Private Security & Investigative Services - News and Updates

New Guarantor Requirements for Licence Applicants – Effective March 21, 2011

New Guarantor Requirement FAQs

Due to new requirements instituted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch (PSISB) is implementing important changes to its identity verification procedures when it conducts background checks. These changes come into effect on March 21, 2011, and apply to anyone applying for an individual licence or in connection with an agency licence, including licence renewals.

Background checks performed by PSISB include access to the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) which is administered by the RCMP. The RCMP is now requiring all agencies that have access to CPIC to implement identity verification measures in order to ensure compliance with RCMP CPIC Policy.

Identification Requirements

In order for a background check to be conducted, the new procedures require Applicants to submit two (2) separate pieces of valid (non-expired) identification (ID). At least one of these must be a piece of government-issued photo ID, which clearly shows the Applicant’s full legal name, date of birth and signature. This government issued photo ID does not necessarily have to be issued in Canada. For example, a foreign passport would be acceptable if it meets all the above requirements and is accompanied by an acceptable translation if it is in a language other than English or French.

Applicants must also satisfy the mandatory licensing requirements under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA) by submitting at least one piece of ID that shows they are legally entitled to work in Canada. Certain ID that was not previously accepted for this purpose (e.g. a valid Canadian passport) is now accepted.

The list of acceptable ID includes:

Please review the licence application form and visit the PSISB’s website at http://www.ontario.ca/private-security for further information on the acceptable forms of ID.

Example 1: The Applicant submits an Ontario driver’s licence and a Canadian birth certificate. This is acceptable, as the driver’s licence contains the Applicant’s photograph, legal name, date of birth and signature, and the birth certificate shows the Applicant is entitled to work in Canada.

Example 2: The Applicant submits an Ontario driver’s licence and a foreign passport. This is not sufficient – both of these documents contain the Applicant’s photograph, legal name, date of birth, and signature, but neither of them shows the Applicant is entitled to work in Canada.

Example 3: The Applicant submits only a valid Canadian passport. This is not sufficient. The passport meets all the requirements; however, the Applicant must still submit an additional piece of supporting ID.

ID Verification

Currently, applicants are required to have someone verify and sign the photograph they submit for licensing purposes. Typically this has been new applicants and renewing applicants who submit a refreshed photograph for their license card. Under the new process, any individual who requires a background check for the purpose of applying for a license under the PSISA, including agency officers, directors, and partners, will be required to meet the identity verification requirements.

As of March 21, 2011 all individual licensees as well as agency representatives applying for a license under the PSISA are required to have their ID verified by a guarantor. The guarantor must complete, sign and date a declaration on the application form to indicate they can confirm the identity of the applicant(s) and have viewed original copies of their ID. The guarantor is also required to initial and date all clear and high quality photocopies of the ID that the applicant(s) intends to submit to the Branch with their individual or agency application.

The following individuals may act as a guarantor:

• An applicant’s employer
• Any licensed Ontario security guard or private investigator provided the license is valid or has not expired within the last year
• An authorized signatory from a Licensed Security Guard or Private Investigator Agency or from a company registered under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005.
• Any individual who has known the applicant personally for at least two years.

• To know an applicant personally means the guarantor is able to confirm aspects of the applicant’s attributes, such as name, approximate age, place of birth, physical description and some personal history such as occupation and place of residence.

• Chiropractor
• Dentist
• Judge
• Justice of the Peace
• Pharmacist
• Lawyer
• Mayor
• Minister of Religion authorized under provincial law to perform marriage
• Notary Public
• Optometrist
• Physician
• Police Officer
• Principal or Teacher of a primary or secondary school
• Professional Accountant
• Professional Engineer
• Professor or an Administrator at a public college
• Veterinarian

Guarantors must be at least 18 years of age on the date when the application is submitted.

Guarantors must be accessible to the Branch for verification. If the Branch is unable to reach a guarantor, the application may be delayed or returned to the Applicant.

Implementation

These new requirements will become mandatory on March 21, 2011. Any application received by the PSISB up to and including March 20, 2011 will be processed according to current practices. Please note, an application is only considered to be “received” if it is fully and correctly completed. For example, an application that arrives at the PSISB on March 20 that is incomplete (e.g. the “declaration of convictions” box has not been ticked or missing pieces of required ID) will not be processed, and will therefore will be held to the new guarantor requirements that come into effect on March 21, 2011 before the application can be processed. No exceptions will be made.

All applications received on March 21, 2011 and later must comply with the new requirements, no exceptions will be made. Applicants are encouraged to comply with the new requirements in-advance of March 21, 2011. Revised versions of the application forms and instruction documents will be available on the PSISB’s website on February 28, 2011. Applications that do not meet the new requirements may be delayed or returned to the Applicant.

For further information, please visit the “Licences and Forms” section of our website or call our customer service line at 416-212-1650 or toll-free at 1-866-767-7454.

Complying with the RCMP requirements for identity verification is consistent with the ministry commitments to continuous improvement and to professionalize the industry.