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New Private Investigator Photo ID Process

Published on 12/6/2021

From the day I became a PI some 30 years ago, the identification card issued to us has been a bone of contention. Finally, thanks to the CALI Government Affairs Committee and the hard work of the BSIS, we now have a professional looking photo identification that includes an expiration date. DCA Vendor PSI is responsible for processing the photographs.

The cost of the identification card is $4.00 per principal, but, you should not pay PSI anything as the cost is already included to either your initial or your renewal licensing fee. At this time, we recommend you visit a PSI office four to six weeks prior to the expiration of your current license. If you renew your license without taking a new picture, PSI will submit the last picture you had on file. If you have not had your picture taken, you must do so. (Much like driver’s license photographs, these pictures will be good for ten years.) If you wish to obtain one of the new IDs outside of your renewal period or need a replacement, you may do so through PSI for a $25.00 fee. For a list of PSI locations, please click here. I highly recommend that you call the local PSI office before you go to confirm the hours of operation.

For additional information, please see the below information from BSIS:

New Private Investigator Photo ID Process

Please be advised that pursuant to Senate Bill (SB) 385 (Chapter 326, Statutes of 2019), effective January 1, 2021, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (Bureau) must issue an enhanced photo identification card upon the issuance of an initial license, renewal of license, and the order of a replacement card. This requirement will only affect Private Investigator licensees.

If you were issued an initial license or renewed an existing license before January 1, 2021 and would like an enhanced photo identification card, you can order a replacement card online by logging to your BreEZe account or by filling out the Application for Replacement of Private Investigator Company License and mailing it in with the appropriate fee to the address located on the form.

If you were issued an initial PI license or renewed your license between January 1, 2021 and April 7, 2021 and have not gotten an enhanced photo identification card, please email the Private Investigator desk at Privateinvestigators@dca.ca.gov.

For more information on how to obtain the enhanced photo identification card please visit: https://www.bsis.ca.gov/licensees/photoid.pdf.

If you have any issues, comments or concerns regarding the new ID, please let us know by clicking here.

Frank W. Huntington, III
CALI-President

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