Professional Certified Investigator (PCI)

The Professional Certified Investigator (PCI®) credential is a key asset for career growth, validating your specialized expertise in investigative techniques and case management. Achieving PCI certification ensures recognition from security professionals worldwide, demonstrating your mastery in investigative methods, case handling, and presentation.

The PCI certification offers verifiable proof of your knowledge and proficiency in professional responsibility, investigative practices, and case presentations. Earning this certification confirms your advanced skills, including your ability to gather information through surveillance, interviews, and interrogations.

The PCI certification applies to various fields of investigation, such as:

• Arson
• Child abuse
• Forensics
• Gaming
• Healthcare fraud
• High-tech crimes
• Insurance fraud
• Loss prevention
• Narcotics
• Property and casualty
• Threat assessment
• White collar crime
• Workplace violence

PCI Eligibility Criteria

The PCI certification is aimed at individuals with 3 to 5 years of investigative experience, including at least two years of case management. To qualify for the PCI exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Work Experience:

• Without a higher education degree:
  • Five years of investigative experience (or four if holding an APP), including at least two years in case management.
• With a higher education degree:
  • A Master’s Degree or international equivalent from an accredited institution and three years of investigative experience, including at least two years in case management.
  • OR a Bachelor’s Degree or international equivalent from an accredited institution and four years of investigative experience (or three if holding an APP), including at least two years in case management.

Case management is the coordination and oversight of an investigation, ensuring all findings are assessed and integrated to determine the investigation’s overall conclusions.

Additional Requirements:

• Full-time employment in a security-related role
• No criminal convictions that would tarnish the security profession or the ASIS certification program
• Willingness to adhere to the ASIS Certification Code of Conduct and policies in the Certification Handbook

Why Pursue the PCI Designation?

• Validate your expertise in security investigations
• Gain global recognition from peers and industry professionals
• Secure a competitive edge in the job market
• Enhance career growth and earning potential
• Experience personal fulfillment and professional success

Exam Details

To earn the Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) designation, candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive examination consisting of approximately 140 multiple-choice questions. The exam includes 125 “live,” scoreable questions and 15 pretest questions, with each question offering four possible answers from which the candidate must select the correct one. The examination is available in both English and Spanish. To pass, candidates must achieve a scaled score of at least 650. The total time allocated for the exam is two and a half hours.

Course Outline

The exam assesses a range of tasks, knowledge, and skills across three key domains. The significance of each domain, along with the associated tasks, knowledge, and skills, shapes the structure and content of the PCI examination.

Domain 1: Professional Responsibility (28%)

TASK 1: Analyze case for applicable ethical conflicts.

Knowledge of:

• Nature/types/categories of ethical issues related to cases (e.g., attorney‐client, conflict of interest, fiduciary, potential for dual role bias/discrimination, specific area competency)
• The role of applicable laws, regulations, codes, and organizational policies/administrative guidelines in conducting investigations

TASK 2: Assess case elements, strategies, and risks.

Knowledge of:

• Case categories (e.g., civil, cyber, criminal, internal, financial, workplace violence)
• Qualitative and quantitative analytical methods and tools
• Strategic/operational analysis
• Criminal intelligence analysis
• Risk identification and impact
• Stakeholder identification

TASK 3: Determine investigative goals and develop strategy.

Knowledge of:

• Initial projected case type (e.g., administrative, criminal)
• Cost‐benefit analysis
• Procedural options
• Case flow / investigative plan
• Investigative methods

TASK 4: Determine and manage investigative resources.

Knowledge of:

• Resource requirements (e.g., equipment, internal and external liaisons, personnel)
• Resource allocations (e.g., budget, time)
• Case management practices (e.g., chain of custody procedures, documentation requirements, case closure)

TASK 5: Identify, evaluate, and implement investigative process improvements.

Knowledge of:

• Process improvement techniques (e.g., gap analysis, project management techniques)
• Internal review (e.g., human resources, internal liaisons, legal, management)
• External review (e.g., accreditation agency, external liaisons, regulatory bodies)
• Investigative resources (e.g., administrative records, Open‐Source Intelligence (OSINT))
• Investigative tools (e.g., case management software, data collection software, digital forensic software)

Domain 2: Investigative Techniques & Procedures (52%)

TASK 1: Conduct surveillance by physical, behavioral, and electronic means.

Knowledge of:

• Surveillance authorization and restrictions (e.g., legal considerations, types of surveillance)
• Surveillance tools (e.g., analytics, equipment, metadata, software, system logs)
• Pre‐surveillance activities (e.g., advance assessment, logistics, planning, resources)
• Procedures for documenting surveillance activities (e.g., case management solutions, privacy concerns, secure storage)

TASK 2: Conduct interviews of individuals.

Knowledge of:

• Interview types (e.g., subject, witness, person of interest)
• Interview techniques
• Special considerations (e.g., environment, interview subject’s mental health, translator, in person vs. remote)
• Indicators of deception (e.g., evasiveness, non‐verbal communication, word choice)
• Subject statement documentation (e.g., audio, video, written)
• Representation considerations (e.g., juvenile advocacy, legal counsel, union representation)

TASK 3: Collect and preserve evidence.

Knowledge of:

• Sources of evidence (e.g., biological, digital, physical)
• Methods/procedures for collection of various types of evidence
• Methods/procedures for preservation of various types of evidence (e.g., biological, computer operations, digital media)
• Chain of custody considerations and requirements (e.g., physical, digital, biological)

TASK 4: Conduct research by physical, digital, and electronic means.

Knowledge of:

• Methods of research using physical, information technology, and operational technology resources
• Information sources (e.g., databases, digital media, government, open source, proprietary)
• Methods of analysis of research results
• Research documentation (e.g., findings)

TASK 5: Collaborate with and obtain information from other agencies and organizations.

Knowledge of:

• External information sources
• Liaison development and maintenance
• Liaison techniques (e.g., formal, informal)
• Techniques for using and synthesizing external information (e.g., documented vs. undocumented, protecting sources and sensitivities, redacting)

TASK 6: Use investigative techniques.

Knowledge of:

• Legal, administrative, and organizational considerations
• Concepts, principles, and methods of video/audio recordings
• Concepts, principles, and methods of forensic analysis (e.g., biological, digital, physical)
• Concepts, principles, and methods of undercover investigations
• Concepts, principles, and methods of threat and risk assessments
• Concepts, principles, and methods of applying IT/OT technologies
• Use of confidential sources

Domain 3: Case Presentation (20%)

TASK 1: Prepare report to substantiate investigative findings.

Knowledge of:

• Critical elements and format of an investigative report (e.g., audience/legal considerations, addressing privacy and confidentiality, types of report)
• Investigative terminology
• Logical sequencing of information

TASK 2: Prepare and present testimony.

Knowledge of:

• Types of testimony (e.g., administrative hearings, criminal and civil proceedings, depositions)
• Preparation for testimony (e.g., pre‐trial rehearsal)
• Testimony best practices

Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) Exam FAQs

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Exam Policies

Some of the exam policies include:

Exam Results

Upon completing your exam, preliminary results will be sent to the email address registered with Prometric, typically within five hours. Official score verification will be provided by ASIS approximately three weeks after the exam date.

Scoring Methodology

ASIS exams utilize a scaled scoring system to determine passing scores. Before being included in the exam, all questions undergo a pretesting process, during which Prometric’s psychometricians evaluate their performance and difficulty level.

Recertification

ASIS certification holders are required to recertify every three years by earning Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. This process demonstrates your dedication to maintaining up-to-date knowledge and skills in the security profession, ensuring ongoing credibility with colleagues, peers, and employers.

Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) Exam Study Guide

1. Use the PCI Exam Official Guide

The ASIS Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) Study Guide is a valuable resource for individuals preparing for the PCI certification exam. It provides comprehensive information about the test itself, including its format, scoring, and passing score. Additionally, the guide offers practical advice on how to effectively study for the exam, such as creating a study schedule, utilizing practice exams, and seeking out study groups. Finally, the study guide outlines the recommended reference materials, including textbooks, online resources, and other materials that can aid in exam preparation.

2. ASIS Exam Review Courses

ASIS offers certification review courses designed to enhance your preparation for the PCI exam. These courses provide a structured learning environment, expert instruction, and valuable interaction with fellow candidates. They cover key exam topics, offer practice questions and exam-style assessments, and provide valuable insights into the exam format and scoring.

3. Use Flash Cards

Flash cards are a simple yet effective study tool for the PCI exam. They can be used to memorize key terms, definitions, legal concepts, and investigative techniques. By repeatedly reviewing flash cards, you can strengthen your recall and improve your ability to quickly access and apply the information you’ve learned. By incorporating flash cards into your PCI exam study plan and using them effectively, you can significantly enhance your understanding and retention of key concepts, ultimately increasing your chances of success on exam day.

4. Utilize ASIS Official Reference Resources

ASIS strongly recommends that candidates utilize these reference materials when preparing for the PCI certification exam. These resources are essential, as the item writers and reviewers rely on them to establish the correct answers for the exam. The materials provide in-depth knowledge and are aligned with the exam’s content areas, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. Candidates are encouraged to thoroughly review these resources to gain a solid foundation and increase their chances of success. The reference materials include:

• Protection of Assets (2021 edition) – Investigations
• Investigations Standard

5. Join Study Groups

Joining study groups and online communities can significantly enhance your PCI exam preparation. These platforms provide opportunities to interact with fellow candidates, share insights, discuss challenging concepts, and gain diverse perspectives. By actively participating in group discussions, you can clarify your understanding, identify areas for improvement, and benefit from the collective knowledge of your peers. Additionally, study groups can provide motivation, accountability, and a supportive learning environment, making the exam preparation process more enjoyable and less daunting.

6. Take Practice Exams

The PCI Practice Test is designed to provide individuals with a realistic simulation of the actual PCI certification exam. It includes a sample of the types of questions that will be encountered on the exam, covering a range of topics relevant to the field of professional investigation. By taking the practice test, candidates can familiarize themselves with the exam format, question styles, and difficulty level. This exposure allows them to identify their strengths and weaknesses, pinpoint areas requiring further study, and develop effective exam-taking strategies. While the practice test does not guarantee success on the actual exam, it serves as a valuable tool for assessing preparedness and refining study efforts.