We provide the best, in-person,
private investigator training in Texas.
StriderPI was specifically created to help PIs get their careers started. Whether you're ready to start your private investigator career, open your own private investigator practice, or grow your existing investigative practice, your journey starts here.
Strider PI
— Texas's Original PI Training Academy
Est. 2019
Are You Ready to Become a PI?
StriderPI is Texas's original in-person PI training academy, built by former FBI agents, Texas Rangers, counter-terrorism analysts, and active investigators. We don't hand out certificates. We turn total beginners into honest-to-God rookies.
90%
of students get licensed during
or immediately after the course
Since
2019
Texas's original in-person
PI training academy
Zero
to
one
From newbie to working rookie in 3 days
— The Problem
Getting started as a PI is harder than it should be.
In Texas, there are three separate agencies that each publish conflicting information about licensing requirements. Most online courses leave you certified on paper but completely unprepared for actual fieldwork. And finding an experienced PI willing to mentor you from scratch? Good luck.
There is no private investigator academy. There's no equivalent of a police academy or police FTO training. Cops get 600 to 900 hours of training before they set foot on the street. New PIs get ... a PDF.
We built StriderPI to fix that.
— The transformation
We take you from zero to one.
You don't need a law enforcement background. You don't need prior experience. You need the drive to do it — and the right people in your corner.
In three days, you'll work a real OSINT case. You'll experience nine to twelve live surveillance events in the field. You'll write your first investigative report. And you'll leave with seven start-up strategies to start working cases.
Moms returning to work. Veterans making a career change. Entrepreneurs. Business analysts. Tradespeople. They all find their niche in PI work — and they all start here.
01
Apply
During your free consultation, we'll assess your background, answer your questions, and confirm you're the right fit for the program.
02
Train
3-day S.P.I.T. class. Real OSINT casework. Live surveillance in the field. Report writing. Startup strategy. And a suprise on day two.
03
Get kicensed
We walk you through every step — TOPS, DPS, fingerprints, all of it. 90% of students get licensed during or immediately after the course.
03
— How It Works
02
Train
3-day S.P.I.T. class. Real OSINT casework. Live surveillance in the field. Report writing. Startup strategy. And a surprise on day two.
— Student Outcomes
They all started exactly
where you are now
One of our students — a woman with no law enforcement background — is now a full-time PI in Northeast Texas. She built her entire caseload herself. She takes trafficking, missing persons, and home invasion cases. She once called StriderPI founder Dave from the road rescuing a trafficking victim, asking for somewhere to stay the night. The answer was yes.
Another graduate became a bounty hunter — so calm under pressure that when a subject started shooting at him, he sat behind his truck and called 911; "I didn't want to have to shoot the guy myself."
Others have gone on to person protection work for professional athletes and movie stars, full-time corporate surveillance, and their own successful PI firms.
— WHat OuR Students Say
Strider PI elevates civilians to PI Rookie status. It's a great place to get started.
"
Michael Escalante — Texas Ranger & Owner, Escalante Company
"
At the FBI, we had hundreds of OSINT tools. Dave and his team showed me the top 100 used by Texas PIs. Great course!
L. Liddy — FBI Analyst, 15 years
"
I took this course so I could see how things are done in the civilian world.
Kirby T. — US Army Counter-Terrorist Analyst, 11 years
What We Provide
01
In-Person Training and 1:1 Consultation
We are the only in-person, Private Investigator training in Texas. Training is done in small groups of 4-7 to simulate team dynamics and maximize your learning curve.
02
Help with the "Quagmire"
The "Quagmire" is all the misinformation from official and unofficial sources that makes it hard to figure out how to become a Texas PI.
03
A Plan to Become a Texas PI
We have a plan to help new PI's succeed. We can share this plan with you, but it's up to you to make it happen.
04
A Free, 40-Minute Consultation
We will consult with you on your plans to become a Texas PI and offer advice based on our years of experience not only as PI's, but as cops, FBI Agents, Counter-Terrorist Analysts, OSINT experts, and more.
05
A Challenge
Being a Texas PI is the best job on the planet. Don't miss your chance to find out what it's like. Come join us!
Expert Guidance to Succeed in Your PI Career
"At StriderPI, you will learn by doing real casework, with real PIs, in real time." -
-Dave Amis, Lead Instructor
01
Surveillance 101
Surveillance may be the oldest PI technique dating back to Roman times. It's still relevant today as observation of subjects can solve cases, identify co-conspirators, and gain valuable intelligence or evidence. We will teach you both the theory and practices of surveillance, plus how to plan and write your report.
02
OSINT 102
OSINT stands for "open-source intelligence" and is basically investigation by computer using a variety of data and social media sources. Some investigators spend all of their time doing OSINT.
03
Investigative Reporting 103
Clear, accurate, and professional report writing is essential in any investigation. We teach you how to document findings effectively, ensuring your reports meet legal standards, communicate key details, and uphold your credibility as an investigator. From structuring your report to presenting evidence clearly, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Solutions
We can help you through the Quagmire
It's difficult to get started as a PI. Many websites provide false or misleading information. Even the rules are hard to understand. We'll help you understand the Quagmire and how to get through it. We can only provide the path, it's up to you to overcome it.
We don't accept everyone.
StriderPI is not a course you sign up for online and start tomorrow. Every applicant starts with a conversation so we can understand your background, goals and whether you're the right fit. Each class of 4 to 7 is intentionally built with people who bring different experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving crimes.
202 Walton Way
Suite 192-155
Cedar Park, TX 78613
StriderPI