Private Investigator Requirements In South Africa

To become a Private Investigator in South Africa means to be a PI registered with the South African government agency that supervises the investigation and security industry: “Private Security Industry Regulation Authority.”

Before this happens, you need to meet basic requirements such as age, language proficiency, and other usual requirements of this nature. To become a PI in South Africa, you also need to take a PSiRA approved Private Investigator licensing course/ program. Once you submit the proof of your ability to meet the requirements and completion of the mandatory course/ program, PSiRA will register you as a Private Investigator. This is where your struggle will begin.

South Africa Private Investigator Registration Requirements

  1. You must be 18yo or older
  2. You must be a citizen of South Africa
  3. You must have a clean criminal record
  4. You must complete an SA government approved PI licensing program
  5. You must not be a member of any national security/ police agency
  6. You must pay a small PI registration fee

How much do private investigators earn in South Africa?

A mid-career Private Detective or Investigator with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of R391,500 based on 6 salaries. An experienced Private Detective or Investigator with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of R217,184 based on 11 salaries.

Where can I study private investigation in South Africa?

To be registered as a private investigator in South Africa you have to take a course at Unisa or some similar institution, these courses usually run a year or more. If you have prior experience as a private investigator or police officer to can apply for prior experience credit.

What qualifications do you need to become a private investigator?

One of the requirements for the license is that the investigator must complete an approved course from a registered training organisation, such as Certificate III in Investigative Services. All Private Security Licences show the category of work that the investigator can conduct, just like a driver’s licence.