The "business of private investigation" in R.C. 4749.01(B) is investigation conducted on what terms?R.C. 4749.01
A city has its own ordinance regulating private investigators. What must a licensee working there do (R.C. 4749.09)?R.C. 4749.09
A commissioned peace officer runs a private investigation business on the side. Is the officer exempt under R.C. 4749.01(H)(14)?R.C. 4749.01
A consumer reporting agency runs a limited background check on a client's prospective tenant. What keeps that outside Chapter 4749 (R.C. 4749.01(H)(3)(b))?R.C. 4749.01
An accountant's employees look into a client's books as part of certified accounting work. Under R.C. 4749.01(H)(8) they are:R.C. 4749.01
An employee investigates matters for the employer's own business. One condition of the exemption in R.C. 4749.01(H)(6) is that the employer:R.C. 4749.01
An Ohio resident researches the last known owner of unclaimed funds. Under R.C. 4749.01(H)(10) the exemption applies if the person:R.C. 4749.01
Does a license under Chapter 4749 make its holder a law enforcement officer (R.C. 4749.08(A))?R.C. 4749.08
Does an employee of a class B licensee need a class B license of their own (R.C. 4749.13(A))?R.C. 4749.13
Genealogical research is exempt under R.C. 4749.01(H)(9). Which service does the exemption not cover?R.C. 4749.01
Show all 98 questions (88 more)
Definitions, license classes and who is exempt, continued
How does the Ohio Administrative Code define a "qualifying agent" (rule 4501:7-1-01(H))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-01
In a proceeding under Chapter 4749, who must prove that an exemption from licensure applies (R.C. 4749.11(G))?R.C. 4749.11
Under R.C. 4749.01(H)(2), which person hired by an attorney is outside the definition of private investigator?R.C. 4749.01
What does a class A license allow under R.C. 4749.01(E)?R.C. 4749.01
Which activity is part of the business of private investigation under R.C. 4749.01(B)?R.C. 4749.01
Which Ohio license class qualifies a person to engage only in the business of private investigation (R.C. 4749.01)?R.C. 4749.01
Which professional and that professional's employees are outside Chapter 4749 under R.C. 4749.01(H)(11)?R.C. 4749.01
Who administers Chapter 4749 (R.C. 4749.02)?R.C. 4749.02
Qualifying: experience, the examination and insurance 34
A class A applicant's 4,000 working hours must include at least how many hours of investigatory work (rule 4501:7-1-06(A))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-06
A class B applicant offers specialized education in criminal justice as equivalent experience. How many working hours of investigatory work are still required (rule 4501:7-1-06(C))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-06
A corporation loses the individual who qualified it. How soon, and how, must an officer notify the director (R.C. 4749.03(G))?R.C. 4749.03
A licensee wants to move from class B to class A. What does R.C. 4749.03(E) require?R.C. 4749.03
After losing its only qualifying agent, and with timely notice and a new name submitted, how long may a corporation keep operating under its license (R.C. 4749.03(G))?R.C. 4749.03
After notice of eligibility, how long and how many attempts does an applicant have to pass the examination (rule 4501:7-1-07(E))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-07
An individual's application lists residences for how many preceding years (R.C. 4749.03(B))?R.C. 4749.03
An officer qualifies a corporation for a class B license. What happens to the officer's personal class B license (R.C. 4749.03(F)(2))?R.C. 4749.03
Are examination fees refundable under rule 4501:7-1-07(B)?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-07
Experience as a peace officer may count as equivalent experience if obtained within how long before applying (rule 4501:7-1-06(B))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-06
The five citizens who vouch for an Ohio applicant must go back how far with that applicant (R.C. 4749.03(B)(1))?R.C. 4749.03
For how long, immediately before applying, must an applicant have done investigatory work under R.C. 4749.03(A)(1)(b)?R.C. 4749.03
How does a qualifying agent learn of available examination dates (rule 4501:7-1-07(A))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-07
How does an applicant demonstrate competency as a private investigator under R.C. 4749.03(A)(1)(c)?R.C. 4749.03
How far ahead of a policy's cancellation must the insurer notify the department (rule 4501:7-1-05(A))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-05
How long does a conditional license last (R.C. 4749.03(C)(4)(d))?R.C. 4749.03
How long does a license issued today last (R.C. 4749.03(D))?R.C. 4749.03
How many references must accompany a license application (R.C. 4749.03(B)(1))?R.C. 4749.03
How many working hours of investigatory experience does rule 4501:7-1-06(A) require for a class B license?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-06
In a partnership, how many partners must be licensed (R.C. 4749.03(A)(3))?R.C. 4749.03
May one qualifying agent qualify two corporations for licensure (R.C. 4749.03(F)(1))?R.C. 4749.03
Must a licensee sit for the examination again to renew a current license (R.C. 4749.03(D))?R.C. 4749.03
R.C. 4749.03(A)(1)(d) sets three insurance floors. What is the floor for bodily injury to each person?R.C. 4749.03
To whom does an applicant submit fingerprints for the criminal records check (R.C. 4749.03(C)(1))?R.C. 4749.03
What does "working hours" mean in the Ohio rules (rule 4501:7-1-01(J))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-01
What does the qualifying agent examination test, according to rule 4501:7-1-07(D)?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-07
What is the minimum bodily injury liability coverage for each occurrence (R.C. 4749.03(A)(1)(d))?R.C. 4749.03
What must an applicant show on arriving for the examination (rule 4501:7-1-07(C))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-07
When considering renewal, may the director weigh a conviction from before the individual was first licensed (R.C. 4749.03(C)(4)(c))?R.C. 4749.03
When may the department waive the examination for a qualifying agent under rule 4501:7-1-07(F)?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-07
Which coverage must a licensee with employees show to renew (R.C. 4749.03(D))?R.C. 4749.03
Which fact about an applicant may the department weigh under rule 4501:7-1-02?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-02
Which reason excuses an applicant from a scheduled examination and admits them to the next one (rule 4501:7-1-07(B))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-07
Within what period must the required working hours have been completed (rule 4501:7-1-06(A))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-06
Registering employees and running the office 28
A corporation that holds a license elects new officers. How soon must the department be told in writing (rule 4501:7-1-03(B))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-03
A licensee changes the trade name it does business under. How soon must the department be notified (rule 4501:7-1-08(A)(1))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-08
A licensee closes the business. What must be returned to the department (rule 4501:7-1-08(A)(2))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-08
A licensee moves an office. How soon must written notice go to the department and local law enforcement (R.C. 4749.05(A))?R.C. 4749.05
A licensee uses independent contractors for investigations. What must its records show (rule 4501:7-1-11(A))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-11
A registered employee chooses to wear a badge. What must it include (rule 4501:7-1-12(C)(2))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-12
A registered investigator quits. How soon must the licensee terminate the registration online (rule 4501:7-1-09(D))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-09
An employee's fingerprints for registration may be no older than what at filing (rule 4501:7-1-09(B)(2))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-09
An investigator employee has no identification card yet. How may the licensee still offer the employee for hire (R.C. 4749.06(C))?R.C. 4749.06
The director's rules on reporting a licensee's presence to local law enforcement must cover which kinds of work (R.C. 4749.05(B))?R.C. 4749.05
For how long must a licensee keep records of its business transactions in its office (rule 4501:7-1-11)?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-11
How far ahead must the department send notice that employee registrations will expire (rule 4501:7-1-15(A))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-15
How soon after hiring must a licensee file an application to register a new investigator (R.C. 4749.06(A))?R.C. 4749.06
Is a new background check required for the annual renewal of an employee's registration (R.C. 4749.06(F))?R.C. 4749.06
May an employee's name head a licensee's advertisement (rule 4501:7-1-12(D)(2))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-12
May two unrelated licensees use the same trade name (rule 4501:7-1-08(A)(1))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-08
On which day must a licensee inform a new investigator of the registration provisions of Chapter 4749 (rule 4501:7-1-10(B))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-10
The renewal notice went to an old e-mail address and a registration lapsed. Under rule 4501:7-1-15(B), whose job was the renewal?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-15
To whom must a licensee report the location of a branch office (R.C. 4749.05(A))?R.C. 4749.05
To whom must an employee produce the identification card on request (rule 4501:7-1-10(D))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-10
To whom must the department make its record of licensees and registered employees available on request (R.C. 4749.06(A))?R.C. 4749.06
What must every advertisement of a licensee carry (rule 4501:7-1-12(D)(1))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-12
When does an investigator employee's registration expire (R.C. 4749.06(F))?R.C. 4749.06
Where must the license be posted (rule 4501:7-1-08(A))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-08
Which record must a licensee have available for inspection under rule 4501:7-1-11(A)?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-11
Which word may not mark a licensee's vehicle or publication under rule 4501:7-1-12?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-12
Which worker for a licensee is exempt from registration under R.C. 4749.06(E)?R.C. 4749.06
Whose property is an employee's identification card (rule 4501:7-1-10(E))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-10
Prohibited acts, investigations, discipline and penalties 18
A disqualifying offense is a ground for discipline under R.C. 4749.04(A)(2) if it occurred within what period?R.C. 4749.04
A person licensed as a private investigator in another state applies in Ohio. Under which chapter is the license issued (R.C. 4749.12)?R.C. 4749.12
A person with one prior conviction for unlicensed practice is convicted again. What is the offense now (R.C. 4749.99(A))?R.C. 4749.99
A person works as an unlicensed private investigator for ten days. How many offenses is that under R.C. 4749.13(A)?R.C. 4749.13
A prospective client wants information to use for an illegal purpose. Under R.C. 4749.13(B)(4) the licensee must not:R.C. 4749.13
How may the director compel a witness to testify in an investigation (R.C. 4749.11(E))?R.C. 4749.11
In which court may the director seek an injunction during an investigation (R.C. 4749.11(D))?R.C. 4749.11
May a licensee's records be altered after the fact (rule 4501:7-1-11(B))?Ohio Adm.Code 4501:7-1-11
May an unlicensed person advertise as a class B licensee (R.C. 4749.13(D))?R.C. 4749.13
R.C. 4749.04(B) lets the director fine a licensee and leave the license alone. How is that fine capped?R.C. 4749.04
R.C. 4749.11(F) gives a person who seems to be working unlicensed a show-cause hearing. If the hearing confirms it, what may the director issue?R.C. 4749.11
To whom may a licensee divulge information acquired for a client without express authorization (R.C. 4749.13(B)(3))?R.C. 4749.13
Under which chapter does a person appeal the revocation of a license (R.C. 4749.04(A))?R.C. 4749.04
What fine applies to a licensee who violates R.C. 4749.13(B), for example by divulging client information (R.C. 4749.99(B))?R.C. 4749.99
What grade of offense is a first violation of the license requirement in R.C. 4749.13(A) (R.C. 4749.99(A))?R.C. 4749.99
When must the director investigate a licensee (R.C. 4749.11(B))?R.C. 4749.11
Which act by a registered employee does R.C. 4749.13(B)(2) forbid?R.C. 4749.13
Which act in court is a ground to revoke a license under R.C. 4749.04(A)(6)?R.C. 4749.04
How this list was compiled: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4749, Private Investigators; Security Services (https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-4749), and Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 4501:7-1, the rules of the Department of Public Safety under that chapter (https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-4501:7-1), each read on October 16, 2026 on the state's own site. Rule 4501:7-1-07(D) says what the qualifying agent examination tests. The licensing agency's page is at https://homelandsecurity.ohio.gov/private-investigators-and-security-guards/apply-for-a-license. Each question names its section or rule and links to it. Licence: Own work. Every question, wrong choice and explanation was written for this site from the text of the Revised Code and the Administrative Code. Nothing comes from the qualifying agent examination, a training course or a prep publisher.
How it works
This unofficial Ohio private investigator license practice test asks 98 of our own questions on Revised Code Chapter 4749 and the rules under it, each answer citing its section. Not affiliated with the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
Read the full guide
Class A, B or C
Class B is private investigation only, class C is security services only, and class A is both (R.C. 4749.01).
What is left out
The "other aspects" of the business that rule 4501:7-1-07(D) adds to the chapter and the rules, firearms (R.C. 4749.10 and rules 4501:7-1-22 and 4501:7-1-23), the fee schedule, and the parts that apply only to security guard providers.
A corporation that loses its qualifying agent tells the director by certified mail within ten days (R.C. 4749.03(G)).
A moved office is reported to the department, the sheriff and the police chief within forty-eight hours (R.C. 4749.05).
Records stay in the office for the current calendar year plus the two before it (rule 4501:7-1-11).
Questions and answers
Is there an exam for an Ohio private investigator license?
Yes. R.C. 4749.03 requires passing an examination devised by the director of public safety, and the licensing agency's page says the company's qualifying agent takes it. Rule 4501:7-1-07 holds examinations in Columbus.
What is on the Ohio private investigator exam?
Rule 4501:7-1-07(D) says it tests knowledge of Chapter 4749 of the Revised Code, the rules under it, and other aspects of the private investigation and security services business. The state publishes no question count, time limit or pass mark.
What are the requirements for an Ohio private investigator license?
Two continuous years of investigative work (4,000 working hours), a passed examination, five references, a fingerprint check, and liability insurance of at least $100,000 per person, $300,000 per occurrence and $100,000 for property damage (R.C. 4749.03; rule 4501:7-1-06).
How many times can you take the Ohio private investigator exam?
Up to three times in the ninety days after notice of eligibility. After that the application is denied and a new application and fee are needed (rule 4501:7-1-07(E)).
Do employees of an Ohio private investigator need a license?
No. The licensee registers each investigator employee, filing no sooner than three and no later than seven calendar days after hiring, and the registration renews every year (R.C. 4749.06 and 4749.13).