Ministry of Justice

Licence Types: Security Services that Require a Licence

Below is a list of Security Service 'licence types' that require a licence. To apply for a Security Worker or Security Business licence, see relevant section in navigation on the left. Included in the Security Worker section is a page that outlines the specific requirements and training to qualify for a particular licence type. The licence types are listed on the application form, for you to select when completing the application process.

A security guard:

  • provides or supervises a guard patrol or watch of property
  • provides or supervises a guard of an individual
  • performs services to prevent the loss of property, and/or
  • provides door security at an establishment licensed under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act

Security guards can also respond and monitor alarms installed on the property of another person. Security Guard Under Supervision does the work of a security guard only under the direct supervision of a fully licensed security guard.

A Security Alarm Installer is a person who sells, supplies, provides advice on, or offers to install a security alarm and maintains or repairs security alarms.

A Security Alarm Installer can also code or recode an electronic locking device, make, sell or otherwise provide a lock operating device for an electronic locking device.

This type of licensee can also sell, supply, provide advice on, service or install any closed circuit television equipment device or system.

Security Alarm Installer Under Supervision must work under the direct supervision of a fully licensed Security Alarm Installer.

Monitors security alarms installed on the property of another person.
Responds to and monitors security alarms installed on the property of another person.

Sells or gives advice on security alarms.

Note: A person, who sells security alarms but does not attend the premises where the security alarm has been or will be installed, does not require a licence under the Security Services Act.

A person who advises on methods of protecting property from vandalism, intrusion, trespass or theft; or provides the service of detecting electromagnetic, acoustical or other devices by which private communications or records may be intercepted, transmitted or examined.
Armoured car services transport property, valuables and money in approved armoured vehicles. Armoured car guards may possess firearms in connection with their employment upon providing proof to the Registrar that they have a current, valid Authorization to Carry a restricted firearm certificate (ATC).

A locksmith is a person who:

  • makes, services, repairs, codes, records, rekeys or repins any locking device (except a person who codes or recodes a device that person owns)
  • cuts, makes, sells or otherwise provides restricted keys
  • cuts, makes, sells or otherwise provides keys from a numerical or alphabetical code or a combination of numerical and alphabetical codes
  • sells, services or repairs safes, vaults or other similar secure storage methods or
  • sells, supplies and installs an electronic locking device

Locksmith Under Supervision performs the work of a locksmith only while under the direct supervision of a fully licensed locksmith.

A private investigator is a a person, who for consideration, seeks or obtains information about:

  • crimes, offences, contraventions or misconduct, or allegations of crimes, offences contraventions or misconduct
  • the activities, character or repute of a person or organization;
    the whereabouts of a person
  • the location, disposition or recovery of lost, stolen or missing property
  • the cause of or the responsibility of any fire, accident or incident in which damage to property or injury to any person has occurred

Private Investigator Under Supervision performs the work of a private investigator only under the supervision of a fully licensed private investigator.

Provides a service of selling, supplying, providing advice on, servicing or installing any closed circuit television equipment, device or system.

Provides the following services:

  • selling, supplying, providing advice on, servicing or installing an electronic locking device
  • coding or recoding an electronic locking device
  • making, selling or providing a lock-operating device for an electronic locking device

The selling of body armour may only be done by licensed security businesses (with licence type body armour vendor listed on their licence) and by licensed security workers (who have licence type body armour sales listed on their licence).

Licensed security businesses and licensed security workers do not have to apply for a permit to possess body armour for the purposes of sales.

Dogs – 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 – Security guards wanting to use restraints while providing security services must have authorization from the Registrar. 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.)