In order to become a principal investigator, you must attend and pass a rigorous course of education and training. Many investigators receive their training through on-the-job apprenticeship programs, correspondence courses, or online courses. Most states require that candidates take at least 100 hours of continuing education before being allowed to take the test for certification. Although some states allow candidates to take the exam immediately after graduating, most states require a minimum of two years of PI experience.
Candidates who successfully pass the CPI exam will receive a letter of approval from the state Insurance Department. They will also be issued a certificate indicating that they have met all educational and training requirements. The certificate does not validate the candidate’s experience; it simply acknowledges their position. Once the individual receives their PI registration card, he or she can begin to select cases to represent their clients.
Primary investigators normally work with either one or two cases at any given time. They are often referred to as the “frontline” agents for their company. Their job is to aggressively pursue all leads within their assigned caseload. They are also responsible for managing the investigators’ budget, writing policy manuals, and performing other clerical duties. In some cases, investigators are also asked to conduct case appraisals and perform investigations on a part-time or contract basis. No matter how many years of experience an agent has, it is his or her responsibility to report to the principal investigator once a case is closed.
Primary investigators are typically working with a large number of candidates. To remain competitive in their field, investigators must maintain strong networking relationships with people who might be interested in purchasing their services. Therefore, it is necessary to pay close attention to hiring practices in order to avoid spending money on unsuitable candidates. There are several ways to screen candidates for CPI jobs.
Most investigators obtain at least one case study that they can use to establish the experience level and education needed for the position. Principal investigators are required to meet a minimum of 120 hours of training. They may also be required to undergo specialized training in subjects such as health, insurance, business law, financial law, or investigations of violence, sex crimes, and fraud. Before hiring an investigator, potential CPI’s should ask whether the agency conducts any type of pre-hire background screening.
After selecting a primary investigator, the CPI will work with him or her to develop an appropriate case strategy. During this stage, the investigator will work to gather information. For example, he or she will interview employees, obtain documents, conduct telephone investigations, contact former clients, and perform searches. The investigator will then compile all of the evidence and present it to the principal investigator for review. The investigator will discuss his or her case with the principal investigator and provide them with recommendations. The investigator then submits his or her report to the principal investigator.
Once the case has been developed, the primary investigator will start researching candidates. In many cases, candidates contacting principal investigators will do so because they have an interest in helping children. As such primary investigators will receive resumes on a regular basis. These resumes will often include personal information that may be used to identify them. Primary investigators are required to submit a minimum of two personal references per year and complete an approved disclosure document.
