How to Start a Private Investigation Service the Right Way

Start a Private Investigation Service: Step-by-Step Guide

Start Here: Is Owning a Private Investigation Service Right for You?

This work is serious. You deal with risk, law, and people’s privacy. If you want a simple job and a steady schedule, this is not it. If you want responsibility and control, keep reading.

Before anything else, decide if business ownership fits you. Use this guide to help you think clearly, then do your own verification.

Start with Points to Consider Before Starting Your Business and How Passion Affects Your Business. Passion matters when the days get long and the calls come late.

Do one more thing before you spend a dollar. Talk to practitioners who will tell you what actually happens in the field.

See How to find critical information from the right people. A few right conversations can save months of trial and error.

What This Business Sells (Products & Services)

Decide exactly what you will offer. Your service list affects your licensing, tools, training, and insurance. Keep your list tight at launch. Add specialties after you prove demand.

Stay within the law. Some work needs special licensing or certifications. Recording rules, data access, and drone use have strict limits. When in doubt, verify with regulators and official sources.

Start with a practical mix that matches your skills and your market. Offer what clients already pay for locally, not what only sounds interesting.

• Surveillance: static, mobile, and activity checks.
• Insurance and claims work: scene documentation, witness interviews, and statements.
• Background checks and due diligence (follow Fair Credit Reporting Act rules if reports are used for employment decisions).
• Locate/skip tracing and witness locating (use lawful sources; motor-vehicle data is restricted by federal law).
• Process serving (registration may be separate in some states or counties).
• Corporate investigations: workplace issues, internal theft, and intellectual property concerns.
• Family-law investigations as allowed by state law.
• Asset checks within legal limits (no pretexting for financial data).
• Drone imagery for scene documentation (Part 107 required for commercial use).

Who Your Customers Are

Know who actually pays for your work. Sell to groups that hire investigators often and have repeat needs. Start with one or two primary markets so your message is clear.

Your customer type determines pricing, documentation, and turnaround times. Learn how they approve vendors and pay invoices before you pitch.

Focus on problems you can solve quickly and repeatedly. That is how you build referrals and steady work.

• Law firms: civil litigation, criminal defense, and family law.
• Insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and special investigation units.
• Businesses: Human Resources, risk management, and security teams.
• Financial institutions and property managers/landlords.
• Private clients for lawful, permitted matters.

Pros and Cons to Weigh

Be honest about what you can handle. You will work odd hours and face legal limits that you must respect at all times. You will also have room to specialize and earn well when you deliver clean reports that hold up.

Do not skip this step. A clear picture now prevents expensive course corrections later.

Use what follows to pressure-test your decision.

• Pros: Repeat B2B demand; strong niches (insurance, legal); lean startup possible; skills compound over time; specialization supports premium pricing.
• Cons: State licensing and background checks; strict laws on recording and data use; night and weekend work; safety concerns; evidence and documentation standards; sales/use tax may apply to investigative services in some states.

Ordered Startup Steps

Follow a simple, logical order. Do the homework first. Set up the legal and financial base next. Then buy gear and prepare documents. Launch only when you can accept a client today.

Use professional help where it saves you time and avoids errors. You do not need to do everything yourself. The point is to set up correctly the first time.

For deeper planning help, see How to write a business plan, Supply and Demand, and Estimating Startup Costs.

1. Confirm demand and scope. List the services you will offer. Check local demand by reviewing law firm practice areas and insurance claim volume. Identify any licensing prerequisites in your state.
2. Choose your business model. Solo, agency, or partnership. Decide whether to use subcontractors. Set your first-year focus area so you do not spread thin.
3. Pick a name and reserve the domain. Keep it professional and easy to spell. Secure matching social handles. See Corporate Identity Package.
4. Form your entity and register. Many start as a sole proprietorship. As you grow, consider forming a limited liability company. Verify steps using your Secretary of State portal and see How to Register a Business.
5. Get your Employer Identification Number. Apply with the Internal Revenue Service. It is required if you hire and helpful for banking.
6. Open business banking. Choose accounts and set up a bookkeeping system. Keep business and personal funds separate from day one.
7. Register for state taxes and employer accounts (if hiring). If your state taxes investigative services, open a sales/use tax account. Set up unemployment insurance and new-hire reporting if you will add staff.
8. Apply for your Private Investigator license. Complete experience, exam, fingerprints, and background checks as required by your state. If you plan process serving, complete any separate registration at the county or state level.
9. Confirm insurance and any bond required by your state. Some states require a bond or minimum liability coverage for an agency license. Get proof on file where required.
10. Secure local approvals. Obtain a city or county business license if required. If you lease space, confirm zoning and obtain a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) before you move in. Check home-occupation rules if you will run from home.
11. Build your client documents. Create engagement letters, scope confirmations, privacy and data-use notices, and procedures for adverse action if you issue employment-related background reports.
12. Price your services. Use clear packages for common assignments. See Pricing Your Products and Services.
13. Buy essential equipment and software. Start lean but complete. See the detailed list below. Test everything.
14. Plan your marketing basics. Professional website, business cards, and a short profile for law firms and insurers. See How to Build a Website, Business Cards, and Create a Marketing Plan.
15. Line up funding if needed. Price your startup list and working capital. See How to Get a Business Loan.
16. Pre-launch checks. Confirm licenses are issued, tax accounts are active, insurance is bound, contracts are ready, and your reporting template is clean and field-tested.

Essential Equipment and Software

Buy only what you need to complete the jobs you plan to accept in the first 90 days. Quality matters when you present evidence and metadata. Keep receipts and asset lists for insurance.

Know your state rules on recording. Some items below are lawful only in certain conditions. If a tool pushes against privacy laws, do not use it without clear legal authority.

Test your setup before launch. Build a short “first job” kit and keep it ready in your vehicle.

• Field surveillance
  • Mirrorless or DSLR camera body with reliable low-light performance.
  • Telephoto lens (for example, 200–600 mm) and a fast prime lens.
  • Video camera with optical stabilization; monopod or tripod; gimbal.
  • Binoculars and a compact spotting scope.
  • Weather covers, lens hood, microfiber cloths, and silica gel packs.
  • High-capacity batteries, chargers, in-vehicle inverter, and spare memory cards.
• Audio and recording (use only where lawful)
  • Digital audio recorder with timestamp function.
  • Hands-free kit for phone calls while driving.
• Communications and navigation
  • Primary smartphone and a basic backup phone.
  • Portable power banks and vehicle adapters.
  • GPS navigation unit and printed street references for backup.
  • Two-way radios if permitted and useful for team work.
• Evidence handling
  • Tamper-evident evidence bags and seals.
  • Chain-of-custody forms and evidence logbook.
  • Fire-resistant safe or locking file cabinet for storage.
• Office and digital
  • Laptop with full-disk encryption and strong authentication.
  • External encrypted drives and secure cloud backup.
  • All-in-one printer/scanner; high-resolution document scanner for records.
  • PDF redaction and editing tools.
  • Case management and reporting software with photo timestamp support.
  • Research subscriptions and legal-research access as needed.
• Vehicle and field kit
  • Reliable, neutral vehicle with maintenance kit and window sunshades.
  • Dash-mounted camera for scene travel documentation.
  • Reflective vest, flashlight and headlamp, first-aid kit, and warning triangle.
  • Weather-appropriate clothing and footwear.
• Uncrewed aircraft system (if applicable)
  • Small drone with remote ID capability and spare batteries.
  • Extra propellers, landing pad, and airspace authorization app.
  • Hard case and maintenance kit.

Core Skills You Need

You do not need every skill on day one. You do need a baseline you can trust under pressure. Learn what you lack or hire for it.

Ask yourself: Where are you strong? Where are you weak? Build a plan to improve the weak half and go deep on your strengths.

Use training, shadow days with seasoned investigators, and simple drills to sharpen your edge.

• Law awareness: recording and consent rules, privacy laws, and evidence standards.
• Observation and surveillance tradecraft.
• Photography and videography with proper timestamps and metadata.
• Interviewing and statement-taking.
• Open-source and database research.
• Clear, factual report writing that supports court use.
• Ethics and conflict management.
• Data security and secure storage practices.
• Courtroom communication and testimony basics.

What a Typical Day Looks Like (Pre-Launch View)

Expect a mix of desk work and field work. You will plan, verify legal limits, and then execute. You will document everything and keep it organized.

Your day often starts early or ends late. Weather, traffic, and people change plans. Your job is to adapt while staying lawful and safe.

Keep a short routine you can follow even when tired. That is how you protect evidence and your reputation.

• New case screening and conflict checks.
• Scope confirmation and lawful-method review.
• Open-source and database research with documented sources.
• Field work: surveillance, interviews, scene photos, and records pickup with consent or proper authority.
• Evidence handling: label, log, and store with chain-of-custody.
• Daily report drafting with time- and date-stamped images.
• Client updates and next-step planning.

Legal and Compliance—What to Do and Where to Check

Rules change by state and by city. Use official portals and verify every requirement. Do not guess about licensing, recording, or data access.

Keep this simple: follow federal law, meet state licensing and tax rules, and clear city or county permits before opening. If you are unsure, ask the regulator or hire a professional.

Use these categories to work through your list. Add only what applies to your situation. Where rules vary, confirm locally.

• Federal (universal)
  • Employer Identification Number: Apply with the Internal Revenue Service. Required if you hire; useful for banking.
  • Employment background reports: If your reports are used for hiring decisions, follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (disclosure, authorization, and adverse action procedures).
  • Motor-vehicle data: Driver’s privacy rules limit access and use to permitted purposes.
  • Recording: Federal wiretap law restricts interception of communications. States may be stricter.
  • Drones: Commercial flights require a remote pilot certificate, aircraft registration, and compliance with operating rules.
• State (varies by jurisdiction)
  • Entity formation: Register with your Secretary of State when forming an entity.
  • Private Investigator license: Most states require an individual and/or agency license. Prerequisites may include experience, exam, fingerprints, and a background check.
  • Insurance and bonds: Some states require a surety bond and/or liability insurance for agency licenses. Verify coverage amounts with your regulator.
  • Sales/use tax: Investigative services are taxable in some states. Confirm whether your state taxes your service type.
  • Employer accounts: If hiring, set up unemployment insurance and state new-hire reporting.
  • Assumed name/DBA: Register your trade name if different from your legal entity name.
• City/County (varies by jurisdiction)
  • General business license: Many cities and counties require registration before operation.
  • Zoning and home-occupation: Confirm a home office is allowed. For a leased office, obtain a Certificate of Occupancy before use.
  • Process server registration: Some areas require separate registration at the county or state level.

Smart Questions to Decide Applicability

Do not add steps you do not need. Ask the right questions and cut noise. If the answer triggers a rule, handle it now.

When you are unsure, call the office in charge and ask for the requirement page or the search term to use on their portal. Keep notes and save links.

If your situation is complex, hire a professional. Getting it right is cheaper than fixing it later.

• Will you operate from a home office or a leased office? If leased, will you need a Certificate of Occupancy and any tenant improvements?
• Will you hire employees or rely on subcontractors in the first 90 days?
• Will you use drones or do any armed or protective assignments that change insurance or licensing needs?

Plan Your Pricing, Packages, and Documentation

Clients want clarity. Set simple, transparent packages for common jobs. State what is included and what is not.

Build your template library now, not later. Clean templates speed work and prevent errors. Keep them factual and easy to read.

Use these resources to help: Pricing Your Products and Services and How to Write a Business Plan.

• Service menu with clear deliverables.
• Engagement letter and scope confirmation.
• Authorization forms where needed.
• Report template with photos, timestamps, and location notes.
• Invoice and payment policy.
• Process for adverse action if you provide employment-related background reports.

Branding, Web, and Early Marketing

Keep it professional. Your brand should say “trustworthy” and “confidential.” You do not need fancy. You do need clear contact details and proof you are legitimate.

Focus on direct channels where your clients already look for help. Build a small site that loads fast and explains exactly what you do.

Use these resources to move fast without clutter: How to Build a Website, Create a Marketing Plan, and How to Get Customers Through the Door.

• Corporate identity: logo, business cards, letterhead, and email signature.
• Simple website with service list, service areas, and contact form.
• Professional profiles where clients search (legal and insurance directories as applicable).
• Reference sheet with license number, coverage proof (if requested), and sample redacted report.
• Plan an opening announcement to your network; consider a small launch event if local clients will attend. See Grand Opening.

Advisors, Hiring, and What to Outsource

You can learn the essentials. You do not need to carry every role. Outsource high-skill or high-risk tasks so you can focus on clients and case work.

Build a short list of advisors you can call. A single call can prevent a serious problem.

If you plan to hire, start slow and add clear roles. See How and When to Hire and Building a Team of Professional Advisors.

• Business attorney who knows state PI law and local rules.
• Accountant for tax planning and sales/use tax questions.
• Insurance broker who understands investigative services.
• Web developer and designer for core brand assets.
• Transcription and research support as needed.

Physical Setup and Location

Many start from a home office. That can work if allowed by zoning and if you can protect confidentiality. If you lease, choose a discreet location with secure storage and parking.

Think about convenience for records pickup, court visits, and client meetings. A quiet, private workspace matters more than visibility.

For help, see Choosing a Business Location and Business Insurance.

• Secure locking storage and a fire-resistant safe.
• Document scanner and shredding workflow.
• Visitor policy and confidential meeting area (if applicable).
• Vehicle parking that does not draw attention.

Pre-Launch Readiness

Walk through a mock assignment from first call to final report. Fix gaps now. Your first real client should never be your first test.

So ask yourself: Could you accept a case today and deliver a clean report tomorrow? If the answer is no, keep preparing.

Use this list to confirm you are ready to go live.

• Licenses issued and listed on the regulator’s site.
• Insurance bound; any required bond filed.
• State tax accounts active; local business license obtained if required.
• Case templates complete; report format tested.
• Equipment checked, labeled, and packed.
• Website live; business cards ready; reference sheet prepared.
• Short outreach list drafted for first clients.

Go-Live Checklist

Do a final pass. Confirm every legal, financial, and practical item is in place. Then start.

Keep your launch simple. One service, one primary customer type, and a clear message. You can expand later.

Stay disciplined. Document everything from day one.

• Verify your licensing and local registrations one more time.
• Confirm your engagement letter and scope template are current.
• Run a camera and audio check with timestamps.
• Confirm backup and encryption are working.
• Carry your “first job” kit in your vehicle.
• Send your opening announcements and begin outreach.

101 Tips for Running Your Private Investigation Service

This list gives you clear, practical actions you can use to prepare, set up, and launch a Private Investigation Service in the United States. It focuses on what to do before opening, how to operate legally, and how to earn trust fast.

Use it to plan your steps, avoid costly detours, and build a service that clients can rely on. Verify location-specific requirements with official offices in your state and city before you proceed.

Read each tip closely and act on the ones that fit your model, budget, and skills. If a step requires expertise, hire a qualified professional.

What matters is getting it right the first time. Keep your launch tight and disciplined so you can deliver reliable results from day one.

What to Do Before Starting

1. Define your service menu in writing (surveillance, background checks for employment, due diligence, process serving, witness location), because it drives licensing, tools, and training.
2. Check your state’s licensing authority for investigator prerequisites such as experience, exam, fingerprints, and background checks, and record each requirement with links and dates.
3. Decide whether you will operate as a solo investigator or form an agency; the choice affects licensing category, insurance levels, and documentation.
4. Build a simple demand snapshot: number of law firms in a 20–30 minute radius, insurance carriers with claims offices nearby, and typical case types in local courts.
5. Identify three profitable niches you can support on day one (for example, insurance claims surveillance, workplace investigations, or witness location) and design packages around them.
6. List the laws that affect your model—recording consent rules, privacy laws, data-use limits, and evidence handling—and keep them in a quick reference binder.
7. If you plan to use drones, confirm that your planned missions are allowed and note the Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 requirements you must meet before launch.
8. Draft a lean first-year budget that separates one-time startup items from recurring costs and includes a realistic working-capital cushion.
9. Select an entity type with help from a qualified professional and register it with your state; this decision affects taxes, liability, and banking.
10. Apply for an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service so you can open business accounts and manage payroll if you later hire.
11. Choose a business name that passes a state name check and secure the matching domain and email format you will use on reports and invoices.
12. Create a short plan for professional advisors (attorney, accountant, insurance broker) and schedule brief calls to confirm legal, tax, and insurance assumptions.

What Successful Private Investigation Service Owners Do

13. They run a strict legal screen before accepting each case to ensure the requested method is lawful and the purpose is legitimate.
14. They keep a documented workflow for conflict checks, authorization forms, and consent when required, which reduces disputes later.
15. They write reports in plain language with facts first, clear timelines, and labeled photo exhibits so clients can use them in court without confusion.
16. They prepare for court by saving source files, maintaining chain-of-custody records, and practicing testimony on the key facts, not opinions.
17. They specialize early, then expand; specialization improves quality, shortens learning time, and supports stronger pricing.
18. They standardize camera settings and file naming so any investigator on the team can find and verify evidence fast.
19. They schedule regular gear checks (batteries, time settings, lenses, storage) so equipment never becomes the weak link in an assignment.
20. They use checklists for pre-surveillance planning, scene documentation, and interview preparation to reduce mistakes in the field.
21. They track key performance indicators such as assignment cycle times, client response times, and successful evidence captures to guide improvements.
22. They invest in training every quarter, focusing on legal updates, interviewing skills, and documentation quality.

Running the Business (Operations, Staffing, SOPs)

23. Write a standard operating procedure for new case screening that covers identity verification, legal purpose, and prohibited requests.
24. Create a confidential records policy that defines how you store, encrypt, and dispose of sensitive files and physical evidence.
25. Draft a surveillance plan template that includes target description, locations, likely schedules, safety considerations, and lawful recording rules.
26. Use a case numbering system that ties every photo, video, and note to a single identifier for clean chain-of-custody tracking.
27. Adopt a two-person review on reports before delivery to catch errors in dates, times, and exhibit labeling.
28. Set field safety protocols: check-in schedules, dead-man timers for solo work, and escalation steps if something changes in the field.
29. Install full-disk encryption on laptops and use strong authentication to protect client data at rest and in transit.
30. Keep written equipment logs for cameras, lenses, storage media, and batteries, including serial numbers and last service dates.
31. Create a lawful recording quick sheet that summarizes consent rules and prohibited conduct in the states where you work.
32. Establish a file retention schedule that meets legal minimums and client expectations, with clear destruction procedures at end of life.
33. Use a standardized expense log for mileage, tolls, parking, and gear to make your invoicing accurate and defensible.
34. Define subcontractor standards in writing: licensing status, insurance, reporting format, confidentiality, and delivery deadlines.
35. If you plan to hire, write role descriptions with measurable outcomes for investigators, researchers, and support staff.
36. Schedule weekly case reviews to clear bottlenecks, assign next actions, and confirm legal boundaries for each ongoing matter.
37. Create a field kit checklist you inspect before every assignment so you never leave without essential items.

What to Know About the Industry (Rules, Seasons, Supply, Risks)

38. Licensing requirements are state-specific; confirm whether you need an individual license, an agency license, or both before offering services.
39. Some states require a surety bond or liability insurance to hold an agency license; check amounts and keep proof available for clients who ask.
40. Investigative services may be taxable in certain states; verify whether your state taxes detective or protective services and register if required.
41. Using motor-vehicle data is restricted under federal law; use only permitted purposes and document your reason for access.
42. Employment-related background reports trigger Fair Credit Reporting Act duties such as disclosure, authorization, and adverse action procedures.
43. Audio recording and interception rules vary by state; know the consent standard where you work and apply the stricter rule when unsure.
44. Commercial drone operations require a remote pilot certificate and compliance with operating limits such as flights at night or over moving vehicles.
45. Demand may spike during insurance claim seasons or litigation cycles; plan staffing and availability around these patterns.
46. Courts and agencies may have document format rules; keep templates aligned with local requirements to avoid rejection.
47. Camera, storage, and software supply chains can be tight; keep spare batteries, cards, and drives on hand to avoid downtime.
48. Your personal safety is a real risk; use risk assessments and de-escalation training to minimize exposure during field work.
49. Some counties require process server registration separate from investigator licensing; verify before you accept service of process work.

Marketing (Local, Digital, Offers, Community)

50. Build a concise website that lists services, service areas, licensing details, and contact options, and keep the language factual and direct.
51. Create a one-page capability statement for law firms and insurers with your license number, insurance summary, and sample deliverables.
52. Develop a referral script for attorneys that highlights turnaround times, evidence quality, and courtroom-ready reports.
53. Publish short, educational articles that explain lawful methods and set expectations; this builds trust and filters out improper requests.
54. Attend local bar association events and claims professional meetings to meet repeat clients who hire investigators year-round.
55. List your service with accurate categories in reputable legal and insurance directories your clients actually use.
56. Offer clear starter packages for common needs (for example, four-hour surveillance block or witness location with two documented attempts) to speed decisions.
57. Ask for permission to share redacted report excerpts as samples so prospects can judge quality before hiring.
58. Respond to inquiries within one business day with a structured set of questions that clarifies goals, lawful methods, and timelines.
59. Track which channels bring qualified leads so you can focus spend where serious clients come from.
60. Use case studies (with details changed or permission granted) to explain how proper documentation supports outcomes in court.
61. Keep your professional profiles current with license details and a direct phone number answered during business hours.
62. Create a short email follow-up sequence for prospects who asked for information but did not book, focusing on common questions and next steps.

Dealing with Customers (Trust, Education, Retention)

63. Open every engagement with a written scope that lists lawful methods, limits, deliverables, and estimated time so expectations are aligned.
64. Ask clients to identify the decision the report will inform; this keeps your actions focused and your documentation relevant.
65. Explain privacy and recording limits in plain language at the start to avoid later disputes over what you will not do.
66. Provide status updates on a schedule agreed in advance so clients are not left guessing about progress.
67. Use a change-order form when facts shift or the client requests more work; this protects both scope and budget.
68. Deliver reports with a short executive summary first, then exhibits; busy clients can act fast and dive deeper as needed.
69. Offer a post-case debrief to capture lessons and identify future needs; this builds long-term relationships.
70. Keep a list of trusted specialists (for example, computer forensics or forensic accounting) for referrals when a case requires skills you do not offer.
71. Protect client identities in any training materials or examples you create; obtain permission before sharing anything externally.
72. Store a redacted copy of each final report separately so you can respond quickly to lawful document requests without exposing extra data.

Customer Service (Policies, Guarantees, Feedback)

73. Publish a clear communication policy that states response times for email, phone, and urgent updates.
74. Set expectations on outcomes: you guarantee lawful effort and accurate documentation, not a specific result.
75. Define a refund or credit policy for service errors you control, and state what must occur to qualify.
76. Invite structured feedback after delivery using a short survey focused on clarity, timeliness, and usefulness.
77. Document and fix root causes of complaints, then update relevant procedures so the same issue does not return.
78. Maintain a simple escalation path for clients who need a fast decision or clarification on scope.
79. Keep a single contact for each client matter so they always know who is responsible for progress.
80. Create a secure portal or method for file sharing so clients can receive reports without email risks.

Sustainability (Waste, Sourcing, Long-Term)

81. Use rechargeable batteries and plan a rotation schedule to reduce waste and maintain consistent power.
82. Choose cameras and storage that are widely supported to extend equipment life and simplify repairs.
83. Buy durable cases and weather protection to prevent gear damage that leads to premature replacement.
84. Adopt digital delivery with secure links to minimize printing, while offering printed copies when legally required.
85. Maintain your vehicle proactively; reliable transportation lowers emergency costs and keeps you on schedule.
86. Standardize on a small set of tools that cover most jobs to reduce training time and spare-parts needs.

Staying Informed (Trends, Sources, Cadence)

87. Review your state licensing site monthly for rule changes, exam updates, and new guidance.
88. Track federal legal updates on privacy, communications, and data access so your methods remain lawful.
89. Read regulator advisories on employment background reporting to keep disclosure and authorization procedures current.
90. Follow the Federal Aviation Administration for drone policy updates if you use uncrewed aircraft systems.
91. Attend at least one legal or insurance industry training each year to understand how clients apply your reports.
92. Keep a running list of trusted legal reference sites and update it as agencies reorganize or change portals.

Adapting to Change (Seasonality, Shocks, Competition, Tech)

93. Create a surge plan for high-demand periods with pre-approved subcontractors who meet your standards.
94. Maintain a reserve of storage media and batteries so supply delays do not stop critical work.
95. Practice rapid report assembly with standardized templates to deliver on tight deadlines without errors.
96. Test new camera bodies or lenses on non-client scenarios first, then roll them into real work after you confirm reliability.
97. Monitor competitor positioning and adjust your niche or service bundles when the market shifts.
98. Run post-mortems after unusual events (weather, court closures, system failures) and bake improvements into procedures.

What Not to Do

99. Do not accept assignments that push you to break recording, privacy, or data-use laws; decline clearly and document the refusal.
100. Do not deliver reports with speculation; stick to facts you observed, records you obtained lawfully, and statements you documented.
101. Do not rely on a single client type; build a mix so seasonality or policy changes at one organization do not stall your pipeline.

Sources: Internal Revenue Service, Federal Trade Commission, Federal Aviation Administration, Office of the Law Revision Counsel, California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, New York Department of State, Texas Department of Public Safety, USAGov