The Irish Professional Private Investigators Association (IPPIA) is the national voice for licensed investigators, committed to ethics, compliance, and professional development.
IPPIA is a non-profit association representing licensed private investigators across Ireland. As a community of vetted professionals, we champion the highest standards in investigative practice, grounded in legality, accountability, and client trust.
Private investigators in Ireland are licensed by the Private Security Authority (PSA). It is a legal requirement for both individuals and companies to hold a valid PSA licence to operate as private investigators.
The Private Security Authority (PSA) is the government body responsible for licensing and regulating the profession under the Private Security Services Act. The PSA oversees standards, compliance, and enforcement to protect both the public and the integrity of the industry.
Licensing is compulsory for all investigators and investigative firms.
Licensing ensures that all investigators are qualified, vetted, and operate to recognised professional and ethical standards. It promotes accountability, safeguards client interests, and upholds the credibility of the profession.
Working as a private investigator without a PSA licence is a criminal offence. The PSA has authority to investigate, impose sanctions, and prosecute unlicensed activity to maintain professional standards and public trust..
The PSA licensing framework is governed by PSA 42:2015, which sets out the required standards for competence, record-keeping, operational conduct, and ethics. Compliance with this standard is essential for maintaining a valid licence.
