Florida Association Of Private Investigators

What Florida Association Of Private Investigators does

The Florida Association of Private Investigators, Inc. (FAPI) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional membership association for licensed private investigators, originally founded in 1963 and re-established in 2005 by Harvey Morse and Ari Morse after the original organization had ceased operating. The association is headquartered at P.O. Box 22332 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with an additional incorporation mailing address in South Daytona and a recurring annual conference venue at the Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs. FAPI serves primarily licensed Florida investigators holding credentials under Florida Statute Chapter 493, with secondary member segments including out-of-state/international investigators, attorneys, law enforcement, students, and industry vendors.

FAPI's product surface is built on Wild Apricot membership software and consists of a set of membership services rather than a unified software platform: a public searchable Investigator Directory, an Industry Vendors Directory, the Board Accredited Investigator (B.A.I.) certification program delivered in partnership with Intellenet, the annual FAPI Litigation and Investigators Conference (offering CLE/CEU credits), a members-only FAPILIST discussion forum, regional and virtual networking events (Investigator Insights via Zoom), a Speakers Bureau for community education, and affiliated directories for partner state associations such as MAPI (Minnesota) and NHLI (New Hampshire).

FAPI's revenue is generated from three streams: recurring membership dues across four tiers (Active $115, Associate $75, Service & Industry $150, Student $35, annually with mid-year proration), transactional revenue from the annual conference (registration, Gold/Silver/Exhibitor sponsorship tiers), and vendor sponsorship/advertising from investigative data, training, insurance, and technology providers including TransUnion/TLOxp, Tracers, IDI, Trackops, NITA, PI Education, and Yergey Insurance. The organization is governed by an Executive Committee and Board of Directors led by President Carrie Kerskie, with advisory board members drawn from retired federal and state law enforcement ranks.

Name

Florida Association Of Private Investigators

Legal name

Florida Association of Private Investigators, Inc.

Website

https://myfapi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FAPI is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional association, originally founded in 1963 and based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that serves licensed Florida private investigators with membership dues, an annual CLE/CEU conference, a public investigator directory, and the Intellenet B.A.I. certification program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Lauderdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues collected from Active ($115/year), Associate ($75/year), Service & Industry ($150/year), and Student ($35/year) members. Dues are prorated for mid-year joins. The organization also offers Active-Life and Emeritus life membership categories with waived dues.
2. Annual Conference Revenue: Revenue generated from the Annual Litigation and Investigators Conference through registration fees, sponsorship packages (Gold, Silver, Exhibitor/Sponsor tiers), and vendor exhibit fees. Sponsorship provides brand exposure to a statewide audience of investigators, attorneys, and law enforcement professionals.
3. Vendor Sponsorship & Advertising: Industry vendors pay to sponsor events and receive visibility through the FAPI platform, website recognition, and conference presence. Vendors include data providers (Tracers, IDI, TLOxp), training providers (NITA, PI Education), insurance services (Yergey Insurance), and technology platforms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FAPI is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional membership association that provides licensed private investigators with networking, referral exchange, continuing education (CLE/CEU), a public investigator directory, an annual conference, and legislative advocacy. The organization sells annual memberships across Active, Associate, Service & Industry, and Student tiers, and further monetizes through conference sponsorships and vendor directory presence.

Product overview

The Florida Association of Private Investigators (FAPI) is a professional membership organization, not a unified software platform. Its offerings consist of member services and resources: the core Investigator Directory for finding licensed Florida PIs, an Industry Vendors Directory featuring investigator software and data providers, the Annual Conference with CLE/CEU education, Board Accredited Investigator (B.A.I.) Certification program, the Speakers Bureau educational outreach service, the FAPI Listserv member discussion forum, and affiliated investigator directories for Minnesota and New Hampshire. These are standalone services tied together through FAPI membership, powered by Wild Apricot membership software.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Investigator Directory A searchable online directory allowing users to find licensed private investigators in Florida by city, last name, company name, county, or specialty. Free public access for client referrals; membership provides listing inclusion.
• Annual Litigation and Investigators Conference A three-day event hosted at the Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs offering CLE/CEU credits, vendor exhibits, networking sessions, and professional development for investigators, attorneys, and law enforcement.
• Board Accredited Investigator (B.A.I.) Certification A professional certification program allowing elite investigators to establish higher credentials through extensive training, providing objective proof of knowledge, experience, and ethics recognized by clients and the legal community.
• FAPI Listserv Discussion Group (FAPILIST) A members-only email discussion group (FAPILIST) providing a platform to share referrals, questions, sources of information, and industry insights in a professional environment.
• Speakers Bureau A public education service where experienced FAPI member investigators volunteer to speak on investigative topics to educational, business, civil, professional, and social groups at no cost.
• Virtual Networking Events (Investigator Insights) Free Zoom-based virtual networking sessions (e.g., Investigator Insights) for FAPI members to maintain professional connections between in-person events.
• Annual Membership (Active / Associate / Service & Industry / Student tiers) Annual membership subscriptions granting access to the Listserv, public directory listing, member discounts, conference rates, and continuing education. Tiers: Active ($115/yr), Associate ($75/yr), Service & Industry ($150/yr), Student ($35/yr).
• FAPI Branded Merchandise FAPI-branded merchandise available to members through the association's products page.
• Conference Sponsorship Packages (Gold / Silver / Exhibitor) Tiered sponsorship packages (Gold, Silver, Exhibitor) for industry vendors seeking visibility at the Annual Litigation and Investigators Conference, including exhibit presence and brand exposure.

Quantifiable outcome

• FAPI supports CEUs from multiple states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Minnesota, Tennessee, and the Florida Bar Association for continuing education credits.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Board Accredited Investigators (Intellenet BAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAPI supports the Intellenet Board Accredited Investigator (BAI) certification program, which establishes a higher level of education and credentials for elite investigators. The BAI credential provides objective proof of professional knowledge and experience combined with the highest level of ethics, recognized by clients and the legal community.
• Minnesota Association of Private Investigators and Protective Agents (MAPI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAPI has formed a Professional Affiliation with FAPI allowing members Educational Training and Business Referral opportunities. MAPI provides a link to their membership directory for investigative or security related work in Minnesota and beyond. Joint board member coordination facilitates cross-state professional connections.
• The New Hampshire League of Investigators (NHLI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHLI is the only Association in New Hampshire for Professional Private Investigators, bound by a code of ethics, and committed to providing training, networking and representation before Legislature and on the Governor's Advisory Board. Affiliated directory provided through FAPI website.
• National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCISS is a cooperative effort of companies and associations providing private security and investigation services to the legal profession, business community, government and the public. Addresses overly restrictive legislation, training standards, and public understanding of the profession.
• National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNALI is the premiere professional association for litigation investigators. Founded in 1967, it provides fact-finding in personal injury cases, criminal defense, probate and estate matters, property and contract disputes, corporate due diligence, and family law cases.
• World Association of Detectives (WAD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWAD promotes and maintains the highest ethical practices in the profession and fosters cooperation among members and allied organizations. Purpose is to establish mutual feeling of trust, goodwill and friendship in the global investigative community.
• Council of International Investigators (CII)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational investigative association providing cross-border professional connections and standards for investigators worldwide.
• Georgia Association of Professional Private Investigators (GAPPI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState professional association for private investigators in Georgia, providing networking and referral opportunities for cross-state investigations.
• Louisiana Private Investigators Association (LPIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState professional association for private investigators in Louisiana, facilitating regional professional connections.
• International Intelligence Network (INTELLENET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINTELLENET is a worldwide network of investigators and security consultants with national and international specialized investigative capabilities. Members number over 600 with at least one agent in every state and members in more than 70 foreign countries.
• North Carolina Association of Private InvestigatorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState professional association for private investigators in North Carolina, providing regional professional networking.
• South Carolina Association of Legal InvestigatorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState professional association for legal investigators in South Carolina, focused on litigation support professionals.
• Virginia Professional Investigators and Security Association (VAPISA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState professional association combining private investigators and security professionals in Virginia.
• Council of Association Leaders (COALPI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of association leaders providing support and collaboration among professional investigator organizations.
• Investigative & Security Professionals for Legislative Action (ISPLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISPLA was formed based on industry need for proactive legislative action. Guides federal and state legislation to benefit the investigative and security profession.
• TransUnion/TLOxpmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor of the 2026 Annual Conference. TLOxp provides investigative database solutions for skip-tracing, asset searches, and due diligence. FAPI members benefit from preferred access to TLOxp's locate and investigative tools.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Council of International Investigators (CII): International investigative association providing cross-border professional connections and standards. FAPI lists CII as a Minor strategic partner; comparable in cross-jurisdictional membership and referral utility.
• National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS): National cooperative of companies and associations providing private security and investigation services. FAPI explicitly partners with NCISS, making it a directly comparable trade-association peer addressing legislative and training standards.
• National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI): Premiere US professional association for litigation investigators (founded 1967). Directly comparable to FAPI as a membership organization offering CLE/CEU, networking, and certification pathways to a similar investigator persona.
• World Association of Detectives (WAD): International professional association promoting ethical practices among investigators. FAPI lists WAD as a Core strategic partner; comparable in mission, ethics-driven membership, and global networking emphasis.
• Minnesota Association of Private Investigators and Protective Agents (MAPI): State-level PI professional association with a formal Professional Affiliation with FAPI. Comparable in scope (state-focused membership, directory, training) and explicitly cross-referenced on FAPI's platform.
• New Hampshire League of Investigators (NHLI): Only professional PI association in New Hampshire, providing training, networking, and legislative representation. FAPI hosts NHLI's directory, indicating a directly comparable state-association model and member persona.

Broad incumbents

• Investigative & Security Professionals for Legislative Action (ISPLA): Industry advocacy organization guiding federal and state legislation for the investigative and security profession. Comparable to FAPI's legislative advocacy function, but with a federal rather than state-level remit.
• International Intelligence Network (Intellenet): Worldwide network of investigators and security consultants operating in 70+ countries and all 50 US states. Comparable to FAPI through its 600+ member base, BAI certification program affiliation, and global referral utility.

Regional players

• Georgia Association of Professional Private Investigators (GAPPI): Georgia state PI professional association with networking and referral programs. Comparable in offering (state-level networking, advocacy, directory), but focused on a different geography than FAPI.
• California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI): Professional association for licensed investigators in California. Comparable membership-association model with directory, training, and advocacy offerings, but serving the California market rather than Florida.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NewHampshireLeagueofInvestigators
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fapi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 Private Investigators