Alberta: Security Services and Investigators Act and the security licence

The law and the regulator

Alberta regulates security work under the Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA, SA 2008 c.S-4.7), the Security Services and Investigators Regulation (Alta Reg 52/2010) and the Ministerial Regulation (Alta Reg 55/2010). The Registrar at Security Programs (Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services) issues licences.

The SSIA describes a security guard's job as protecting an organization's property, personnel and information against fire, theft, vandalism and illegal entry. No one may provide security services for pay without a licence (SSIA s.3).

Licence requirements (checked 2026-10-03)

Requirement	Detail
Age	18 or older
Status	Eligible to work in Canada
Language	Fluent in English - Canadian Language Benchmark 5
Record	No criminal record, no outstanding charges, not under criminal investigation
Police checks	Criminal record check, vulnerable sector search and local police database search - each valid only 90 days
Training	Alberta Basic Security Training (ABST), at least 40 hours, from an approved provider, and at least 80 % on the provincial exam - or a valid licence from another Canadian province/territory
Fee	$100 for a 2-year licence (+ $9 registry fee in person); security + investigator $160
Term	Up to 2 years (Alta Reg 55/2010 s.9)
Apply	At a registry agent or by mail to Security Programs (no e-mail applications)

The individual licence is portable - it moves with you between employers. Renewal follows the same process as a new application.

Training licence

An employer can apply for a 30-day training licence (non-renewable, non-portable) so a new hire can work while completing the course. Workers who do not pass the exam within those 30 days cannot keep working past the 30 days.

Batons

Carrying a baton requires a separate approved baton / use-of-force course, with recertification every 36 months (Alta Reg 55/2010 s.14).