Private investigator licensing in Ohio

Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Ohio. Ohio's Department of Public Safety, through its Private Investigator Security Guard Services unit (PISGS), issues Class B (private investigation) or Class A (investigation plus security) licences to individuals, or to companies through a qualifying agent, and licensees register their employees each year. The individual or qualifying agent needs 4,000 working hours of investigative work in the 24 months before applying (or experience the director accepts as equivalent), must pass a state exam in Columbus and must carry general liability insurance.

Ohio Department of Public Safety (Ohio Homeland Security) – Private Investigator Security Guard Services (PISGS), under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4749; OAC 4501:7-1.

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)

Yes, applicants must pass an exam.

General liability insurance: at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury, $100,000 property damage

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)

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)

1. Check you have 4,000 working hours of investigative experience in the last 24 months, or equivalent experience the director accepts 2. Get general liability insurance naming PISGS as certificate holder ($100,000/$300,000 bodily injury, $100,000 property damage) 3. Have BCI fingerprints taken at a WebCheck site (reason code ORC 4749.03, results direct-copied to PISGS) no more than 30 days before applying 4. Submit the Provider Application and Qualifying Agent Application with a passport photo, five character references, the $375 licence fee and the $25 exam fee 5. Once approved, book an exam date (notified by email) and pass the exam in Columbus within 90 days and three attempts 6. Receive the wall licence and qualifying agent ID card, then register any employees

No temporary or per-case permit: anyone doing private investigation in Ohio must hold an Ohio licence, though the exam may be waived for licensees from states with a reciprocal waiver (ORC 4749.12, 4749.13)

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).

Ohio is a one-party consent state: you can generally record a conversation you are part of without telling the others.