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Professional Certified Investigator (PCI)

Take the next step and apply for your PCI Certification.

Apply for PCI

Getting Started

Certification Handbook

Review all the policies and procedures you’ll need to follow to apply, study, and sit for each exam, including familiarizing yourself with the exam contents for each program.

Download the Handbook

Manual de Certificacion

Self-Assessment Guide

Assess your readiness for each of the certification programs. Use this tool to help you decide which exam is right for you and to set your study plans. *Note: Does not currently include APP certification.

Becoming a Professional Certified Investigator (PCI)

Why Apply for the PCI?

Earning a Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) designation provides independent confirmation of your specialized skills in security investigations, including case evaluation and review of options for case management strategies. It validates your ability to collect information through the effective use of surveillance, interviews, and interrogations.

What's on the Exam?

The PCI examination consists of 125 scored multiple-choice questions and may also contain 15 randomly distributed pre-test (unscored) questions for a total of up to 140 questions. The 2.5 hours allowed takes into consideration the review of pre-test items.

The exam covers tasks, knowledge, and skills in three primary domains that have been identified by professional investigators as required areas of competency in this field.

Eligibility

Three (3) to five (5) years of investigations experience depending on education level and two years of case management

AND

  • Have been employed full-time in a security-related role

  • Not have been convicted of any criminal offense that would reflect negatively on the security profession, ASIS, or the certification program

  • Sign and agree to abide by the ASIS Certification Code of Conduct

  • Agree to abide by the policies of the ASIS Certification programs as outlined in the Certification Handbook.


*Definitions for this term can be found in the Certification Handbook.

Fees

ASIS members: $550
  • Emerging Market 1: $450
  • Emerging Market 2: $430
Nonmembers: $855
  • Emerging Market 1: $680
  • Emerging Market 2: $645

Retake Fees

CPP, PCI, PSP

ASIS Members and Nonmembers: $455
  • Emerging Market 1: $340
  • Emerging Market 2: $315

APP

ASIS Members and Nonmembers: $300
  • Emerging Market 1: $225
  • Emerging Market 2: $210

Preparing for the PCI Exam

Reference Material

We encourage candidates to refer to the below reference materials as you prepare for the PCI certification exam. Our item writers and reviewers use these same materials to reference the correct answers on our exams. Remember: the ASIS exams are experienced-based; therefore, you will need to apply your own experience to help you answer the questions correctly.  Please don’t attempt to memorize these reference sets. 

Protection of Assets (2021 edition) - Investigations
Investigations Standard
PCI Practice Exam
The PCI practice exam contains items that once appeared on the actual certification exams but are now retired. Use the practice exam to familiarize yourself with how exam items will appear on the current exam(s).​

TAKING THE EXAM

Study Resources

ASIS offers certification review courses to help you study for your exam.
Find a review course

The PCI Study Guide includes information about the test and how to study for it, plus an outline of the recommended reference materials.
Softcover | eBook

Flash Cards are a simple, yet comprehensive tool to help you identify key terms, understand critical concepts, and recall facts. Available in print or digital.
Print | Digital

The PCI Practice Test is intended to provide individuals with a sample of the type of questions that will be asked in the PCI certification examination.
PCI Practice Test

Many ASIS Chapters also offer study groups. Contact the ASIS Chapter in your area for more information.

FREE WEBINAR

Reaching Your Career Potential: Why ASIS Certifications Are a Vital Professional Investment

Listen to this free, on-demand webinar to learn more about ASIS certifications. We’ll explain each of these programs—including which program is right for you—how to apply for the exams, study tips, and why employers hire those with these designations. Plus, we’ll give you the answers to our most frequently asked questions to set you up for success!

Manage My Certification

The online ASIS certification portal provides a user-friendly experience for both exam applicants and those recertifying.

ASIS members and those who have applied for or taken an ASIS certification exam, already have a login to the portal. Those new to ASIS should follow the prompts to set up your account.

IMPORTANT: Please click the Calculate Hours button before adding new CPE credits in order to ensure your CPE total hours are correct.

Meet a PCI

"I’m recognized as a subject matter expert, and I’ve been given greater job responsibilities." - Nicholas G. Breiner, CPP, PCI, PSP

Nicholas G. Breiner, CPP, PCI, PSP, got a taste of the security field shortly after high school when he worked for two corporate security departments. But his true passion lay in law enforcement, so in 1995 he joined the Belleville Police Department in New Jersey. 

Taking the exam

Ready for exam day?

Get details on taking the exam, including check-in procedures, weather emergencies, and getting your results.

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