Training Courses

The ABI Level 3 qualification in Professional Investigation has been developed to encompass the National Operating Standards for private investigators and the core competencies for the sector, as laid down by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) for the licensing of private investigators, subsequent to the enactment of the Private Security Industry Act, 2001.

Unlike those currently offered by the other investigators representative bodies, the qualification has been endorsed by the SIA and approved by Ofqual to sit on the national Qualifications & Curriculum Framework.  It is therefore a nationally recognised qualification.

We wish to point out that although the qualification is ready for delivery now, the licensing/regulation/certification of investigators in the private sector is once again under review and is currently (January 2012) being considered by the Parliamentary Home Affairs Select Committee and the Judicial Enquiry presided over by Lord Justice Leveson.  When their recommendations are made, the Home Office and the SIA will determine what the new regulatory regime – if any – will be.   This includes whether or not there will be a test of competence.

As a result, we do not believe that it is either ethical or fair to offer the qualification, or the training for it, until such time as a decision has been taken on the licensing of private investigators. To do so would be to mislead potential candidates that it is licence to practice qualification, when no such qualification currently exists in the United Kingdom.