Passing a licensing bill into law was a significant accomplishment for Colorado private investigators, one that was 34 years in the making. After the analysis of all the other PI licensing laws across the country, Colorado private investigators really took an unconventional approach. The approach would be a fist of it’s kind voluntary license. A voluntary licensing program was the best solution that Colorado investigators could put forth to satisfy all the investigative professionals who were involved or potentially affected. For those who desired or needed a Colorado license, they will finally have one available. For those who do not want a Colorado license, they simply need not opt in. For those who strive to be licensed but may not yet meet the qualifications, they are able to continue working toward their goal of qualifying for a license unimpeded.
When I first heard about a voluntary approach, I had a difficult time understanding what this approach would accomplish. After giving a few days of thought to the idea, it struck me how creative and effective this licensing program truly could be. The idea then seemed head-smackingly simple. Colorado will offer a license only to those who want it and qualify for it.
However, it’s important to understand that a voluntary licensing program is actually a leap of faith program. The only way for the program to be successful in the long term will be for enough investigators to sign up and pay the fees necessary to sustain the operational costs needed to run the program. Colorado’s voluntary license was designed to be available not just to Colorado investigators but to anyone else in the US who met the qualifications and wanted a PI license. The eyes of PI’s all across the country will be on Colorado’s licensing program in 2012.
To submit your interest in Colorado’s licensing program, please visit http://licensing.ppiac.net