Kentucky Private Investigator (Exam Prep)
On-Demand CourseCourse Overview
A complete, Kentucky-specific exam-prep course for aspiring private investigators, built entirely around the state's governing law — the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS Chapter 329A) and Kentucky Administrative Regulations (201 KAR Chapter 41). Across 12 lessons, students learn licensure requirements, application and fee processes, renewal and continuing education rules, prohibited acts and discipline, the code of ethics, and the field law governing what a Kentucky PI may and may not do — followed by a full practice exam and question bank to prepare candidates for the state licensing test. Taught by Catherine Flowers, a licensed private investigator and retired law enforcement leader.
What's Included
- • 0 hours of comprehensive training
- • Professional certification upon completion
- • Access to course materials
Learning Objectives
- • Upon completion of this exam prep course, you will be able to Demonstrate a strong understanding of Kentucky laws and regulations relevant to private investigators, sourced directly from KRS Chapter 329A and 201 KAR Chapter 41 Identify licensure requirements, exemptions, and qualification standards for individual and company licenses Recall the specific application, fee, renewal, and continuing education requirements set by the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators Apply the Board's Code of Ethics and understand the limited-employee exemption Apply Kentucky field law governing surveillance, records access, pretexting, evidence handling, and privacy in everyday investigative work Increase your overall confidence and readiness to pass the official Kentucky Private Investigator licensing exam
Course Content
Course Overview and Meet the Instructor
- • Introduces the course structure and instructor Catherine Flowers, explaining why this course exists and how it differs from generic PI exam-prep materials.
Orientation: Kentucky's Regulatory Framework
- • Covers the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Private Investigators, its structure and role, the two source documents (KRS 329A and 201 KAR 41), and the exam's passing standard.
Definitions, Licensure Requirement & Exemptions
- • Breaks down the statutory definitions that determine who needs a PI license, the full list of exemptions, and the qualification standards for individual and company licenses.
Application, Examination & Fees
- • Walks through the complete application process from start to finish, Kentucky's fee schedule, and how the exam is scored and scheduled.
Renewal, Inactive Status, Reinstatement & Continuing Education
- • Explains renewal deadlines and grace periods, what happens when a license lapses, going inactive and returning, reinstatement windows, and CE requirements.
Discipline, Prohibited Acts & Penalties
- • Details every prohibited act and disciplinary ground, the complaint and hearing process, the Board's range of sanctions, and criminal penalties for unlicensed practice.
Code of Ethics & Limited Employees
- • Applies the Board's Code of Ethics to real-world scenarios and explains the "limited employee" exemption and how it differs from a trainee license.
Kentucky Field Law: What an Investigator May and May Not Do
- • Covers the Kentucky criminal statutes governing everyday investigative activity and how offenses are classified within the state's penalty structure.
Practical Investigation Knowledge
- • Applies surveillance and interview technique, federal records laws (DPPA, GLBA, FCRA), FOIA vs. Kentucky Open Records, pretexting limits, evidence handling, and Fourth Amendment principles — plus a clear note that a PI license grants no firearm authority.
The State Exam: Process, Logistics & Test-Taking Strategy
- • Sequences the full licensing process from eligibility to issued license, sets realistic expectations about what the Board does and doesn't publish, and covers exam-day strategy for statute-based questions.
Practice Exam
- • A full-length, 200-question mixed practice exam drawn from the entire course, with every answer explained — designed as a readiness benchmark before scheduling with the Board.
Question Bank
- • A 120-question bank organized by module for targeted drilling on weak areas identified in the practice exam, with every answer explained.
Your Instructor
Catherine D. Flowers
Catherine D. Flowers is a retired Raleigh Police Department officer, a commissioned U.S. Army Military Police Corps veteran, and a licensed North Carolina private investigator (NC #NCPI 2141) since 1998, bringing more than 27 years of combined law enforcement and investigative experience to every course she designs. She is the Founder & Director of PI Leadership Academy and Security Compliance Academy, and Founder & Lead Investigator of Cat's Eye Private Investigations, all based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Catherine is an approved training provider and continuing education instructor for private investigators and security professionals across ten states, and holds an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Saint Augustine's University.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kentucky require any experience hours to become a licensed private investigator?
No. Unlike many states, Kentucky does not require prior investigative experience hours to qualify for a PI license. Candidates do need to meet other standards, including being at least 21 years old, holding a high school diploma, and carrying $250,000 in liability insurance.
Is there an official study guide or exam blueprint published by the Kentucky Board?
No. Kentucky does not publish a detailed exam blueprint — there's no published question count, time limit, or topic-by-topic breakdown. This course was built specifically to close that gap by teaching the complete body of statutory and regulatory knowledge (KRS Chapter 329A and 201 KAR Chapter 41) the exam draws from.
Do I need any prior experience or background to take this course?
No. This course has no enrollment prerequisites. It's designed for complete beginners as well as career changers coming from law enforcement, military, security, or insurance backgrounds who are pursuing Kentucky PI licensure for the first time.
What does the course include besides the lessons?
In addition to 10 instructional modules covering Kentucky PI law from licensure through field law and practical investigation knowledge, the course includes a full-length 200-question practice exam and a 120-question question bank organized by topic, each with explained answers, so candidates can benchmark their readiness before scheduling with the Board.
How long do I have to complete the course, and is there a certificate?
Access remains available for 30 days from enrollment, and the course is fully self-paced — available 24/7 from any device. Candidates who pass the final assessment with 80% or higher receive a certificate that stays accessible through their PI Leadership Academy account indefinitely.
What Our Students Say
"I was so impressed with Cat and the quality of the training courses. Cat is a wealth of knowledge and makes the information easy to understand. I will be using PI Leadership Academy for all my training and continuing education needs from here on out."
Apex Security Consulting
Executive Director of InterAct in Raleigh
"Mrs. Flowers is an excellent and very thorough instructor! She knows her stuff. You can't go wrong with PI Leadership Academy"
Paul B.
"Cat and her PI Leadership Academy is a well oiled machine with great experience and knowledge of several topics. Cat is experienced and knowledgeable on several topics which makes it a must to attend one of her classes. As the others have stated, she is professional, polished, accomodating and will make sure that everyone gets it. I highly recommend attending any of her classes at her PI Leadership Academy."
M. Bell