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How to get a Security guard employee registration in Ohio

Ohio licenses security guards statewide through the Private Investigator Security Guard Services (PISGS).1 For the Security guard employee registration (registration identification card) you need a criminal background check1. The board lists $40 for the initial license2. You renew every year1.

Last checked · 16 official sources

Who issues it

Private Investigator Security Guard Services (PISGS)

Fees the board lists

Initial license fee: $402

Renewal

Every year1

From another state

No reciprocity route3

On this page
  1. Ohio security guard licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Security guard employee registration
  4. Requirements for a Security guard employee registration
  5. How much a Security guard employee registration costs
  6. How to apply
  7. Renewal and continuing education
  8. Class A – Private Investigation & Security Services
  9. Class C – Security Services
  10. Firearm-bearer (FAB) endorsement
  11. City and county rules
  12. Check a license or report a problem
  13. Laws and rules
  14. Common questions
  15. Security guard licenses in other states

Ohio security guard licenses

Ohio issues 4 security guard credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceExamApplication or license fee
Class A – Private Investigation & Security ServicesSecurity services: furnishing, for hire, watchmen, guards, private patrolmen or others whose main duty is protecting persons or property, guard dogs, or armored vehicle security services.4Experience 4,000 hours2Yes5$2005
Class C – Security ServicesSecurity services: furnishing, for hire, watchmen, guards, private patrolmen or others whose main duty is protecting persons or property, guard dogs, or armored vehicle security services.4Experience 4,000 hours2Yes5$2005
Firearm-bearer (FAB) endorsement / notationAllows a registered guard or licensee to carry the listed firearm type while working for the company holding the endorsement.6Training 20 clock hours6Yes7$152
Security guard employee registration (registration identification card)Security services: furnishing, for hire, watchmen, guards, private patrolmen or others whose main duty is protecting persons or property, guard dogs, or armored vehicle security services.4––$402

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Ohio security guard licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 4)

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No reciprocity for licenses held in other states; out-of-state applicants must apply in Ohio and supply verification of their other state licenses.3

2. Every license level except Firearm-bearer (FAB) endorsement / notation

What it covers

Security services: furnishing, for hire, watchmen, guards, private patrolmen or others whose main duty is protecting persons or property, guard dogs, or armored vehicle security services.4

How to apply

Apply online
apps.dps.ohio.gov8

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Veterans, service members and spouses get priority processing (complete applications within four business days); expired registrations of deployed members/spouses can be renewed without penalty.2

3. Security guard employee registration (registration identification card) and Firearm-bearer (FAB) endorsement / notation

Renewal

How often
Every year12

4. Class A – Private Investigation & Security Services and Class C – Security Services

Requirements

Education or training
No education requirement; a criminal-justice or law-enforcement degree (associate or higher) may count toward experience.3
Exam
PISGS qualifying agent examination (ORC 4749 and OAC 4501:7-1)3
Given by: Ohio Department of Public Safety (in-house), Columbus3
When you can take it: After the application and documents are verified.3
Retakes: Up to three attempts within 90 days of eligibility; each retest costs an extra fee.2
Time limit: 90 days.3
Exam waived: Waived only for a currently approved Ohio QA (or one who qualified a business within six months).3
Background check
Background check required5
Fingerprints required9
Refusal for a conviction must follow ORC 9.79; the director may grant a one-year conditional license.5
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply10
Residency or citizenship
Ohio residency not required; out-of-state applicants supply their other state licenses.3
Insurance
Comprehensive general liability of at least $100,000 per occurrence / $300,000 aggregate (agency page); statute: $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury plus $100,000 property damage.5
Business requirements
Ohio Secretary of State registration certificate (good-standing letter if registered over six months).3
Business requirements
Company must have a Qualifying Agent who meets the experience requirement and passes the exam.4
Business requirements
Workers' compensation and unemployment insurance coverage required at renewal.5
Business requirements
Each additional business location needs a branch license.2
Also required
Five character references from non-relatives who have known the QA over five years.3

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$2005PISGS–
Exam fee$2511PISGSNot refundable
Exam retake fee$2511PISGSNot refundable
Branch Application$1002PISGSEach branch office. Not refundable
Duplicate or replacement license$2511PISGSNot refundable

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Register the company with the Ohio Secretary of State and gather QA documents (photo, five references, experience, BCI prints no older than 30 days).3
  2. Request online access through ODPS Identity Manager.3
  3. Complete the New Company License Application online and pay fees.3
  4. The QA passes the exam (up to three attempts in 90 days).3
  5. Email the insurance certificate (Acord) naming PISGS as certificate holder.3
  6. PISGS issues the wall license and QA card; then register every guard employee online.3

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years5
If it expires
An expired license cannot be renewed; a new license is required.12

Who needs a Security guard employee registration

Work that does not need this license:

  • In-house (proprietary) security employees protecting their own employer's property are exempt if the employer withholds taxes and is not itself a security provider.4
  • Commissioned peace officers working for a licensee are exempt from employee registration.1

Requirements for a Security guard employee registration

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Background check
Background check required1
Fingerprints required9
Card issues only if no disqualifying offense (felony theft/burglary/fraud-type and listed offenses, or a crime of moral turpitude) within the last three years.2
Social Security number
Licensee must verify the employee's SSN.2
Also required
Must be a W-2 employee of a licensed company; a guard paid on a 1099 needs their own company license.13

How much a Security guard employee registration costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$402PISGSUsually paid by the employing licensee. Not refundable
Duplicate or replacement license$52PISGSNot refundable
Transfer$511PISGSNot refundable

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Get hired as a W-2 employee by a PISGS-licensed (class A or C) security company.13
  2. Get BCI fingerprints at a WebCheck location using reason code 4749.06, no more than 30 days before the application.9
  3. Your employer files the online registration with a passport-style photo and the fee 3 to 7 calendar days after your hire date.13
  4. Until your card arrives you may work unarmed only if the client signs a waiver; carry the card once issued.13
Temporary or provisional license
No temporary card; work before the card arrives only with a signed client waiver (unarmed).1
Processing time
Veteran/spouse applications expedited within four business days once complete; no general processing time published.2

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires
Expires each year on the anniversary of first issuance.2
Renewal fee
$252
If it expires
If not renewed, the registration expires automatically and a new application is needed.2

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Ohio Security guard employee registration (registration identification card). The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Class A – Private Investigation & Security Services

Requirements

Experience
At least 4,000 hours of on-the-job training2
Class A qualifying agent: at least 4,000 working hours including at least 1,000 in investigations and 1,000 in security services, in the 24 months before applying.2
Supervision: Hours must fall in the 24 months before the application.2
Substitute: Military police/security service, or law-enforcement/peace-officer experience in the last 10 years, may be deemed equivalent; management experience may also count.2
Substitute: With a criminal-justice/law-enforcement degree, class A still needs 1,000 investigation + 1,000 security hours.2

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Class C – Security Services

Requirements

Experience
At least 4,000 hours of on-the-job training2
Class C qualifying agent: at least 4,000 working hours of security services work in the 24 months before applying (statute: two years full-time).2
Supervision: Hours must fall in the 24 months before the application.2
Substitute: Military police/security service, or law-enforcement/peace-officer experience in the last 10 years, may be deemed equivalent; management experience may also count.2
Substitute: With a criminal-justice/law-enforcement degree the hours drop to 2,000 (class C) or 1,000 + 1,000 (class A).2

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Firearm-bearer (FAB) endorsement

Allows a registered guard or licensee to carry the listed firearm type while working for the company holding the endorsement.6

Requirements

Education or training
At least 20 clock hours6
OPOTC-approved basic firearm training: 20 hours handgun, plus 5 hours for each other firearm type.7
Who may teach it: Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) approved training school.6
Alternative: Current/former peace officers use their OPOTC certificate and latest score sheet.6
Experience
Must already be a registered employee (or licensee/QA).6
Exam
OPOTC firearm course qualification7
Background check
Background check required6
Fingerprints required9
Also required
A concealed-carry permit does not authorize carrying on duty.6

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Initial license fee$152PISGSNot refundable

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

  1. Complete the 20-hour OPOTC private security firearm course (plus 5 hours per other firearm type).6
  2. Get FBI and BCI fingerprints sent directly to PISGS (results no older than 30 days).6
  3. Your employer submits the FAB application; you receive a registration card with the FAB notation and must carry it whenever armed.6

Renewal

When it expires
First notation valid 18 months from qualification; then annual requalification (12 months).2
Renewal fee
$152

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Class A – Private Investigation & Security ServicesState license/registration applies statewide; municipalities may add non-conflicting ordinances but may not charge license or registration fees beyond ORC 4749.14

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a security guard in Ohio, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Ohio is on the Ohio license lookup page.

Look up a license: Security guard employee registration (registration identification card)
homelandsecurity.ohio.gov15
Look up a license: Class A – Private Investigation & Security Services
homelandsecurity.ohio.gov16

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

Can I transfer my security guard license to Ohio?

No reciprocity for licenses held in other states; out-of-state applicants must apply in Ohio and supply verification of their other state licenses.3 Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Security guard employee registration in Ohio?

Every year1. The renewal fee is $252.

Security guard licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. ORC 4749.06 Registration of employeesOhio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov)Dated September 28, 2012Checked November 7, 2026
  2. OAC Chapter 4501:7-1 Licenses (private investigator / security guard)Ohio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov)Dated April 1, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
  3. Step-by-Step InstructionsOhio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Homeland Security - Private Investigator Security Guard ServicesDated September 12, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  4. Apply for a LicenseOhio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Homeland Security - Private Investigator Security Guard ServicesDated September 13, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  5. ORC 4749.03 License requirementOhio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov)Dated April 9, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  6. Firearm-bearer EndorsementOhio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Homeland Security - Private Investigator Security Guard ServicesDated September 13, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  7. ORC 4749.10 Carrying firearmOhio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov)Dated July 1, 2005Checked November 7, 2026
  8. Skip to Main ContentPrivate Investigator Security Guard ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  9. Fingerprinting InformationOhio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Homeland Security - Private Investigator Security Guard ServicesDated April 7, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
  10. Criminal Conviction DeterminationOhio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Homeland Security - Private Investigator Security Guard ServicesDated September 13, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  11. PISGS FeesOhio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Homeland Security - Private Investigator Security Guard ServicesDated September 13, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  12. Licensed Company ResourcesOhio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Homeland Security - Private Investigator Security Guard ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  13. Mid-Week Minute: Proper Registration (October 20, 2026)Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Homeland Security - Private Investigator Security Guard ServicesDated October 20, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  14. ORC 4749.09 Effect of municipal regulation - feesOhio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov)Dated November 27, 1985Checked November 7, 2026
  15. Skip to Main ContentPrivate Investigator Security Guard ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
  16. Skip to Main ContentPrivate Investigator Security Guard ServicesChecked November 7, 2026