• The mackinaw bridge is located in Michiganmackinaw bridge and ferry image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com
  
  If a person wishes to offer services as a private detective in Michigan, he or she must first obtain a license from the state. According to the Great Lakes State's official website, "anyone engaging in the business of furnishing, for hire, fee or reward, professional investigator or private detective services", must obtain a license. The license is also required when a person is hired to locate an individual or investigate damage to property or crimes. In the State of Michigan a private investigator is allowed to investigate a crime, but may not make arrests.
  
  

Age and Educational Requirements

• A person seeking to obtain a Michigan private investigator (PI) license must be at least 25 years of age and must be able to demonstrate that he or she holds a minimum of a high school diploma.
  
  

Criminal Record

• A prospective PI in Michigan also must pass a criminal background check. This means that he or she cannot be found to have committed a felony or misdemeanor. This includes involvement in fraud, unauthorized sales of evidence, or impersonating a police officer. The applicant also cannot have two or more arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Other disqaulifications include dishonorable discharge from the United States Military or the illegal possession and carrying of a weapon or firearm.
  
  

Application & LIcensure Fees

• In order to apply for a private detective license in Michigan, the applicant must fill out an application. The questions on the application are brief. The state asks the applicant for his or her name, address, contact information, business name and type of business. (You may register as a sole proprietor, a Limited Liability Company, or a Corporation.) The application will contain a disclaimer that any information the PI candidate provides on the application can be made available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act.
  
  Finally, you must pay certain licensure fees. For example, you will have to pay a fee of $49.25 for the state to take your fingerprints and use them to conduct a criminal background check. If your application is approved, you will be required to pay a substantial initial licensure fee of $750, for the privilege of operating as a PI in Michigan. The annual fee to renew an existing license is $300.