How to gain a Security Guard and/or Private Investigators license through Ontario Security Training

Who can apply for a Security license?

To eligible to apply for a security license, you must:

be 18 years of age or older.
be eligible to work in Canada.
not have one of the 83 designated offences that will prohibit you from gaining a license. (please visit our resource centre link for more details)

Security license training and testing requirements

Before you apply for a security license or private investigation license, you must complete the 40 hour Ontario Security Training course to receive a training number.
You must then book a security licensing Exam at a drive test centre with your training number. The exam fee is $35 plus tax
After successfully completing your exam, you must apply for your Security License at a cost of $80 tax included. You will only need to do the security training once in your lifetime.

Beginning February 18, 2024, a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) must be completed by a police service

This includes checks from the following types of police services:

municipal police service
First Nations police service
the Ontario Provincial Police

Checks completed by a non-police service will not be accepted.

Applications on or before February 17, 2024 can be submitted without a CRJMC.

In addition:

CRJMCs must be completed within six months at the time of licence application.
Applicants will be required to pay a fee to obtain their CRJMC.
Fees and processing times to obtain a CRJMC vary depending on the police service.
The CRJMC must be in a PDF format that has been digitally issued by the police service.
Applicants who have a physical copy of a CRJMC must submit their application by mail. Only the original physical copy of your CRJMC will be accepted.

How to apply for a Security Guard license and/or Private Investigator license

You can apply for a license by mail or online through ServiceOntario.
You will be able to check the status of your application online within two business days.
Applicants will be able to access a printable digital license as soon as their application is approved. The printed digital license can be used as proof of licensing until you receive your plastic license card by mail.

Notice: Service Ontario does not accept applications for security guard or private investigator licenses at its service counters.

Processing time

A correctly completed online application can take as little as 2 days to process and received by email.

License expiry

Your new license will expire two birthdays after the day it is issued (two years) and will only cost $80.

Responsibilities

Guards and Investigators must carry a valid license at all times while on duty. Security Guards must identify themselves and show the front of their license to anyone who asks to see it. This includes employers, Police Officers and any member of the public.

Applications

Security Guard or Private Investigator License Application Form

Security Guard or Private Investigator Application Form (Online)

Security Guard or Private Investigator Application Instruction Form

Consent and Relase of Liability Form Regarding Training

Security guard and/or private investigator licence: Guarantor Information Form

Application (replacing) a Private Investigator or Security Guard license

Application for a licence to (sell) Security Guard and Private Investigator services

Change of address (Individual)

Change of address (Agency/Business Entity)

Use of force form

Notice: all links listed below are not publications of Ontario Security Training Inc. but that of the municipal, provincial and federal government websites. Ontario Security Training Inc. is a private corporation that acts to serve the Ontario security industry. For assistance please call (416) 212 - 1650