Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, apparatus, and methods for providing location-specific authentication at a mobile access device. In some embodiments, a mobile access device (e.g., a mobile POS terminal such as a smart phone) can receive a request to initiate a transaction. The mobile access device can determine a current location of the mobile access device, and can select an authentication process based upon the determined location. The selected authentication process can then be performed by the mobile access device. In some embodiments, when the current location is a first location, the selected authentication process can include requesting authentication data before authorization of the transaction and, when the current location is the second location, the selected authentication process can include requesting the authentication data after authorization of the transaction.