Minnesota Private Detective Pre-Assignment Training
On-Demand CourseCourse Overview
Minnesota Private Detective Pre-Assignment Training is a 12-hour, Board-aligned course that prepares you for licensed investigative work in Minnesota. Delivered fully online and self-paced, it covers everything the state expects of a new private detective — Minnesota statutes and administrative rules, federal privacy law (FCRA, GLBA, and DPPA), professional ethics, interviewing, report writing, surveillance methodology, courtroom preparation, and more. Built and taught by Catherine Flowers, a retired law enforcement officer and licensed private investigator with 27+ years of field experience, the training is grounded in real cases — not theory — so you finish ready to do the job, not just pass a test.
What's Included
- • 12 hours of comprehensive training
- • Professional certification upon completion
- • Access to course materials
Learning Objectives
- • Apply Minnesota's private detective statutes and administrative rules (Minn. Stat. §§ 326.32–326.339; Minn. Rules 7506.2100/7506.2200) to determine the scope and limits of your investigative authority
- • Comply with federal privacy law — the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), and Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) — when gathering, using, and disclosing personal and financial information
- • Plan and conduct lawful, court-admissible surveillance
- • Produce clear, accurate, and defensible investigative reports and field notes
- • Apply sound interviewing technique and professional client communication
- • Demonstrate professional ethics and courtroom readiness
Course Content
The 12-hour curriculum is organized into eleven modules that move from industry foundations through law, ethics, and hands-on investigative skill.
- • Module 1 — Minnesota Private Detective Industry Overview
- • The structure of the profession in Minnesota, the role and responsibilities of a licensed private detective, and how the state regulates the work.
Minnesota Statutes, Administrative Code & Legal Authority
- • The governing statutes (Minn. Stat. §§ 326.32–326.339) and administrative rules (Minn. Rules 7506.2100/7506.2200) that establish your authority — and its limits.
Module 3 — Federal Privacy Law: FCRA, GLBA & Data Privacy
- • How the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and driver/data privacy rules govern the lawful gathering and use of personal and financial information.
Module 4 — Professional Ethics & Conduct
- • The ethical standards, conflicts of interest, and professional boundaries that define credible, defensible investigative work.
Module 5 — Communication, Interviewing & Client Relations
- • Effective interviewing technique, witness and subject communication, and managing the client relationship professionally.
Module 6 — Report Writing, Field Notes & Documentation
- • Producing clear, accurate, neutral reports and contemporaneous field notes that hold up as evidence.
Module 7 — Surveillance Methodology, Photography & Videography
- • Planning and conducting mobile and stationary surveillance and capturing court-admissible photo and video evidence.
Module 8 — Investigations Beyond Surveillance
- • Background, workers' compensation, domestic, corporate, and asset investigations — and the distinct legal constraints of each.
Module 9 — Technology, OSINT & the Digital Investigator
- • Open-source intelligence, digital research tools, and the responsible use of technology in modern investigations.
Module 10 — Situational Assessment & Investigator Safet
- • Recognizing risk in the field and practical safety practices for the working investigator.
Module 11 — Courtroom Preparation & Expert Testimony
- • Preparing evidence and testimony, and presenting credibly in legal proceedings.
Your Instructor
Catherine D. Flowers
Catherine Flowers is the Director of Training for PI Leadership Academy and Security Compliance Academy, where she develops and teaches board-approved continuing education for private investigators and security professionals across nine states. A Retired Raleigh Police Officer and former Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps, Catherine brings more than 27 years of field experience to the classroom. She is a North Carolina licensed private investigator and owner of Cat's Eye Private Investigations, a Raleigh firm with more than 200 five-star client reviews. Her instructor credentials include North Carolina Close Protection (CPP) instructor and Defense Technology OC Aerosol Instructor certifications, along with security guard instructor credentials in Georgia (armed) and unarmed guard instructor credentials in Florida, Tennessee, New York, and the Colorado cities of Denver and Pueblo. She has delivered P.E.A.C.E. Model investigative interviewing training to New York Life, a Fortune 100 insurance carrier, and was featured on the cover of PI Magazine in its May/June 2024 issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this course meet Minnesota's pre-assignment training requirement?
The course is built to align with the Minnesota Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services' pre-assignment training rules (Minn. Rules 7506.2100 and 7506.2200) and the governing statutes (Minn. Stat. §§ 326.32–326.339).
How long is the course?
It's a 12-hour curriculum across eleven modules, plus orientation and a final assessment.
Do I need prior investigative experience?
No. The course starts with foundational concepts and builds to practical field skills, so it works for newcomers as well as professionals transitioning from law enforcement, military, security, insurance, or legal backgrounds.
Does completing this course make me a licensed private detective?
No. Pre-assignment training is one component of becoming licensed in Minnesota. Licensing — including experience, surety bond, and application requirements — is administered separately by the Minnesota Board.
What do I need to take the course?
A computer or mobile device, a current web browser, a reliable internet connection, and basic English reading comprehension
How long do I have access after enrolling?
You have 60 days to complete the course.
What Our Students Say
"I recently completed training with P.I. Leadership Academy and had a great experience. The instructor explained everything clearly and made sure everyone understood the material. The class was professional, informative, and helped me feel prepared to move forward in the security field. I’d definitely recommend this course to anyone looking to get their private detective license. "
Nelson Perez
Industry Professional
"I highly recommend taking training courses from the PI Leadership Academy. Cat's classes are well-structured and very detail-oriented. "
Scott Owens
Private Investigator
"Cat and her PI Leadership Academy are 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, and accommodating, and she will make sure everyone gets it. I highly recommend attending any of her classes at her PI Leadership Academy."
Margaret Bell
Retired Law Enforcement Officer/ Private Investiator