If you want to know how to become a security guard in BC, the short answer is five steps: meet the eligibility rules, complete Basic Security Training (BST), pass the BST exam, apply for a security worker licence online, and keep it renewed. The longer answer has some BC-specific details that catch people out. These include a minimum age of 19, fingerprints on your first application, a limit of two exam attempts, and a change in December 2025 that ended paper BST certificates.
This guide walks you through each step with the official requirements, current fees from JIBC and the Province of BC (as of October 2026), a cost table and a realistic timeline. When you get to the exam, our free BC security guard practice test uses JIBC's published 75-question, 90-minute format.
Who needs a security worker licence in BC
Security work in British Columbia is regulated by the Security Services Act and the Security Services Regulation. Licences are issued by the Registrar through the province's Security Programs Division.
You may not do security work, or advertise yourself as available for it, without a security worker licence for that kind of work. The Act covers several categories: security guard, armoured car guard, body guard, private investigator, security consultant, locksmith and alarm installer. This guide covers the security guard category, which is what most mall, office, event, construction and condo guards hold. Security businesses must engage only licensed workers.
Eligibility
According to the Province of BC application page, you must:
- be 19 or older;
- be ordinarily resident in Canada and able to work here;
- be fluent in English (for most licence categories);
- have the training for the licence type;
- not be a member of a police force under the BC Police Act. Retired police officers may be eligible.
You also consent to a criminal record check as part of the application. A record does not automatically bar you, but the Registrar reviews it.
Key fact: The BC minimum age is 19, a year older than Ontario's 18. You can complete BST before your 19th birthday, but you cannot hold the licence until then.
Step 1: Choose your route to qualify
The province lists several ways to qualify for a full security guard licence on its training page:
| Route | Who it suits |
|---|---|
| Basic Security Training (BST) through JIBC or an approved school | Most new guards |
| Gaming Security Officer Training from JIBC | Casino and gaming security staff |
| Experience as a Canadian police officer, correctional officer, sheriff, or auxiliary, reserve or border services officer, with proof | Former public safety officers |
| A security worker licence from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba or Ontario | Guards moving to BC |
If you hold an Ontario licence, our Ontario licensing guide explains how that licence is obtained. The rest of this guide assumes you are taking BST.
The security guard under supervision licence
If you need to start earning before you finish training, BC offers a security guard under supervision licence. The province says no training is required for it. It lets you work under the supervision of a licensed guard while you complete BST. It is short-term and issued only once, so treat it as a bridge, not a plan.
Step 2: Complete Basic Security Training
BST Theory (JIBC course SCRT-1651) is a 40-hour course delivered by the Justice Institute of British Columbia and by JIBC-approved security training schools around the province.
| Detail | JIBC (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Length | 40 hours |
| Formats | In person, or self-paced online |
| Online time limit | Two months, no extensions |
| In-person attendance | All 40 hours are mandatory to write the exam |
| Fee | $343.77 plus a $3.26 learner services fee |
| Refunds | The online course is not refundable |
Approved schools operate in places such as Burnaby, Victoria, Nanaimo, Kelowna, Prince George, Vancouver and New Westminster. Each sets its own price and schedule, and its students are registered for the JIBC exam by the school. JIBC lists approved schools on its BST page.
What BST covers
JIBC groups the course into four areas: professionalism and ethics, legal studies, report writing and personal safety. In practice, that means:
- the Security Services Act and Regulation, including licences, uniforms, equipment and prohibited words;
- Criminal Code arrest powers (s.494), use of force and self-defence;
- BC's Trespass Act and the Charter;
- notebooks, incident reports and witness statements;
- patrols, observation, alarms, emergencies and personal safety.
Our BC licensing study note and the free BC BST exam guide summarize the most testable rules.
Proof of training after December 2025
JIBC stopped issuing BST certificates on 15 December 2025. If you finished after that date, the province verifies your completion directly with JIBC when you apply. Your JIBC transcript serves as your record. If you finished earlier, attach your certificate. Older training may be called "Basic Standard Training (Level 1 and 2)".
Step 3: Pass the BST exam
The BST Assessment (SCRT-1656) is the step that decides your timeline. JIBC states:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 75 |
| Time | 90 minutes, in a 2-hour session |
| Pass mark | 70% (53 of 75) |
| Attempts | Maximum 2; after two fails you retake BST Theory |
| Deadline | Within 6 months of finishing BST Theory |
| Fee | About $64 per attempt (JIBC lists $64.14 and $64.41 on different pages) |
| Where | JIBC New Westminster in person, with your own laptop (no tablets); online proctoring only if you live outside the Lower Mainland |
| ID | Government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's licence, BCID or passport |
| Rules | Closed book; no AI tools; arrive 30 minutes early |
| Changes | No rescheduling or refunds; withdraw at least seven business days ahead |
| Results | Shown as soon as you finish |
Other websites still quote older formats, such as 100 questions and 60%. Use the JIBC figures above, and confirm with JIBC or your approved school when you book, because exam details can change.
Exam tip: The two-attempt limit is the biggest risk in the whole process. A second fail means paying for and sitting the 40-hour course again. Practise until you score 80% or higher on full timed mocks before your first sitting.
How to prepare
- Take the free 20-question diagnostic to find your weak topics.
- Study BC-specific law first. Uniform sizes, the equipment rules and the Trespass Act differ from Ontario's, and many free quizzes online are written for Ontario.
- Learn arrest and use of force well. See the legal authorities note and use of force note.
- Sit the free 75-question mock under exam conditions.
- Drill weak areas by topic, for example legal authorities practice, then take more full mocks.
Step 4: Apply for your security worker licence
Apply online through the province's Security Services Platform. It uses a BC Services Card account to confirm your identity. You can apply without one, but the province warns it may take longer.
Documents checklist
- Consent to a criminal record check
- Proof of training (BST completion, verified with JIBC, or your other qualifying route)
- Proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency or the right to work in Canada
- A passport-quality photo
- Valid government photo ID
- A fingerprint confirmation slip
- A mental health condition form, if it applies to you
Fingerprints
Fingerprints are required for all security worker applicants on their first application. Get them taken by an accredited fingerprinting provider and keep the confirmation slip for your application. Allow time for this; it is one of the most common hold-ups.
Licence fees
| Licence term (new) | Fee (Province of BC, October 2026) |
|---|---|
| 90 days | $60 |
| 1 year | $120 |
| 2 years | $180 |
| 3 years | $240 |
Fees are non-refundable. Pay by credit card (recommended), certified cheque or money order payable to the Minister of Finance. Renewal and change fees differ; the platform shows the current amounts.
After you apply, the program reviews your documents and runs the criminal record check. If something is missing, it contacts you by email. The province does not publish a standard processing time, so apply as soon as you pass.
Total cost of becoming a security guard in BC
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BST Theory at JIBC | $343.77 + $3.26 learner services fee | Approved schools set their own prices |
| BST exam | About $64 per attempt | Each rewrite pays again; maximum two attempts |
| Fingerprints | Set by the provider | Required on first application |
| Passport-quality photo | Small studio fee | |
| Security worker licence | $60 (90 days) to $240 (3 years) | $120 for one year |
| Typical total (JIBC, one attempt, 1-year licence) | About $531 plus fingerprints and photo |
If you fail the exam once, add another exam fee. If you fail twice, add the full theory course again. Spending a few days on practice is far cheaper. Our free mock and diagnostic cost nothing, and Pro starts at CA$7.99 a week if you want mocks 2 to 10 and topic drills.
Realistic timeline
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| BST Theory in person | About one week full time |
| BST Theory online | Self-paced, up to two months |
| Practice and study | 1–2 weeks |
| Booking and writing the exam | Depends on seat availability; within 6 months of the course |
| Fingerprints and documents | Arrange during training |
| Licence processing | Not published; faster with a BC Services Card account |
Most people who study steadily can go from starting the course to applying for the licence in three to six weeks.
Working as a licensed guard in BC
Your duties
- Carry your licence while working and show it to anyone you present yourself to as a security worker.
- Wear a compliant uniform: "SECURITY" on the chest in letters at least 1.25 cm high, on the back of any jacket or vest at least 5 cm high, and your employer's name.
- Do not carry a badge, wear a police-style uniform or use the words "police", "peace officer", "detective" or "law enforcement" about your work.
- Report changes, such as a new address, name, new charges or convictions, through the platform's "update" option.
Extra training for some equipment
| To use | You need |
|---|---|
| Handcuffs | JIBC Advanced Security Training (renew every three years) |
| A security dog | JIBC Canine Security Validation (annual) |
| A firearm | Allowed only for armoured car guards with the Registrar's permission |
Renewal
Renew through the Security Services Platform before your licence expires; choose "renewal" while it is valid, or "new" if it has lapsed. If you renew with a BC Services Card account and already gave fingerprints, you do not need new ones. Renewal fees differ from new-licence fees, so check the platform.
Moving between provinces
BC lists licences from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario as a route to a BC guard licence. The reverse is not automatic: each province has its own rules. If you might move, see how to become a security guard in Alberta or the Ontario security guard practice test.
Your study plan
- Check you meet the age, residency and record rules, then enrol in BST at JIBC or an approved school.
- Book your fingerprints and gather your documents while you train.
- Take the free diagnostic in your first week, and read the BC BST exam guide.
- When your course ends, sit the free full mock under timed conditions and drill your weak topics.
- Book your SCRT-1656 exam once you score 80% or more on two full mocks.
- Apply for your licence on the Security Services Platform the day you pass.
10 free BC security (BST) practice questions with answers
Try each one, then open the answer. For a timed experience use the free mock exam.
1. Which Charter section guarantees equality before and under the law without discrimination?
- A. Section 11
- B. Section 15
- C. Section 2
- D. Section 32
Show answer
B. Section 15
Charter s.15(1) says every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law without discrimination, including based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.
2. Dana, a BC hospital guard employed directly by the hospital, holds a patient's arm to stop him from hitting a nurse. Under SPD policy, who must keep a use-of-force report?
- A. No one, because only licensed security businesses keep reports
- B. The nurse who was threatened, on the hospital incident form
- C. Dana herself, as a condition of her security worker licence
- D. The police, but only if they are called to the hospital
Show answer
C. Dana herself, as a condition of her security worker licence
SPD policy 3.7.2.1 makes it a condition of every security worker licence that the licensee maintain use-of-force reports for incidents where they use any force against another person while doing security work. This covers guards employed by non-security businesses too.
3. Police arrive to arrest a guard's friend at a mall. The guard stands in the doorway to block them. What might the guard be committing?
- A. Obstructing a peace officer
- B. Nothing, because guards control access
- C. Defence of property under s.35
- D. A lawful citizen's arrest
Show answer
A. Obstructing a peace officer
Section 129 of the Criminal Code prohibits resisting or wilfully obstructing a peace officer in the execution of their duty. Section 35(3) also removes the defence of property against people lawfully enforcing the law.
4. A BC guard is told to patrol a roof with no fall protection in icy wind, and she believes it is dangerous. What must she do first under the OHS Regulation?
- A. Call a WorkSafeBC officer before telling anyone at work
- B. Quit on the spot and leave the site without a word
- C. Do the patrol anyway and file a complaint later on
- D. Report the unsafe condition to her supervisor right away
Show answer
D. Report the unsafe condition to her supervisor right away
Section 3.12(2) of the OHS Regulation requires a worker who refuses unsafe work to immediately report the unsafe condition to their supervisor or employer, who must then investigate and fix it or explain why the report is not valid (s.3.12(3)).
5. After applying a tourniquet, what should the first aider do?
- A. Loosen it every five minutes to check the wound
- B. Note the time it was applied and leave it on
- C. Remove it as soon as the bleeding stops
- D. Cover it with clothing so no one sees it
Show answer
B. Note the time it was applied and leave it on
Once a tourniquet is on, leave it in place for medical staff to remove. Note the time it was applied and tell paramedics. Loosening it can restart severe bleeding.
6. Under BC's Security Services Act, which of these may an inspector do during an inspection of a security business?
- A. Enter a private home without consent or warrant
- B. Arrest the business owner for any offence
- C. Remove records for copying, giving a receipt
- D. Cancel the business licence on the spot
Show answer
C. Remove records for copying, giving a receipt
Section 32(1) lets an inspector enter business premises, examine records, question people and remove records for review and copying, with a receipt (s.32(3)). A private dwelling needs consent or a warrant (s.32(4)); cancellation is a registrar decision.
7. A guard pushes a customer out of the store without any lawful reason, and the customer is bruised. Which civil claim fits best?
- A. Defamation
- B. Negligent misstatement
- C. Breach of contract
- D. Battery
Show answer
D. Battery
The syllabus asks guards to understand common torts in security work. Battery is intentional, harmful or offensive physical contact without consent or legal justification.
8. Under BC's Security Services Regulation, what must an applicant provide for an armoured car guard business licence?
- A. Proof of an armoured vehicle and its safety certificate
- B. A list of all bank clients and their account numbers
- C. A current guard dog validation certificate
- D. A letter of approval from the Bank of Canada
Show answer
A. Proof of an armoured vehicle and its safety certificate
Section 4(3)(e) of the Security Services Regulation requires an armoured car business applicant to provide proof of possession of an armoured vehicle and of a safety certificate under the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations.
9. On your first round you noted that a rear fire door was closed and locked. On your second round it is propped open with a wooden wedge. What is the best first step?
- A. Ignore it, since staff often prop that door open for smokers
- B. Remove the wedge and keep patrolling without noting anything
- C. Lock yourself in the guard booth and wait until morning
- D. Check the area safely, secure the door, then record and report
Show answer
D. Check the area safely, secure the door, then record and report
The syllabus (s.3) stresses recognizing typical conditions, detecting anomalies and prioritizing actions. A change from your baseline, such as a propped fire door, could mean an intrusion or a safety hazard, so check it safely, secure it and document it in your notebook.
10. You must describe a suspect in your report. Which description is most useful?
- A. Scary-looking guy who seemed dangerous and nervous
- B. Male, about 180 cm, slim, short black hair, red jacket, left-leg limp
- C. Tall man, maybe in his thirties, possibly wearing a jacket
- D. Typical troublemaker type, the kind we always see here
Show answer
B. Male, about 180 cm, slim, short black hair, red jacket, left-leg limp
The syllabus lists description of individuals among the basic elements of report writing, and reports must be factual and free of bias. Specific, observable details help police identify a person.
Frequently asked questions
+How much does it cost to become a security guard in BC?
At JIBC, BST Theory is $343.77 plus a $3.26 learner services fee, and the exam is about $64 per attempt. A new one-year licence is $120. Fingerprinting, photos and approved-school prices vary, so expect a total of roughly $530 or more with JIBC training and a one-year licence.
+How old do you have to be to be a security guard in BC?
You must be 19 or older to hold a BC security worker licence as a guard. JIBC says you can take Basic Security Training before 19, but you cannot be licensed until you reach that age.
+Can I do Basic Security Training online in BC?
Yes. JIBC offers BST Theory as a self-paced online course with a two-month limit, as well as in person. The exam itself is in person at New Westminster unless you live outside the Lower Mainland, in which case you can write with an online proctor.
+Can I work as a security guard in BC while I do my training?
Yes, with a security guard under supervision licence. The province does not require training for it, and it lets you work under supervision for a limited period while you complete BST. It is a one-time licence, so plan to finish BST within that window.
+Does BC accept my Ontario or Alberta security licence?
The Province of BC lists a security worker licence from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba or Ontario as one route to a full BC guard licence, instead of BST. You still apply to BC and meet its other requirements, such as the criminal record check and fingerprints.
+How long does it take to get a security licence in BC?
The province does not publish a processing time. Applying with a BC Services Card account is faster, and the page warns that applying without one may take longer. Training takes 40 hours in person or up to two months online.
+Do I need fingerprints for a BC security licence?
Yes. Fingerprints are required on every first application for a security worker licence. On renewal, you do not need new prints if you already submitted them and renew using a BC Services Card account.
+Can a BC security guard carry handcuffs?
Only with authorization, which means completing JIBC's Advanced Security Training and keeping it current. Without it, the Security Services Regulation bans restraining devices on duty.
Study offline on your phone too
The Canada Licence Prep app has the same questions with audio, French explanations and an ACTS & PROVE coach.
Keep reading
- BC Security Guard Practice Test (BST)Practise for BC Basic Security Training (BST) with a timed 75-question mock, Security Services Act and use-of-force questions, and answer explanations.
- How to Get a Security Guard Licence in OntarioHow to get a security guard license in Ontario: 40-hour training, first aid, the ministry test, police check and application. Full cost table and timeline.
- How to Become a Security Guard in AlbertaHow to become a security guard in Alberta: 40-hour ABST course, the 80% provincial exam, police checks, the $100 licence and how to apply, step by step.
- Ontario Security Guard Practice TestFree 60-question Ontario security guard practice test: 75-minute timer, 62% pass mark, and PSISA, arrest, trespass and use-of-force questions explained.