Become a Security Guard in Ontario
The following is the process on how to get your security guard license and work as a Security Guard in Ontario.
The Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA) regulates the investigative services and private security industry. The Act and its regulations govern the way the private security and investigation industry operates in Ontario.
All security guards and private investigators must fulfil the mandatory requirements of the Training and Testing Regulation in order to be eligible to apply for a licence.
To obtain your Ontario Security Licence you must meet the licensing requirements as set by the PSISA and follow the licensing process. Generally, the process of obtaining your security guard licence in Ontario will take approximately two to three weeks to complete from start to finish.
A security guard license allows you to work in a job where you mainly protect persons or property.
This includes working as a:
1. Security guard
2. Concierge
3. Bodyguard
4. Bouncer
5. Or loss prevention employee
A valid license card is required to work as a security guard. Working without a valid license is a violation of the Ontario Private Security and Investigative Services Act.
Step One: Ontario Licensing Requirements
The first step in the process of obtaining your security guard licence in Ontario is to make sure that you will be able to meet the requirements to obtain a licence. The requirements are as follows:
- Have completed the required training and testing.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Possess a clean criminal record, according to the Clean Criminal Record Regulation
- Be legally entitled to work in Canada.
It should be noted that individuals who have been convicted of a Criminal Offence that is not on the list may still be eligible for a licence and should contact the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch (PSISB) to determine if there are any restrictions that should apply.
You can contact the PSISB by e-mail at [email protected]
To view the list of criminal offences that will prohibit you from obtaining license, click the link below.
Step Two: Complete Your Training Course
Online Security Guard Course:
Once you have determined that you are eligible to apply for your Ontario Security Licence the next step is to register for and complete your Ministry Approved 40-hour training program. This program covers the material that you need to pass the ministry test you will be writing in step three.
First Aid and CPR Training
To be eligible for a security licence, you must have a valid first aid and CPR certification.
The minimum accepted level of first aid training is Emergency Level First Aid and Level A CPR (1 day in class training). The training cannot be offered online and must be completed in an in class setting.
Once registering for your Security Guard Training Program, If you currently posses a valid First Aid and CPR certificate, you are not required to retake the First Aid training component. If you do not posses a First Aid Certificate, ensure that you register for and obtain your First Aid certification.
At the completion of your course, your ministry approved training provider will provide you with your TCN (Training Completion Number) which you can use to book your test and complete step three of the licensing process.
Step Three: Book Your Exam
Exam Cost: $75.15
The third step of the process to obtain your security guard licence in Ontario is to use your TCN to book and write your test.
Your test will be written at one of 30 DriveTest Centres across the province. Test locations can be determined by clicking on the locations link at the end of this section. The fastest way to book is to use the online booking system which can be accessed through Security Guard Testing (https://ontariosecuritytesting.com/book-a-test.html).
The test is paper and pencil and consists of 60-questions in a multiple choice format. The test is available in English and French. The test is 90 minutes in length of which 75 minutes is allotted to write the test. The passing grade for the test is 37/60 or 62%. Once you have completed the test it will take two business days to get your results. If you do not pass the test you can retake it but will have to re pay the testing fee.
Testing Links
Step Five: Apply For Your License
Application Cost: $80
The final step in the process is to apply for your licence by submitting your application to the Ministry.
You can apply for the license online through ServiceOntario or you can print out a hard copy application and send it in by mail.
A correctly completed online application can take up to 10 business days to be processed
The advantages of applying online are that you can check the status of your application in real time by logging into your account, and, online applicants can view a printable digital license as soon as their application is approved.
The printed digital license can be used for proof of licensing until the hard copy license card is received in the mail.
The digital licence includes a QR code which can be used to verify the information printed on the licence. You must replace the printed digital licence with your plastic licence card once it arrives by mail.
It can take up to 30 days to finish processing a correctly completed application.