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Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) — Requirements & Free Practice

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Professional Certified Investigator (PCI)

Voluntary professional certification recognizing investigations knowledge and experience.

Licensing authority: ASIS International · Application information

Initial by examination
Professional Certified Investigator (PCI)
Additional Time
From 1 September 2026, applicants whose primary language is not English may request 25% additional English testing time, with attestation and approval before scheduling; this cannot be combined with a Spanish-language form for the same appointment.
Applicability
Current PCI webpage adopts the current handbook, which is updated 4 August 2026 and contains the complete PCI BOK, with updates in use since early 2024. No exact credential, route or examination-version inception date is published; null dates do not assert historical applicability. Fees are optional and omitted. Certification renewal and other ASIS directions are outside this task.
Case Management
Coordination and direction of an investigation using disciplines and resources, with findings assessed for the investigation as a whole.
Conduct
The PCI page requires no criminal offense reflecting negatively on the profession, ASIS or program. The handbook specifies felony criminal offenses and does not affirm an exemption for other offenses; retain the page's broader condition. Sign the ASIS Certification Code of Professional Responsibility and agree to the certification program policies.
Delivery
Prometric test centers normally; from 1 September 2026 remote proctoring is available only through a PCB Certificant Relations Committee approved accommodation. Distance/geography alone is insufficient. English or Spanish examination options are available; this task concerns English.
Eligibility
Five years of investigations experience without a higher education degree (four if already holding APP); or accredited bachelor's/international equivalent plus four years (three with APP); or accredited master's/international equivalent plus three years. Every alternative includes at least two years of case management. Prior APP holding changes experience eligibility only; it is not an additional required examination in this route.
Employment
Applicants must have been employed full time in a security-related role; the current handbook explicitly says current employment is not required. Up to one directly relevant full-time internship year can count and may be unpaid.
Scheduling
Apply online and obtain ASIS approval and authorization to test before scheduling with Prometric; examinations are offered year-round. Eligibility lasts one year from authorization, with at most three attempts and at least 60 days between testing dates. Scheduling requires eligibility/ASIS ID and the first four surname letters.

Professional Certified Investigator (PCI)

Provider
Prometric
Format
Computer-based, single-answer multiple-choice examination; Prometric test center or approved remote-proctoring accommodation only.
Exam questions
Total questions: 140; Scored questions: 125; Unscored questions: 15; The total includes the scored and unscored questions.
Time limit
Two and a half hours; qualifying candidates may request approved additional time.
Passing score
Scaled score of at least 650; this is not a raw score or percentage.
Examination outline
  • Professional Responsibility (28%)
    • Analyze case for applicable ethical conflicts.
    • Assess case elements, strategies, and risks.
    • Determine investigative goals and develop strategy.
    • Determine and manage investigative resources.
    • Identify, evaluate, and implement investigative process improvements.
  • Investigative Techniques and Procedures (52%)
    • Conduct surveillance by physical, behavioral, digital, and electronic means.
    • Conduct interviews of individuals.
    • Collect and preserve evidence.
    • Conduct research by physical, digital, and electronic means.
    • Collaborate with and obtain information from other agencies and organizations.
    • Use investigative techniques.
  • Case Presentation (20%)
    • Prepare report to substantiate investigative findings.
    • Prepare and present testimony.
Examination sources