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Professional Certified Investigator (PCI®)

Proof of Excellence

The Professional Certified Investigator (PCI®) credential is a powerful career development tool that validates your specialized capabilities. By earning your PCI, security professionals worldwide will recognize your mastery of investigative techniques and case management and presentation. Start your certification journey today.

Apply for PCI

Provide Evidence of Your Abilities

Make the case for your investigative expertise by adding the Professional Certified Investigator designation to your resume. With your skill set, you give your organization an edge against threats; with the PCI, you give your career an edge over the competition.

Watch this video to learn more about each certification and what you need to get started – and check out our step-by-step application guide.

Get Started on Your Application

PCI Eligibility Requirements

The Professional Certified Investigator certification is designed for individuals with three to five years' investigations experience, including at least two years in case management.

Additional requirements include:
  • Full-time employment in a security-related role
  • Have not been convicted of any criminal offense that would reflect negatively on the security profession, ASIS, or the certification program
  • Willingness to sign and agree to abide by the ASIS Certification Code of Conduct
  • Willingness to agree to abide by the policies of the ASIS Certification programs as outlined in the Certification Handbook

Why Earn the PCI Designation?

Need a few more great reasons to start your application?
  • Validate your security investigation expertise
  • Gain global recognition by your peers and the industry
  • Get a competitive edge in the marketplace
  • Enhance your career and earnings potential
  • Enjoy personal satisfaction and professional achievement

Certification Handbook

Review the Certification Handbook (descargar en español) for more details on policies, procedures, eligibility requirements, testing options (test center or remotely proctored exams), and fees for the ASIS certification program. It also contains the domains, tasks, and knowledge statements for all four of our certifications.

Preparing for the PCI Exam

What's on the Exam?

The PCI exam consists of 125 scored and 15 unscored multiple-choice questions. The exam covers tasks, knowledge and skills across three primary domains: Professional responsibility, Investigative techniques and procedures, Case presentation. Explore the reference materials and study resources below designed specifically for the PCI as you begin your preparation.

Reference Material

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

Protection of Assets (2021 edition) - Investigations

Softcover | eBook

Investigations Standard

Softcover | eBook (eBook free for members)

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).​​

Download Practice Exam

Study Resources

ASIS offers certification review courses to help you study for your exam:
Find review courses

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. 
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 exam.
PCI Practice Test

Not sure which PCI study resources are right for you? Take our quick, no obligation quiz and get personalized study material recommendations in less than two minutes.

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

Additional Certification Resources

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