Individual Licenses
To work as a Security Guard, an individual must have the necessary licence under this Act and be employed by a licensed business entity, a registered employer under Section 5, the sole proprietor of a licensed business entity, or a partner in a licensed business company.
Individuals are now responsible for verifying that they are using a valid licence. They must renew the licence card in accordance with Ministry requirements, and they are liable for any licensing payments. Furthermore, each licensee is responsible for ensuring that they are working for an employer that has been registered and recognized by the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Licensing Requirements (subsection 10(1) of the PSISA
The following are the required prerequisites for obtaining a Security Guard licence:
- Have finished the required training and assessment.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- According to the Clean Criminal Record Regulation, you must have a clean criminal record (See below for more information on the Clean Criminal Record Regulation).
- Have the legal right to work in Canada.
Applicants for a Security Guard licence must provide documentation that they satisfy all of these standards. Their application will be denied if they are not eligible for a Security Guard licence.
Eligibility to Hold a License – Clean Criminal Record
A person has a “clean criminal record” for the purposes of paragraph (1) if and only if the following conditions are met:
(a) the individual has never been convicted of a prescribed offence under the Criminal Code of Canada, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of Canada, or any other Act of Canada; or
(b) the individual has been convicted of such an infraction and a pardon has been given or granted under the Criminal Records Act (Canada). 2005, c.34, s.10 (5). (5).
When a person applies for a licence, the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch (PSISB) will check their records to see whether any limits should be imposed. The applicant may be allowed to be heard in order to discuss their case.
Public Complaints
If members of the public believe that a breach of the PSISA or its provisions has occurred, they may register a public complaint against any licensed individual or licensed firm.
Complaints from the public can result in facilitation. In addition, the PSISB may conduct an investigation and, as a result, punish the licensee, give a warning, or cancel the licence.
