Private Investigator PSA License (Employee)

It is important to state this training program does not qualify any candidate to set up a Private Investigator company or operate as a sole Private Investigator in Ireland. It is merely the training course required by candidates wishing to enter the sector by working for an established Private Security Authority (PSA) licensed Private Investigator company. If you have any queries regarding PSA licensing in this sector don't hesitate to contact the PSA directly on 062 32600 or info@psa-gov.ie and they will provide you with assistance.

One of the sectors subject to licensing by the PSA is that of the Private Investigator. In 2015, contractors providing Private Investigator services were licensed by the Authority. The PSA established a working group with industry experts who collaborated to develop a training document (PSA 83:202) that would equip the learner with the minimum amount of knowledge required to hold an employee PSA License in the Private Investigator Sector. ICSE were awarded the tender to build and deliver this course to the sector in a Blended Learning Format. The details of which are below.

We start a new course every week. The course is delivered in a blended learning format, which is a mixture of live sessions on Zoom and eLearning videos the candidates can watch in their own time. The course content is delivered over 8 modules which are;

Module 1 The Private Security Industry

Module 2 The Private Investigation Sector

Module 3 Law and the Legal System

Module 4 Court processes

Module 5 Private investigation practices

Module 6 Written Communication

Module 7 Conflict Management and the Investigator

Module 8 Data and Information Security

Candidates can book a place on the course with a start and end date that suits them best. Upon booking a place, candidates are provided with joining instructions and a Zoom link via an email.

Simply click on the link a few minutes in advance of the start of the first live session and you will be taken to a waiting room on Zoom, from where, the tutor will provide you access to your first session. This initial meeting can take up to 2 hours and the goal is to ensure all candidates comply with the course pre-requisites, provide candidates with an outline the course and assessment, as well as allow our tutors to answer any queries candidates may have. Candidates are then provided access to our eLearning platform where they can complete the entire course via eLearning at times and days that suit them, before attending their exam. The exam or final assessment takes place on the Friday following the start of their course. This exam will be held on zoom and ICSE Academic Integrity Policy applies in full. Upon successful completion of the assessment, within 5 working days, candidates receive their results via email in a PDF document.

This document can be printed and included with their PSA Private Investigator Employee license application.

Mecpaths child trafficking course is included in the course content and must be completed by every single learner. 

Course Requirements

• If English is not your first language, you must have a B2 level in English or higher to attend this online training course
• All candidates will require a laptop or desktop to attend the program. (A smartphone or tablet is not sufficient). If using a MacBook, you must install Google Chrome. One device only per learner will be permitted
• Candidates must upload a photocopy of their passport or drivers’ license, proof of address and their PPS number onto the ICSE Learning Management System. You will be shown how to do this during your first session with our tutors. DO NOT email us these documents in advance of your course starting
• Candidates must have access to reliable broadband coverage for the duration of this program
• Candidates must have a suitable study space, free of distractions from which to log onto the course each day
• All candidates must attend the live sessions and for the full duration of those sessions
• All candidate’s tech, language ability, verification of Identity, etc. will take place during your first live session. This session may take up to two hours so please ensure you have allocated enough time to attend. You final assessment may also take up to two hours so please also ensure that you have allocated enough time to attend this as well.