Pursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 278, beginning August 1, 2018, prior to submitting an application for a credential, an individual may apply to the Department for a determination of whether the individual would be disqualified from obtaining the credential due to his or her conviction record.  To apply for a predetermination, please fill out Form #3085 and submit all required documentation specified on the form.  Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 111.335(4)(e), the offenses or kinds of offenses that may result in a refusal, bar, or termination of licensure are published under Additional Resources on the left side of this page.

License Information

Fee Reduction

Pursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 319, beginning August 1, 2018, an applicant for an initial credential may apply for a reduction of the initial credential fee that is equal to 10% of the initial fee.  Qualification is based on the federal adjusted gross income being at or below 180% of the federal poverty guideline prescribed for the applicant's family household size by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. To determine eligibility please visit the United States Department of Health and Human Services website at https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines, prior to submitting Form 3217.

Per Wis. Stat. § 440.08 (2), the required renewal date for the Private Detective credential is 08/31/even years.  Should you receive your initial credential in the months leading up to this date, you are still required to renew your license by the statutorily defined date.

A firearms permit must be obtained from the Department in order to carry a firearm while on duty as a private detective, except as provided in Wis. Admin. Code § SPS 34.01 (5) to (8).  See Firearm Permits for additional information.

Application for Licensure (Including for a License Expired Five Years or More)

First time applicants may use the Online Licensure Application System (OLAS).

Renewal Information

Requirements

• FEE (See Renewal Dates and Fees)
• SIG (Signature regarding previous arrests/convictions and/or pending charges.)
• CIB (Criminal Background Check to be run by Department.)
• AGY (You must be employed by a licensed agency to renew this credential.)
• If your legal status as a qualified alien or nonimmigrant lawfully present in the United States has changed since the issuance of your credential or your last renewal, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services at (608) 266-2112 or dsps@wisconsin.gov.

Please note the following information in regards to all background checks (CIBs) required for your license renewal.  Please allow 7-10 business days, during the open renewal period, for completion of all CIB requirements.

Renewal Methods

• Online Log In: License Renewal Online
• Request a Paper Renewal Form: (888) 506‑4239 or (608) 261‑4460 for the Madison area
  

Wisconsin Act 210 (effective June 1, 2012)

This Act extends the license of a service member if the license expires while they are on active duty from 90 days to 180 days from the date of discharge. The same applies to a spouse of a service member if the spouse does not practice under their license while the service member is on active duty and does not practice because the service member is on active duty.

This Act repeals a provision of prior law that required a service member to meet all of the requirements for license extension or renewal, except for continuing education requirements, in order to have the license extended.

Service members and spouses may request extensions of licenses beyond 180 days from discharge and may request a waiver or extension of time to complete continuing education requirements due to hardship.  Please view Active Duty/Discharge Renewal Extension Form #R210.