It is best hiring a licensed investigator from states that have high requirements such as the ones in New York State. Why? The tough requirements help to make better investigators who can give you the best value for your money. For example, New York requirements include running a background check on the investigator and also verifying that he or she has the professional skills to serve the role. An investigator who professes to be able to conduct surveillance must show that he or she has at least 3 years of experience doing so in a professional environment such as in the police or sheriff's department. The person also has to pass a detailed and comprehensive exam.
When hiring a PI, it is important to hire someone who has been licensed and who has the experience that you need. In some states, the requirements are minimal, simply requiring that a person be 21 years old, a U.S. Citizen and "of good moral character." However, in the tough states like New York, you can rest assured that your investigator is highly experienced. In fact, many New York private investigator agencies hire former NYPD detectives. These are people who have been working in the field for decades and have the instincts and experience that non-NYPD detectives have a hard time matching.
