Security guard training in Ohio

10 security guard programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

5 schools offer these security guard programs, and Ohio has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Security guards protect property from illegal activity. Most states require a license, which usually means being 18 or older, passing a background check and completing training; most guards learn the job in a few weeks. Armed guards need weapons training and usually a separate license.¹

In Ohio, 7 of the 10 programs take students without a high school diploma, 2 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 1 asks for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 10 programs here are security guard license course (4 programs), armed security and firearms course (2 programs), annual or refresher training (1 program), short add-on course (1 program), and 2 more of 2 other kinds.

See the 10 programs

How much does security guard training cost in Ohio?

$300 to $2,475 is what most security guard programs in Ohio cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 10 programs with a price. All of them: $130 to $7,292

In the typical program

Finished the program: Not enough data; 2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later: Not reported; None of the 10 programs report it
Earned a year, estimated: Not reported; None of the 10 programs report it
Length: Not reported; None of the 10 programs report it

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Ohio may also offer security guard training. How these figures are made

Is there free security guard training in Ohio?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.²³⁴
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁵ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁴
Or pay yourself. Most security guard programs in Ohio cost $300 to $2,475. Prices on this page run from $130 to $7,292.

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

How to pay for security guard training in Ohio

WIOA funding can pay for security guard training in Ohio

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for security guard training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.⁶⁷

GI Bill for security guard training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.⁸

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Security guard training in Ohio

programs with a price cost under $1,000: 5 of 10
security guard programs here, against the typical state's 3: 10 vs 3

State comparisons use the same figures as the security guard training by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Security guard training in Cleveland, Columbus and other Ohio cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 program is online.

Other training in Ohio

How security guard training compares with the rest of public safety: First responder training in Ohio

Where the Ohio security guard program numbers come from

Which Ohio security guard programs are on this list?

These are the security guard programs Ohio approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).⁹ The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Ohio offers.

How the prices and results of Ohio security guard programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about security guard training in Ohio

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Security guard training in Ohio

How much does security guard training cost in Ohio?

Is there free security guard training in Ohio?

All 10 security guard programs in Ohio approved for WIOA funding

4-Hour Private Security Basic Firearms Requalification (Armed Security Guard)

OPOTA Shotgun Certification

Private Security Non-Lethal Weapons Certification

OPOTC Private Security Firearms Certification

Executive Protection Certifcation Course

Certified Protection Officer with High School Diploma

OPOTC Private Security Basic Training Certification Course

Private Security Academy

Security Officer

Security Administration