How to Become a Security Guard in British Columbia
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with Security Industry Licensing to work as a security guard in British Columbia or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“You need a security worker licence to do security work in B.C.”
From www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se..., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps
- Licensed in another province: 4 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Security Industry Licensing
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
-
Complete the Basic Security Training course through the Justice Institute of British Columbia or an approved security training school and get the certificate.
Source
“Completion of the Basic Security Training course through the JIBC. Attach your certificate if it is available (BST certificates are not issued by the JIBC after December 15, 2025).”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se... -
Have your fingerprints taken and submit them, as all security worker applicants must do on their initial application.
Source
“Fingerprints are required for all Security Worker applicants on their initial application.”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se... -
Collect the documents needed for the application, including consent to a criminal record check, proof of training or experience, proof of citizenship or ability to work in Canada, a passport quality photo, valid government photo identification, a fingerprint confirmation slip and, if applicable, a mental health condition form.
Source
“To provide consent to a criminal record check - Proof of required training or experience - Proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency or ability to work in Canada - Passport quality photo - Valid government issued photo identification”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se... -
Submit the application online through the Security Services Platform using a BC Services Card account and pay the application fee for the licence term you choose.
Source
“The online application uses the BC Services Card account to verify your identity.”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se... -
Wait while the program reviews your application and documents and completes a criminal record check, and respond by email if more information is needed.
Source
“The program will review your application, submitted documents and complete a criminal record check. If more information is required, they will contact you by email.”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Security Industry Licensing
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
-
Hold a security worker licence from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba or Ontario, which qualifies you for a full security guard licence.
Source
“Security worker licence in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba or Ontario.”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se... -
Have your fingerprints taken and submit them, as all security worker applicants must do on their initial application.
Source
“Fingerprints are required for all Security Worker applicants on their initial application.”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se... -
Submit the application online through the Security Services Platform, which can be done even from another Canadian province or territory without a physical BC Services Card, and pay the application fee.
Source
“If you live in another Canadian province or territory and do not have a physical BC Services Card, you can still set up a BC Services Card account and submit your application online.”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se... -
Wait while the program reviews your application and documents and completes a criminal record check, and respond by email if more information is needed.
Source
“The program will review your application, submitted documents and complete a criminal record check. If more information is required, they will contact you by email.”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Security Industry Licensing
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Application fee (90-day licence term): $60
- Application fee (1-year licence term): $120
- Application fee (2-year licence term): $180
- Application fee (3-year licence term): $240
Requirements
Education
You must be trained for the type of security licence you are applying for.
Source
“Trained for the type of security licence you are applying for”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...For a full security guard licence you can qualify by completing the Basic Security Training course through the JIBC or an approved security training school.
Source
“Completion of the Basic Security Training course through the JIBC. Attach your certificate if it is available (BST certificates are not issued by the JIBC after December 15, 2025).”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...Alternatively, you can qualify with proof of completion of the Gaming Security Officer Training Course issued by the JIBC.
Source
“Proof of completion of the Gamily Security Officer Training Course issued by the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC).”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...
Experience
Alternatively, you can qualify with experience as a Canadian police officer, correctional officer, sheriff, or auxiliary, reserve and border service officer, proven by letters from your supervisor or human resources office.
Source
“You must have proof of this experience, such as letters from your supervisor or human resources office.”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...
Police check
You must provide consent to a criminal record check.
Source
“To provide consent to a criminal record check”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...You must submit fingerprints on your initial application.
Source
“Fingerprints are required for all Security Worker applicants on their initial application.”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...
Residency
You must be ordinarily resident in Canada.
Source
“Ordinarily resident in Canada”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...
Other
You must be 19 years of age or older to apply.
Source
“19 years of age or older (16 years of age or older if applying for a locksmith under supervision or alarm installer under supervision licence)”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...You must be fluent in English for most licence categories.
Source
“Fluent in English (for most licence categories)”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...You cannot be a member of a police force as defined by the B.C. Police Act, though peace officers and retired police officers may be eligible.
Source
“You cannot be a member of a police force as defined by the B.C. Police Act”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...You must provide proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency or ability to work in Canada.
Source
“Proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency or ability to work in Canada”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...You may work as a security guard under supervision without needing training for that licence.
Source
“You don't need training to get this licence.”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
If you hold a security worker licence in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba or Ontario, that licence qualifies you for a full B.C. security guard licence, but you are still required to be licensed in B.C. to work here. Source
“If you have a licence from another province, you still need a B.C. licence to work here.”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Security Industry Licensing
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Security Industry Licensing
Exams
Not stated by the regulator Check with Security Industry Licensing
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Security Industry Licensing
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Security Industry Licensing
Supervised practice
Not required
You may apply to work as a security guard under supervision without training, or as a fully licensed security guard. Source
“You may apply to work as a security guard under supervision or as a fully licensed security guard.”
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se...
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $18.00 | $22.75 | $32.00 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $16.55 | $21.00 | $31.45 | — |
Security guards in other provinces and territories
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Title protected
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Security worker licence - Province of British Columbia www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Security worker training requirements - Province of British Columbia www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Application and Licence Management Process - Province of British Columbia www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-se... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
1
Do you need a licence to work as a security guard in British Columbia?
Yes. Registration with Security Industry Licensing is required to practise in British Columbia.
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