This free Ontario security guard practice test is built to feel like the real thing: 60 questions, a 75-minute timer and a 62% pass line. Before you book your appointment, it shows you where you stand. Take the free 20-question diagnostic to see your weak sections in about 20 minutes, or go straight to the free full mock exam if you have already finished your course.
Below you will find what the ministry test actually covers, how much each section counts in our mocks, the key facts examiners return to again and again, and a study plan you can follow this week. Canada Licence Prep is an independent study aid. We are not the ministry and not Serco, and no practice site can guarantee a pass. What we can do is make sure nothing on test day surprises you.
The Ontario security guard test at a glance
Every licensed guard in Ontario must pass the same ministry test after completing approved basic training. Here are the facts, taken from ontario.ca and the testing provider, as of October 2026.
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 60 multiple choice | Ontario testing page |
| Answering time | 75 minutes, inside a 2-hour appointment | Security guard study guide |
| Pass mark | 62% (at least 38 of 60) | Study guide |
| Where | Online with a remote proctor, or at select DriveTest centres | Ontario testing page |
| Booking | ontariosecuritytesting.com, with your Training Completion Number (TCN) | Ontario testing page |
| Fee | $35 + 13% HST = $39.55 per attempt on the booking site; the older study guide still lists $66.50 + HST | Ontario Security Testing, October 2026 |
| Results | The study guide says within five business days | Study guide |
| Refunds | Bookings cannot be cancelled or rescheduled; fees are not refundable | Booking site |
Two numbers cause most of the confusion online. First, the pass mark is 62%, not 80%; the higher figure comes from old third-party PDFs. Second, the fee: the booking site, which is where you actually pay, showed $39.55 including tax when we checked in October 2026, while the ministry study guide still shows $75.15. Confirm the amount on the booking screen.
For booking steps, ID rules and what happens on test day, read our full Ontario security guard test guide.
Key fact: You cannot book without a Training Completion Number from an approved training provider, and you must have a valid Emergency First Aid / CPR certificate before you write.
How our Ontario security guard practice test mirrors the real one
A practice test is only useful if it trains the same skills the real one tests. Ours follows the published format closely.
Same length, timer and pass line
Each full mock has 60 four-option multiple-choice questions, a 75-minute countdown and a pass line of 38 correct. That is roughly 75 seconds per question. Many candidates finish the real test with time to spare, but nerves slow people down, and a timed mock is where you find out whether you rush or stall.
Same balance of sections
Questions are drawn from all 12 sections of the Ontario training syllabus for security guards, weighted towards the sections that carry the most class time and the most rules. The ministry does not publish how many test questions come from each section, so our weighting is a reasoned estimate based on classroom hours and how rule-heavy each section is.
| Syllabus section | Class hours (syllabus) | Approx. questions per mock |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Introduction to the security industry | 2 | 4 |
| 2. PSISA, regulations and Code of Conduct | 2 | 8 |
| 3. Basic security procedures | 3 | 8 |
| 4. Report writing | 2 | 4 |
| 5. Health and safety | 1 | 4 |
| 6. Emergency response preparation | 4 | 5 |
| 7. Canadian legal system | 3 | 6 |
| 8. Legal authorities | 7.5 | 8 |
| 9. Effective communications | 4 | 4 |
| 10. Sensitivity training | 3 | 4 |
| 11. Use of force theory | 2 | 4 |
| 12. Emergency level first aid | 6.5 (certified separately) | 1 |
Section 2 gets more questions than its two class hours suggest because it is pure rules: prohibited words, uniform specs, licence duties and penalties. Each of those is an easy question to write and an easy point to lose. First aid gets few, because you prove that skill with a separate certificate.
Knowledge and scenario questions
About 50 questions in each mock test knowledge (what the law says, what a term means) and about 10 are situations (a guard is at a mall, a person refuses to leave, what should the guard do). The real test mixes both. The situation questions decide most results, because they make you apply a rule under pressure. Every one of our questions comes with an explanation that names the rule, such as the section of the Criminal Code or the Trespass to Property Act, so you learn why the right answer is right.
A large bank, so mocks don't repeat
The Ontario bank has 1,933 questions. Mock 1 and the diagnostic are free. Pro gives you mocks 2 to 10, practice by topic and the full study notes, so you are not memorising the same 60 questions. See pricing for plans.
Key facts by syllabus section
These are the facts that come up most often. Treat them as a checklist, not as a replacement for your course material.
PSISA and the Code of Conduct
The Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA) requires a licence for anyone paid to do work that is mainly protecting people or property, including bouncers, bodyguards and loss prevention staff. You must be at least 18 and have a clean criminal record.
- Carry your licence while working and show it when asked (s.35).
- Wear a compliant uniform, unless you work as a bodyguard or in loss prevention.
- Never call yourself a detective, private detective, law enforcement, police or officer (s.40). That is why an Ontario guard is not a "security officer".
- Fines for individuals go up to $25,000, a year in jail, or both.
The Code of Conduct, O. Reg. 363/07, requires honesty and integrity, equal treatment without discrimination, no unnecessary force, no profane or abusive language, confidentiality, and co-operation with police. You may not be unfit for duty because of alcohol or drugs.
Uniform and equipment rules are classic test material: "SECURITY" in letters at least 1.5 cm high on the chest and 10 cm on the back; no black or navy collared shirt; no rank chevrons; batons and handcuffs only if your employer issues them; no cable ties as restraints. Our PSISA study note lists them all.
Exam tip: When an answer choice gives a guard a power that sounds like policing (searching anyone, wearing a badge, calling themselves an officer), it is almost always wrong.
Legal authorities: arrest, trespass, search and evidence
This section has the most class time (7.5 hours) and produces the hardest scenarios. A guard has no police powers. Authority comes from the powers every citizen has, from provincial trespass law, and from the property owner.
Arrest without warrant, Criminal Code s.494:
- Anyone may arrest a person they find committing an indictable offence (s.494(1)(a)).
- Anyone may arrest a person they reasonably believe committed a criminal offence and who is escaping from and freshly pursued by people with authority to arrest (s.494(1)(b)).
- The owner or lawful possessor of property, or someone they authorize (a guard), may arrest a person found committing a criminal offence on or in relation to that property, at the time or within a reasonable time after, if it is not feasible for police to make the arrest (s.494(2)).
- After an arrest, the person must be delivered forthwith to a peace officer (s.494(3)).
"Finds committing" means you saw it happen. Hybrid offences such as theft under $5,000 count as indictable for this purpose.
Trespass to Property Act: a person commits an offence by entering where entry is prohibited, doing a prohibited activity, or not leaving right away when told to by the occupier or someone the occupier authorizes. Notice can be spoken, written, posted on signs, or given by markings: red markings mean no entry, yellow mean entry for permitted activities only. Section 9 lets the occupier or an authorized person arrest without warrant someone they reasonably believe is trespassing, and the person must then be handed to police promptly.
Search: there is no general right to search people. A bag check works on consent, often as a condition of entry, and a person who refuses can be asked to leave.
Evidence: protect the scene, keep a chain of custody, and expect to testify using your notebook. The legal authorities study note covers this in full, and you can drill it with legal authorities practice questions.
Key fact: On premises where entry has not been prohibited, such as a mall during opening hours, simply being there is not an offence. The offence is refusing to leave when directed, doing a prohibited activity, or entering where entry is prohibited.
Use of force theory
Guards may only use the force any person may use. Criminal Code s.25 allows as much force as is necessary when acting on reasonable grounds in a lawful arrest; s.26 makes you criminally responsible for any excess; s.34 covers self-defence that is reasonable in the circumstances. Force likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm is justified only to protect yourself or someone in your care from the same.
The national use-of-force model is a way to assess and explain a response. It is not a ladder you must climb. Presence and communication resolve most incidents, and backing away to call police is always an option. Know the medical risks of restraint too: positional asphyxia, which comes from weight on the back of a person lying face down, and excited delirium. See the use of force note.
Report writing and note taking
Your notebook is a legal record. Write in ink, in time order, using the 24-hour clock. Leave no blank lines and never tear out pages. Correct a mistake with a single line through it, initial it and write the correction. Record facts, not opinions, and answer who, what, when, where, why and how. Witness statements are written word for word, and the witness reads and signs them. The report writing note has a full checklist.
Emergency response preparation
Know fire classes (A ordinary combustibles, B flammable liquids, C live electrical, D metals, K cooking oils) and that water belongs only on Class A. Learn PASS for extinguishers (pull, aim at the base, squeeze, sweep). For bomb threats, keep the caller talking and use a threat checklist. With a suspicious package, don't touch it, clear the area and don't use radios or phones nearby. During evacuation, no elevators and no re-entry until the fire department says so. Your site's emergency plan and post orders always come first. Review with the emergency response note.
Sensitivity, communication and the legal system
Sensitivity questions test the Ontario Human Rights Code, the protected grounds in the Code of Conduct, accessible customer service (service animals and support persons are allowed in), and dealing with people in mental health crisis. Act on behaviour, not identity.
Communication questions focus on de-escalation: stay calm, listen, explain, offer options, set limits, and disengage if unsafe. Radio rules and 10-codes (10-4 message received, 10-20 location) appear too.
Legal system questions ask about sources of law, criminal versus civil law (beyond a reasonable doubt versus balance of probabilities), summary, indictable and hybrid offences, and the court hierarchy. See the sensitivity note and legal system note.
Health and safety, and first aid
Know worker rights under Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act (to know, to participate, to refuse unsafe work) and the three parts of WHMIS (labels, safety data sheets, training). For first aid: scene survey first, call 911, and adult CPR at 30 compressions to 2 breaths, 5–6 cm deep, 100–120 per minute. The first aid note is a refresher, not a certificate.
How to read your practice test score
Your result screen breaks your score down by section. Here is how to use it.
| Mock score | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Under 55% | Gaps in core rules | Reread the study notes for your two weakest sections, then drill them by topic |
| 55–70% | Around the pass line, not safe yet | Focus on legal authorities and PSISA scenarios; retake a full mock in two days |
| 70–80% | Likely ready | Do one more full mock under strict timing; review every wrong answer |
| Over 80% on two mocks | Strong margin | Book your test |
The 62% line leaves little room for a bad day. Aim for at least 75% on two different full mocks before you pay for the real test. If your score drops on scenario questions but not knowledge ones, you know the rules but are misreading situations. Slow down and find the legal trigger in each question: did the guard see the offence, is the person on the property, has notice been given?
Common mistakes on the Ontario test
- Giving guards police powers. Guards cannot detain on suspicion, search without consent or arrest for something they did not witness (outside s.494(2)).
- Forgetting the hand-over. Every arrest ends with delivery to a police officer, not a supervisor.
- Choosing the most forceful answer. The test rewards the least force that works and communication first.
- Mixing up trespass and theft. Refusing to leave is a provincial offence under the Trespass to Property Act; shoplifting is a Criminal Code offence.
- Notebook shortcuts. Correction fluid, blank lines and torn pages are always wrong answers.
- Using the wrong title. "Security officer" uses a prohibited word in Ontario.
If you want hundreds of worked examples of these traps, see our Ontario security guard test questions and answers page, which walks through the reasoning behind each question type.
After you pass
Passing the test is one step. You then apply for the licence online through ServiceOntario: $80 for a security guard licence, a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check, a compliant photo and two pieces of government ID, with processing in up to 15 calendar days online, according to ontario.ca as of October 2026. Our step-by-step guide to how to get a security guard licence in Ontario has the full cost breakdown and timeline.
Moving provinces? See the BC security guard practice test (BST) and the Alberta security guard practice test (ABST). BC accepts an Ontario licence held after passing the Ontario exam as one route to a BC guard licence.
Your study plan
Here is a plan that fits around a job or the last days of your course.
- Day 1. Take the free diagnostic (20 questions, 20 minutes). Note your two weakest sections.
- Days 2–3. Read the free Ontario exam guide and the PSISA note. Learn the prohibited words, uniform measurements and equipment rules.
- Days 4–5. Study legal authorities and use of force. Write out s.494(1)(a), (1)(b) and (2) in your own words and test yourself on each.
- Day 6. Sit the free full mock exam with the timer on and no notes. Review every wrong answer and its explanation.
- Days 7–9. Drill your weakest sections by topic, then take a second full mock, such as mock 2.
- Day 10. If you scored 75% or more on two mocks, book your test at ontariosecuritytesting.com with your TCN and first aid certificate ready.
Want to study on your phone? The Canada Licence Prep app has the same questions, with audio and French explanations. Start now with the free mock; you can decide about Pro later.
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 many questions are on the Ontario security guard test?
The ministry test has 60 multiple-choice questions. You get 75 minutes to answer them inside a two-hour appointment, which covers check-in and identity verification.
+What is the passing grade for the Ontario security guard test?
The cut score is 62%, according to the Ontario security guard study guide. On a 60-question test that works out to at least 38 correct answers. Ignore older PDFs that claim you need 80%.
+Is the Ontario security guard test hard?
Most people who finish the 40-hour training and practise with timed mocks pass, but the test is not a formality. The hard part is the scenario questions on arrest, trespass and use of force, where two answers look reasonable and only one matches the law.
+Can I take the Ontario security guard test online?
Yes. Ontario.ca says you can write it online with a remote proctor or in person at select DriveTest centres. Either way you book through ontariosecuritytesting.com using your Training Completion Number.
+Is this the official Ontario security guard test?
No. Canada Licence Prep is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with the Ministry of the Solicitor General, Serco or any training school. Our practice tests are written to match the published format and syllabus.
+What happens if I fail the Ontario security guard test?
You rebook and pay the test fee again, then rewrite the whole test. The official pages do not set a waiting period, so use the gap to drill the sections where your score was weakest.
+Do I need first aid before the security guard test?
Yes. Ontario's regulation on training and testing requires a valid Emergency Level First Aid and CPR certificate before you write. It is usually built into the 40-hour course, but if you take it separately your guard course can be 33.5 hours.
+How long does it take to study for the Ontario security guard test?
If you have just finished the 40-hour course, one to two weeks of steady practice is typical. Aim to score 75% or higher on two full timed mocks before you book, which gives you a margin over the 62% cut score.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Alberta Security Guard Practice Test (ABST)Free Alberta security guard practice test for the ABST provincial exam: 80% pass mark, timed 60-question mock and an explanation for every answer.