How to Become a Security Guard in Ohio: Requirements and Steps

If you’re considering a career in security, Ohio offers opportunities for individuals seeking to become a licensed security guard. Whether you’re aiming for an unarmed security position or planning to advance in the field, meeting Ohio’s requirements is the first step. Here’s what you need to know to become a security guard in Ohio.

How to become a security guard in Ohio

Basic Requirements for Security Guards in Ohio

To qualify for a position as a security guard in Ohio, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  1. Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to qualify for an unarmed security guard role.

  2. Residency and Citizenship: Candidates must be U.S. citizens or resident aliens authorized to work in the United States.

  3. Education: A high school diploma or an equivalent certification, such as a GED, is required.

  4. Criminal Background:

    • Applicants cannot have felony convictions.
    • Candidates must have a clean record free of offenses involving violence, theft, fraud, or drug-related activities.
  5. Moral Character: A strong ethical foundation is essential. Applicants must demonstrate good moral character to qualify for licensing.

  6. Background Check: Passing a comprehensive background check, including FBI-style fingerprinting, is mandatory.

Additional Eligibility Criteria

Beyond the basic qualifications, the following requirements apply to those pursuing a security guard position in Ohio:

  • Mental and Physical Fitness: Candidates must not have any mental health conditions that would impair their ability to perform security-related duties effectively. Good physical condition is also a necessity to meet the demands of the role.
  • Driver’s License: A valid Ohio driver’s license is often required, especially for roles involving patrolling or transport.
  • Employment with a Licensed Security Agency: Applicants must be employed by a licensed private security firm and operate under the supervision of an authorized patrol officer.

Steps to Begin Your Career as a Security Guard in Ohio

  1. Complete Training (if required by the employer): While Ohio does not have a state-mandated training program for unarmed guards, many private security firms provide or require training on topics like emergency procedures, conflict resolution, and legal considerations.
  2. Apply for Positions: Look for employment opportunities with licensed security companies operating in Ohio.
  3. Undergo Background Checks: As part of the hiring process, you will need to pass a thorough background screening, including fingerprinting.
  4. Obtain Licensing (if necessary): Some security roles may require additional certifications or permits, especially if you plan to pursue armed security positions in the future.

Why Consider a Career as a Security Guard in Ohio?

Security guards play a crucial role in ensuring safety and protecting assets in various environments, including retail establishments, corporate offices, residential communities, and events. Ohio offers a stable job market for those interested in the profession, with opportunities to grow into specialized roles or supervisory positions.

By meeting these qualifications and taking the necessary steps, you can start your journey to becoming a security guard in Ohio and building a rewarding career in the security industry.

The candidate can not have actually any kind of offences associated with violence, medications, theft, or fraud. The applicant has to have excellent ethical character. The candidate has to effectively pass a background check consisting of FBI-style fingerprinting. The candidate can not have any mental illness or problems that would stop the efficiency of duties.

The applicant should be utilized by a personal safety firm as well as under guidance from an accredited patrol officer. The candidate must have an Ohio driver license. The applicant needs to be in excellent physical condition.

Armed Guard Demands in Ohio.

The candidate needs to be at least 21 years old. The candidate must be a U.S. person or resident alien. The candidate may be called for to reveal evidence of a high school diploma or equivalency. The candidate can not have any kind of prior felony convictions or offences connected with violence, medications, burglary, or fraud.

The applicant has to have great moral character. The applicant should successfully pass a history check. The candidate can not have any mental illness or issues that will forbid the performance of duty. The applicant has to be utilized by an exclusive safety business and also under guidance from an accredited patrol officer. The candidate has to submit fingerprints. The candidate should have an Ohio driver’s license. The applicant has to be in excellent physical condition. For more information on training programs that could boost your qualifications, explore the Top 10 Benefits of Completing a Security Guard Training Program.

Security Guards in the state of North Carolina can be certified as a Course A, Course B, or Class C license. If the security personnel is the only service offered, a Class C permit will be issued.

Specific workers must have State Credentials unless they are exempt under state regulation. Staff members who are shielding their companies’ homes will not immediately be considered to be safety carriers under state legislation.

In order to bring a firearm, one needs to initially obtain a separate weapons certificate, additionally issued by PISGS. The firearms license may be held by a licensee, certifying representative, or staff member.

A background check is among the requirements of all licenses as well as registrations.

Ohio guard is managed by Ohio Private detective Security Personnel Provider (PISGS). PISGS identifies security professionals in various duties, including those who have safety and security companies, those that are worked with to run protection firms, and also those who are employed as guards.

Those who are in the protection service (whether single proprietor, partnership, or company) are called safety and security carriers. They are certified. Officers may be assigned as qualifying representatives. Security personnel that work as employees of safety and security companies are usually referenced in law just as workers.

Qualifying Representative Needs.

There ought to go to the very least a single person who is qualified to function as a certifying representative. This may be the owner or it might be someone who worked with the owner. Qualifying agents will certainly need to submit a selection of records validating their character and also certifications.

The candidate should show integrity and also dependability. The licensing firm will certainly require five recommendations from individuals who have known the applicant for at least five years.

Recency is a considered identifying criminal history.

A license to practice law is required. This permit is only available to those who have actually completed at the very least 2,000 hrs of community service. Social work might include work as exclusive security personnel, law enforcement policeman, or another public agency. Licensing might also approve educational credits from approved colleges.

An individual who has actually qualified based on education will still need to have 2,000 hrs. of safety experience. This experience should be in the type of employment or volunteer job. This experience can not be a replacement for the 2,000 hours of experience.

After a licensing representative accepts an application, applicants are offered a checklist of upcoming exams. The licensees have to pass these examinations before they can get a license. Since representatives are held accountable for each permit they issue, it is very crucial that candidates know the regulations of the state.

Temporary Security Personnel Certificate.

If you are working as an unarmed gatekeeper before you receive your BCI security guard identification card from the BCI department, then:

Your employer acquires a waiver from the person who receives, for hire, security personnel services, acknowledging that the person is aware the workers have actually not finished their registration as well as accepting their work.

In most cases, nobody would certainly authorize this waiver due to the legal concerns entailed.

Security Guard Training Demands & Fee.

Ohio doesn’t require security personnel training, however, your company might require you to complete training before beginning the job.

For an overview of essential training and skills, you can refer to Essential Security Guard Training Skills.

Safe and secure history check & fingerprinting charges.

In Ohio, you need to give fingerprints and also pass an FBI history check if you intend to carry a weapon while working as security personnel. In some states, you might additionally need to pass a criminal background check. When obtaining work with a safety company, you need to understand that your employer does not submit your fingerprints to the BCI. You should get them done straight. Fingerprinting costs differ state by state.

Ohio BCI (state database check): $ 40.00( varies by provider) FBI (national data source check): $ 50.00 ( differs by service provider) Ohio BCI & FBI (both data source checks): $ 70.00 (differs by carrier).

Security Personnel Registration Application Fees.

  • Guard Enrollment Application Cost: $ 40Payment Kinds Accepted: Money order or check payable To Ohio Treasurer.
  • Guard Various Other Needs.
  • To end up being security personnel in Ohio, you need to:
  • Have not been convicted of a felony in the last 20 years. Have not been convicted of a violation in the last two decades.
  • Security Guard Enrollment ID Card.
  • If your security guard registration is approved, you obtain a card with the following details:
  • Your company’s license number and signature. If you’re employed by a firm, the trademark is of its president or its qualifying agent. Your name, address, age, physical description. Your right thumbprint or various other determining marks. Your recent photograph. Your trademark.

Learn how to replace a lost ID card in Ohio.

If you shed, damage or damage your ID card, you can get a substitute one by mosting likely to a National Identification Register workplace or by contacting your neighbourhood police station.

Filing out the Ohio Registration Kind again, yet checking the Replacement Card boxPaying a $5 cost.

Security Guard Registration Process.

To become a security guard in Ohio:

  1. The employer submits an application to sign up a new staff member no quicker than 3 days neither behind 7 schedule days after the date on which the staff member is hired.
  2. Submitted with each worker’s enrollment application are one current 2 ″ x2 ″ colour ticket type picture of the staff member, the employee’s physical description, and also the registration cost of $40.
  3. The employee electronically submits one full collection of fingerprints directly to the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification (BCI) with WebCheck.
  4. Use the chief law officer’s website to discover a fingerprinting place and WebCheck fingerprinting submittal forms.
  5. The BCI carries out a criminal records check. If, after investigation, the BCI discovers that the staff member has actually not been founded guilty of a felony within the last two decades, the BCI director issues to the staff member a guard recognition card.

Enrollment Exceptions.

Police officers who implement peace legislation are exempted from the need to register as a guard.

Ohio, Security Guard Jobs

A security guard is a profession that requires people to keep the peace in public spaces. They are responsible for keeping order in public places, such as schools, malls, and airports.

If you’re considering this profession, it’s also essential to understand the Best Reasons to Become a Security Guard.

Security guards provide safety and security in the form of law enforcement. They make sure that everyone is obeying rules and not breaking any laws. They can do this by issuing warnings, making arrests, and sometimes even using violence.

The security guard job is an excellent option for people who want to work in the security industry but don’t have any experience. It’s also a good option for people who want to start their own business and work independently.

A security guard is a person employed by an organization to protect its assets from theft, vandalism, and other hazards.

Security guards are responsible for patrolling and monitoring the premises of their employers. It is their duty to enforce company policies and respond to security threats such as theft, vandalism, trespassing, fire hazards and more. Security guards also conduct searches of people and property entering the premises.

Security guards are in high demand these days. They are employed to protect assets in both the private and the public sector. These individuals are often unarmed, but they can use physical force when necessary. They may also be required to carry certain equipment like handcuffs or pepper spray.

The security guard job is a very popular profession. This occupation is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. Security guards are in demand in both residential and commercial settings including retail stores, banks, schools, hospitals, government buildings, and office buildings. The growth of this occupation is attributed to the increase in crime rates and the need for greater security measures at businesses and public places.

In Ohio, there are various types of security guard jobs available. The main difference between the job types is the level of training and certification required.

Ohio is the birthplace of the security industry. Security guards are among the highest-paid employees in Ohio, with an average annual salary of $41,990 (2017). The main difference between different types of security guard jobs is training and certification that is required.

The first type is a security officer.

This position requires a high school diploma or GED certificate and at least ten hours of training from a professional security company. The other type is a full-time armed security officer, which requires at least one year of experience as a security officer, as well as additional training from an approved firearms instructor.

Ohio Security Guard Wages by Percentile
Percentile Hourly Annually
90th $27.38 $56,950
75th $18.56 $38,610
50th $13.75 $28,610
25th $11.01 $22,890
10th $9.55 $19,860
Ohio Security Guards Wages by Metro Area
  • Data is for the entire metro area, not just the city
Metro Area Hourly Annually
Akron $17.73 $36,870
Canton $20.70 $43,060
Cincinnati $15.20 $31,620
Cleveland $16.42 $34,140
Columbus $16.89 $35,140
Dayton $13.74 $28,570
Lima $15.78 $32,830
Mansfield $14.83 $30,850
Springfield $15.68 $32,600
Steubenville $12.97 $26,980
Toledo $14.43 $30,010
Youngstown $17.17 $35,720
Ohio Security Guard Wages by Year
Year Hourly Annually
2019 $16.10 $33,490
2018 $15.09 $31,400
2017 $14.63 $30,430
2016 $13.79 $28,690
2015 $13.44 $27,950
2014 $13.38 $27,820
2013 $13.25 $27,570
2012 $13.22 $27,490
2011 $12.50 $26,000

Best in class security Services

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The security guard job is one of the most sought-after jobs in the security sector. The reason for this is because it offers 24/7 on-call availability and a competitive salary.

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Create a Resume

The first step is to create a resume that showcases your skills and abilities. You should also use it as an opportunity to show that you have the necessary experience and qualifications required for the specific position that you’re applying for. Remember, you should tailor it specifically for this position so always include relevant skills and experience relevant to the job description whenever possible!

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Practice interview questions:

Prepare in advance for the most common questions that you can find in an interview. Try these before you go for a security guard interview.

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Conditions to apply

In order to apply for a security guard job, you will need to have a GED or HS diploma from an accredited institution. You will also need to have met the experience requirements, have a strong work history, and be able to pass a background check.