If you want to work as a security guard in Canada, the first thing to know is that there is no national licence. Each province licenses its own security workers under its own law, sets its own training standard and runs its own exam. This hub covers the three provinces where most candidates search for help: Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. For each one, you will find what the security guard test looks like, how to get licensed, what it costs and how to practise.
Canada Licence Prep is an independent study aid, not a training school or a government body. You still need to complete an approved course in your province. What we provide is exam practice: full-length mocks in each province's format, a question bank built on the provincial curricula, and explanations that cite the law each answer comes from.
Which security guard test do you need?
Start with the province where you will work, not where you live. Your licence has to come from the province that regulates your job.
| Ontario | British Columbia | Alberta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law | Private Security and Investigative Services Act (PSISA) | Security Services Act | Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA) |
| Training | Ministry-approved basic training, at least 40 hours (33.5 if first aid is taken separately) | Basic Security Training (BST), 40 hours, at JIBC or a JIBC-approved school | Alberta Basic Security Training (ABST), at least 40 hours, 7 modules |
| Exam | Ministry test, 60 questions, 75 minutes | BST Assessment, 75 questions, 90 minutes | Provincial exam; count and time not published |
| Pass mark | 62% (38 of 60) | 70% (53 of 75) | 80% |
| Minimum age for licence | 18 | 19 | 18 |
| Our practice page | Ontario security guard practice test | BC security guard practice test | Alberta security guard practice test |
The rest of this page goes province by province, then explains what the three exams have in common and how to study for them.
Key fact: The pass marks differ more than people expect. Ontario's 62% sounds forgiving, but Alberta's 80% and BC's two-attempt limit mean you should practise at a higher standard than the minimum.
Ontario security guard test and licence
Ontario has the most candidates and the clearest public information. The test is set by the ministry and delivered by Serco on its behalf. Full details are on our Ontario security guard test page; here is the overview.
The Ontario test format
| Item | Detail (checked October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Questions | 60 multiple choice |
| Time | 75 minutes of answering time, inside a two-hour appointment |
| Pass mark | 62% (at least 38 correct) |
| Fee | About $40 to $75 per attempt including HST, depending on source: the Serco booking site and the older ministry study guide list different amounts, so confirm when you book |
| Delivery | Online with remote proctoring, or in person at DriveTest centres |
| Languages | English and French |
| Results | Usually within two business days |
| Retakes | Rebook and pay again; you rewrite the whole test |
The ministry's testing page is the official source. Fees have changed in the past, so check it before you pay.
Getting your Ontario licence
- Complete approved basic training. At least 40 hours, including Emergency First Aid and CPR, from a ministry-approved provider. See the ministry's basic training page. You receive a Training Completion Number (TCN).
- Hold a valid first aid certificate. You must provide it before you take the test.
- Book and pass the test with your TCN.
- Apply for the licence online. You must be 18 or older, entitled to work in Canada and have a clean criminal record. The fee is $80 (as of October 2026, per ontario.ca).
- Renew before it ends. The licence expires on your second birthday after it is issued. You do not need to redo training or the test to renew.
Our step-by-step guide, with a cost breakdown and timeline, is how to get a security guard licence in Ontario.
What the Ontario test covers
The test follows the 12 sections of the ministry's Training Syllabus for Security Guards. The section hours give a fair idea of the weight: legal authorities gets the most classroom time (7.5 hours), followed by first aid (6.5, certified separately), emergency response and communications (4 each). Expect scenario questions about what a guard may lawfully do, as well as terminology and law.
If you want a large set of practice questions grouped by section, use Ontario security guard test questions and answers. It also links to a printable version of the free questions at /print/ontario-security-guard.
BC security guard test (Basic Security Training)
In British Columbia, the training is called Basic Security Training (BST). It is delivered by the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) or a JIBC-approved school, in person or as a self-paced online course with two months to finish.
The BC BST assessment format
| Item | Detail (checked October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Course | BST Theory (SCRT-1651), 40 hours |
| Exam | BST Assessment (SCRT-1656): 75 questions, 90 minutes |
| Pass mark | 70% (at least 53 of 75) |
| Attempts | Maximum two; after two fails you retake BST Theory |
| Deadline | Within six months of finishing the theory course |
| Fees | Theory $343.77 plus a learner services fee; assessment $64.14 per attempt |
| Where | JIBC New Westminster campus with your own laptop; online proctoring only if you live outside the Lower Mainland |
| ID | Valid government-issued photo ID is mandatory |
Source: JIBC Basic Security Training. The two-attempt limit is the detail that matters most. Failing twice means paying for and sitting the 40-hour course again, so we suggest taking full-length practice papers before you book.
Getting your BC security worker licence
You must be 19 or older, ordinarily resident in Canada and allowed to work here. You apply online through the Security Services Platform with a BC Services Card login. First-time applicants go through a criminal record check, identity verification and fingerprints. New licence fees are $60 for 90 days, $120 for one year, $180 for two years and $240 for three years.
JIBC stopped issuing BST certificates on 15 December 2025. The province now verifies completion directly with JIBC, as explained on the BC government training page. BC also accepts licences from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario as an equivalent to BST, which is useful if you are moving.
The full process is on how to become a security guard in BC.
Alberta security guard exam (ABST)
Alberta's course is Alberta Basic Security Training (ABST): at least 40 hours across seven modules, from an approved training provider. It ends with a provincial exam set by Security Programs.
The Alberta ABST exam format
| Item | Detail (checked October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Pass mark | 80% (official) |
| Questions and time | Not published by the province; our mock uses 60 questions in 60 minutes as practice |
| Who proctors | A ministry proctor or a ministry-certified independent proctor at the provider's site |
| Rewrites | As many as needed within two years of starting your course; providers may charge |
| Results | Provider gets grades within two business days; your training certificate is emailed, usually within a week |
| Language | English only |
The seven modules are: introduction to the security industry; the Canadian legal system and security professionals; basic security procedures; communication; documentation and evidence; response procedures; and health and safety.
Exam tip: With an 80% pass mark, aim for 90% on practice papers before you sit the ABST exam. That buffer covers nerves and wording you have not seen before.
Getting your Alberta security licence
You need to be 18 or older, eligible to work in Canada, fluent in English at Canadian Language Benchmark 5, and have no criminal record or outstanding charges. Police checks (criminal record, vulnerable sector and local database) must each be under 90 days old. The licence fee is $100 for two years, plus a registry fee if you apply in person. See the province's security service worker licence page and our guide on how to become a security guard in Alberta.
An employer can apply for a 30-day training licence so you can work while you finish the course and exam.
What the three security exams have in common
The laws and some procedures differ, but the core subjects are the same in all three provinces. That is why our question banks share topics while each province gets its own legislation questions.
| Topic | What gets tested |
|---|---|
| The security industry | Roles, settings, professionalism and ethics |
| Provincial law | Ontario PSISA and Code of Conduct, BC Security Services Act, Alberta SSIA: licences, uniforms, prohibited titles |
| Basic procedures | Patrols, access control, alarms and crowds |
| Report writing | Notebooks, occurrence reports, statements and evidence |
| Health and safety | Workplace rights, WHMIS, shift work |
| Emergency response | Fire, bomb threats, evacuation and radio codes |
| Canadian legal system | Sources of law, types of offences, courts |
| Legal authorities | Arrest, trespass, search, evidence and the Charter |
| Communications | Conflict de-escalation and dealing with the public |
| Sensitivity | Human rights, diversity, accessibility and mental health |
| Use of force | The law, the situational model and medical risks |
| First aid | Emergency first aid basics |
Why legal authorities matter most
In every province, the questions that separate a pass from a fail are about what a guard may lawfully do. A security guard is a private citizen with the same arrest powers as anyone else, plus whatever authority the property owner gives them. Questions test the conditions for a citizen's arrest under Criminal Code s.494, when you may ask someone to leave under trespass law, what you may search, and how much force is reasonable. The free Ontario PSISA note and the legal authorities note are good places to begin.
Report writing and use of force
Report writing questions are easy marks if you know the rules: notes written at the time, in ink, in order, with no blank lines or erased entries. Use of force questions test judgment, so expect scenarios. Read the use of force note and the report writing note before your first mock.
Practice test formats on Canada Licence Prep
Each province has its own practice route, with mocks in that province's format:
| Practice | Mock format | Question bank | Free on our site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario security guard | 60 questions, 75 minutes, 38 to pass | 1,933 | Diagnostic, mock 1, quick practice |
| BC BST | 75 questions, 90 minutes, 53 to pass | 1,293 | Diagnostic, mock 1, quick practice |
| Alberta ABST | 60 questions, 60 minutes, 48 to pass | 1,354 | Diagnostic, mock 1, quick practice |
Every question has an explanation for the right answer and for why each wrong option is wrong, with a citation to the act, regulation or manual section behind it. That matters for security exams in particular, because the official tests reword scenarios. Memorized answers do not survive rewording. Understanding the rule does.
How to study for a security guard test
Before your course
Take your province's free 20-question diagnostic: Ontario, BC or Alberta. It shows which sections you already understand and which need the most attention while the course is running.
During your course
After each class day, do 15 to 20 questions on what you covered. The free quick practice mixes topics; Pro adds practice by topic, for example Ontario legal authorities or use of force theory. Reading the provincial exam guide also helps: Ontario, BC and Alberta are all free.
Before you book the exam
Sit a full timed mock in one go. The free first mock is available for every province: Ontario mock 1, BC mock 1, Alberta mock 1. Review every wrong answer and read its explanation. When you are scoring well above the pass mark on a second or third paper, you are ready to book.
Exam tip: Budget your time. Ontario gives you about 75 seconds per question, BC about 72 and the Alberta mock about 60. Answer the easy ones first, flag the hard ones and come back.
Your study plan
- Today: take the free diagnostic for your province (Ontario, BC, Alberta).
- This week: read your province's free exam guide and the legal authorities and use of force notes.
- During the course: practise 15 to 20 questions after each class day.
- Before booking: sit the free full mock 1 for your province with the timer on.
- Then: if you want more full papers, Pro gives you mocks 2 to 10 for all three provinces from CA$7.99 per week.
When you pass, go to the licensing guide for your province: Ontario, BC or Alberta.
Frequently asked questions
+Is a security guard licence valid in every province?
No. Each province licenses its own security workers under its own law, so an Ontario licence does not let you work in Alberta or BC. Some provinces recognize training or licences from others; BC, for example, accepts licences from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario for equivalency.
+How many questions are on the Ontario security guard test?
The Ontario test has 60 multiple-choice questions and 75 minutes of answering time inside a two-hour appointment. The pass mark is 62%, which in practice means at least 38 correct answers.
+What is the pass mark for the Alberta security exam?
The province sets the ABST exam pass mark at 80%. The question count and time limit are not published by the province, so ask your training provider what to expect on the day.
+How long does it take to become a security guard?
The basic course in each province is about 40 hours, which many people finish in one or two weeks. Add time for the exam, police checks and licence processing. A few weeks from start to licence is common if you move quickly.
+Can I take the security guard test online?
Ontario offers the ministry test online with remote proctoring or in person at DriveTest centres. BC's BST assessment is written at JIBC's New Westminster campus, with online proctoring only for people outside the Lower Mainland. Alberta exams are run by a ministry or certified proctor.
+Is the security guard test hard?
Most people who study the training material pass, but the legal questions catch many candidates. Arrest powers, trespass law and use of force are the most tested and the most misunderstood. Alberta's 80% pass mark and BC's two-attempt limit leave less room for error than Ontario's 62%.
+How old do you have to be to be a security guard in Canada?
You must be 18 or older for a licence in Ontario and Alberta, and 19 or older in British Columbia. Each province also requires a clean criminal record and the legal right to work in Canada.
+What happens if I fail the security guard test?
In Ontario you rebook and pay again; there is no stated waiting period. In BC you get a maximum of two attempts before you must retake the BST theory course. In Alberta you can rewrite within two years of starting your training, and providers may charge a fee.
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.
- 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.
- 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.