HOW TO BECOME
A SECURITY GUARD
TORONTO

BE A LICENSED SECURITY GUARD
IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO IN 6 SIMPLE STEPS

How To Become A Security Guard In Ontario

STEP 1

ENSURE YOU MEET ALL REQUIRMENTS FOR AN ONTARIO SECURITY LICENSE

WHAT IS A SECURITY LICENSE?

A security guard license allows you to work in a job where you mainly protect persons or property.

This includes working as a:
1. Security guard
2. Concierge
3. Bodyguard
4. Bouncer
5. Or loss prevention employee

A valid license card is required to work as a security guard. Working without a valid license is a violation of the Ontario Private Security and Investigative Services Act.

If you are currently licensed from another Canadian province or territory, you might be exempt from Ontario training and testing.

WHO CAN GET A SECURITY LICENSE?

18 years of age or older.
2. Eligible to work in Canada.
3. Clean criminal record in Canada.
4. Able to pass the Security Guard Test (government
regulated).
5. Comfortable with the Ontario Security Guard Code
of Conduct.

To learn more about how to work in Canada, visit the
Government of Canada website here:
www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/

To learn more about this Code of Conduct, visit the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch website here: www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/070363

To learn more about the 80 plus criminal offences you would be screened for, visit the Government of Ontario E-Law website here

Learn more about PSISA Fines and Regulations

STEP 2

COMPLETE A 40 HOUR SECURITY LICENSE TRAINING PROGRAM WITH A FIRST AID AND CPR CERTIFICATION

SECURITY TRAINING

Both in class training and online training is available. The requirement for all basic training courses is that they must be at least 40 hours long and include certification in first aid.

Condor Security offers a 40 hour security training course with a higher level certification in first aid, Standard First Aid and Level C CPR. If you would like to register you can view upcoming courses on the Course Calendar here or contact 416 – 665 -1500 to speak with a Condor Security representative and register.

You can see a list of government approved security training providers at the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services website here

You can download or view the mandatory topics which the training provider is required to cover in the 40 hour security training program on the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch website here

FIRST AID AND CPR TRAINING

To be eligible for a security licence, you must have a valid first aid and CPR certification.

The minimum accepted level of first aid training is Emergency Level First Aid and Level A CPR (1 day of training).

The recommended level is Standard First Aid and Level C CPR, which is an extended program (2 days of training). This certification can give you an advantage over others and provides knowledge and skill in how to deal with additional emergencies.

You can learn more about Condor’s Standard First Aid and Level C CPR training course here

APPLY WITH COMPANY CONDUCTING TRAINING

Instead of waiting until you attain the security guard license to apply for jobs, you can speed up your job hunting by applying for the company providing the 40 hour security training.  Condor Security provides free security guard training to applicants who qualify for a position.

STEP 3

GET YOUR TRAINING COMPLETION NUMBER

This number will be given to you upon completion of the 40 hour security program by your provider. You will need it to register for the Security Guard Test.

STEP 4

REGISTER TO AND PASS THE SECURITY GUARD TEST

To register for the Ontario Security Guard Exam, visit the Serco website and choose “Schedule a Test” here

You can review the guidelines on the basic security test through the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services website here

How much is the test?
The price of the security test is $75.15 after tax.

Need help with studying?
Click for a useful practice test to help you with preparing for the exam.

STEP 5

APPLY FOR YOUR ONTARIO SECURITY GUARD LICENSE

You can apply for the license online through ServiceOntario or you can print out a hard copy application and send it in by mail.

The advantages of applying online are that you can check the status of your application in real time by logging into your account, and, online applicants can view a printable digital license as soon as their application is approved. The printed digital license can be used for proof of licensing until the hard copy license card is received in the mail.

It can take up to 30 days to finish processing a correctly completed application.

STEP 6

APPLY FOR A SECURITY JOB

Every company has its qualities. Find the company that’s right for you. If you are interested in training, professional development, and career growth, you are welcome to apply with Condor Security.

Why become a security guard in toronto?

security guard in Ontario provides comprehensive protection to property and people by undertaking patrols using a range of advanced weapons and sophisticated alarm systems. As a security guard or a security officer, you’ll have to walk the beat and guard public and/or private premises to thwart violence, theft, and felonies. At the same time, you should be adequately tech-savvy to make optimum use of complex security and alarm systems for preventing and averting crimes.

Security officers and guards also receive thorough training in using force to confront and arrest individuals suspected of being security threats. Many multinational corporations and public organizations besides recruiting security officers, also appoint security directors who supervise the overall security system. The private sector employs the majority of security guards and officers who safeguard the employer’s assets, possessions, and resources.

Security personnel not only offer physical protection to institutions and individuals vulnerable to threats and dangers but also detect and check cybercrime, financial crime, terrorism, and so on. Many security guards in Ontario pursue an online bachelor’s or associate’s degree in criminal justice to become law enforcement officers. If you want to know how to become a security guard in Toronto then read through to the end of this article.

First and foremost, you’ll need to have a security guard license in Toronto to work as a security guard, bouncer, or concierge in Toronto or Ontario. This review elucidates how to get a security license in Ontario in a step-by-step manner. Armed with a security license in Toronto you’ll have it easy finding a job as a concierge, bodyguard, airport security officer, bouncer, and so on.   

You have to complete a professional training of 40-hour duration to earn your security guard license that’ll come in handy while applying to entry-level jobs. On the other hand the security license Toronto will come to your aid when you switch jobs.

Eligibility conditions for receiving a security guard license in ontario

To qualify for earning a security guard license in Ontario you must meet or fulfill the following criteria:-

  • Must be at least 18 years of age (or older)
  • Should not have been convicted of any crime, misdemeanor, or transgression
  • Should be legally entitled/qualified to pursue a career in Canada
  • Must complete the mandatory training for security guards
  • Must clear the exam for security guards organized by the government
  • Should hold a valid CPR/Emergency First Aid certificate (you can get in touch with Condor Security Inc for details about this certification)

Before you proceed to fulfill the obligations for getting a security guard license in Toronto keeps one important aspect in mind. You’re not eligible to get or renew a security license in case you’ve been declared guilty of a criminal offense but not exonerated. Check out this link https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/080037 that lists more than 80 types of crimes indexed in the Ontario regulation, Eligibility to Hold a License –Clean Criminal Record

Steps to obtaining your first ever security guard license ontario

You’ll have to abide by three basic steps to earn your license to work as a security guard anywhere in Ontario:

Register and complete a certified security guard training program*

*You’ll have to acquire an Ontarian license even if you hold an authorized security guard license from any other Canadian territory or province notwithstanding. However, you may not have to undergo training or sit for the qualifying exam all over again. For more details about the above get in touch with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correction Services  http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/PSIS/ContactUs/PSIS_contact.html

The training program offered by Condor Security complies with all the stipulations and prerequisites for security guard training in Ontario. The security license training program will make you thoroughly ready for the Ontario Security Guard Exam. You can easily follow the training methods and techniques as well as the preparatory tests, enabling you to assess your preparedness for the accreditation exam.

Sign up for the Security Guard Examination in Ontario by using the Training Completion Number you obtained after completing the training course

The basic security guard test in Ontario comprises 60 MCQ (multiple choice questions). You’ll need to complete the examination in 1 hour and 15 minutes and attain a score of 62% to clear the test. You’ll have to pay CDN $75.15 including HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) as examination fees.

If you do not clear the examination in the first instance, you can sit for the test repetitively until you pass. However, you’ll need to pay the obligatory fees each time you take the test. You can take the examination for receiving a security guard license in Toronto at specified or designated DriveTest centers throughout Ontario.

Visit www.ontariosecuritytesting.ca. the site to check out the different DriveTest centers and also to register for the exam. The test results are declared within five working days of appearing for the examination. You’ll receive an Ontarian testing completion number (which you’ll mention in your license application) only if your score is 62% (and higher).

Once you pass the test and achieve a score of nothing less than 62% you qualify to apply for a security guard license Ontario

If your test report card shows you have achieved a minimum of 62% then you’re eligible to send your application to https://www.ontario.ca/page/security-guard-or-private-investigator-licence-individuals#section-4

You must tender your application via your ServiceOntario online account or you can mail it to ServiceOntario’s office. Regardless of whether you send your application by post or submit it online, you’ll have to keep the following handy:-

  • A passport-size snapshot
  • The testing completion number
  • CDN$80 (for paying through a valid payment method depending on whether you’re applying online or via Canada Post/courier service)
  • An entitled guarantor or sponsor who will fill up and put his or her signature across the Guarantor Information Form
  • Scanned digital transcripts or photocopies of two legal government ID documents (one of these documents should corroborate that you’re permitted to work in Canada)

You’d be better off submitting your application online as sending the same through a postal service could take about 30 working days. If you fill-up the application form for obtaining a security license in Toronto correctly and send it online, the same might be approved within 10 working days. Alternatively, if you submit your application leaving it incomplete or complete it erroneously then it’ll be emailed back to you.

If your application is returned, you should resend the corrected form to ServiceOntario within 90 working days, or else it’ll not be accepted. On the other hand, you’ll not be able to claim a refund of the exam fee.

Start applying to jobs after receiving security guard license ontario

You can start applying to different firms looking for trained security guards in Toronto after receiving your security license. Always carry your license along with you when reporting for duty. You may also have to produce the license tag whenever you are asked to.

You’ll have to renew your security guard license in Ontario every two years (counting from the day it was issued) to keep it valid.