Getting a Security Guard License in Canada

Interested in a career in the fast-paced and rewarding world of private security? The first step is to secure your security guard license. At Blackbird Security, our services are only as good as the team that supplies them. When we hire security guards, it’s vital to us that we choose the right people. 

Ready to apply to Blackbird? Check out our Indeed Page for current openings. 

The Blackbird Difference: Advanced Training

Quality and character are essential in a security professional, but education is all-important. In their day-to-day roles, security guards can face an almost limitless number of scenarios and threats while interacting with hundreds of people. That’s why we put our guards through a rigorous in-house training program that we believe is the most comprehensive in all of Canada. Modules include:

• Advanced Security Training taught by our in-house certified AST Training Manager

• Occupational First Aid (OFA) Certification

• Naloxone Administration Training

• John’s Mental Health Training

• Trauma Informed Training

• Indigenous Awareness Training 201 (in partnership with Indigenous Awareness Canada)

• Customer Service Training

• Incident De-escalation and Conflict Resolution Training

Above all else, our guards must hold a valid security guard license. Each province handles these licenses in a different way and we wanted to cover the basics for how people interested in a security career can get started on their certification. Let’s take a look, province-by-province, at how to get a security guard license in the provinces Blackbird Security currently operates in Canada.

Security Guard License in British Columbia

Under British Columbia’s Security Services Act, individuals cannot perform security work or represent themselves as a security worker without a valid security worker license. Applications for the license can be completed online, with the following requirements:

• Identification documents – Canadian passport or permanent resident card/work permit

• Passport quality photograph

• Fingerprints – contact your local municipal police force to arrange

• English fluency

• Criminal, Police and correctional record checks

• Mental health condition report

• Police and Peace Officer status – you may not hold a security worker license in BC if you are a member of a police force

• Age – you must be at least 19 years old

Security Guard License in Alberta

In Alberta, security guard licenses are issued under the Security Services and Investigators Act by Alberta Justice. All security service workers must successfully complete an approved security training course and score 80% or higher on the provincial final exam. There are two approved training courses in Alberta:

• Alberta Basic Security Training Course, or

• Accredited Basic Security Training Course

View the list of approved training providers in Alberta for these courses.

Once you’ve completed one of the above courses, you can then apply for your license. They are issued by the Government of Alberta for a cost of $100 and are valid for two years. Eligibility for a security license in Alberta is as follows:

• Aged 18 or over

• Eligible to work in Canada

• Fluency in English

• No criminal record

• No outstanding criminal charges

• Not under criminal investigation

Security Guard License in Saskatchewan

The Private Investigators and Security Guards Act, 1997 requires individuals to hold a valid security guard or private investigators license while employed by a licensed security business in Saskatchewan. The license is only valid for that particular business.

To qualify for a security guard license in Saskatchewan, individuals must complete the Saskatchewan Justice Approved Security Guard Training Course and obtain a standard of at least 75% on the final exam.

Eligibility is as follows:

• Aged 18 and over

• Eligible to work in Canada

• Full criminal record check

Security Guard License in Manitoba

Manitoba has a mandatory 40-hour training course called the Manitoba Security Guard Training Program that all individuals must pass before qualifying for a security license. The Government of Manitoba does not handle this training. Instead, it is provided by a list of approved partners.

It’s worth noting, individuals are eligible for a one-time, six-month temporary security guard license that provides the ability to work as a security guard while taking the training course. This temporary license cannot be renewed.

Eligibility is as follows:

• Aged 18 and over

• Eligible to work in Canada

• Full criminal record check

Security Guard License in Ontario

To be considered eligible for a security guard license in Ontario, you must satisfy the following criteria:

• Be 18 years old or older

• Be legally entitled to work in Canada

• Have a clean criminal record according to Ontario Regulation 37/08, pursuant to the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005

• Complete the mandatory basic training and test for security guards or private investigators, for more information:

• Take a look at the course outlines for security guard and private investigator training

• Get information on testing locations and registration, along with study guides and checklists

• Have an Ontario testing completion number from your mandatory test

When you apply for your licence, you must submit the following items with your application:

• Your Ontario testing completion number

• If you are already licensed as a security guard or private investigator in a different province, you can provide your out-of-province licence number and a copy of the front and back of your licence

• A passport-quality photo that meets the photo requirements

• Identification documents (IDs) that prove your identity and your eligibility to work in Canada

• A completed Guarantor Information Form (026-0178) that has been signed and dated by your guarantor

• The appropriate payment for your licence type

Blackbird Supports Security Employees on their Path to Policing

While a career in security can be incredibly rewarding on its own, transitioning to a career in policing is both meaningful and attainable for existing security guards. We’re honoured to partner with the York Regional Police to support Blackbird Security guards in Toronto as they explore careers in policing. Our collaboration with the York Regional Police helps create pathways to law enforcement careers for security guards, who develop skills that translate directly to policing roles.

At Blackbird Security, we’re proud to offer our security guards significant growth opportunities. One of these opportunities is a pathway to becoming a police officer with the York Regional Police. When a security guard meets the requirements to become a police officer, Blackbird Security leadership will notify the York Regional Police and liaise to provide the security guard with the right information and the next steps to begin their career in policing.

This past November, we hosted a program in collaboration with the York Regional Police Recruiting Department designed to provide insight into the recruiting process of the York Regional Police. The program took an in-depth look at how security experience can serve as a strong foundation for a policing career and provided guidance on skill-building, professional development, and navigating career pathways from security roles to law enforcement.

How a Career in Security Leads to a Career in Policing

Former Blackbird Security loss prevention operative (LPO) Shayde Russell transitioned from a career in security to the RCMP. “I’ve always wanted to go into policing,” said Shayde during an interview with our team. “Dealing with people, clients, workers, and the businesses themselves, learning people skills. That kind of experience really excels in the policing realm.”

When asked what security experiences are most beneficial when transitioning from security to policing, Shayde responded, “I chose LPO because you’re not as uniformed. You have to do things at your own pace and deal with people one-on-one. You get to build more rapport with people and build more relationships.”

While a high-stakes role like loss prevention builds skills transferrable to policing, individuals in all security roles learn skills that can help them become police officers. Here’s a brief overview:

• Practical experience: Working as a security guard provides valuable practical experience in handling a variety of real-world, high-tension scenarios similar to those encountered by police officers.

• De-escalation and conflict management: Security guards frequently need to de-escalate conflicts and manage challenging situations to maintain safety and order within businesses and the properties they protect.

• Stress management: Being a police officer is a stressful job. Security guards develop stress management skills, which better prepare them for a career in policing. 

• Confidence: A high-stakes industry like security builds confidence in approaching and managing various situations. These experiences build the self-confidence necessary for a policing role.

The Blackbird Difference: Why York Regional Police Recruiters Trust Blackbird Security

At Blackbird Security, we prepare our security guards for success through comprehensive training and real-world experience. Our guards undergo extensive training through our in-house program, Blackbird Academy, with courses covering Canadian law, peaceful de-escalation techniques, emergency response, and professional report writing. This foundation of knowledge aligns with many of the skills required in law enforcement.

Our security guards regularly collaborate with police officers when responding to security incidents, which provides them with valuable experience in documentation and law enforcement processes. Working alongside law enforcement from a security perspective before transitioning to a policing role offers unique insights into procedures.

Additionally, our commitment to community support reflects the community-focused approach of Canadian law enforcement agencies. Blackbird Security guards build positive relationships with the communities they protect, developing the communication and interpersonal skills essential for law enforcement careers.

"Many of us are inspired to one day work as peace officers in various capacities, such as police constable, special constable, correction officer, and transit officer at both provincial and federal levels. Working in security provides great insight into areas that are tested in policing. At Blackbird Security, you can work in both uniform and undercover units, putting your verbal skills to the test when engaging with the public. This focuses on providing the highest level of customer service while also enforcing provincial and federal laws. In some positions, continuous enforcement, including making arrests and engaging with law enforcement on a daily basis, helps us prepare and add to our skill set.”

- Amir Anvarizadeh, National Training and Development Manager at Blackbird Security

Partner With Blackbird Security

The comprehensive training programs, real-world scenarios, and hands-on experience gained by working for Blackbird Security create a strong foundation for our security guards to transition into policing careers. Through our partnership with York Regional Police, we're proud to support our security guards in Toronto as they take their next steps toward careers in law enforcement.

We welcome partnerships with Canadian law enforcement agencies looking to connect with well-trained, experienced security professionals. Use the form below to contact us to learn more about collaboration opportunities.

Work for Canada’s Fastest-Growing Security Company

If you’re a licensed security guard, why not take your career to the next level with Blackbird Security? Check out our Indeed Page for current openings. We look forward to working with you!