How to get a security guard license in Ohio

Ohio licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Registered security guard employee (employee registration with an identification card, applied for by the licensed security provider), issued by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Private Investigator Security Guard Services (PISGS); Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4749 and Ohio Administrative Code 4501:7-1.

Licensing agencyOhio Department of Public Safety, Private Investigator Security Guard Services (PISGS); Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4749 and Ohio Administrative Code 4501:7-1 official source
Credential for unarmed guardsRegistered security guard employee (employee registration with an identification card, applied for by the licensed security provider) official source
Credential for armed guardsFirearm-bearer notation on the employee identification card official source
Training, armedFirearms basic training program of 20 hours of handgun training plus 5 hours for any other firearm (ORC 4749.06(D)), or approved equivalency; annual requalification on a firearms range (ORC 4749.10(A)); OPOTA course certificate, FBI fingerprints official source
Background checkYes: one complete set of fingerprints to BCI (WebCheck), taken no more than 30 days before the application; FBI check if the employee intends to carry a firearm; disqualifying offences within the last 3 years (ORC 4776.10); BCI Rapback monitoring official source
State feeUSD 40 (issuance of each employee registration identification card (OAC 4501:7-1-17(A)(7))); USD 25 (annual renewal of each registration identification card (OAC 4501:7-1-17(A)(8))); USD 15 (firearm bearer notation on the registration card (OAC 4501:7-1-17(A)(9))); USD 5 (duplicate registration card (OAC 4501:7-1-17(A)(11))); separate (BCI fingerprint check fee set by the BCI superintendent; amount not stated in the booklet) official source
Renewal1 year (registration expires annually on the anniversary of initial issuance, ORC 4749.06(F)) official source
Working while the application is pendingYes with a client waiver: pending issuance of the ID card, a licensee may offer for hire security guard employees if the person who receives the services signs a waiver acknowledging that registration is not complete (ORC 4749.06(C); PISGS waiver form PSU 0060). The application must be filed within 7 calendar days after hire and the employee's name is posted on the payroll before working an assignment official source

Official Ohio application page

Checked against official Ohio sources on Oct 18, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the licensing agency before you apply. This page lists only facts we could confirm on an official page.

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