The profession of private detective, or agent de recherches privées (ARP), is a regulated one in France, subject to numerous legal, administrative and ethical requirements. Far from the clichés portrayed in TV series, this is an activity governed by the French Internal Security Code, under the supervision of the CNAPS (Conseil national des activités privées de sécurité).
Table of contents
1. Initial training: a prerequisite
To enter the private detective profession, you need to have a level 5 (Bac+2) ARP (Agent de Recherches Privées) professional qualification, registered with the French National Register of Private Investigators (RNCP).
This training is provided by CNAPS-approved establishments such as :
- IFAR, ESARP
- Some universities offer the Licence Professionnelle Agent de Recherches Privées (Paris-Panthéon-Assas & Unîmes universities)
The program covers :
- Civil, criminal and labour law and legal proceedings
- Legislation on privacy, RGPD and ethics
- Investigation, shadowing and surveillance techniques
- Drafting of reports admissible in court
- Managing a private research firm
Entry to the training program is subject to prior authorization issued by the CNAPS, which verifies the applicant's good character.
2. Access conditions and professional card
There's more to working legally as a private detective in France than simply obtaining a business card. Three separate authorizations issued by the CNAPS (Conseil national des activités privées de sécurité) are required, depending on the status of the person concerned.
a. Professional card (CAR)
The professional card is compulsory for all individuals directly involved inInvestigation missions. It is issued for a period of 5 years, and is subject to validation of a training course approved by the CNAPS.
To obtain it, candidates must meet the following conditions:
Be over 18 and legally capable
No incompatible convictions (no criminal record)
Have completed training recognized or validated by the CNAPS
Obtain prior authorization to enter training
Apply to the CNAPS for a professional card
This card is essential for any intervention in the field. Its absence constitutes the illegal exercise of a regulated activity.
b. Managerial approval (AGD)
Anyone wishing to run a private research firm - whether in their own name (sole proprietorship) or as part of a company (EURL, SASU, etc.) - must obtain a management license.
This approval :
Is personal and valid for 5 years
Requires a morality Investigation by the CNAPS
Is distinct from the professional card, although a salaried manager may hold both.
Even if the manager does not carry out the Investigations himself, he is still responsible for the company's compliance, and must therefore meet the same standards of good repute.
c. Authorization to practice (AUT)
In addition to personal approval, all companies (firms, companies or secondary establishments) must obtain an administrative authorization to operate. This is linked to the legal structure and its location.
It is required for :
Official declaration of private research activity
Ensure legal traceability of assignments and contracts
Enable the CNAPS to carry out checks at practice sites
Authorization to operate is granted for a renewable period of 5 years. It is an offence to open an agency without this authorization.
Summary: which authorizations are right for you?
| Situation | Carte pro (CAR) | Management approval (AGD) | Authorization to practice (AUT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employees carrying out Investigations | Yes | No | No |
| Self-employed manager (sole proprietorship) | No* | Yes | Yes |
| Salaried manager (e.g. SASU with mandatary) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
*The AGD is sufficient if the manager does not personally carry out Investigations. However, if he or she works in the field, he or she must also hold a professional card.
Authorization deadlines and validity
In theory, the CNAPS has two months in which to examine each complete application, but this period may be extended depending on the time of year or the workload of regional commissions. Each authorization (CAR, AGD, AUT) is valid for 5 years and must be renewed on time, with supporting documentation.
Penalties for non-compliance
Exercising without authorization exposes you to :
Administrative sanctions: warning, suspension, temporary ban or withdrawal
Criminal penalties: up to 3 years' imprisonment and a 45,000-euro fine for illegal practice of a regulated activity
Compliance with these procedures is a sine qua non for ensuring the legality of our activities, the admissibility of our reports, and the confidence of our customers and the courts.
3. Professional practice: legal obligations and framework
The private detective has no police powers. He operates within a strictly private and legal framework, serving the legitimate interests of his clients.
It must respect :
- The Internal Security Code, in particular Book VI
- The RGPD for data processing
- Professional secrecy, during and after the execution of an assignment
- Absolute prohibition on usurping a public capacity (policeman, gendarme...)
He is also required to :
- Keep a register of assignments and contracts
- Provide an objective, dated report that can be used in court
- Refrain from any illegal means (phone tapping, intrusion, hacking)
The CNAPS carries out regular checks and can impose administrative sanctions (warning, suspension, withdrawal of authorization).
4. Continuing education: MAC ARP
Every 5 years, detectives must take a Skills Update Module (MAC ARP) to renew their professional card. This module enables you to :
- Update your legal and professional knowledge
- Monitor changes in practices and ethical obligations
- Maintain a consistent level of competence in the eyes of customers and the courts
In the absence of a MAC ARP, CNAPS may refuse to renew the card.
5. Legal status: choosing the right structure
Depending on their professional project, detectives can opt for several legal forms:
- Micro-entreprise: simplified system, suitable for start-ups, but with a sales ceiling (€77,700 in 2025).
- Sole proprietorship (EI ): more flexible, without capital
- EURL / SASU: credible, secure for development, ideal for hiring
The choice will depend on :
- The volume of business envisaged
- The level of legal protection required
- The desire to deduct expenses
- Fiscal and social objectives
The support of a chartered accountant is recommended from the outset.
6. Professional insurance and consumer mediation
Under article L612-5 of the French Internal Security Code , professional liability insurance is mandatory for private investigators. It covers professional negligence and misconduct, invasion of privacy, as well as damage caused to third parties (erroneous report, omission, accidental disclosure of data, etc.).
In addition, comprehensive business insurance, although optional, is highly recommended. It covers the company's assets (equipment, premises, IT), operating losses in the event of a claim (fire, water damage, theft, etc.) and risks associated with damage to third parties or contractual disputes.
Since Ordinance no. 2015-1033 of August 20, 2015, any professional engaged in a liberal or commercial activity, including private investigation agents, has been obliged to join a consumer mediation scheme. The private investigator must:
Join an accredited mediator,
Include the ombudsman's contact details on quotations, contracts and websites,
Inform customers of their right to refer any unresolved disputes to the mediator.
This obligation aims to strengthen transparency and trust with customers, while facilitating the settlement of disputes without going to court.
