Professional licensure is required to work as a computer forensic professional in over one-third of the states in the United States and in other countries. For example, in the State of Georgia, the Board of Private Detectives and Security has ruled that computer forensic professionals fall under its jurisdiction and must earn a Private Investigator (PI) license to practice their trade in that state. (This credential is reciprocal with licenses in California and Louisiana, among other states). Be sure to check with your state or other local governing bodies to see if you must obtain a professional license to conduct computer forensic investigations before undertaking any such work. Failures to comply make you liable for both civil and criminal prosecution.