SB94 Alabama 2020 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: J.T. WaggonerSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2020
Title: Private investigation, licensure of private investigator apprentices established, licensure of private investigation agencies required, Secs. 34-25B-12.1, 34-25B-40 to 34-25B-45, inclusive, added; Secs. 34-25B-2, 34-25B-3,34-25B-10, 34-25B-12, 34-25B-14,34-25B-17, 34-25B-22, 34-25B-26 am'd.
Summary: SB 94 would tighten Alabama's private investigation licensing by adding education and experience requirements, creating a PI apprentice path, and requiring agencies to be licensed.
What This Bill Does
It sets education, background checks, and experience requirements for private investigator licenses; it creates a private investigator apprentice license with a structured internship and exam pathway; it requires private investigation agencies operating in Alabama to be licensed and meet record-keeping and ethical standards; licenses are issued for two years with renewal and ongoing continuing education.

Who It Affects
Private investigators and apprentices who must meet age, education, background checks, pass exams, complete an internship (and possibly qualify for a license via apprenticeship) and maintain ongoing CE.
Private investigation agencies and their owners/operators who must obtain an agency license, hire licensed PIs, designate in-state officers, pay fees, display license numbers, and comply with ongoing training and record-keeping.

Key Provisions
Creates Private Investigator Apprentice license (34-25B-12.1) with 18+ age, high school diploma, internship, sponsor with 2+ years experience, 2,000 training hours, 24 hours CE, and exam within 90 days; successful internship can lead to PI license without exam.
Adds education and experience requirements to obtain a Private Investigator license (34-25B-12) including two years of related experience/education/training and mandatory exams.
Requires private investigation agencies to be licensed (Article 2, 34-25B-40 through 34-25B-45); fees of $100 for Alabama entities and $500 for out-of-state entities; two-year license term; in-state officer requirement.
Implements identification cards for licensees (34-25B-14) and agency certification cards (34-25B-42) to be displayed; license numbers in ads (34-25B-42).
Imposes renewal rules and penalties (two-year licenses, renewal checks for criminal/fraud history, late fees up to $200, and Class A misdemeanor for violations) and requires 8 hours of continuing professional education annually (34-25B-17, 34-25B-22, 34-25B-26).
Effective date set to July 1, 2020; includes constitutional exemption noting local funding requirements do not apply due to specific exceptions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Private Investigators