If you have been reading my blog, you know I have written a lot about the process of becoming a security guard in Ontario. Training, the exam, salary, career outlook, all of it.
But I also know that not everyone wants to read ten posts to find the one answer they are looking for. So this one is different. This is everything in one place. The most common questions I get, answered simply, with links to the longer posts if you want to go deeper.
Yes. You must hold a valid licence to work as a security guard, private investigator, or both in Ontario. You can apply for one of three types:
A security guard licence, which covers work that consists primarily of guarding or patrolling for the purpose of protecting persons or property. A private investigator licence, which covers work that consists primarily of conducting investigations to provide information. Or a dual licence, which covers both. However, you cannot work as both a security guard and a private investigator at the same time, even if you hold the dual licence.
For most people starting out, the standard security guard licence is what you need.
Working without a valid licence is illegal and can result in fines and prosecution. You must carry a digital version or a printed copy of your licence at all times while on duty and be prepared to show it if anyone asks.
The process has two main parts. First, you complete the required training and pass a government exam. Second, you apply for the actual licence through ServiceOntario.
The steps in order: complete the 40-hour mandatory training with an approved provider, receive your Training Completion Number, register for and pass the government exam, get your Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check, then submit your application online or by mail through ServiceOntario with your documents and the $80 fee.
I wrote a detailed two-part guide on this. Part 1 covers the training and exam. Part 2 covers the application and the licence itself.
The mandatory training is 40 hours total. That breaks into 33.5 hours of security training and 6.5 hours of emergency first aid and CPR.
The security training portion must be instructor-led, whether in person or online. If it is web-based, there must be real-time access to an instructor. The first aid and CPR portion must be completed in person.
If you already hold a valid emergency first aid and CPR certificate from a St. John Ambulance or WSIB certified instructor, you can provide that certificate instead of redoing the CPR portion.
How long the 40 hours takes you in calendar time depends on the provider and the format you choose. Some in-person courses run over about a week. Online courses let you move at your own pace. I wrote a full post on this if you want more detail.
The total cost depends on a few things. The training course itself varies by provider. Right now in Ontario, training costs can range from around $80 to $150 for the security training alone, and up to roughly $300 when bundled with first aid and CPR. These prices change, so check with your chosen provider for current rates.
On top of training, the government exam has a registration fee, and the licence application is $80. You will also need to pay for your Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check, which varies depending on where you get it.
All in, expect the full process to cost somewhere in the range of a few hundred dollars. It is not free, but compared to most professional certifications, it is one of the most accessible paths into a licensed career.
The exam has 60 multiple choice questions. You have 75 minutes to complete it. The passing mark is 62 percent, which means you need at least 37 correct answers.
The questions cover everything from your training: Ontario law, use of force, report writing, emergency response, access control, and more. Some questions are straightforward recall. Others are scenario-based and require you to apply what you learned.
You cannot predict exactly which questions will appear on your exam. The best preparation is to understand the material, not just memorize it. I wrote a full post on the exam with a strategy that works if you want to go deeper.
Yes. Many approved providers offer the security training portion online. The key requirement is that even web-based courses must provide real-time access to an instructor. It cannot be just a textbook you read on your own.
The first aid and CPR portion must still be completed in person regardless of how you do the security training.
When choosing an online provider, make sure they are on the Ministry of the Solicitor General's approved list before you pay for anything. Also look at how the course is delivered. Some use video, some use slides, some use interactive content. Find the format that works for how you learn.
You do not need university-level English, but you need to be comfortable enough to understand legal concepts, follow training material, and communicate clearly with the public.
Security work is a customer service job at its core. You will be interacting with people every shift, answering questions, writing reports, and responding to situations. You need to be able to do all of that in English.
The legal content in the training is especially challenging if English is not your first language. I know this from personal experience. When I did my training, I had been in Canada for about three months and my textbook ended up covered in pencil notes where I had translated legal terms into my first language just to understand what I was reading. It was hard, but it was doable. If you are willing to put in the extra effort, you can get through it.
Yes. The requirement is that you must be legally entitled to work in Canada. That includes Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and people with a valid work permit that authorizes them to work.
If you are on a student visa with work authorization, security is a common part-time job. Just make sure your permit allows the type and hours of work you are taking on. Work authorization rules can change, so always verify your specific situation before committing.
Your licence expires two birthdays after the day it is issued. For example, if your birthday is December 15 and your licence was issued on October 1, your licence would expire on December 15 of the following year. That means your first licence could be slightly more or slightly less than two full years depending on when you apply relative to your birthday.
When you renew before the expiry date, the new licence is always valid for two years from the renewal date, linked to your birthday.
You will receive a reminder by email about two months before it expires, but only if you have a current email address on file. Do not rely on the reminder. Mark the date yourself and start the renewal process early.
If your licence expires, you cannot work. It is that simple. Working as a security guard in Ontario without a valid licence is illegal.
Start your renewal at least 60 days before your licence expires to give yourself enough time. Renewal requires a new Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check and the $80 fee. You can renew online through ServiceOntario or by mail.
Do not let it lapse. If you miss the expiry, you cannot legally work until the renewal is approved, which can take time depending on how busy ServiceOntario is and whether you applied online or by mail.
If you are new to all of this and want the full picture, I have written detailed posts on each of these topics. Start with the licensing guide if you want the step-by-step process, or the newcomer series if you are new to Canada and are considering security as your first step.
All of my posts are written from real experience. I started as a newcomer with no knowledge of this industry and built a career that has lasted over fifteen years. Everything I write comes from that.
Mary is the founder of Calrex Training Academy and has worked in the Ontario security industry for over 15 years, starting as a security guard and moving through roles in dispatching, supervision, and operations before specializing in emergency management and data analytics. She has hired and interviewed security guards and writes about security careers, licensing, and what it actually takes to succeed in this industry.