How to Become a Security Guard in Quebec
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Bureau de la sécurité privée to work as a security guard in Quebec or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“In Quebec, you must have an agent licence issued by BSP to: ... Security Guarding”
From bspquebec.ca/en/11/please-read-before-completing-an-application, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
-
Successfully complete at least 70 hours of private security guarding training at a School service centre or School board that delivers a training certificate.
Source
“The mandatory training as per the Regulation regarding the private security guarding training requires to have successfully completed at least 70 hours of training in an institution from a School service centre or a School board which offers a program in private security guarding, and delivers a training certificate.”
bspquebec.ca/en/72/required-training -
Collect the required identification and status-in-Canada documents, two passport-size photos, and have one photo certified by a respondent who meets the BSP's criteria.
Source
“Two (2) identical colour passport-size (5 cm x 7 cm) photos taken within six (6) months prior to application. The photo must be taken facing front, against a white background, showing your full face from the shoulders up, with your head uncovered, and dated on the back with a date stamp. The back of one photo must be certified by your respondent.”
bspquebec.ca/en/49/obtaining-a-temporary-agent-licence -
The BSP sends your personal information to the Sûreté du Québec, which performs a security verification and gives its opinion on whether you meet the judicial history and moral character criteria.
Source
“To determine whether you meet these criteria, the BSP must send your personal information to Sûreté du Québec (SQ) so that it can perform a security verification. SQ will then inform BSP of the results of its verification and give its opinion as to whether the criteria have been met.”
bspquebec.ca/en/49/obtaining-a-temporary-agent-licence -
After the BSP analyses the application, the licence is delivered and its validity is posted in the Register of Licence Holders.
Source
“A processing time must be allowed after your request is sent. It is possible to consult the Register of Licence Holders, as soon as a licence is delivered (after analysis of the application), the validity of the latter will be posted on our website.”
bspquebec.ca/en/70/apply-online
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
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Attach a copy of the valid private security agent licence you hold from another Canadian province to your application, which may exempt you from the required training.
Source
“However, make sure to attach a copy of the licence you hold to your application. Holding a valid licence from another Canadian province may exempt you from the training that is required by regulation in this category of service.”
bspquebec.ca/en/51/frequently-asked-questions -
Provide proof that you have attended first-aid training similar to the one that is mandatory in Quebec.
Source
“You must also provide a proof that you have attended first-aid training similar to the one that is mandatory in Quebec.”
bspquebec.ca/en/51/frequently-asked-questions -
Submit an application to obtain a licence from the Bureau, which is required even if you already hold a licence from another Canadian province.
Source
“Yes. Even if you hold a licence from another Canadian province, you must obtain a licence from the Bureau to carry out private security activities in the Province of Quebec.”
bspquebec.ca/en/51/frequently-asked-questions
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
You must have successfully completed at least 70 hours of private security guarding training at a School service centre or School board, or request an evaluation of the equivalence of your knowledge and skills.
Source
“The mandatory training as per the Regulation regarding the private security guarding training requires to have successfully completed at least 70 hours of training in an institution from a School service centre or a School board which offers a program in private security guarding, and delivers a training certificate.”
bspquebec.ca/en/72/required-training
Police check
You must never have been found guilty of a criminal offence related to the private security activity unless you have obtained a pardon, and the Sûreté du Québec performs a security verification to confirm this.
Source
“Have never been found guilty of a criminal offence related to the private security activity for which you are applying for a licence, unless you have obtained a pardon”
bspquebec.ca/en/49/obtaining-a-temporary-agent-licence
Good character
You must be of good moral character, conducting yourself in accordance with society's moral and social values.
Source
“Be of good moral character, i.e., conducting yourself in accordance with society’s moral and social values.”
bspquebec.ca/en/49/obtaining-a-temporary-agent-licence
Residency
You must provide a document evidencing that you have Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or a work permit issued by the competent Canadian immigration authorities.
Source
“Document evidencing that you have Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or a work permit issued by the competent Canadian immigration authorities.”
bspquebec.ca/en/49/obtaining-a-temporary-agent-licence
Other
You must be at least 18 years of age to get a regular agent licence.
Source
“To get a regular agent licence, you must be at least 18 years of age.”
bspquebec.ca/en/47/regular-licence
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
Applicants holding a valid licence from another Canadian province must still obtain a BSP licence, but holding that licence may exempt them from the required training, and they must provide proof of first-aid training similar to Quebec's. Source
“Yes. Even if you hold a licence from another Canadian province, you must obtain a licence from the Bureau to carry out private security activities in the Province of Quebec. However, make sure to attach a copy of the licence you hold to your application. Holding a valid licence from another Canadian province may exempt you from the training that is required by regulation in this category of service.”
bspquebec.ca/en/51/frequently-asked-questions
Attach out-of-province licence
Source
“However, make sure to attach a copy of the licence you hold to your application. Holding a valid licence from another Canadian province may exempt you from the training that is required by regulation in this category of service.”
bspquebec.ca/en/51/frequently-asked-questionsProve first-aid training
Source
“You must also provide a proof that you have attended first-aid training similar to the one that is mandatory in Quebec.”
bspquebec.ca/en/51/frequently-asked-questions
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
Exams
Not stated by the regulator Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Bureau de la sécurité privée
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $18.99 | $21.56 | $30.00 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $16.55 | $21.00 | $31.45 | — |
Security guards in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Title protected
- Ontario 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
- Please read BEFORE completing an application bspquebec.ca/en/11/please-read-before-completing-an-application · fetched October 10, 2026
- What are the required training bspquebec.ca/en/72/required-training · fetched October 10, 2026
- Obtaining a temporary agent licence bspquebec.ca/en/49/obtaining-a-temporary-agent-licence · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apply online bspquebec.ca/en/70/apply-online · fetched October 10, 2026
- Find answers to your questions. bspquebec.ca/en/51/frequently-asked-questions · fetched October 10, 2026
- Regular licence bspquebec.ca/en/47/regular-licence · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
1
Do you need a licence to work as a security guard in Quebec?
Yes. Registration with the Bureau de la sécurité privée is required to practise in Quebec.
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