Which of the following is NOT considered a client according to Texas PI licensing?

In the context of Texas PI licensing, a client is generally defined as any party that engages the services of a private investigator for investigative purposes. This typically includes individuals, businesses, and organizations that seek the expertise and resources of a PI to conduct investigations on their behalf.

An individual contracting investigation services is a clear client, as they are directly seeking help from a PI for personal or legal matters. Similarly, a corporation providing funding for private investigations is also considered a client, since they are facilitating the investigative work by financing the services. Additionally, a public organization working with a PI on regulatory compliance falls under the definition of a client, as they are collaborating with a PI for specific investigative tasks related to government regulations.

On the other hand, a competitor in the private security industry does not fit into the definition of a client. Competitors may have an interest in the work of private investigators, but they do not typically engage or contract the services of a PI to perform investigations for them. They are separate entities that operate in the same field but do not fall under the category of clients seeking investigative services. This distinction clarifies that only those who actively procure investigation services are considered clients in the context of Texas private investigator licensing.