Security Industry and Licensing
In British Columbia, businesses and individuals (workers) offering security services must hold a valid security licence as per the terms of the Security Services Act (2007). The Registrar, Security Services issues each approved applicant a licence that outlines the conditions of the licence, the types of security services the business or individual may provide and special authorizations such as the use of dogs and restraints while performing security duties.
News
New training requirements for Private Investigator under Supervision security worker licences.
Effective January 31, 2013
For more information see Training and Testing – Approved Programs and the Private Security Training Network.
Individuals making an application for a new private investigator under supervision licence will be required to complete the “Introduction to Private Investigation” on-line course through the Private Security Training Network and the exam, or equivalent training. Please see the notification
that was sent out to the security industry on January 11, 2013.
For individuals who have a valid Private Investigator Under Supervision security worker Licence, please see Section 2.6.2.4 of the Security Licensing Process and Licence Conditions Policy manual.
LICENSING
See Licence Types: Security Services that Require a Licence for a full list of licence types and definitions.
To learn about or begin the licensing process, or to maintain your current licence, select your appropriate category from the navigation bar on the left: Security Worker, Security Business or Controlling Member.
Apply Online . . .
Businesses and individuals may wish to apply for or maintain their security licence electronically rather than sending in paper forms.
Whether you apply for your licence online or use the manual paper forms, the licensing process is the same. A link to the guides for Security Businesses and Security Workers is available on the online service page. The online service cannot be used by controlling members of a security business; or to apply for body armour permits or exemptions; or to apply for a permit to drive an armoured vehicle.
To apply online, see Online Service.
BODY ARMOUR
The Registrar, Security Services, oversees the Body Armour Control Act (2009). This act outlines who may sell or possess body armour in British Columbia and under what conditions.
See Body Armour page for more information and the permit and permit exemption forms.
Note: if you are selling body armour in B.C. as a licensed security business or as a security worker, you require a security licence that show body armour vendor or body armour sales. You do not need to go through the permit process.
ARMOURED VEHICLE
The Registrar, Security Services, oversees the Armoured Vehicle and After-Market Compartment Control Act (2010). This act outlines who may operate an armoured vehicle in British Columbia, the application process to get a permit (if applicable), and the conditions placed on permitted operators.
See Vehicles – Armoured and After-Market Compartments page for more information and the permit process.
INSTALLATION OF COMPARTMENTS IN VEHICLES
The Registrar, Security Services, oversees the Armoured Vehicle and After-market Control Act (2010). This act outlines the prohibition of owning, operating or using a vehicle that contains a concealed compartment that was installed after leaving the manufacturer.
See Vehicles – Armoured and After-Market Compartments page for more information.
FILING A COMPLAINT
If you have a complaint against a security business or security worker, that you wish to file with the Registrar, Security Services see File a Complaint.
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