Page 30 - March 2021 TTI

Why Earn the TBCI Certification?

by Kevin Pipkins, Former TBCI Chair

A Texas Board Certified Investigator (TBCI) is the elite of our the quality and caliber for professional publication can be tough.
profession. This designation has been created by the Texas However, every college degree or peer-level certification to
Association of Licensed Investigators (TALI) to allow showcase your skill level, experience and knowledge can require
investigators an opportunity to demonstrate that they are the significant work but offer substantial rewards.
most experienced and knowledgeable in our business.
I enjoyed the experience of obtaining the TBCI certification.
The TBCI certification has helped me on many occasions in my The written examination was challenging because several areas of
career. In formal testimony at trial and in depositions, I have the test covered topics outside of my specific area of expertise.
been asked about my degrees, credentials and certifications. On The TBCI certification is designed to be successfully completed
many legal affidavits, I include my years of experience and only by experienced investigators who should have a broad area
certifications prior to stating the sworn facts in the affidavit. of knowledge and experiences to hold the certification.
The TBCI Certification allows me to represent that I hold one of
the highest certification available among investigation The oral examination was a re-enactment of an actual
professionals in our industry. investigation scenario. Of course, the names and details had
been modified to protect confidentiality. The sample case was
When marketing to my clients, I am able to promote to my comprehensive and thought-provoking. Working through the
clients, who may be comparing my agency to our competition, investigation process provides candidates with several possible
that I am in an elite group who hold this certification which is alternatives to resolving the investigation in a detailed and
sponsored by TALI, one of the largest investigation professional ethical conclusion. The program allowed the candidate to
associations in America. We also refer and recommend fellow demonstrate their level of experience and investigation
TBCI members for business. We often receive assignments for knowledge.
cases that are outside of our general area and the case cannot
justify the travel costs. Some cases also require local knowledge The White Paper that I prepared was a dissertation of a brief
and resources. In those cases, we will search for an investigator history of Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the changes that
in the area where the case investigation is needed. We always were underway at that time with the investigation processes and
search the TALI website under the TBCI certification link to regulations regarding civil process service. The Texas Supreme
determine if there is a TBCI member in that region. We always Court was altering the operations significantly and civil process
choose the TBCI certified investigator because we know that we was in rapid transformation at that time. My intention was to
are hiring a knowledgeable and experienced investigator to work educate fellow investigators of concerns and substantial
on our case. TBCI certification provides us with recognition modifications for this specific issue in our industry.
from our peers and hopefully promotes referrals from other
investigators. Many attorneys/clients who are seeking the top If you look on the TALI website under the TBCI link, you will
level investigators will use the TBCI link on the TALI website to see a list of TBCI members. These investigators are the
locate the investigators who are represented as the most individuals who many of us respect and hold in the highest
experienced and quality investigators in Texas. regard. If you believe that you are one of the best investigators
in Texas, the next question is - Why is your name not on that
The certification is not for everyone. I understand why some list?
investigators evaluate the TBCI process and hesitate because of
the significant amount of time and resources required to Please contact the current TBCI Chair, Kimberly Bates
complete the certification. The written and oral exams are not ([email protected]) if you have any questions. More
easy and will require an entire day. The time and written information can also be found online at www.tali.org/tbci-
communication skills necessary to write a White Paper that has program.

28 | MARCH 2021 THE TEXAS INVESTIGATOR