Getting a security guard licence in Ontario follows a fixed sequence set by the Private Security and Investigative Services Act and its regulations. You train, you get first aid, you pass the ministry test, you get a police check, and then you apply. Do them in that order and you will not waste money. Skip a step, such as booking the test without your Training Completion Number, and you will be stuck.
This guide explains how to get a security guard licence in Ontario step by step, with the official requirements, a cost table, a realistic timeline and the renewal rules. All fees and processing times are from ontario.ca and the testing provider, checked in October 2026. When you reach the test step, our free Ontario security guard practice test will help you prepare.
Who needs a security guard licence in Ontario
Under the PSISA, you need a licence if you are paid to do work that consists mainly of protecting people or property. That covers contract guards at malls and offices, in-house guards employed directly by hospitals or retailers, bouncers and door staff, loss prevention staff and bodyguards. You must hold the licence before you start working. A job offer is not a substitute.
Eligibility requirements
According to the Ontario licence page, you must:
- be 18 or older;
- be legally entitled to work in Canada;
- have a clean criminal record, as defined in O. Reg. 37/08 (no conviction for a listed offence, unless you have a pardon or record suspension);
- hold a valid Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check;
- complete the mandatory basic training and testing and receive an Ontario training completion number.
Key fact: A criminal charge that has not yet been decided can still affect your application. If you have any record or pending matter, read O. Reg. 37/08 or ask the licensing branch before you pay for training.
Step 1: Complete the 40-hour basic training
The training must be a ministry-approved program, delivered by a college, university, private career college, or a licensed or registered business, as set out in O. Reg. 26/10. It must last at least 40 hours, or 33.5 hours if you take Emergency First Aid separately.
The content follows the official training syllabus for security guards, which has 12 sections:
| Section | Class hours |
|---|---|
| Introduction to the security industry | 2 |
| PSISA and the Code of Conduct | 2 |
| Basic security procedures | 3 |
| Report writing | 2 |
| Health and safety | 1 |
| Emergency response preparation | 4 |
| Canadian legal system | 3 |
| Legal authorities | 7.5 |
| Effective communications | 4 |
| Sensitivity training | 3 |
| Use of force theory | 2 |
| Emergency level first aid certification | 6.5 |
| Total | 40 |
Courses can be in class or web-based. Online courses must give you real-time access to an instructor when you need it, and live video classes are acceptable. You must complete the whole course to be allowed to write the test.
How to choose a training provider
- Check it is approved. Ask the provider to confirm that its program is approved by the ministry and that it issues a Training Completion Number.
- Ask what is included. Some prices include the first aid certificate and course materials; others do not.
- Look at the schedule. Full-time courses finish in about a week. Evening and weekend courses take longer.
- Ask about test preparation. A good course will cover legal authorities thoroughly, since that section has the most hours.
When you finish, the provider gives you a Training Completion Number (TCN). Keep it safe; you need it to book the test and to apply for your licence.
Step 2: Get your Emergency First Aid and CPR certificate
Ontario's regulation requires a valid Emergency Level First Aid certificate, equivalent to St. John Ambulance Emergency First Aid with CPR, before you write the test. Most 40-hour programs include it as the 6.5-hour final section. If you already have a valid certificate, you can take the 33.5-hour program instead.
Check the expiry date. If your certificate will lapse before your test date, renew it first. Our first aid study note is a quick refresher of the material that appears on the test, but it does not replace a certified course.
Step 3: Pass the Ontario security guard test
The ministry test is delivered for the province by the testing provider at ontariosecuritytesting.com. The key facts, from the Ontario testing page and study guide:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | 60 multiple-choice questions |
| Time | 75 minutes, inside a 2-hour appointment |
| Pass mark | 62% (at least 38 correct) |
| Delivery | Online with a remote proctor, or at select DriveTest centres |
| Fee | $35 + HST = $39.55 per attempt on the booking site (October 2026); the study guide still shows $66.50 + HST |
| Booking deadline | Before 15:00 the day before your test |
| Changes | Bookings cannot be cancelled or rescheduled; fees are not refundable |
| Results | Within five business days, according to the study guide |
Booking the test
- Have your TCN, your first aid certificate details and a credit card ready.
- Register at ontariosecuritytesting.com and choose online or in person.
- Pick a date and time. Bookings close at 15:00 the day before.
- Read the confirmation carefully. For online tests, check your computer meets the requirements well before the day.
- On test day, bring valid government-issued photo ID with the same name you booked under. A name mismatch or arriving late can cost you the fee.
Preparing for the test
Most people who fail did not practise under time pressure, or did not learn the legal authority rules well enough to apply them to scenarios. Take the free 20-question diagnostic to find your weak sections, then sit the free 60-question mock exam with the timer on. Our Ontario security guard test questions and answers page explains how to reason through arrest and trespass scenarios. For booking details and test-day rules, see the Ontario security guard test guide.
Exam tip: Because the fee is not refundable and every attempt is paid separately, it is cheaper to practise until you are scoring 75% or more on full mocks than to sit the test early and hope.
If you fail
You rebook, pay the fee again and rewrite the whole test. The official pages do not set a waiting period. Use your result and your practice scores to target the weakest sections before you try again.
Step 4: Get a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check
You need an original Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check with your application. You get it from your local police service, and many services let you apply online. Fees and turnaround times are set by each police service, so check your local service's website.
Apply for the check while you are training. It can take time, and you do not want to be waiting on it after you pass the test.
Step 5: Apply for your licence
Once you have passed the test, apply through the Ontario licence page. Online is faster.
What you need
- Your Ontario training and testing completion number
- An Ontario mailing address
- Your original Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check
- A compliant photo (see below)
- Copies of the front and back of two different valid government-issued IDs
- Payment: credit or debit card online; for mail applications, a bank draft, money order or certified cheque payable to the Minister of Finance
Photo requirements
Ontario is strict about the photo, and a non-compliant photo is a common reason for delay. As listed on ontario.ca in October 2026, the photo must be:
- original and unaltered, and not a selfie;
- 50 mm wide by 70 mm high, with the face 31 to 36 mm from chin to top of head;
- taken within the last six months;
- on a plain white background with no shadows;
- with eyes open, mouth closed and a neutral expression;
- under 950 KB if uploaded.
Glasses are fine if there is no glare; sunglasses are not. Hats are allowed only if worn daily for religious or medical reasons. A passport-photo studio can produce this format.
Processing times
| Method | Processing time (ontario.ca, October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Online, Ontario.ca Login | Up to 15 calendar days once complete |
| By mail to ServiceOntario, Kingston | Up to 30 calendar days |
Licences are digital and sent by email. You cannot work as a guard until it is issued.
Total cost of a security guard licence in Ontario
Here is what you will pay from start to finish. The government fees are fixed; the others depend on your provider and location.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 40-hour basic training | Varies by provider | Not price-regulated; get two or three quotes and check whether first aid is included |
| Emergency First Aid / CPR | Often included in training; otherwise varies | Not needed again if your certificate is still valid |
| Ministry test | $39.55 per attempt ($35 + 13% HST) | Booking site, October 2026; the study guide lists $75.15 |
| Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check | Set by your police service | Check your local police service website |
| Passport-style photo | Small studio fee | Must meet the specs above |
| Security guard licence | $80 | $160 for a combined guard and private investigator licence |
| Government fees total | About $120 | Test plus licence, one attempt |
Each failed attempt adds another test fee. Practice is the cheapest way to keep your total down. Our free mock and diagnostic cost nothing, and if you want more practice, Pro plans start at CA$7.99 a week.
Realistic timeline
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| 40-hour training (full time) | About 1 week; part-time courses 2–4 weeks |
| Police check | Depends on the service; start it during training |
| Studying and practice mocks | 1–2 weeks |
| Booking the test | You can book until 15:00 the day before |
| Test results | Up to 5 business days |
| Licence application (online) | Up to 15 calendar days |
| Total | Often 3–6 weeks |
After you are licensed
Your duties as a licensee
- Carry your licence while working and show it when asked.
- Wear a compliant uniform unless you are a bodyguard or loss prevention.
- Follow the Code of Conduct, O. Reg. 363/07.
- Tell the ministry about changes to your personal information, and about relevant convictions, within the time it sets (ontario.ca says five days for convictions).
Our PSISA study note covers the rules you will be tested on and must follow on the job.
Renewal
Your licence expires on your second birthday after it is issued. You can renew up to 90 calendar days before it expires, and a renewed licence lasts two years. You do not need to repeat the training or the test to renew. If your licence lapses or is close to expiry, you cannot change your information or licence type until you renew, so set a reminder.
Moving to or from another province
Each province runs its own licensing system. If you plan to work in BC, read how to become a security guard in BC; BC lists a security worker licence from Ontario as one way to qualify for a BC guard licence. For Alberta, see how to become a security guard in Alberta.
Your study plan
- Pick an approved training provider and start your police check in the same week.
- While you train, read the free Ontario exam guide and take the free diagnostic.
- When your course ends, study legal authorities and the PSISA, then sit the free full mock under timed conditions.
- Book the test once you are scoring 75% or more on two full mocks.
- The day you pass, submit your licence application online with your photo and documents ready.
10 free Ontario security guard practice questions with answers
Try each one, then open the answer. For a timed experience use the free mock exam.
1. The study guide gives two goals for traffic control on private land. What are they?
- A. Collecting fees and issuing tickets
- B. Checking licences and insurance
- C. Traffic safety and helping vehicles move
- D. Finding stolen cars and towing them
Show answer
C. Traffic safety and helping vehicles move
The study guide says guards control traffic on private property to ensure traffic safety and to help vehicles move. Checking licences or issuing tickets is not part of this role.
2. After a tense 12-hour night shift alone, a guard notices he is irritable and quick to raise his voice with visitors. What does the syllabus emphasize?
- A. That irritability is part of being assertive with visitors
- B. That guards should avoid talking to visitors when tired
- C. That stress has no real effect on a guard's decisions
- D. Managing stress and composure, especially when alone or tired
Show answer
D. Managing stress and composure, especially when alone or tired
The syllabus says guards must maintain professional composure under high stress and covers managing stress when isolated or fatigued, along with health factors like rest, nutrition and fitness.
3. Which test does the syllabus suggest at the end of Section 1?
- A. A written incident report task
- B. A PSISA and Code of Conduct quiz
- C. A mock arrest in the classroom
- D. A hands-on first aid skills test
Show answer
B. A PSISA and Code of Conduct quiz
The syllabus suggests a quiz on the relevant sections of the PSISA and the Code of Conduct as the evaluation for Section 1.
4. How does the syllabus say guards usually watch over a site?
- A. Only from a vehicle
- B. In person or remotely
- C. Only by police officers
- D. Only during night shifts
Show answer
B. In person or remotely
The syllabus says guards observe the physical environment for changes and suspicious behaviour, typically through in-person or remote surveillance. It is not limited to vehicles, police or night shifts.
5. A person enters a fenced construction site at night by cutting the lock. There are no signs. Which part of the TPA makes his entry prohibited without notice?
- A. Section 3(1)(b), for premises enclosed to keep people out
- B. Section 3(2), the implied permission to approach a door
- C. Section 7(2), yellow markings
- D. Section 11, motor vehicle liability
Show answer
A. Section 3(1)(b), for premises enclosed to keep people out
TPA s.3(1)(b) prohibits entry without any notice on premises enclosed in a manner that indicates the occupier's intention to keep persons off. A locked fence around a construction site shows that intention.
6. A police officer chasing a suspect asks you to help hold him. Under Criminal Code s.25(1)(c), what protects you if you help?
- A. Your security licence, which gives you the powers of police
- B. Aiding a peace officer on reasonable grounds, using only needed force
- C. The client's written permission for you to assist police
- D. Nothing; helping police is always illegal for any guard
Show answer
B. Aiding a peace officer on reasonable grounds, using only needed force
Criminal Code s.25(1)(c) protects everyone required or authorized by law to act in aid of a peace officer, if they act on reasonable grounds and use only as much force as is necessary. The PSISA licence gives no police powers.
7. A citizen's arrest should be a last resort. Which is usually the better first option when a guard sees an offence and there is no immediate danger?
- A. Observe, record details and call the police
- B. Chase the person off the property at full speed
- C. Confront the person with a group of shoppers
- D. Post a description on social media
Show answer
A. Observe, record details and call the police
The study guide (s.3) notes that most guard tasks involve observing, deterring, recording and reporting, and that guards can supplement police by providing information. Calling police and recording details avoids the risks of physical intervention.
8. 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.
9. On a condo patrol, you find an older resident on the hallway floor who cannot get up. How should you report this first?
- A. Call for medical help now, then write it up
- B. Write a full report, then call for help
- C. Email your supervisor and wait for a reply
- D. Leave a note under the resident's door
Show answer
A. Call for medical help now, then write it up
The syllabus says guards must identify the appropriate method of communication to report an issue. A possible medical emergency needs an immediate call for help; the written report comes afterward.
10. Which reference materials may a candidate bring into the Ontario security guard licensing test?
- A. The study guide only
- B. Personal notes on one page
- C. A printed copy of the PSISA
- D. None — no aids are permitted
Show answer
D. None — no aids are permitted
The test delivery provider states that no aids are permitted and all needed materials are supplied. Tests are 60 multiple-choice questions based on the basic training topics.
Frequently asked questions
+How long does it take to get a security guard licence in Ontario?
Many people go from starting training to holding a licence in three to six weeks. The 40-hour course takes about a week full time, test results take up to five business days, and an online licence application can take up to 15 calendar days once complete.
+How much does a security guard licence cost in Ontario?
Government fees are the $80 licence fee and the test fee, which the booking site listed at $35 plus HST ($39.55) in October 2026. Training, first aid and the police check are extra and their prices vary by provider and police service.
+Can I get my Ontario security guard licence online?
You can do most of it online. Training can be web-based if it includes real-time interaction with an instructor, the test can be written online with a remote proctor, and the licence application is submitted through an Ontario.ca account.
+What disqualifies you from getting a security guard licence in Ontario?
You need a clean criminal record as defined by O. Reg. 37/08. A conviction for certain offences without a pardon or record suspension can disqualify you, and pending charges are reviewed. You must also be 18 or older and legally entitled to work in Canada.
+Do I have to retake the test to renew my Ontario security guard licence?
No. Renewing does not require new training or a new test. You can renew up to 90 days before your licence expires, and the renewed licence lasts two years.
+What are the photo requirements for an Ontario security guard licence?
Ontario asks for an original, recent photo taken within six months: 50 mm by 70 mm, face 31 to 36 mm from chin to crown, plain white background, neutral expression, no selfies and under 950 KB for uploads. Check the licence page for the full list before you take it.
+Can I work as a security guard while my licence application is processing?
No. Ontario requires a valid licence before you work as a security guard. Passing the test is not the same as holding a licence, so wait for the licence to be issued.
+Is a security guard licence in Ontario valid in other provinces?
No, each province licenses its own guards. BC does accept an Ontario security worker licence as one route to a BC guard licence, so you would apply to BC rather than retake training there.
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
- 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.
- Ontario Security Guard Test: Format, Fee and Booking60 questions, 62% to pass, 75 minutes. How to book with Serco, current fees, ID rules, results timing, retakes, and whether the test is hard.
- Ontario Security Guard Test Questions and AnswersOntario security guard test questions with answers and explanations by topic, how scenario questions work, and a free printable PDF of practice questions.
- How to Become a Security Guard in BCHow to become a security guard in BC: Basic Security Training, the JIBC exam, licence application, fingerprints, fees and renewal, with a full cost table.
- 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.