Overview

Make sure if you must register. If you’ve hired security guards from a licenced agency for your business only, you do not need to register. But if you employ your own in-house security staff, you must register.

Being registered gives you permission under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 to employ people as security guards and/or private investigators.

Requirements

To renew or apply for a new employer registration you will be required to provide or verify the following:

  • legal name of your business
  • business Name (if you have a business name that differs from the legal name)
  • a valid business name registration (if you have a business name)
  • corporation number (if applicable)
  • Federal Business Name (BN9) (if applicable)
  • the physical address of your company and an Ontario mailing address
  • business phone number and email address
  • the name, licence number, and licence type of each employee who are security guards or private investigators (if applicable)
  • payment of $80.00 in the applicable format

How to apply

Apply online

To apply online for a new registration or renew your existing registration you will need:

Once your application is approved you will receive your digital registration by email.  You can also download or print your digital registration by logging into your My Ontario Account.

Your registration must be posted in a clearly visible location within your business office.

Apply Online

Apply by mail

To apply by mail for a new registration or renew your existing registration you will need to:

Mail your completed application package to:

ServiceOntario
Occupational Licensing Services Office
P.O. Box 4500
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 0E1

If applying by mail and you provide an email address, once your application is approved, you will receive your digital registration by email. You will be able to download and print your registration.

If you did not provide an email a paper copy of your licence will be sent to your mailing address.

Your registration must be posted in a clearly visible location within your business office.

Cost

$80.00 – registered employer registration

If you are applying online, you can pay with:

  • Credit card (VISA® or MasterCard®)
  • Debit card (VISA® or Mastercard®)

If you are applying by mail, choose one of these forms of payment made payable to the Minister of Finance:

  • bank draft
  • money order (postal or bank)
  • certified cheque

Note: Credit cards, cash and personal cheques are not accepted by mail.

Payments are non-refundable. This applies to applications that are withdrawn, denied due to ineligibility, or returned due to errors or incomplete information where the required information is not resubmitted within 90 calendar days. Payment will be retained as a processing fee.

Change Information on your registration

You can update information on your registration during your registration term if:

  • your current registration is not expired
  • your registration is not within 90 days of its expiry date

You will be required to provide your existing Ontario Private security and Investigative (PSIS) Employer registration number.

There is no fee to update your information.

Depending on what changes you are making you may need to provide specific information.  Here are some requirements for specific changes:

  • If you are adding or changing a business name: A valid Business Name Registration document will be required.
  • If you are updating your list of employees: you will need to provide the name, licence number and licence type of each employee

Change Online

Change by mail

Have your new information ready and complete the Change of Information Form for Employers of Security Guards and/or Private Investigators – Registered Employers.

Mail your completed change of information form and required information to:

ServiceOntario
Occupational Licensing Services Office
P.O. Box 4500
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 0E1

Returned registration application

If your registration application is returned because of an error or missing information, you have 90 calendar days to respond. If we do not receive the requested information from you within 90 calendar days, your application will be closed and your payment will be retained as a processing fee.  A new application and payment will be required.

Notice of collection

In order to process your request, ServiceOntario will collect some personal information on behalf of the Ministry of the Solicitor General under the authority of Section 11 of the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005. This information will be used for identification purposes and to issue and administer licences under the Act.

If you have any questions about the collection and use of your personal information, please contact the ServiceOntario Contact Centre at:

By mail:

ServiceOntario
Occupational Licensing Services Office
P.O. Box 4500
Kingston ON K7L 0E1

Contact us

Email your questions to privatesecurity@ontario.ca or call Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm: