Dear Customers,
With effect from 1 Aug 2021, the Police Licensing & Regulatory Department will further restrict over-the-counter services at the Police Cantonment Complex, 391 New Bridge Road, to attend to services with pre-approved appointments only, including making payments at counter for services that cannot be done online. This move supports the Multi-Ministry Taskforce’s implementation of elevated safe distancing measures.
2 To make an appointment, please use the following link or QR code: www.picktime.com/policelicensing
3 We will attend to cases of persons who turn up without an appointment on a case by case basis, only if they have valid reasons. For collection of controlled item(s), please pay the license fee for the item(s) (if any) online, and email us at SPF_Licensing_Feedback@spf.gov.sg to arrange for collection.
4 For enquiries, please use our online services on www.police.gov.sg/licence or email us at SPF_Licensing_Feedback@spf.gov.sg.
5 We seek your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
6 Thank you.
A Private Investigation Agency's licence is required if your company is involved in any of the following:
a. Engage in the business of supplying, for reward, the services of private investigators to other persons; or
b. Advertise, or in any way hold out, that the person supplies for reward, or is willing to supply for reward, the services of private investigators.
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Private Investigation Agency Licensing Criteria
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To be eligible for a Private Investigation Agency’s licence, the business entity must meet the following criteria:
1. Be registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA); 2. An initial paid-up capital of $50,000; 3. Have at least 2 Directors/partners; 4. All directors/partners must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents of Singapore; and 5. All the directors/partners must fulfil the following: a) fit and proper person1; b) Possess a valid Private Investigator’s licence; c) Unless exempted by the Licensing Officer, be certified competent in the WSQ module of "Perform Investigation Activities in Compliance with Legal Requirements (PI)”; d) Possess a minimum of 3 years' experience in investigation-related work (for non-law enforcement officers) or a minimum of 2 years' experience in investigation work (for ex-law enforcement officers) e) Possess a minimum of 2 years' experience in a management position e.g. holding a supervisory post
1Section 21(8) and 21(9) of the Private Security Industry Act 2007, states:
In deciding whether a person or an officer# of a business entity is a fit and proper person, the licensing officer may consider any of the following matters as indicating that the person or officer may not be a fit and proper person: (a) that the person or officer associates with a criminal in a way that indicates involvement in an unlawful activity; (b) that in dealings in which the person or officer has been involved, the person or officer — (i) has shown dishonesty or lack of integrity; or (ii) used harassing tactics; (c) that the person or officer is or was suffering from a mental disorder; or (d) that the person or officer is an undischarged bankrupt or has entered into a composition with his debtors.
The above mentioned shall not limit the circumstances in which a person or an officer of a business entity may be considered by the licensing officer not to be a fit and proper person. The above mentioned shall not limit the circumstances in which a person or an officer of a business entity may be considered by the licensing officer not to be a fit and proper person.
# “officer”, in relation to a business entity, means — (a) a director, partner, member of the board of management, chief executive, manager, secretary or other similar officer of a business entity that is a body corporate; (b) a partner of a business entity that is a partnership; or (c) a president, secretary, or any member of the committee of management of a business entity that is an unincorporated association (other than a partnership), or any person holding a position analogous to that of president, secretary or member of a committee, and includes a person who can control or substantially influence the conduct of the affairs of the business entity.
Updated as of 31 December 2021 |
You are required to obtain the following documents before applying for a Private Investigation Agency's licence.
- Company letter (e.g. Certificate of Service indicating past postings or course certificates like Home Team Basic Investigation Course) that shows the following:
- Minimum 3 years' experience in relevant investigation work. For ex-law enforcement officers, a minimum 2 years' experience is sufficient; and
- Minimum 2 years' experience in management position e.g. holding a supervisory job
- Valid Private Investigator's licence of you and your partner(s) or Director(s)
- Certificate on WSQ module ‘Perform Investigation Activities in Compliance with Legal Requirements (PI)’
- Certificate of 3 GCE 'O" level passes, ITE NTC 2 or its equivalent.
- Agency possess start-up capital of at least $50,000
- Proposed agency name does not infringe copyright or trademark of other entities and products
A non-refundable fee of $400 is required.
One year.
About 4 to 6 weeks from the receipt of the application and the necessary supporting documents. Any incomplete or incorrect submission will be rejected.
You may also be required to attend an interview with the Licensing Officer.
You will be notified of the outcome via post. Alternatively, you can login to GoBusiness Licensing to view your application status.
You will be directed to GoBusiness Licensing webpage which will require you to sign in using your CorpPass.
The process may take around 15-20 minutes to complete.
RENEW EXISTING LICENCE
A Notice of Renewal of the Private Investigation Agency licence will be mailed to the company’s Director or Point-of-Contact, approximately two months before the expiry of the existing licence.
The Renewal Notice will provide detailed information on the requirements to submit a renewal application.
You are required to submit the completed application form for licence renewal within 14 days from the date of the letter, via post to:
OC Licensing
Security Industry Division
Police Licensing & Regulatory Department
391 New Bridge Road #02-701
Police Cantonment Complex
Singapore 088762
A non-refundable fee of $400 is required.
About 4 to 6 weeks from the receipt of the application and the necessary supporting documents. Any incomplete or incorrect submission will be rejected.
You will be notified of the outcome via post.
You are permitted to cancel your existing Private Investigation Agency's licence any time before its expiration.
Please be informed that there will be no refund upon cancelling the existing Private Investigation Agency's licence.
No document is required.
No fee is required.
Immediate upon receipt of your Cancellation Request.
You will be directed to GoBusiness Licensing webpage which will require you to sign in using your CorpPass.
The process may take around 10 minutes to complete.
You can withdraw your application for a Private Investigation Agency's Licence any time before the licence is approved.
If licence has been approved and issued, you will have to submit a request to cancel the licence.
No document is required.
No fee is required.
Immediate upon the submission of your Withdrawal Request.
You will be directed to GoBusiness Licensing webpage which will require you to sign in using your CorpPass.
The process may take around 10 minutes to complete.
You can amend the following information of your existing Private Investigation Agency's licence:
- Name of Company/Business/LLP/Organisation Name
- Business Operating Address or details of branch office
- Name of licensee (for transfer of licence to new partners in partnership)
- Details of Director/Partner/LP General Partner or Limited Partner/LLP Manager or Partner/ Officer Bearer
- Contact Details
- Employment or termination of licensed Private Investigator
You are required to obtain the following documents before amending your existing Private Investigation Agency's licence.
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Information to be Amended |
Requirements |
Fees |
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Name of Company/Business/LLP/Organisation |
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$20 to change business name
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Business operating address or details of branch office |
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No fees required |
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Name of licensee (for transfer of licence to new partners in partnership) |
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$40 to transfer licence to new partners in partnership
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Details of Director/Partner/Officer Bearer
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No fees required |
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Contact Details
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No fees required |
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Employment or termination of Private Investigator
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About 14 working days (except for change of business address1) from the receipt of the application and the necessary documents, if required. Any incomplete or incorrect submission will be rejected.
You will be notified by post once the changes have been accepted. Alternatively, you can login to GoBusiness Licensing to view your application status.
1 Change of business address will be updated within 7 working days.
You will be directed to GoBusiness Licensing webpage which will require you to sign in using your CorpPass.
The process may take around 15-20 minutes to complete.
To download a copy of your Private Investigation Agency’s active staff list, login to GoBusiness using your company’s CorpPass and follow the following steps:
- Select “Licensed Entities”
- Select “Singapore Police Force” > Enquiry on Existing SPF Licences
- At “Licence Type” drop down box, select “Private Investigation Agency Licence”
- Select “Active Staff List” from the “Enquiry Type” drop down box
- Enter the Licence No. and click the search button
To check on the Private Investigators’ training status, login to GoBusiness using your company’s CorpPass and follow the following steps:
- Select “Licensed Entities”
- Select “Singapore Police Force” > Enquiry on Existing SPF Licences
- At “Licence Type” drop down box, select “Private Investigation Agency Licence”
- Select “Individual Licence” from the “Enquiry Type” drop down box
- Enter the licensed Private investigator’s NRIC/FIN and click the search button
- System will display the officer’s particulars
- Click “View training records”
Prior to deployment, all licensed Private Investigators are required to pass and submit the statement of attainment for the WSQ module of ‘Perform investigation activities in compliance with legal requirement (PI)’
Those who have not passed the module will be deemed untrained Private Investigators and if deployed, will be in breach of the Licensing Conditions.
If you are familiar with the application requirements and wish to apply now, please click here to proceed to GoBusiness Licensing. CorpPass is required for login to GoBusiness Licensing.