The Ontario security guard test is the ministry exam you must pass before you can apply for a security guard licence. It is short, it is multiple choice, and its rules are strict: one wrong ID or a late arrival costs you the fee. This guide answers the questions people search most, with each answer drawn from ontario.ca and the official testing provider, Serco Canada, at ontariosecuritytesting.com, checked October 2026. When you are ready to see where you stand, take our Ontario security guard practice test, which uses the same 60-question, 75-minute format.
Canada Licence Prep is an independent study aid. We are not affiliated with the Ministry of the Solicitor General, Serco or any training school.
Ontario security guard test at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 60 multiple choice |
| Answering time | 75 minutes |
| Appointment length | 2 hours (check-in, ID and instructions included) |
| Pass mark | 62%, at least 38 of 60 |
| Fee | $35 + 13% HST = $39.55 on the booking site; the ministry study guide still lists $66.50 + HST = $75.15. Confirm when you book |
| Where | Online with a live invigilator, or in person at DriveTest centres |
| Booking | Online at ontariosecuritytesting.com (preferred) or 1-866-248-2555 |
| Prerequisite | Training Completion Number (TCN) from approved basic training, plus valid first aid and CPR |
| Languages | English and French |
| Results | Booking site: within 2 business days. Study guide: within 5 business days |
| Retakes | Rebook, pay again, rewrite the whole test; no set waiting period |
How many questions are on the Ontario security guard test?
There are 60 multiple-choice questions. The province's testing page confirms the count, and the security guard study guide describes the test as a written, 60-question multiple-choice exam. There are no true-or-false sections, essays or practical tasks.
The questions are drawn from the 12 sections of the ministry training syllabus. Some test plain knowledge, such as which words a guard may not use to describe themselves. Others give you a short situation, such as a shoplifter leaving a store, and ask what you are legally allowed to do.
What is the passing grade for the Ontario security guard test?
The cut score is 62%, set by a panel of subject-matter experts according to the study guide. On 60 questions, that means 38 correct answers.
You will see "80%" in some older third-party PDFs. That figure is wrong for this test. Do not let it scare you, but do not aim for 62% either: in practice, scoring 75% or more on timed mocks gives you a safe margin.
Key fact: 62% of 60 is 37.2, so 37 correct is not enough. You need at least 38.
How long is the Ontario security guard test?
You have 75 minutes to answer, inside a two-hour appointment. The extra time covers check-in, identity checks and the invigilator's instructions. That works out to 75 seconds per question, which is comfortable if you do not get stuck.
There are no washroom breaks once the test begins. Leaving the room without permission ends your test, and the fee is lost. In an online sitting, the exam submits itself when the clock runs out, whether or not you have answered every question.
How much does the Ontario security guard test cost?
Two official figures are published, and they do not match:
| Source | Fee shown | Total with HST |
|---|---|---|
| Serco booking site, ontariosecuritytesting.com (checked October 2026) | $35.00 + 13% HST | $39.55 |
| Ministry security guard study guide, ontario.ca (last updated 2021) | $66.50 + 13% HST | $75.15 |
The booking site is where you actually pay, and its fee pages say the fee covers reserving, sitting and marking the test. The provider also says fees can change without notice. Check the amount on the payment screen before you confirm.
The test fee does not include the licence. Once you pass, ServiceOntario charges $80 for a security guard licence, or $160 for a dual security guard and private investigator licence, according to the ontario.ca licence page. Every attempt at the test costs the full fee again.
How to pay
Online bookings take Visa or Mastercard, including prepaid cards. By phone or mail, the provider also accepts certified cheques, bank drafts and money orders. Cash, debit and e-transfers are not accepted, and you cannot pay at the test centre.
How do I book the Ontario security guard test?
- Finish approved basic training. At least 40 hours, including in-person Emergency First Aid and CPR, or 33.5 hours if you take first aid separately. Your training provider uploads your completion, and you receive a Training Completion Number (TCN) by email.
- Check your first aid certificate. You cannot book without a valid full Emergency First Aid/CPR certificate. Interim certificates are not accepted.
- Check your name. The name on your TCN email must match your government photo ID exactly. If it does not, email the provider to fix it at least one business day before your test.
- Choose online or in person. Online needs a desktop or laptop, webcam, microphone, speakers and a private room. In person means a DriveTest centre, often in the evening or on a weekend.
- Book at ontariosecuritytesting.com with your TCN and a credit card, or call 1-866-248-2555 on weekdays from 8:30 to 5:00 Eastern. You must book by 3:00 p.m. the day before your test. Walk-ins are not allowed.
- Save your confirmation. You get an email confirmation and a reminder. Bookings cannot be cancelled or rescheduled, except in documented cases such as a death in the immediate family, illness or injury, or jury duty.
Exam tip: Book only once you are scoring above 70% on timed practice. Because bookings are final and non-refundable, a rushed first attempt is the most expensive mistake candidates make.
What ID do I need for the security guard test?
Bring original, valid, unexpired, government-issued photo ID. It can be from any country. The name must match the name you booked under and the name on your TCN.
Examples the provider accepts include any valid driver's licence, an Ontario Photo Card, a passport from any country, a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship card with photo, a Department of National Defence ID card, a Secure Certificate of Indian Status, and a Permanent Resident Card issued before 4 February 2021.
Not accepted: health cards and social insurance cards. Photos of ID on your phone are not accepted for online tests either. Without acceptable ID you will not be allowed to start, and the fee is lost.
Can I take the Ontario security guard test online?
Yes. The test is offered online with a live invigilator, and in person at DriveTest centres across Ontario.
| Online | In person | |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Desktop or laptop, webcam, microphone, speakers, high-speed internet; no tablets or phones; one monitor only | Everything is provided |
| Software | Secure exam browser installed and tested in advance; no virtual machines | None |
| Room | Private and quiet, with a full 360-degree room check; no public computers | DriveTest test room |
| Arrival | Log in 15 minutes early; late arrivals are not admitted | Arrive at or just before your time; lateness forfeits the fee |
| Belongings | Workspace cleared; devices off and away | Bags and phones stowed under the desk, turned off |
If you are not confident in your computer setup, book in person. The provider says no refund is given if your equipment fails its requirements on test day.
What happens on test day?
- Check in with the invigilator and show your photo ID.
- Clear your desk or workspace. Only your ID stays out.
- Listen to the instructions. Invigilators answer procedural questions only, never questions about content.
- Write the test. No food, drink, talking or devices. Do not read questions aloud.
- When you finish, raise your hand (in person) or submit (online), then leave quietly.
Cheating, using unauthorized materials, removing test material or impersonation leads to a mark of zero. Disruptive behaviour can end your test with the fee forfeited.
When do I get my security guard test results?
Serco's current pages say you will get an email within two business days telling you your results are ready. The older study guide says up to five business days. You then view them on the provider's Get Results page with your TCN or confirmation number.
Results go electronically to ServiceOntario, which checks them when you apply for your licence. You will not get feedback on which questions you got wrong. Only you can see your results; parents and employers cannot access them without your consent.
What if I fail the Ontario security guard test?
You book a new appointment, pay the fee again, and rewrite the whole test, not just the sections you missed. There is no mandatory waiting period, but the usual 3:00 p.m. day-before booking deadline applies.
Use the gap. Your result will not tell you which questions you missed, so take a full timed mock and look at your scores by topic. Our Ontario security guard test questions page groups real practice questions by syllabus section.
Is the Ontario security guard test hard?
It is a fair test with a modest pass mark, but people fail it. The common reasons:
- Legal authority scenarios. Arrest powers under the Criminal Code, the Trespass to Property Act and use of force produce answers where two options look reasonable. Read the legal authorities study note twice.
- Exact PSISA rules. Prohibited terms such as "officer", uniform requirements and licence duties are tested word for word. See the PSISA and Code of Conduct note.
- Rushing. Candidates who skim miss words like "must", "may" and "only".
- Booking too soon after training, before practising under time pressure.
What the test covers
The syllabus sections and their classroom hours give a good idea of weighting:
| Syllabus section | Classroom hours |
|---|---|
| Introduction to the security industry | 2 |
| PSISA and regulations | 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 first aid | 6.5 (certified separately) |
The ministry has said new standardized training curricula are being developed. Check the syllabus page on ontario.ca before your test in case the sections change.
Test-taking strategy for 60 questions in 75 minutes
These tactics build on the advice in the ministry study guide:
- Scan first. Take a minute to flip through so nothing surprises you.
- Budget about one minute per question. That leaves roughly 15 minutes to review.
- Easy questions first. Answer what you know, mark what you do not, and come back.
- Read every question twice. Underline the key words mentally: who, where, "must", "best", "first".
- Eliminate. Cross out answers that break the law or the Code of Conduct. Usually two choices go quickly.
- Think like the ministry. The best answer is the one that is lawful, safe, uses the least force and gets documented. Calling police or a supervisor is often right in scenarios involving danger.
- Change an answer only with a reason. Second-guessing without new information usually lowers scores.
- Answer everything. The published rules mention no deduction for wrong answers, and the online version submits automatically when time runs out.
After you pass: getting your licence
Apply to ServiceOntario online or by mail. You need to be 18 or older, legally entitled to work in Canada and have a clean criminal record, plus a passport-style photo, your TCN, a guarantor's declaration and ID. Processing can take up to 30 days; online applicants can download a temporary digital licence while they wait. A licence ends on your second birthday after it is issued. The full process is in how to get a security guard licence in Ontario.
Your study plan
- Take the free 20-question diagnostic to find your weak sections.
- Read the free Ontario exam guide and PSISA note.
- Sit the free full Ontario mock exam 1: 60 questions, 75 minutes, 62% to pass.
- Drill your weakest section, starting with legal authorities topic practice.
- Book your test once you score 75% or better on two timed mocks. Pro (CA$7.99 a week, CA$12.99 a month or CA$24.99 for three months, cancel anytime) includes mocks 2 to 10, topic practice and every study note. See pricing.
5 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.
Frequently asked questions
+Is the Ontario security guard test open book?
No. No aids of any kind are allowed, in person or online. Notes, phones and second screens must be put away, and having study material at your workspace during an online test can lead to a mark of zero.
+Does my Training Completion Number expire?
No. The testing provider says the TCN does not expire and can be used to book the test at any time after you finish training.
+Can I cancel or reschedule my security guard test?
Generally no. Bookings are final and fees are not refunded. The provider lists limited exceptions with documentation, such as a death in the immediate family, illness or injury, or jury duty.
+Can I write the Ontario security guard test in French?
Yes. The test is offered in English and French. Translators and interpreters are not allowed in the test room, but a verbal version is available on request for people with reading, writing or vision limitations.
+Can I take the security guard test without a first aid certificate?
No. Without a valid Emergency First Aid and CPR certificate your training is considered incomplete and you cannot book. Interim certificates are not accepted.
+Can my employer see my security guard test results?
Not directly. Results are released only to the candidate. Your results are sent electronically to ServiceOntario for your licence application, and you can choose to share them with an employer.
+Can I take the Ontario security guard test on a tablet or phone?
No. Online tests need a desktop or laptop with a webcam, microphone, speakers and a reliable connection, plus the provider's secure exam browser installed in advance.
+Do I need to retake the test to renew my licence?
No, as long as you have already passed the test. Renewing a security guard licence does not require you to redo training or rewrite the test.
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 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 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.
- Security Guard Licence Exam PrepPractice tests and licensing guides for the Ontario security guard test, BC Basic Security Training (BST) and Alberta ABST exams.
- 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.