Ohio Administrative Code 4501:7-1

Question 1

Department

Answer 1

Ohio department of public safety

Question 2

Director

Answer 2

The director of the Ohio department of public safety or designee

Question 3

Military

Answer 3

Any of the armed forces of the United States, a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, the Ohio national guard or the national guard of any other state, the Ohio military reserve, and the Ohio naval militia

Question 4

Identification card” or “I.D. card

Answer 4

A card issued by the department to an employee of, or a qualifying agent of, a class A, class B, or class C licensee which contains the personal and employer information

Question 5

Investigator

Answer 5

Has the same meaning as “private investigator”

Question 6

Licensee

Answer 6

Refers to a person or entity that provide private investigative services, security services, or both

Question 7

Provider

Answer 7

Any person who engages in the business of private investigation, the business of security services, or both, and has the same meaning as “licensee.”

Question 8

Qualifying Agent

Answer 8

The owner, officer or a hired person of the company that fulfills the experience requirements

Question 9

Veteran

Answer 9

Anyone who is serving or has served under honorable conditions, in any component of the armed forces, including the national guard and reserve

Question 10

Waiver

Answer 10

Form PSU 0060

Question 11

Reputation for integrity department of public safety may consider

Answer 11

If the applicant has been convicted of, or plead guilty to, a misdemeanor within one year of the date of application

Question 12

Reputation for integrity department of public safety may consider

Answer 12

If the applicant has been convicted of, or plead guilty to, a felony within three years of the date of application

Question 13

Reputation for integrity department of public safety may consider

Answer 13

Reputation for integrity department of public safety may consider

Question 14

Reputation for integrity department of public safety may consider

Answer 14

If the applicant has ever operated a business of private investigation, business of security services or both without general liability insurance coverage

Question 15

Reputation for integrity department of public safety may consider

Answer 15

If the applicant for licensure has defaulted on a settlement agreement, adjudication order, or cease and desist order with the department

Question 16

Requirement of new license

Answer 16

A change in the class of a license or Failure to renew a current license by the licensee by the first day of March each year

Question 17

License applications

Answer 17

Each applicant for a class A, class B, or class C license shall submit a “Provider Application” to the director of the department of public safety (department) accompanied by the license fee

Question 18

License applications

Answer 18

A “Branch Office Application” shall be submitted for each additional business location accompanied by the branch license fee

Question 19

License applications

Answer 19

Each “Provider Application” must be accompanied by a “Qualifying Agent Application” and the qualifying agent (QA) examination fee. A passport style photograph taken within one year of submission, and bearing a reasonable likeness to the applicant must be submitted with the “Qualifying Agent Application

Question 20

Insurance

Answer 20

All applicants for licensure shall submit evidence of comprehensive general liability insurance coverage, or equivalent guarantee approved by the director. Coverage shall be verified by the insurer and certified as to not less than one hundred thousand dollars for each person and three hundred thousand dollars for each occurrence for bodily injury liability, and one hundred thousand dollars for property damage liability

Question 21

Insurance

Answer 21

Must list the “Department of Public Safety Private Investigator Security Guard Services” (department) as the certificate holder, and contain a provision requiring the insurer to notify the department no later than ten days prior to the policy’s cancellation and not later than seven days after its lapse.

Question 22

Insurance

Answer 22

All license holders must maintain the comprehensive general liability insurance coverage verified by the insurer and certified as to the minimum coverage thereunder

Question 23

Required experience

Answer 23

An applicant for a class B license shall have at least four thousand working hours of experience in investigatory work, an applicant for a class C license shall have at least four thousand working hours of experience in security services work, and an applicant for a class A license shall have at least four thousand working hours of experience consisting of at least one thousand working hours of experience in investigatory work and at least one thousand working hours of experience in security services work, and the remaining hours of working experience in either investigatory or security service work, or both. An applicant must have completed the hours required in this paragraph in the twenty-four month period immediately preceding the date an application for licensure is received by the department of public safety

Question 24

Required experience

Answer 24

Equivalent experience such as, but not limited to, specialized education in criminal justice or law enforcement, or honorable service in the military police or similar military security position in any of the branches of the armed forces of the United States, or significant experience as a law enforcement officer obtained within the last ten years prior to the date of application, may be deemed by the director of public safety to be sufficient to satisfy the experience requirement

Question 25

Required experience

Answer 25

If specialized education is submitted as equivalent experience, an applicant for a class A license shall also have at least one thousand working hours of experience in investigatory work and at least one thousand working hours in security services work, an applicant for a class B license shall have at least two thousand working hours of experience in investigatory work, and an applicant for a class C license shall have at least two thousand working hours of experience in security services work

Question 26

Required experience

Answer 26

Equivalent experience such as, but not limited to, management in the business of private investigation, management in the business of security services, or both, may be deemed by the director of public safety to be sufficient to satisfy the experience requirement

Question 27

Examinations

Answer 27

The qualifying agent will be notified by e-mail of available exam dates once licensing requirements are met. All exams are held at 1970 west Broad street, Columbus, OH 43223

Question 28

License

Answer 28

The license required to be obtained by each licensee shall at all times be posted in a conspicuous place in the principal place of business of the licensee

Question 29

License

Answer 29

On the second day of January of each year, the department will notify the licensee by e-mail that the license will expire on March first, and must be renewed after January second and by midnight of March first if the company wants to remain in business

Question 30

License

Answer 30

Each class A, class B, or class C licensee shall submit a “Provider and Qualifying Agent License Renewal” accompained by the renewal fee or may renew on-line at http://pisgs.ohio.gov/pisgs.stm

Question 31

License

Answer 31

The fee may be paid by certified check or money order payable to Ohio treasurer of state, or if submitted on-line, may be paid electronically. A passport style photograph , taken within one year of submission, and bearing a reasonable likeness to the qualifying agent (QA) must be submitted with the “Provider and Qualifying Agent Renewal.” The QA must continue to meet the qualifications

Question 32

The holder of an expired license, who was a member of the uniformed services, or the spouse of a member of the uniformed services, shall be granted a renewal of the license at the usual cost and without penalty if either of the following applies

Answer 32

The holder was in active service in the armed forces of the United States or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the Ohio national guard or the national guard of any other state or the holder’s spouse was in active service in the armed forces of the United States or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the Ohio national guard or the national guard of any other state, and the service resulted in the holders absence from this state.

Question 33

License

Answer 33

A renewal shall not be granted unless the holder or the spouse of the holder, whichever is applicable, has presented satisfactory evidence of the service member’s discharge under honorable conditions or release under honorable conditions from active duty or national guard duty within six months after the release or discharge.

Question 34

Registration of employees

Answer 34

Each licensee shall register their investigator and security guard employees with the department of public safety

Question 35

Registration of employees

Answer 35

Each licensee shall submit an “Employee Registration Application” to register a new investigator or security guard employee with the department accompanied by the registration fee

Question 36

Registration of employees

Answer 36

The licensee must submit verification of the employee’s name, date of birth, registrant’s e-mail address and social security number

Question 37

Registration of employees

Answer 37

The fingerprint impressions shall not have been obtained more than one year prior to the filing of the employee’s application for registration, as outlined on “WebCheck Instructions.

Question 38

Registration of employees

Answer 38

“Employee Registration Application” shall include a question that easily identifies the employee as a veteran or as the spouse of a veteran. Applicants currently serving in the military must provide a copy of their military identification card or that of their spouse, or a veteran must provide a copy of their DD214 or that of their spouse along with the application, which will allow the department to verify the identification of the applicant as a veteran or spouse of a veteran. Once military service is verified on their application, and all other requirements are met, applicants for registration who are currently serving in the military, veterans, or their spouses, will be segregated and processed ahead of non-military affiliated applications.

Question 39

Registration of employees

Answer 39

Within ten calendar days after the termination or expiration of a registered investigator or security guard’s employment, the licensee shall submit to the department an “Employee Termination Report” with the employee’s identification card for cancellation

Question 40

Issuance of I.D. card to registrant

Answer 40

It shall be the duty of every licensee to furnish each of their investigator and security guard employees with an identification card furnished by the department of public safety (department), and maintain a record thereof.

Question 41

Issuance of I.D. card to registrant

Answer 41

The licensee shall inform all of their investigator and security guard employees on the first day of employment of all the registration and firearms training provisions of Chapter 4749. of the Revised Code as that chapter applies to such employees and shall ensure that all such employees are properly registered

Question 42

Issuance of I.D. card to registrant

Answer 42

Each licensee that uses investigator or security guard employees who have not yet received the identification cards issued by the department, shall obtain a written waiver from each client. Under no circumstances shall an employee carry firearms while engaged in the licensee’s business unless the licensee has received a firearm bearer notation on the employee’s identification card.

Question 43

Issuance of I.D. card to registrant

Answer 43

Each employee shall produce their identification card upon the request of an authorized representative of the department or any law enforcement authority

Question 44

Issuance of I.D. card to registrant

Answer 44

All identification cards shall be considered, and remain, the property of the department. The licensee shall be responsible for the use of the identification card by their employee, and shall return the card to the department upon the termination of the employee.

Question 45

Records

Answer 45

Each licensee shall keep a true and correct record in the English language of all of the business transactions for the current calendar year plus the two previous calendar years in the licensee’s office relevant to enforcement of Chapter 4749. of the Revised Code.

Question 46

Records

Answer 46

Records that shall be available for inspection and provided to the department of public safety upon request

Question 47

Records

Answer 47

Hire dates for all security guards and private investigators

Question 48

Records

Answer 48

A record of dates when each security guard or private investigator worked while armed.

Question 49

Records

Answer 49

Termination dates of each security guard or private investigator no longer working for the licensee.

Question 50

Records

Answer 50

Proof of current commission for any unregistered peace officers.

Question 51

Records

Answer 51

Waivers for any security guards or private investigators working while pending application approval.

Question 52

Records

Answer 52

Payroll records indicating the dates and hours worked by each security guard and private investigator per pay period.

Question 53

Records

Answer 53

A record of any independent contractors providing security or private investigatory services

Question 54

Records

Answer 54

Payment records to independent contractors and invoices submitted by independent contractors.

Question 55

Uniforms, vehicles, and publications

Answer 55

No uniform, vehicle or publication used by a licensee shall be marked with any words or phrases that can be construed as a law enforcement or governmental agency.

Question 56

Uniforms

Answer 56

Employees of one licensee shall not wear the uniform of another licensee unless a contract or subcontract relationship exists between the two licensees.

Question 57

Uniforms-When under the employ of a licensee, a commissioned peace officer may wear the following attire

Answer 57

The standard uniform adopted by the licensee

Question 58

Uniforms-When under the employ of a licensee, a commissioned peace officer may wear the following attire

Answer 58

When working in the jurisdiction where commissioned as a peace officer, the uniform of that jurisdiction with the written consent of the chief law enforcement officer of the jurisdiction where the individual is commissioned

Question 59

Uniforms-When under the employ of a licensee, a commissioned peace officer may wear the following attire

Answer 59

When working outside the jurisdiction where commissioned as a peace officer, the uniform of the jurisdiction where the registrant is commissioned as a peace officer with both the written consent of the chief law enforcement officer of the jurisdiction where the individual is commissioned and the written consent of the chief law enforcement officer of the jurisdiction where the individual will be working

Question 60

Publications and advertisements

Answer 60

All advertisements and/or promotional material shall carry the legal name or trade name designation and the address under which the licensee is licensed. The use of abbreviated names or division names for advertising purposes must be approved in writing by the department

Question 61

Publications and advertisements

Answer 61

A licensee shall not use the name of any employee or associate in the heading of any advertisement or other promotional material. If a name of an employee or associate is used in advertising or other materials, the name shall be in smaller font than the licensee’s business name.

Question 62

Notice of renewals

Answer 62

The department of public safety (department) shall provide notice to each individual or company holding a license issued pursuant to Chapter 4749. of the Revised Code of the expiration of the registrations of its employees. The notices shall be in writing and shall be provided at a minimum of sixty days prior to the expiration of the registrations

Question 63

Notice of renewals

Answer 63

It is the responsibility of each licensee and individual holding a registration identification card to renew licenses or registrations even if the licensee or individual holding a registration identification card fails to receive a renewal notice from the private investigator security guard section due to outdated email or contact information, a change of address, incorrect address, loss of mail by the United States postal service, or any other reason. Failure to receive or obtain a license renewal application shall not relieve the licensee or individual holding a registration identification card from compliance

Question 64

Renewal of registrations

Answer 64

Each registration identification card issued to a private investigator or security guard employee shall include the date of issuance. Registrations expire annually on the anniversary date of initial issuance.

Question 65

Fees

Answer 65

Twenty-five dollars for application for examination for an individual applicant and, in the case of a corporation, each officer or qualifying agent specified in the application as satisfying the requirements

Question 66

Fees

Answer 66

Five dollars for each application to license or renew a company for the fee charged by the bureau of criminal identification to enroll the applicant in the retained applicant fingerprint database

Question 67

Fees

Answer 67

Three hundred seventy-five dollars for the issuance of each license

Question 68

Fees

Answer 68

One hundred dollars for the issuance of each branch license

Question 69

Fees

Answer 69

Two hundred seventy-five dollars for the annual renewal of each license

Question 70

Fees

Answer 70

Twenty-five dollars for a duplicate of a lost, stolen, or destroyed license

Question 71

Fees

Answer 71

Forty dollars for the issuance of each registration identification card

Question 72

Fees

Answer 72

Twenty-five dollars for the annual renewal of each registration identification card

Question 73

Fees

Answer 73

Fifteen dollars for the issuance of firearm bearer notation on the qualifying agent and employee registration identification card

Question 74

Fees

Answer 74

Twenty-five dollars to transfer a private investigator or security guard provider license from one corporation to another corporation or from a sole proprietor to a corporation or to transfer a corporation license to a sole proprietor

Question 75

Fees

Answer 75

Five dollars for a duplicate of a lost, stolen, or destroyed registration identification card

Question 76

Disqualifying offenses

Answer 76

Aggravated burglary, Breaking and entering, Burglary, Deception to secure writing, Endangering children, Forgery, Identity fraud, Misuse of a credit card , Unauthorized use of property , Passing bad checks, Receiving stolen property , Safecracking, Theft , Voyeurism, Wiretapping , Menacing by stalking, Menacing, Telecommunications, Inducing panic, Making false alarms, Criminal mischief

Question 77

Disqualifying offenses

Answer 77

An attempt or conspiracy to commit or complicity in committing any of the offenses listed in paragraphs (B)(1) to (B)(21) of this rule, if the attempt, conspiracy, or complicity is a felony;

Question 78

Notice of meeting

Answer 78

The department of public safety (department) shall post notice of all regularly scheduled meetings of the commission and any of its committees, subcommittees, and workgroups, on the department’s website, which may be accessed at http://pisgs.ohio.gov/pissc.stm at least fourteen days prior to each regularly scheduled meeting. Such notice shall include the time and place of the meeting and may include the tentative agenda for the meeting. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting any member of the commission from requesting that an item be added to the agenda in writing once it is posted to the website.

Question 79

Notice of meeting

Answer 79

Any person or media outlet may obtain advance notice of any meeting of the commission, its committees, subcommittees and workgroups by requesting to be placed on an email notification list as no cost, or to receive notice by regular mail for a reasonable fee. Requests for notice of meetings may be submitted to the department in written form, or may be made in person during regular business hours. Written request for notice of meetings may be general in nature or may be specific to meetings where a particular type of business will be considered. Written requests may be mailed to “Private Investigator Security Guard Services, 1970 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223,” and shall include the name of the person submitting the request, any organization with which the person is affiliated, mailing address, electronic mail address, telephone number, and whether notice is sought for all or specified types of meetings.

Question 80

Process for veteran applications

Answer 80

The department shall prioritize and expedite a completed “Provider Application,” “Qualifying Agent Application,” “Employee Registration Application,” “Provider License Renewal,” “Qualifying Agent Renewal,” and “Employee Registration Renewal,” for veterans and spouses of veterans within four business days of receipt.

Question 81

Process for veteran applications

Answer 81

Satisfactory evidence that the applicant or applicant’s spouse is a veteran or member of the armed forces includes the applicant’s official military identification card, official DD-214 separation document, or other official military documentation approved by the director of the department. A marriage certificate may be required, in addition to evidence of status as a veteran, if the applicant is the spouse of a veteran.

Question 82

Firearm bearer notation issuance and renewal

Answer 82

Submit either a paper or an electronic “Firearm Bearer Notation Application” accompanied by the fee

Question 83

Firearm bearer notation issuance and renewal

Answer 83

A certificate of satisfactory completion of a basic firearm training program from the “Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission” (OPOTC) which includes at least twenty hours in handgun training at a commission approved training school

Question 84

Firearm bearer notation issuance and renewal

Answer 84

An equivalency letter from OPOTC if the person successfully completed a firearm training program approved by OPOTC as being equivalent to the twenty hour basic firearm training from 1982 to 1985

Question 85

Firearm bearer notation issuance and renewal

Answer 85

A certificate or other evidence of satisfactory completion of a firearms training course at a certified OPOTC training school or law enforcement academy, if the applicant is a current or former peace officer, Ohio state highway patrol officer, or federal officer

Question 86

Firearm bearer notation issuance and renewal

Answer 86

If the certificate was obtained more than eighteen months prior to the date of application, submit a certificate of satisfactory requalification in firearms use on a firearms training range at a firearms requalification program certified by the OPOTC or on a firearms training range under the supervision of an instructor certified by the OPOTC within the twelve months immediately preceding the date of submitting the “Firearm Bearer Notation Application.”

Question 87

Firearm bearer notation issuance and renewal

Answer 87

If the applicant intends to carry a firearm other than a handgun, the applicant shall submit a certificate of satisfactory completion of a minimum of five hours of training in the use of the other type of firearm from an OPOTC approved training program. Such certificate much be submitted for each type of firearm the applicant intends to carry.

Question 88

Firearm bearer notation issuance and renewal

Answer 88

For the purpose of a state and federal bureau of investigation background check, submit directly to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation, with direct copy to the department, a complete set of fingerprints along with notification that the applicant intends to carry a firearm in the course of business.

Question 89

Firearm bearer notation issuance and renewal

Answer 89

The firearm bearer notation and the employee registration card may have different expiration dates. A firearm bearer notation is valid only until the date of expiration listed on the firearm bearer notation, even if the employee registration card has a later expiration date

Question 90

Firearm bearer notation issuance and renewal

Answer 90

The initial firearm bearer notation is valid for eighteen months from the date of qualification listed on certificate submitted under paragraph (B) of this rule and subsequent renewals of the firearm bearer notation expire twelve months from the date of requalification listed on the certificate of satisfactory requalification.

Question 91

Firearm bearer notation issuance and renewal

Answer 91

A firearm bearer notation may be renewed by submitting a “Firearm Bearer Notation Application” accompanied by the fee, and submitting a certificate of satisfactory requalification for each type of firearm the person intends to carry. The requalification training must occur within twelve months immediately preceding the date of renewal submission.

Question 92

Firearm bearer notation issuance and renewal

Answer 92

If a firearm bearer renewal application is not received by the department on or before the firearm bearer notation expiration date, the firearm bearer notation is expired and will not be renewed. An application for a new firearm bearer notation shall be submitted. If the employee registration card is unexpired, the employee may continue to provide unarmed private investigative, security services, or both.

Question 93

Firearm bearer notation issuance and renewal

Answer 93

Regardless of the firearm bearer notation expiration date, if the employee registration card expires or if the department revokes, suspends, or refuses to renew the employee registration card, the firearm bearer notation shall automatically be expired, revoked, suspended, or not renewed.

Question 94

Firearm bearer prohibitions and disciplinary actions

Answer 94

A firearm bearer notation issued does not authorize an individual to carry a concealed handgun or other dangerous ordnance

Question 95

Firearm bearer prohibitions and disciplinary actions

Answer 95

Any person who intends to carry a concealed handgun in the course of his or her duties as a private investigator, security guard, or both must also have a concealed handgun license

Question 96

No licensee shall allow an employee or independent contractor to carry a firearm

Answer 96

While engaging in the business of private investigation, security services, or both, unless that person is carrying a valid employee registration card with a valid firearm bearer notation

Question 97

No licensee shall allow an employee or independent contractor to carry a firearm

Answer 97

While engaging in the business of private investigation, security services, or both while the person’s employee registration application or firearm bearer notation application is in an applied or pending status with the department

Question 98

No licensee shall allow an employee or independent contractor to carry a firearm

Answer 98

Other than the types of firearms indicated on the firearm bearer notation while engaging in the business of private investigation, security services, or both.

Question 99

No person who is required to be licensed or registered

Answer 99

Shall carry a firearm while engaging in the business of private investigation, security services, or both, unless the individual is carrying on their person, a valid employee registration card with a valid firearm bearer notation

Question 100

No person who is required to be licensed

Answer 100

Shall carry firearm while engaging in the business of private investigation, security services, or both while the person’s employee registration application or firearm bearer notation application is in applied or pending status with the department.

Question 101

No person with a valid firearm bearer notation

Answer 101

Shall carry a firearm other than the types of firearms indicated on the firearm bearer notion while engaging in the business of private investigation, security services, or both.

Question 102

Firearm bearer prohibitions and disciplinary actions

Answer 102

The prohibitions do not apply to unregistered commissioned peace officers who are exempt

Question 103

Firearm bearer prohibitions and disciplinary actions

Answer 103

Every licensee shall maintain records for the current calendar year plus the two previous calendar years of employees that carry firearms in the course of their duties. Such records shall include the dates in which that employee worked an armed account, but need not include any identifying information regarding the client for whom armed security is provided. Such records shall be made available upon request to the department as part of an audit or inspection