Private Investigator

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Private Investigators (6465.2) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Other Protective Service Occupations (G625) 
• 2011 NOC: Security guards and related security service occupations (6541) 
• 2016 NOC: Security guards and related security service occupations (6541) 

Private investigators look for evidence. In the course of their practice, they may:

• Work to prevent loss caused by theft or fraud in businesses
• Watch disability insurance claimants to see if they are working at another job while claiming disability, or if their activities are consistent with the claimed disability
• Conduct searches for missing persons
• Gather information for lawyers about defendants or witnesses in criminal and civil court cases
• Gather material or evidence for individuals in divorce or child custody cases
• Do pre-employment checks
• Work with government agencies, such as provincial family maintenance agencies

To gather the information and evidence they need, private investigators may:

• Interview subjects’ employers, friends, relatives, and other sources
• Take photographs and videotape events
• Locate witnesses and obtain statements from them
• Search through public records
• Keep individuals under surveillance

No two assignments are ever the same. However, long hours and hard work are usually involved. A lot of it is routine. Private investigators may work regular office hours evenings, nights, and weekends. A lot depends on the assignment.

Most private investigators (PI) work for investigation companies and security agencies. Some start their own agencies.

To open an agency, a PI needs a contract business licence from the Government of Alberta. Applicants for this licence must:

• Be a registered company in Canada with an address in Alberta
• Hold a business licence or permit in the municipality where the business operates, if applicable
• Carry $1 million liability insurance
• Ensure that co-owners, partners, and board members have no serious criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted
• Have no outstanding criminal charges and not be the subject of a criminal investigation
• Pay a licensing fee of $1,500 for a 3-year term

Applicants who are sole proprietors must meet both business and individual requirements. (See Educational Requirements.) That is, they must submit both business and individual licensing application forms and documents. They are only required to pay the $1,500 business licensing fee.

Advancement opportunities are limited.

Private investigators are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6541: Security guards and related security service occupations. In Alberta, 76% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Business, Building and Other Support Services [pdf]
• Accommodation and Food Services [pdf]
• Public Administration [pdf]

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Trends and events affecting overall employment, especially in the industries listed above)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

In Alberta, the 6541: Security guards and related security service occupations occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 211 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Alberta Association of Private Investigators website: aapionline.ca

Alberta Justice and Solicitor General website: www.alberta.ca/ministry-justice-solicitor-general.aspx

Canadian Association of Private Investigators website: capicanada.ca

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