Florida Association of Licensed Investigators

What Florida Association of Licensed Investigators does

The Florida Association of Licensed Investigators (FALI) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional association incorporated in 1994 and headquartered in Dade City, Florida. It serves Florida-licensed private investigators, agency owners, and interns (Class C, CC, M, MA, D license holders under Chapter 493, Florida Statutes), positioning itself as the state's largest and the nation's second-largest PI association. The organization operates a YourMembership.com-powered membership platform that provides a public Find-a-PI directory, member-only Listserv via GroupsIO, online application and dues processing, and event registration, supplemented by social login via Facebook and LinkedIn.

FALI's product surface is a layered stack of membership benefits: tiered annual dues ($75 student, $125 associate/affiliate, $195 active Class C, $225 specialist, $1,750 one-time life member); the FBCI (Florida Board Certified Investigator) certification program established in 1998 and held by only ~40 of the state's 7,000+ licensees; the bimonthly FALI Forum newsletter; FALI-U advanced training and FALI BootCamp for new licensees; a 32nd annual conference (April 30-May 2, 2026 in Orlando) offering 50+ CE hours; 7 regional area meetings across Florida; a PI Lending Library; and volunteer initiatives including the Child Sex Trafficking Task Force and an annual scholarship program. The Big 3 partnership with CALI (California) and TALI (Texas), formed in 2013, gives members access to a combined 3,000+ investigator network across the three largest PI association markets.

FALI's revenue model is subscription-recurring membership dues, augmented by cross-state Big 3 membership fees, conference registration, and third-party sponsorships (TransUnion, IRBsearch, TLO, insurance providers, training platforms). The organization is volunteer-governed by a board of practicing PIs, with no external ownership, no funding rounds, and no M&A activity. Its go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with the annual conference, regional meetings, E-Alerts, and the FALI Forum as primary engagement channels, layered on the legislative advocacy function that has produced material member economic benefits (2023 sales tax exemption, 2023 JAC rate increase, 2025 Alabama reciprocity).

Name

Florida Association of Licensed Investigators

Legal name

Florida Association of Licensed Investigators, Inc.

Website

https://fali.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

FALI is a Florida-based 501(c)(6) non-profit professional association serving licensed private investigators since 1994, providing membership, FBCI certification, education, legislative advocacy, and cross-state networking through the Big 3 partnership with California and Texas PI associations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dunedin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: FALI generates primary revenue from membership dues at multiple levels. Active Class C licensed investigators pay $195 annually; Associate members (Class CC, M, MA, D, or Process Server) pay $125; Affiliate members pay $125; Student members pay $75; Specialist members pay $225; and Life Members pay $1,750 one-time. Membership year runs 12 months from application completion date.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FALI is a non-profit professional association that provides membership services to licensed private investigators and agencies in Florida. Its core offering is a tiered annual membership program bundled with professional development resources (FBCI certification, FALI-U, BootCamp, annual conference), continuing education, networking (Listserv, regional meetings, Big 3 cross-state partnership), and legislative advocacy representation in Tallahassee.

Product overview

The Florida Association of Licensed Investigators (FALI) operates as a membership-based professional association rather than a traditional product company. The organization's core offering is its membership program with member directory services (Find-a-PI), supplemented by professional development modules including the FBCI certification program, FALI Forum newsletter, PI Lending Library, FALI-U advanced training, FALI BootCamp for new investigators, annual conference, and members-only Listserv communication platform. Additional initiatives include the Child Sex Trafficking Task Force, the Big 3 multi-state partnership with CALI and TALI, and an educational scholarship program. The association primarily serves licensed private investigators and agencies in Florida, advocating for the profession through legislative activities and professional standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FBCI (Florida Board Certified Investigator): Professional designation program for private investigators in Florida that establishes high standards of ethics, knowledge, and professionalism through continuing education requirements in professional conduct, ethics, statutory compliance, and investigative legal issues.

Products and services

• Find-a-PI Member Directory Public searchable directory allowing clients to find licensed private investigators by location (state/county), specialty codes, and investigator types. Includes member profiles with contact information and services offered.
• Florida Board Certified Investigator (FBCI) Certification Program Professional certification program established in 1998 requiring continuing education in professional conduct, ethics, investigative techniques, and statutory compliance. Held by approximately 40 of Florida's 7,000+ licensed investigators; signals high ethical and professional standards to clients.
• FALI-U Professional Development Program Advanced full-day learning program for experienced investigators and agency owners with at least three years of experience, led by industry experts and offering professional development credits.
• FALI BootCamp Introductory program for new private investigators and agency owners within three years of licensure, covering basics of starting a PI business, ethics, and regulatory compliance.
• Annual FALI Conference Annual educational conference featuring keynote speakers, training sessions with 20+ CE hours, and networking opportunities for investigative professionals, held in Orlando, FL.
• The Big 3 Association Partnership Partnership between FALI, CALI (California), and TALI (Texas) allowing members of each association to join the others at reduced rates, providing access to a network of over 3,000 investigators.
• Educational Scholarship Program Annual scholarship and grant program awarding $1,000 scholarships to students in four-year degree programs and $500 grants to Class CC Private Investigator Intern program completers.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CALI (California Association of Licensed Investigators)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013The Big 3 partnership, initiated in 2013 when presidents of FALI, CALI, and TALI came together, enables members of each association to join the other two at reduced rates. FALI members can join CALI for $114.50/year or $229/two-years. This partnership provides access to a network of over 3,000 private investigators across California, Florida, and Texas.
• TALI (Texas Association of Licensed Investigators)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013The Big 3 partnership enables FALI members to join TALI for $87.50/year or $175/two-years. This cross-state collaboration allows Florida investigators to network with Texas counterparts and provide services to clients needing assistance in Texas.
• NCISS (National Council of Investigation and Security Services)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFALI is a member and active participant in NCISS, a national association that monitors federal laws and regulations affecting the PI profession. NCISS provides updates on federal legislation that may impact state-level regulations.
• PIRSAC (Private Investigation, Recovery, and Security Advisory Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFALI is an active participant in PIRSAC under FDACS, meeting at least four times annually to advise the department and make recommendations relative to regulation of professions under Chapter 493.
• FDACS (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFALI works with the Division of Licensing under FDACS, which licenses and regulates the private investigative profession under Chapter 493, Florida Statutes. FALI verifies member licenses and participates in advisory councils.
• TransUnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTransUnion serves as a sponsor for FALI's PI Business Advanced Skills Session event in Boca Raton, providing lunch sponsorship and hosting the event at their headquarters.
• FDACS Division of LicensingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Division of Licensing within FDACS regulates private investigation under Chapter 493, Florida Statutes. FALI assists members with licensing requirements, verification, and maintains ongoing regulatory relationships.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• World Association of Detectives (WAD): WAD is an international professional association for investigators and security professionals. Comparable to FALI in offering membership, networking, and standards services, but operating globally rather than at the state level.
• National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI): NALI is a U.S.-wide professional association for legal investigators. While narrower than NCISS and focused on the legal-investigation niche, it overlaps with FALI on professional certification, continuing education, and advocacy for licensed investigators.
• National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS): NCISS is the national umbrella association for the U.S. investigation and security services industry. FALI is an active NCISS member; NCISS is comparable as a broader-scope professional association serving a wider portfolio of investigative and security disciplines across all states.

Regional players

• New York State Association of Licensed Investigators: A New York-state professional association for licensed investigators. Comparable to FALI as a state-level membership body providing education, networking, and advocacy, though operating in a different geography and therefore not a direct competitor for Florida members.

Others

• FDACS Division of Licensing (PIRSAC): The Florida state regulator that licenses and oversees private investigators under Chapter 493, with FALI represented on its PIRSAC advisory council. While not a peer association, it is the closest regulatory counterpart that shapes the licensing and continuing education framework FALI's members operate within.
• PI Magazine (Private Investigator Magazine): A trade publication and industry resource serving the U.S. private investigation community. Adjacent to FALI in audience (licensed PIs) and editorial coverage (training, legal updates), making it a thematic peer in the PI information ecosystem rather than a direct membership competitor.

Emerging players

• International Association of Private Investigators (IAPI): IAPI is a newer international professional association for licensed private investigators offering membership, training, and networking. It overlaps with FALI's value proposition (membership directory, CE, advocacy) and represents a potential alternative affiliation for Florida PIs.
• Investigative Academy: An online training provider serving private investigators with continuing education and specialty courses. Comparable to FALI on the education/CE side of FALI's offering (FALI-U, BootCamp) but operating as a commercial, primarily digital training provider rather than a membership association.

Direct peers

• Texas Association of Licensed Investigators (TALI): TALI is the Texas state-level PI association and the third partner in the Big 3 alliance with FALI and CALI. It offers the same membership, continuing education, and legislative advocacy model to Texas-licensed investigators, making it the closest functional twin of FALI.
• California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI): CALI is the California state-level counterpart to FALI and a co-founder of the Big 3 cross-state partnership. It is one of the three largest PI associations in the U.S., serving a parallel role for California-licensed investigators and offering directly comparable membership, education, and advocacy services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCexWhXQ4E9du2n71FoV3uhw
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Florida Association of Licensed Investigators