How to Become a Security Guard in Ontario
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Ministry of the Solicitor General to work as a security guard in Ontario or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- security guard
Show the source
“You must have a valid licence to work as a security guard, private investigator or both in Ontario.”
From ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi..., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- Licensed in another province: 1 step
- Trained outside Canada: no separate route
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministry of the Solicitor General
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
Show that you are 18 or older, legally entitled to work in Canada, have a clean criminal record, and have a valid Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check.
Source
“Prove that you: are 18 years old or older are legally entitled to work in Canada have a clean criminal record”
ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi... -
Complete the mandatory basic training for security guards and get an Ontario training completion number from your training provider.
Source
“Complete the mandatory basic training for security guards, private investigators or both: take a look at the course outlines for security guard and private investigator training conduct your own research into the quality of basic training providers get an Ontario training completion number from your training provider”
ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi... -
Complete the mandatory testing for security guards, using your Ontario Training Completion Number to book your test.
Source
“Complete the mandatory testing for security guards, private investigators or both. Prepare ahead by: getting information on testing locations, online testing requirements and registration along with study guides and checklists making sure you have an Ontario Training Completion Number which you’ll need to book your test”
ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Ministry of the Solicitor General
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 1 done
- 1 step without a listed fee
-
Include your out-of-province licence number, type, expiry date, province or territory of issue, a photocopy of the front and back of your valid licence, and the other application items.
Source
“If you have a valid out-of-province licence, include the following information with your application in addition to the items listed in part 4: licence number, type and expiry date province or territory of issue photocopy of the front and back of your valid licence”
ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Ministry of the Solicitor General
1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
No separate route for this group. Source
“You must have a valid licence to work as a security guard, private investigator or both in Ontario.”
ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi...
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Licence type change fee: $80 (when changing licence types)
Source
“An $80 fee applies when changing licence types, including from a: security guard to a private investigator licence”
ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi...
Requirements
Education
You must complete the mandatory basic training for security guards and obtain an Ontario training completion number.
Source
“Complete the mandatory basic training for security guards, private investigators or both”
ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi...
Police check
You must have a valid Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check.
Source
“have a valid Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check”
ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi...
Good character
You must have a clean criminal record, meaning you have not been convicted of any offences listed in the Clean Criminal Record Regulation, or you were convicted of such an offence and have received a pardon or record suspension.
Source
“have a clean criminal record, meaning you: have not been convicted of any offences listed in the Eligibility to Hold a Licence – Clean Criminal Record Regulation were convicted of such an offence and have received a pardon or record suspension”
ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi...
Residency
You must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
Source
“are legally entitled to work in Canada”
ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi...
Other
You must be 18 years old or older.
Source
“are 18 years old or older”
ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi...
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
Applicants with a valid out-of-province security guard licence from another Canadian province or territory do not need to complete Ontario mandatory training and testing and can apply with their licence information. Source
“You do not need to complete the Ontario mandatory training and testing if you have a valid out-of-province security guard or private investigator licence from another Canadian province or territory.”
ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministry of the Solicitor General
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministry of the Solicitor General
Exams
-
Mandatory testing for security guards
Source
“Complete the mandatory testing for security guards, private investigators or both.”
ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministry of the Solicitor General
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministry of the Solicitor General
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministry of the Solicitor General
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $17.60 | $20.00 | $34.87 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $16.55 | $21.00 | $31.45 | — |
Security guards in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Title protected
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Security guard or private investigator licence (individuals) | ontario.ca ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-indi... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a security guard in Ontario?
Yes. Registration with the Ministry of the Solicitor General is required to practise in Ontario, and to use the title security guard.
Which exams are required?
Mandatory testing for security guards.
Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too
Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.
Schedule a CallFree consultation. No commitment.