A security guard licence is the first thing you need before you can work as a guard in Ontario, British Columbia or Alberta in 2026. Each province sets its own training, exam and fee, and BC changed how its training is delivered this year. This guide walks you through the official steps and costs, plus pay by province.
Advertising
Security guards work in shopping centres, offices, hospitals, construction sites, events, condos and warehouses. When we checked Job Bank on 23 October 2026, a search for “security guard” returned about 150 postings. The work suits people who are calm, observant and comfortable following written procedures, often on nights and weekends.
To see current openings, use the button below. It takes you to Job Bank, the Government of Canada’s job board, where each posting explains how to apply directly with the employer. We don’t place people in jobs and we don’t take applications.
What a security guard does
Guards protect people and property by watching, reporting and calling for help when needed. They don’t have police powers, so most of the job is prevention and good communication.
- Controlling access at entrances, gates and front desks
- Patrolling on foot or by vehicle and checking doors, alarms and fire equipment
- Watching security cameras
- Writing clear incident reports and daily logs
- Calling police, fire or paramedics and guiding them on site
- Helping visitors, staff and customers
Who needs a security guard licence
In Ontario, BC and Alberta, you need a provincial licence to work as a security guard. The licence is issued to you personally by the province, not by your employer, and you apply for it yourself.
Other provinces and territories have their own rules. Check with your provincial justice or public safety department before paying for any course.
Security guard licence requirements in Ontario, BC and Alberta
The table compares the official requirements published by each province and by the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC).
Anúncios
| Step | Ontario | British Columbia | Alberta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 or older | 19 to apply for the licence | Over 18 |
| Training | Basic training of at least 40 hours, including emergency first aid and CPR | JIBC Basic Security Training theory, 40 hours, online or in person | Alberta Basic Security Training through an approved provider |
| Exam | 60 multiple-choice questions in 75 minutes; cut score 62% | 75 questions in 90 minutes; 70% to pass; two attempts | Provincial exam; 80% to pass |
| Training and exam fees | Course price set by each provider; test $66.50 plus HST ($75.15) | Theory $347.32 tuition plus $3.32 and $3.06 in fees; assessment $64.41 | Course price set by each provider |
| Licence fee | $80 | $120 (1 year), $180 (2 years), $240 (3 years) | $100 plus a $9 registry service charge |
| Licence length | Expires two birthdays after it is issued | 1, 2 or 3 years | 2 years |
| Background check | Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check issued within 6 months | Fingerprints on your first application | Criminal record check, vulnerable sector search and police database check, under 90 days old |
Sources: Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General, BC Security Programs, JIBC and Alberta.ca. Fees can change, so confirm them on the official page when you pay.
Ontario: what’s new in 2026
Ontario’s basic training page says the ministry is developing new standardized basic training curricula, while the current requirements stay in force. In May 2026, the province also said it will explore new tiers of security guard licences under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act. For now, the single security guard licence still applies.
An online application can take up to 15 calendar days to process, and a mailed one up to 30, according to Ontario.ca.
British Columbia: new training model
Since 1 April 2026, the Basic Security Training required for licensing is no longer delivered by privately operated schools. JIBC now teaches it in-house, online or in person in New Westminster. Designated public post-secondary institutions, partners serving remote and Indigenous communities, and large security firms training their own employees also deliver it. You must pass the assessment within six months of finishing the theory course.
Alberta: English and temporary licence
Alberta asks for English at Canadian Language Benchmark level 5. Once your application is approved, you receive a temporary licence valid for 60 days while your card is mailed.
Security guard pay by province
Job Bank publishes hourly wages for security guards and related occupations (NOC 64410). The figures below were updated on 19 November 2025 and mostly cover 2023–2024.
| Province or territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $17.95 | $20.00 | $34.87 |
| British Columbia | $18.25 | $22.75 | $32.00 |
| Alberta | $17.25 | $21.00 | $38.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.70 | $20.00 | $31.24 |
| Manitoba | $16.40 | $18.50 | $29.00 |
| New Brunswick | $15.90 | $18.00 | $26.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $17.00 | $17.00 | $24.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $17.30 | $18.00 | $25.85 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.35 | $20.00 | $29.00 |
| Yukon | $20.00 | $26.68 | $38.00 |
| Northwest Territories | $17.82 | $26.33 | $46.06 |
| Nunavut | $20.17 | $25.00 | $33.00 |
Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada. Because the data is older, some figures may sit below today’s minimum wage. Your employer must pay at least the current minimum wage in your province.
Hours and shifts
Many sites need coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Expect a mix of day, evening and overnight shifts, weekends and holidays, and some shifts can be long.
New guards often start with part-time or on-call shifts. Ask how many hours the employer usually offers and how far ahead schedules are posted.
How to get your security guard licence, step by step
- Confirm the rules in the province where you will work.
- Choose a recognized training provider (in BC, JIBC or one of its designated partners).
- Complete the basic training and keep your training completion record.
- Book and pass the exam: online or at select DriveTest centres in Ontario, through JIBC in BC, or the provincial exam in Alberta.
- Get the police or background check your province asks for.
- Apply for the licence on the official government site and pay the fee.
- Search Job Bank with the button on this page and apply directly with employers.
Training funding
Training costs are lower than for many trades, but help exists if money is tight.
- Better Jobs Ontario: up to $28,000 for training of one year or less, plus a living allowance of up to $500 a week, for eligible laid-off workers and people unemployed for 12 weeks or longer in low-income households. Apply through an Employment Ontario service provider.
- Ontario Job Grant: employers can apply for up to $10,000 per trainee to train current staff or a new hire who already has a job offer.
- Alberta: through the Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant, the province pays 75% of eligible training costs, up to $5,000 per trainee, for employees or people an employer intends to hire. The employer applies.
- British Columbia: a WorkBC Centre can tell you whether you qualify for training support.
Your rights at work
Most security jobs fall under provincial employment standards. The general minimum wage is $17.95 an hour in Ontario since 1 October 2026, $18.25 in British Columbia since 1 June 2026 and $15 in Alberta.
- Overtime: in Ontario after 44 hours a week; in BC after 8 hours a day or 40 a week; in Alberta after 8 hours a day or 44 a week, at 1.5 times your regular rate.
- Written terms: since 1 July 2025, Ontario employers with 25 or more employees must give new hires their pay, pay day, hours and work location in writing.
- Probation: in Ontario, the right to termination notice starts after three months on the job.
Ask for your schedule, pay rate and uniform rules in writing before your first shift.
Résumé and interview tips
List your licence number and expiry date at the top, with first aid and CPR. Mention any customer service, retail or hospitality experience, because guards deal with the public all day.
Interviewers often give you a scenario, such as a shoplifter or a medical emergency. Explain how you would observe, keep yourself and others safe, call for help and write the report.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying for a course that isn’t recognized in your province.
- Waiting too long between training and the exam (six months is the limit in BC).
- Letting a police check expire before you apply for the licence.
- Working before your licence is issued.
How to spot job scams
A real employer never charges you to apply or to “activate” a job. Never send your SIN, passport, licence or banking details by text, WhatsApp or social media before you have a real offer from a company you can verify.
Be careful with offers that promise a licence “with no exam” or very fast. Check fees on the official government page and pay only official channels or recognized training providers.
Similar jobs
Airports hire screening officers and other cleared staff, explained in our airport jobs guide. Distribution centres also need staff on every shift, as covered in warehouse jobs in Canada. Looking for fewer hours? See part-time jobs in Canada, or browse all jobs in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a security guard licence cost in Ontario?
The licence fee is $80. The ministry’s study guide lists the test at $66.50 plus HST ($75.15), and training providers set their own course fees.
How long is security guard training?
Ontario requires at least 40 hours, including emergency first aid and CPR. BC’s Basic Security Training theory course is also 40 hours. In Alberta, the course must be approved by the province.
Can I take Basic Security Training at a private school in BC?
Not since 1 April 2026. JIBC delivers it in-house, alongside designated public post-secondary institutions, community partners and large security firms training their own staff.
Is my security guard licence valid in another province?
No, each province issues its own. Alberta accepts a valid licence from another Canadian province or territory instead of its training requirement, but you still apply for an Alberta licence.
How long does the licence last?
In Ontario it expires two birthdays after it is issued. Alberta licences last two years, and in BC you choose one, two or three years.
Where do I apply for security guard jobs?
Apply directly with employers, using the instructions in each Job Bank posting or on the company’s careers page. Applying is free.
Sources
- Ontario: security guard licence for individuals
- Ontario: security guard basic training
- JIBC: Basic Security Training (BC)
- Government of BC: security worker licence application
- Alberta: security service worker licence
- Job Bank: wages for security officers
