Breaking in from a hospital security role — do agencies or first clients care more about a license or documented hours under a supervising PI? I’m in Ohio, can give two weekends a month, and I’ve got about $300 to put toward either state paperwork or some OSINT training; if I’m assuming wrong, push back and tell me what you’d prioritize. I’ll read the Ohio regs and do my own research — just trying to weigh the real-world tradeoffs.
Ohio shops will care more that you’re registered under a PISGS-licensed agency and can work weekends than you having your own license — think of the license as the boss battle after a few side quests. Put the $300 toward a practical OSINT course and start emailing small local firms offering “two weekends a month,” and skim PISGS so you can speak their language: Services for. What part of Ohio are you in?
What moved the needle for me was calling a few PISGS-licensed agencies and asking for weekend surveillance overflow — use the line “can you sponsor my PISGS registration if I pass your background?” and have your driving record, proof of insurance, and vehicle details ready (state info: https://pisgs.ohio.gov). I’d put the $300 toward fuel and a discreet phone mount/dash cam before OSINT training unless a shop specifically asks for a course; @david_murphy64, are you seeing agencies still cover the reg fee?