Overview

All new security guards and private investigators must complete a basic training course and pass the required test before applying for a licence.

There is a separate training course required for security guards and private investigators.

If you want to apply to receive a dual licence to work as both a security guard and a private investigator, you will need to successfully complete both courses and associated tests.

Where to take a basic training course

The following institutions may offer basic training:

  • community colleges
  • career colleges
  • public universities
  • agencies licensed to provide security guard and/or private investigator services
  • registered employers that employ in-house security guards (registered employers can only train their own employees)

Find a list of training providers that provide basic training in accordance with the training and testing regulation of the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005.

The Ministry of the Solicitor General does not endorse or recommend any trainer or training program. Interested applicants should do their own research when choosing a training provider.

Course fee

Training providers set their own course fees.

Course length

Security guard basic training

Security guard basic training courses must be at least 40 hours long, including certification in emergency first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Private investigator basic training

Private investigator basic training courses must be at least 50 hours long, and emergency first aid/CPR certification is not required.

Combined dual licence basic training

Combined dual-licence basic training courses must be at least 90 hours long, including certification in emergency first aid/CPR.

Opt-out of emergency first aid and CPR

You can opt out of the emergency first aid and CPR portion of the training if you provide a valid first aid/CPR certificate to the training provider, indicating you were trained by a St. John Ambulance or Workplace Safety Insurance Board-certified instructor.

A list of providers approved to deliver first aid training is available on the Workplace Safety Insurance Board website.

Method of instruction

You can complete basic security guard or private investigator training through either:

  • a classroom-based course
  • a web-based course

Web-based courses must allow for real-time interaction with an instructor.

Course content

The basic training program aims to ensure that all security guards and private investigators in the province have the knowledge and skills to carry out their work professionally, effectively, safely and lawfully.

Read the training syllabus for security guards.

Read the training syllabus for private investigators.

Training completion number

After you complete the basic training course, you will receive a training completion number from your training provider. You need this number to register for the test.

Training certificate

Training providers are required to provide students with a training certificate once the student successfully completes training. Training certificates must include the following information:

  • student name
  • training provider name
  • type of training completed (security guard, private investigator or both)
  • date training completed
  • signature of training provider representative