Michael Javorsky: Personnel Investigations in WA State - WA State DOL Compliance

http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/pi/

In order to legally conduct personnel investigations in WA State, the State of WA DOL requires you to have a private investigator's license.  If you are a law firm or private entity contracted by a government agency or private corporation to conduct objective complete and thorough fact finding investigations, then you must be in compliance with WA DOL.

This also applies to a law firm or private entity conducting any type of background investigation for a government or private agency. Whether or not this applies to a civilian working for a government agency, I don't know the answer to that.  I imagine it would still apply.

Failure to possess a license and be insured/bonded could result in a $10,000 fine by WA State DOL and a ten year ban from obtaining a WA DOL PI license.  I believe the WSP investigates these violations.  I recommend contacting https://www.filerinsurance.com/ for insurance/bond.