Security Guard Fingerprinting Near Short North, OH
Both armed and unarmed private security guards in Ohio must register with the Ohio PISGS program and pass a criminal background check. The fingerprinting requirement falls under Ohio Administrative Code 4501:7-1-19. Results must go to the Ohio OPOTC under the designated security guard ORI. Guards from Short North can walk in for this submission any day, no appointment required.
Serving Short North, Franklin County · 6 miles from our Morse Rd office (~12 min drive)
Before you visit
Employment fingerprinting: bring your reason and code.
- Valid government-issued photo ID.
- The specific reason for the check and the required BCI/FBI reason code (Ohio Revised Code section).
- Confirmation of whether you need BCI, FBI, or both.
- The results recipient’s name, address, and any agency or routing information provided.
- Your employer’s or licensing agency’s request form or written instructions.
Missing the reason or code? Ask the requesting organization before coming in. An ORI or routing number does not replace the reason code.
Short North · Columbus Metro
Why this Biometrics Services page is written for Short North
a metro with deep refugee-resettlement roots, where Somali, Nepali-speaking Bhutanese, and Congolese families have built lasting communities — and Short North, with a population near 8,000, reflects that mix in its schools, workplaces, and houses of worship.
Columbus Metro residents frequently need a BCI check, an FBI check, or both — captured electronically and submitted through the Ohio WebCheck system. Our Franklin County clients rely on us for clean electronic live scan captures and accurate WebCheck submissions for employment, licensing, and immigration needs.
Short North sits in Columbus Metro, driven by financial services, insurance, healthcare, and the new wave of tech investment around the Intel campus and the Columbus Region Logistics Council corridor. Franklin County, where Short North is located, is a small city where routine records come from the county seat and federal steps mean a drive to the nearest metro.
clients on the north and east sides often skip the freeway entirely and take Cleveland Ave or Route 161 straight to us. From Short North (ZIP 43215), the trip is roughly 6 miles each way.
Short North is about 6 miles from our Morse Rd office — typically a 12-minute drive. The Live Scan itself takes only a few minutes once you arrive. We also serve families across the rest of Columbus Metro, where many of our Short North clients have relatives, coworkers, and shared community ties.
Walk-Ins Welcome
No appointment needed
15–20 Minutes
Quick professional service
3185 Morse Rd, Ste 15
Columbus, OH 43231
Security Guard Fingerprinting for Short North Residents
Private security guards working contracts in Short North and broader Franklin County — armed and unarmed — must register with Ohio PISGS per OAC 4501:7-1-19. Both BCI and FBI fingerprints are required. We submit electronically and your agency receives results within 2–5 business days.
Who Needs Security Guard Fingerprinting?
Unarmed security guard applicants
Armed security guard applicants
Security supervisor and manager applicants
Private investigator license applicants
Security company owner applicants
Guards renewing after a license lapse
Legal Requirements
Ohio Administrative Code 4501:7-1-19 governs Private Investigator and Security Guard Services (PISGS) licensing. Both armed and unarmed security guards must submit BCI and FBI fingerprints. Disqualifying offenses include any felony, crimes of violence, drug trafficking, theft with a value over $1,000, and any offense involving a firearm. Armed guards have additional disqualifiers under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)).
What to Expect
Bring a valid photo ID and your employer's or licensing agency's ORI. We will need to know if you are applying for armed or unarmed, as some agencies use separate ORIs. Electronic fingerprint capture takes 10–15 minutes. Both BCI and FBI submissions are recommended.
Turnaround
BCI: 2–5 business days. FBI: 7–21 business days. Results sent to OPOTC or employer.
Cost
Live Scan WebCheck — BCI only: $40, FBI only: $40, or BCI + FBI together: $80. Cash or card accepted.
Getting to Our Office from Short North
Distance
6 miles
Drive Time
~12 minutes
From
Columbus Metro
From Short North, head toward Columbus and exit onto Morse Rd. Our office is at 3185 Morse Rd, Suite 15 — between Cleveland Ave and I-71, on the north side of Columbus. Free parking on-site, walk-ins welcome Mon–Sat 10am–6pm and Sun 10am–4pm.
Get turn-by-turn directions on Google Maps →What to Bring
How Security Guard Fingerprinting Works in Short North
Three simple steps — most visits are finished in 15 to 20 minutes.
Come In Prepared
For employment or licensing fingerprinting, bring valid government-issued photo ID and the requesting organization’s written instructions: the specific reason for the check, required BCI/FBI reason code (Ohio Revised Code section), whether BCI, FBI, or both are required, and where results must be sent. If the reason or code is missing, obtain it from your employer or licensing agency before visiting. An ORI or routing number does not replace the reason code.
We Capture Your Prints
We capture all ten fingers on a certified Live Scan scanner for the Ohio BCI portion. When your agency also requires the FBI check, we submit that electronically during the same visit. The scanner scores each impression as it is taken, so a weak scan is caught and redone right away rather than weeks later by mail.
Results Are Delivered
Same-day service means fingerprint capture and submission. Ohio BCI and the FBI process the background checks separately; result timing varies and is not guaranteed.
Accepted Forms of ID
Ohio BCI and the FBI require at least one current, unexpired, government-issued photo ID that shows your name, date of birth, and a clear photograph. The name on your ID must match the name on your application exactly. Expired IDs, photocopies, and digital photos of an ID are not accepted. If your legal name has changed, bring documentation (marriage certificate or court order) connecting the two names.
Primary Photo ID (bring one)
- ✓Valid U.S. state driver's license or state ID card
- ✓U.S. or foreign passport (or passport card)
- ✓U.S. Permanent Resident Card (green card)
- ✓U.S. military ID (CAC) or dependent ID
- ✓Employment Authorization Document (EAD, Form I-766)
Secondary Documents (if asked)
- ✓Social Security card
- ✓Certified birth certificate
- ✓Voter registration card
- ✓U.S. visa or I-94 arrival record
- ✓School or employer photo ID
Why Fingerprints Get Rejected — and How We Prevent It
Electronic Live Scan grades each finger for quality the moment it is captured, so a weak print is caught and redone during your visit rather than weeks later by mail. In the rare case Ohio BCI or the FBI sends a submission back, we re-capture your prints at no additional service charge. We also condition dry or worn fingertips beforehand to give you the best chance of an accepted scan the first time.
Most common rejection causes
- •Worn, dry, or faint ridge detail, which is common with manual labor, age, or certain medications
- •Too much finger pressure or movement during the scan, something our real-time quality check flags on the spot
- •An incorrect or mistyped ORI that routes results to the wrong agency
- •A name or date of birth that does not match the application
- •Cuts, bandages, or temporary skin conditions on the fingertips
Frequently Asked Questions
I work armed. Do I need a different fingerprint check than unarmed guards?
Both armed and unarmed guards use the same BCI/FBI fingerprint process. Your employer may also require a separate federal firearms eligibility check (Brady) through an FFL dealer. That is handled apart from BCI fingerprinting.
I have an old misdemeanor. Will I be disqualified?
It depends on the offense type and how long ago it occurred. PISGS evaluates each case. A minor misdemeanor from many years ago is very different from a recent crime of violence. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting OPOTC directly.
How long is the background check valid for?
PISGS requires a new background check every 3 years for license renewal, or upon changing employers in some cases.
How far is your office from Short North?
Our office at 3185 Morse Rd, Columbus is approximately 6 miles from Short North — typically a 12-minute drive depending on traffic. Most Columbus Metro clients combine the trip with errands in Columbus. Walk in Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm, or Sunday 10am to 4pm.
Can Short North residents walk in without an appointment?
Yes. We accept walk-ins every day: Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm, and Sunday 10am to 4pm. Short North clients regularly drop in on lunch breaks, after work, or on weekends. The fingerprinting itself takes 15–20 minutes.
What is the difference between an Ohio BCI check and an FBI check?
An Ohio BCI (Bureau of Criminal Investigation) check searches Ohio criminal records only. An FBI check searches the national database, which covers all 50 states and federal records. Many Ohio employers and licensing boards ask for both, the combined "BCI and FBI" check, to get complete coverage. We can submit one or both in a single visit, according to the required reason code and requesting agency instructions.
How much does fingerprinting cost, and is the state check priced separately from the federal check?
Our pricing is flat and easy to follow. A BCI-only Live Scan WebCheck is $40, an FBI-only check is $40, and a combined BCI and FBI submission is $80. We tell you the exact total before we capture your prints, with no hidden charges and no surcharge for paying by card.
Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in?
You are welcome to walk in. Stop by our Short North-area office at 3185 Morse Rd, Suite 15, Columbus any day we are open: Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm, and Sunday 10am to 4pm. Most visits wrap up in 15 to 20 minutes. If you are bringing a group of employees, a quick call ahead lets us keep your wait short.
Can my results be sent to more than one employer or agency?
Bring each organization’s written instructions. Available direct-copy and mailing options depend on the type and purpose of the check. Do not assume an existing result can be reused for another employer; confirm the requirements before requesting another submission.
Can I get a copy of my own fingerprints or background-check results?
Results are delivered according to the instructions for the authorized check. Personal FBI records use the separate FBI Identity History Summary process; Ohio BCI cannot process an FBI WebCheck request for personal use or immigration. Contact the FBI for those instructions and call us before visiting to confirm service availability.
What if my fingerprints get rejected?
Electronic Live Scan flags a low-quality print in real time, so we re-capture it during your visit. In the rare case Ohio BCI or the FBI still returns a submission, we re-capture your prints again at no additional service charge.
How long are my results valid?
That depends on the requirement. Many Ohio licensing boards and employers treat a background check as valid for a set window, often one year and sometimes longer, and ask for a fresh check after that or when you change employers. Your board or HR department sets the validity period. The fingerprints themselves do not expire, but the check tied to them does.
Security Guard Fingerprinting in Nearby Cities
Also serving residents and employers in these Columbus Metro communities:
Security Guard Fingerprinting Near Short North — Walk In Welcome
Process your OPOTC security guard fingerprints same day near Short North. Located on Morse Rd, Columbus. Open Mon–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 10am–4pm.
3185 Morse Rd, Ste 15, Columbus, OH 43231 — Open Mon–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 10am–4pm