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Contents

• B.C. Home
• Public Safety and Solicitor General

• Security Industry and Licensing
  • Security Worker
    • Before you Apply –
      Requirements
    • Specific Requirements and Training by
      Licence Type
    • Download – Forms
      and Guide
    • Terms, Fees and Payment
    • Submitting or Withdrawing your Application Package
    • After you Apply – How long does it take?
    • Now You are Licensed – What to be Aware Of
    • Renew, Replace, Update and Expired Licences
  • Security Business
    • Before you Apply – Requirements
    • Download – Forms
      and Guide
    • Terms, Fees and Payment
    • Submitting or Withdrawing an Application
    • After you Apply – How long does it take?
    • The Business is Licenced – What to be Aware Of
    • Renew, Replace, Update and Expired Licences
    • Changing the
      Security Business Company Type
  • Controlling Member of a Business
    • Requirements
    • Responsiblities
    • Download – Forms
      and Guide
  • Compliance and Enforcement
  • Risk Assessments
  • Licence not Granted? How to Request a Decision Review
  • Contact Us

B.C. Home » PSSG » Security Industry and Licensing

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 Regulation and licence conditions. The act enhances public safety by ensuring consistent and appropriate standards across the security industry.

Who Needs to Have a Security Licence

Several types of security services cannot be performed by a business or individual without a current licence. For a complete description of what kind of service each of the licence types may deliver, refer to Definitions.

Below are the security services that require a licence and when the licence is required

• Security Guards and Security Guard Under Supervision — Includes those patrolling or watching property, loss prevention workers, bodyguards and doorpersons of licensed liquor establishments.
  In-house security guards – The licensing requirement date is September 1, 2009. In-house security guards include those working for an entity (business or other establishment) that is not a security business, such as a hospital, deparment store, bank or licensed liquor establishment.
  Bodyguards and doorpersons – do not require a licence until November 1, 2009.
• Security Alarm Installer and Security Alarm Installer Under Supervision
• Security Alarm Monitor
• Security Alarm Responder
• Security Alarm Sales
• Security Consultant
• Armoured Car Guard
• Locksmiths and Locksmith Under Supervision
• Private Investigator and Private Investigator Under Supervision and in-house Private Investigators
  
• Closed Circuit Television installer
• Electronic Locking Device (Access Control) Installer
• Dogs – Commencing October 1, 2009, Security Businesses and Security Guards must be authorized to use dogs. Security businesses and security guards using dogs while providing security services must have authorization to do so from the Registrar, Security Services. The licensed security worker (dog handler) and dog must first complete validations through the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC), then request authorization from the Registrar using the current licensing process (apply for new, renew, or update a licence. (See Security Licensing Policy Section 3.5 for full details. Information on the JIBC validation course is available on this website, see Training and Testing-Approved Programs.)
• Restraints – Commencing September 1, 2009, Security Guards – with the authorization from the Registrar, Security Servcies -- may use restraints while providing security services. Only in-house security guards (those who are employed by a business that does not hold a security business licence) who have previously received training in the use of restraints may continue to use restraints without this authorization until September 1, 2009. Note: those requesting authorization must first acquire an “Advanced Security Training (AST) Certificate” from the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC). (See Security Licensing Policy Section 3.3 for full details. Information on the JIBC validation course is available on this website, see Training and Testing-Approved Programs.)

This Site

The main sections, each a collection of all the information you will need depending on who you are:

• Security Worker – an individual wanting a licence as a Security Worker, or wanting to renew or update that licence.
• Security Business – a business requiring a licence to operate a Security Business , or wanting to renew or update that licence.
• Controlling Member – a Controlling Member of a Business who must follow a process in support of the business he or she is connected to that is holding or wishes to hold a security business licence.

File a Complaint — this is the process to follow if you have a complaint you wish to file with the Registrar against a security business or worker.

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