon approval of your Private Investigator licence, to complete the WSQ module.
Those who have not passed the module will be deemed as untrained private investigator and if deployed, will result in a breach of the Licensing Conditions.
You may apply for an exemption from the training requirement for Private Investigators if you fulfill any of the following criteria:
- At least one year of relevant investigative experience.
Example, former officer from the Singapore Police Force, Central Narcotics Bureau or Corruption Practices Investigation Bureau with one year of investigation work experience. - Obtained Private Investigator licence and passed any of the following course (before 1 September 2010):
- Basic Investigation Course by Civil Service College/ Institute Public Administration & Management
- Principles of Investigation module under the Diploma in Police Studies and Security Management by Temasek Polytechnic
- Specialist Investigation Course conducted by CSC/IPAM
- Certified Private Investigator by ASIS International
- Basic Private Investigator's Course by Security Association (Singapore)/ Association of Professional Investigation (Singapore)
All applications for exemptions must be accompanied with supporting documentary proof of investigative experience in your former employment e.g. Certificate of Service stating applicant’s name, NRIC, past job positions, vocation, length of service and performance in service, and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The documents, together with applicant’s NRIC or FIN number and contact details, can be emailed to SPF_Licensing_Feedback@spf.gov.sg with the subject title ‘Request for training exemptions for Mr/Ms <Name of Private Investigator>’.
Those with security-related academic qualifications or work experiences may seek permission to be assessed via the ASSESSMENT ONLY PATHWAY (AOP).
Only individuals who are exempted from the training requirements to be a licensed Private Investigator may apply for AOP.
To apply, the candidate is required to submit an application form and a duly completed Self-Assessment Checklist to POLWEL Approved Assessment Office for processing of application. Assessment will only be arranged if the candidate meets the exemption criteria, requirements of the Self-Assessment Checklist and full payment of the fee for the module. For more information on application for AOP, please visit POLWEL website.
Dear Customers.
With effect from 1 August 2021, members of the public who wish to utilise counter services at the Police Licensing & Regulatory Department, Police Cantonment Complex (391 New Bridge Road) would be required to make an appointment in advance.
2. To register for an appointment, please use the following link at www.picktime.com/policelicensing
3. Upon successful registration, members of the public will receive a notification with details of the scheduled appointments.
4. For enquiries, please use our online services at www.police.gov.sg/licence or you can reach us using FormSG at http://www.go.gov.sg/PLRD.
5. Thank you.
If you are familiar with the application requirements and wish to apply now, please click here to proceed to GoBusiness Licensing. SingPass or CorpPass is required for login to GoBusiness Licensing.