Compare licensing rules
Pick up to three states or countries to see their rules side by side.
| Ohio | |
|---|---|
| Status | Licence required |
| Regulator | Ohio Department of Public Safety (Ohio Homeland Security) – Private Investigator Security Guard Services (PISGS) |
| Who holds the licence | Individuals and agencies |
| Experience | 2 years (4,000 working hours) of investigatory work in the 24 months before application, for a law enforcement/public agency, a licensed PI firm, or in the practice of law; director may accept equivalents (criminal justice education, military police, police service within 10 years) |
| Exam | Yes |
| Training | Only if armed: a basic firearms course of 20 hours of handgun training (plus 5 hours for any other firearm), then annual range requalification (ORC 4749.10) |
| Bond or insurance | General liability insurance: at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury, $100,000 property damage |
| Fees | Licence $375 (refunded if refused); exam $25; $5 BCI fingerprint-database enrolment; annual renewal $275; branch office $100; firearm-bearer notation $15; BCI fingerprint fee extra (OAC 4501:7-1-17) |
| Renewal | Annually; all licences expire 1 March; renewal fee $275; renewal needs proof of workers' compensation and unemployment insurance coverage (ORC 4749.03(D); OAC 4501:7-1-17) |
| Continuing education | No continuing education requirement in ORC Chapter 4749 or OAC 4501:7-1; armed licensees must requalify on a firearms range each year |
| Reciprocity | No reciprocal licence. Nonresidents licensed in another state must still get an Ohio licence, but the director may waive the exam and its fee if the home state gives Ohio residents the same waiver (ORC 4749.12). |
| Recording calls | One-party consent |
| Firearms | Separate firearm-bearer notation needed ($15): complete an approved 20-hour handgun course (plus 5 hours for other firearms) or be a former peace officer with approved training, pass an FBI background check, and requalify on the range every year (ORC 4749.10) |
Reference information, not legal advice. Each profile lists its sources and the date it was checked.