OHIO PISGS QUALIFYING AGENT QA ULTIMATE | VERIFIED EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION 2026/2027
Ohio PISGS Qualifying Agent QA Ultimate
1. Q: Which Ohio department regulates the Private Investigator and
Security Guard Services (PISGS)? ANSWER The Ohio Department of
Public Safety (DPS).
2. Q: What specific division within DPS handles PISGS licensing?
ANSWER The Investigative Unit (formerly the Security &
Investigative Licensing Section).
3. Q: What does the acronym "PISGS" stand for? ANSWER Private
Investigator and Security Guard Services.
4. Q: In Ohio, what is the definition of a "Private Investigator"?
ANSWER An individual who, for consideration, engages in the
business of obtaining or furnishing information, or conducts
investigations regarding the crimes, wrongs, or conduct of others.
5. Q: What is the definition of a "Security Guard" in Ohio? ANSWER
An individual who performs protection services, including the
protection of individuals and/or property, for consideration.
6. Q: What is the minimum age requirement to be licensed as a
Security Guard in Ohio? ANSWER 18 years old.
7. Q: What is the minimum age requirement to be licensed as a Private
Investigator in Ohio? ANSWER 21 years old.
8. Q: Can a felon hold a PISGS license in Ohio? ANSWER Generally, no.
Conviction of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude disqualifies an
applicant unless specifically pardoned or relief from disabilities
granted.
, 9. Q: What is the definition of a "Proprietary Security Force"?
ANSWER Security employees hired solely by a specific company to
protect only that company's assets/employees, and who do not offer
services to the general public. (Note: They still require registration
with the state but operate under different rules).
10. Q: What is the term for an individual who manages the daily
operations of a PI or Security agency and holds the license?
ANSWER The Qualifying Agent (QA).
Section 2: The Qualifying Agent (QA)
11. Q: How many "Qualifying Agents" can an agency have?
ANSWER An agency can have more than one, but there must be at
least one responsible QA for each branch location.
12. Q: Can a Qualifying Agent be the QA for multiple agencies?
ANSWER Yes, but the Ohio Superintendent of the Bureau of
Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) must approve it, and
the QA must demonstrate they can actively manage all locations.
13. Q: What is the primary responsibility of the Qualifying Agent?
ANSWER To ensure the agency complies with all Ohio laws and
administrative rules regarding the operation of the business and the
conduct of employees.
14. Q: What happens to an agency’s license if the Qualifying Agent
resigns or is terminated? ANSWER The agency has a limited time
(usually 30 days) to notify the state and replace the QA, or the
agency license may be suspended or revoked.
15. Q: How much experience is required to become a Qualifying
Agent for a Private Investigator agency? ANSWER Generally, 4
years of experience (or a combination of education and experience)
in investigative work, law enforcement, or a related field.
16. Q: How much experience is required to become a Qualifying
Agent for a Security Guard agency? ANSWER Generally, 4 years of
experience in security guard work, law enforcement, or a related
field.
17. Q: Does a Qualifying Agent have to be a full-time employee of
the agency? ANSWER The QA must be actively involved in the daily
operation and management of the agency.
, 18. Q: Can a spouse or family member serve as the Qualifying
Agent just to hold the license? ANSWER No, the "Responsible
Management" rule requires the QA to actually perform management
duties. "Figurehead" QAs are illegal.
19. Q: Who is responsible for the training files of the employees?
ANSWER The Qualifying Agent (and the agency).
20. Q: If an agency changes location, who must notify the state?
ANSWER The agency owner, but the QA must ensure compliance
with the new location's requirements.
Section 3: Licensing Applications & Procedures
21. Q: What is the required background check for all applicants?
ANSWER BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation)
and FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) fingerprint checks.
22. Q: Where must fingerprints be processed? ANSWER At a
WebCheck location or directly through BCI.
23. Q: What is the standard term for a PISGS license in Ohio?
ANSWER Two years.
24. Q: When must a license renewal application be submitted?
ANSWER At least 60 days before the expiration date.
25. Q: What happens if you operate with an expired license?
ANSWER It is a criminal offense (misdemeanor) and can result in
fines and inability to renew.
26. Q: Is a license transferable? ANSWER No, licenses are non-
transferable. If an agency is sold, the new owner must apply for a
new license.
27. Q: What must an agency do if they change their business
name? ANSWER Notify the PISGS unit in writing immediately and
apply for an amendment.
28. Q: Are individual employees required to hold a license?
ANSWER Yes, they must hold a "Registration Card" (Work ID)
issued by the state.
29. Q: What documentation must a non-U.S. citizen provide to
obtain a license? ANSWER Proof of legal residency or work
authorization.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION 2026/2027
Ohio PISGS Qualifying Agent QA Ultimate
1. Q: Which Ohio department regulates the Private Investigator and
Security Guard Services (PISGS)? ANSWER The Ohio Department of
Public Safety (DPS).
2. Q: What specific division within DPS handles PISGS licensing?
ANSWER The Investigative Unit (formerly the Security &
Investigative Licensing Section).
3. Q: What does the acronym "PISGS" stand for? ANSWER Private
Investigator and Security Guard Services.
4. Q: In Ohio, what is the definition of a "Private Investigator"?
ANSWER An individual who, for consideration, engages in the
business of obtaining or furnishing information, or conducts
investigations regarding the crimes, wrongs, or conduct of others.
5. Q: What is the definition of a "Security Guard" in Ohio? ANSWER
An individual who performs protection services, including the
protection of individuals and/or property, for consideration.
6. Q: What is the minimum age requirement to be licensed as a
Security Guard in Ohio? ANSWER 18 years old.
7. Q: What is the minimum age requirement to be licensed as a Private
Investigator in Ohio? ANSWER 21 years old.
8. Q: Can a felon hold a PISGS license in Ohio? ANSWER Generally, no.
Conviction of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude disqualifies an
applicant unless specifically pardoned or relief from disabilities
granted.
, 9. Q: What is the definition of a "Proprietary Security Force"?
ANSWER Security employees hired solely by a specific company to
protect only that company's assets/employees, and who do not offer
services to the general public. (Note: They still require registration
with the state but operate under different rules).
10. Q: What is the term for an individual who manages the daily
operations of a PI or Security agency and holds the license?
ANSWER The Qualifying Agent (QA).
Section 2: The Qualifying Agent (QA)
11. Q: How many "Qualifying Agents" can an agency have?
ANSWER An agency can have more than one, but there must be at
least one responsible QA for each branch location.
12. Q: Can a Qualifying Agent be the QA for multiple agencies?
ANSWER Yes, but the Ohio Superintendent of the Bureau of
Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) must approve it, and
the QA must demonstrate they can actively manage all locations.
13. Q: What is the primary responsibility of the Qualifying Agent?
ANSWER To ensure the agency complies with all Ohio laws and
administrative rules regarding the operation of the business and the
conduct of employees.
14. Q: What happens to an agency’s license if the Qualifying Agent
resigns or is terminated? ANSWER The agency has a limited time
(usually 30 days) to notify the state and replace the QA, or the
agency license may be suspended or revoked.
15. Q: How much experience is required to become a Qualifying
Agent for a Private Investigator agency? ANSWER Generally, 4
years of experience (or a combination of education and experience)
in investigative work, law enforcement, or a related field.
16. Q: How much experience is required to become a Qualifying
Agent for a Security Guard agency? ANSWER Generally, 4 years of
experience in security guard work, law enforcement, or a related
field.
17. Q: Does a Qualifying Agent have to be a full-time employee of
the agency? ANSWER The QA must be actively involved in the daily
operation and management of the agency.
, 18. Q: Can a spouse or family member serve as the Qualifying
Agent just to hold the license? ANSWER No, the "Responsible
Management" rule requires the QA to actually perform management
duties. "Figurehead" QAs are illegal.
19. Q: Who is responsible for the training files of the employees?
ANSWER The Qualifying Agent (and the agency).
20. Q: If an agency changes location, who must notify the state?
ANSWER The agency owner, but the QA must ensure compliance
with the new location's requirements.
Section 3: Licensing Applications & Procedures
21. Q: What is the required background check for all applicants?
ANSWER BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation)
and FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) fingerprint checks.
22. Q: Where must fingerprints be processed? ANSWER At a
WebCheck location or directly through BCI.
23. Q: What is the standard term for a PISGS license in Ohio?
ANSWER Two years.
24. Q: When must a license renewal application be submitted?
ANSWER At least 60 days before the expiration date.
25. Q: What happens if you operate with an expired license?
ANSWER It is a criminal offense (misdemeanor) and can result in
fines and inability to renew.
26. Q: Is a license transferable? ANSWER No, licenses are non-
transferable. If an agency is sold, the new owner must apply for a
new license.
27. Q: What must an agency do if they change their business
name? ANSWER Notify the PISGS unit in writing immediately and
apply for an amendment.
28. Q: Are individual employees required to hold a license?
ANSWER Yes, they must hold a "Registration Card" (Work ID)
issued by the state.
29. Q: What documentation must a non-U.S. citizen provide to
obtain a license? ANSWER Proof of legal residency or work
authorization.
