Skip to content Ontario.ca Français
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services :: News and Updates
Private Security & Investigative Services
News
Jan. 30 – Licence renewal changes now in effect
The amended Term of Licences regulation is in effect as of January 30, 2012.
There are no fee increases associated with the following changes:
If you are a security guard or private investigator with a valid licence on January 30, 2012, you will receive a yellow Notice of Extension in the mail. The Notice of Extension extends your licence to your first birthday following the expiry date stated on your blue licence card, at no charge.
You must carry both your blue licence card and your yellow Notice of Extension at all times when on duty from January 30, 2012 until you receive an orange licence card that states your birthday as the expiry date.
After your licence is renewed (regular licence fees apply), you will receive a licence that is valid for two years.
To check how this affects you, try our online licence expiry date calculator.
If you are a new security guard or private investigator, or if your licence is expired as of January 30, 2012 and you apply for a new licence, you will receive an orange licence card that expires two birthdays after the date of issue. You will not receive a Notice of Extension.
After your licence is renewed, it will be valid for two years.
Agencies with valid licences on January 30, 2012 must renew by the expiry date printed on their licence. After the licence is renewed it will be valid for two years.
New licensed agencies will receive a licence that is valid for two years. After their licence is renewed it will be valid for another two years.
The term of licence change does not affect registered businesses.
Please remember to submit your complete application for licence renewal 30 days prior to expiry. Those who work or operate without a valid licence can face charges under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005.
For more details, please see Frequently Asked Questions concerning individual and agency licences.
Jan. 25 – New Individual Licence Application Form and Instructions
The ministry has developed a new licence application form for new and renewing private security guards and private investigators. The new form is shorter and easier to use, and is designed to prevent errors that can increase processing times. The new application form and step-by-step instructions can be downloaded here.
Dec. 9 - Important information about licence renewal
The ministry will implement birth date licence renewal for security guards and private investigators starting on January 30, 2012.
If you hold a valid licence on January 30, 2012, you will receive a yellow Notice of Extension in the mail which extends your licence to your next birthday after the expiry date on your blue plastic licence card.
You must carry both your blue plastic licence card and your yellow Notice of Extension at all times when on duty from January 30, 2012 until you receive an orange plastic licence card that states your birthday as the expiry date.
To check how the change to birth date expiry affects you, try the licence expiry date calculator.
If your licence expires prior to January 30, 2012, please submit your complete renewal application 30 days before the current expiry date. After your licence is renewed, you will receive a licence extension. Working without a valid licence can lead to charges under the Private Security and Investigative Service Act, 2005.
If you have any questions about how these changes affect you, please contact us.
Sept. 5, 2011 - Change to Term of Licences Regulation
The Term of Licences regulation of the PSISA has been amended. The ministry plans to implement birth date renewal for individual licence holders, and to extend the term of licence from one to two years for renewing individuals and both new and renewing agencies. These changes are designed to improve customer service for all licence holders, and will take effect on January 30, 2012.
There will be no associated increase in licence fees for 2012. Agencies will still be able to apply for a new licence or renew an existing licence for $700 ($1400 for a dual licence) and the licence will be valid for two years instead of one. Individuals will pay $80 ($160 for a dual licence) for a new licence that expires two birthdays after the date of issue instead of one year from the date of issue. All existing individual licensees with valid licences as of January 30, 2012 will receive an extension of their current licence until one birthday following the current expiry date. Upon renewal, individuals will pay $80/$160 for a licence that is valid for two years.
Sept. 5, 2011 - Change to Exemptions Regulation
The Exemptions from the Act regulation of the PSISA has been amended to allow a narrow exemption for out-of-province bodyguards providing bodyguard services to those in the film and television industry, as long as the bodyguard holds a valid licence from another jurisdiction. This exemption is designed to help Ontario’s film and television industry maintain its international competitiveness as a choice destination for film and television productions and related events. This change to the Exemptions from the Act regulation is effective immediately.
July 28, 2011 – Proposed Change to Exemption Regulation
The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services is proposing to amend the Exemptions from the Act Regulation (Ontario Regulation 435/07) under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA).
The regulation identifies the circumstances where an individual working as a bodyguard in the recorded video and audio-visual production industry is exempt from the requirements of the PSISA.
Details of the proposed changes are available for comment from July 22 to September 1 online via the regulatory registry.
July 19, 2011 – Proposed Change to Term of Licences
The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services is proposing to amend the Term of Licences Regulation (Ontario Regulation 367/07) under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005.
The proposed changes are intended to make the private security licensing process more convenient and efficient for licensees.
Details of the proposed changes are available for comment from July 19th to Sept. 1st online via the regulatory registry.
June 15, 2011
In the event of a strike by Canada Post employees, the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch (PSISB) will continue to accept applications by fax, e-mail, drop-off at the branch office, or courier at your own expense. If you are sending an application with a photograph, please do not fax as the photograph will not be usable.
During the strike, we will not be able to send the plastic licence identification card to individuals by mail. All applications received and processed will be issued a paper licence by fax or e-mail.
If you wish to receive your plastic licence immediately, please include a prepaid courier envelope with your application. If you want to pick up your plastic license in person, you will need to contact PSISB to make this request.
All remaining plastic licences will be sent to licensees by regular mail once the strike is over.
PSISB will contact licensees by phone to a advise that a paper license has been issued and will be sent by e-mail or fax.
Please be advised that paper licences will only be issued during the postal strike. Once you receive the plastic license, you need to destroy the paper license.
Please ensure all required information has been submitted along with your application, including copies of identification signed by your guarantor. This is according to the new requirements recently implemented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Information about acceptable identification and guarantors
Please note that failure to satisfy these requirements will result in a delay in processing your application.
We strongly encourage applicants to apply by e-mail with scanned submissions as the quality of these documents are much better than those sent by fax.
Contact information for the Branch is as follows:
Licensing Unit
Private Security and Investigative Services Branch
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
777 Bay Street, 3rd Floor
Toronto ON M7A 2J6
Fax: 416-212-1603
E-mail: PrivateSecurity@ontario.ca, Please include your name and licence number in the subject line.
June 10 - Use of Paper Licences
During the Canada Post strike we are issuing paper licences with photos by fax or e-mail to minimize the disruption to applicants.
A paper licence should be used in the same way as the plastic licence card.
We will make arrangements to fax or e-mail your paper licence to you. Until you receive the plastic card, please continue to use the paper licence. After you receive your plastic licence please destroy your paper licence.
For more information, read our FAQs.
June 9, 2011 - New Photo Identification Card
On June 9, 2011, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) announced the implementation of a photo identification card for individuals who do not hold a driver’s licence.
The government-issued card will be considered valid identification for individuals applying for a security guard or private investigator licence.
Further information on MTO’s photo identification card can be found on their website at: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/photo-card.shtml
Special Notice – May 26, 2011
Requirement for Licensed Individuals to Carry Their Licenses
The Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA) requires that a private investigator or a security guard to hold the appropriate license under the Act. An individual who presents themselves as a security guard or private investigator and does not have the appropriate license is in violation of the PSISA and may be subject to charges.
The status of an individual’s license can be checked at https://secure.psisbtesting.ca. This list is updated daily. Only individuals appearing on this list are considered to be licensed under PSISA.
The PSISA requires private investigators or security guards to carry their license and, upon request, identify themselves by showing the license card that has been issued to them. An individual who fails to produce his or her license upon request is in violation of the PSISA and may be subject to charges.
May 26, 2011
The Private Security and Investigative Services Branch (PSISB) is currently experiencing a higher than usual volume of applications and inquiries from the public. While we are taking steps to meet these demands, you may find a delay in service.
Please ensure your application is filled in completely and accurately. Applications that are incomplete will be returned. You may want to have a friend, family member or employer read over your application to make sure it is filled in clearly.
If you would like to know about a person’s licensing status, you can check this online at: https://secure.psisbtesting.ca/.
Please note that an individual’s Licence Number is the same as their Training Completion Number.
For any other inquiries you may call the PSISB’s customer service line at 416-212-1650 or toll-free at 1-866-767-7454.
You may also contact the PSISB by email - for questions about:
• applying on-line; application status; confirmation of licence status; training completion; payment information; or supporting documentation, please e-mail: PrivateSecurity@ontario.ca
• program delivery; application of the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005; compliance; or public complaints, please e-mail: PSIS.PrivateSecurity@ontario.ca
• training and testing requirements under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005, including Consent and Release and Training Entity form submissions, please e-mail: PSISB.TrainingAndTesting@ontario.ca
March 24, 2011
Security Guard and Private Investigator Test Preparation Guides
A Security Guard Test Preparation Guide and a Private Investigator Test Preparation Guide are now available.
These new materials have been developed, in response to requests from the industry, to help candidates to prepare for the licensing tests. The Subject Matter Expert Working Group worked with the ministry to provide these study guides as a complement to the curricula for the security guard and private investigator training.
These guides are available only in electronic form.
Test Preparation Guides – Frequently Asked Questions
March 2, 2011
New Guarantor Requirements for Licence Applicants – effective March 21, 2011
New Guarantor Requirements - Frequently Asked Questions
Nov. 10, 2010
Training and Testing Working Group
Anyone seeking a licence as a private security guard and/or private investigator has been subject to mandatory training and testing requirements under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 as of April 15, 2010.
Since then, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services has been monitoring the effectiveness of the basic training and testing program, and has recently set up a working group with participants from the Ontario private security industry. The overall objective of the working group is to ensure the basic training and testing program supports the government’s commitment to professionalize the industry and to protect public safety. The key areas of focus for this group are:
- To review, and if necessary update, the ministry’s training and testing program to ensure the testing component is appropriate and relevant for the industry.
- To provide a ministry-endorsed test preparation document to complement the curricula for security guard and private investigator training.
As well as participants from the private security industry, the working group also includes the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The group has been put together to ensure a province-wide perspective that includes representatives from the security guard, private investigation and loss prevention disciplines.
The ministry expects to report on the findings of the working group early in 2011.
August 9, 2010
PSISA Compliance Inspection Pilot Program
Beginning August 9, 2010, the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch will launch its one-year Compliance Inspection pilot program.
The focus of the inspections will be on licensed businesses within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The ministry has decided to focus on the GTA as it features the highest concentration of licensed security and private investigation agencies and is most reflective of the industry’s diversity. The pilot program allows PSISB to accurately determine how agencies and individuals are complying with the provisions of the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA) as well as gather information to inform any possible expansion.
Compliance Inspectors representing the ministry will work with individual licensees as well as licensed businesses to increase understanding of the Act and its regulations. The pilot program will be for a period of one year.
As part of this program, compliance inspectors will be contacting selected licensed businesses in the GTA to schedule an inspection.
The compliance inspection is not an investigation. The intent of the inspection is to ensure that the industry is fully aware of the PSISA and its regulations and know what needs to be done in order to achieve compliance. While the purpose of an inspection is not to gather evidence for the purpose of laying a charge, evidence of an offence discovered during an inspection may lead to an investigation.
The ministry looks forward to the continued support and cooperation of the industry in ensuring the success of the Compliance Inspection program.
June 14, 2010
Amendments to Regulations under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005
The Private Security and Investigative Services Branch (PSISB) is experiencing unexpected and unique challenges, including an increased volume of licence applications prompted by the upcoming G8 and G20 Summits. To help ensure that those licences that expire during the period leading up to the Summits are renewed despite this higher than normal volume, the Ministry has taken the following action.
The PSISB has made recent amendments to Regulations under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA). The affected Regulations are the Term of Licences Regulation, the Registration Requirements for Business Entities Regulation and the Training and Testing Regulation.
These amendments ensure that existing licences with expiry dates from June 14, 2010 to June 30, 2010 may receive a 30 day extension, in the event that the Branch has not been able to process the application prior to the licence’s expiry. This provision applies only to those applications received by the Branch prior to their licence expiry date and which the Branch has not been able to process. This provision applies to individuals, licensed agencies and registered business.
For example, if the Branch receives an application on June 15, 2010 for a licence that expires on June 29, 2010 and the Branch is unable to process the application before June 29, 2010, the licence is automatically extended to July 29, 2010.
Individuals affected by this process will receive their plastic licence with the extended July expiry date. The expiry date will not revert back to the original June date.
The amendments also ensure that affected licensees will not have to take and pass the mandatory test until they renew their licence in 2011.
The Branch will continue its efforts to ensure that all applications are processed as quickly as possible, however these amendments will ensure that licensees with imminent expiry dates are able to continue to provide security services at this critical time.
Finally, these amendments only relate to licences with an expiry from June 14 to June 30, 2010. They do not allow for a 30 day extension to be applied to licences with expiry outside of these dates. We strongly encourage licensees to submit their application at least 30 days prior to their licence expiry date to ensure that the Branch has adequate time to process their renewal.
June 4, 2010
Important Notice Re: Licence Renewals
The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services’ new basic Training and Testing Regulation is now in force.
In order to ensure that security guards and private investigators possess a basic level of skill, the test is mandatory for all existing licensees and new applicants.
If your licence expires before July 16, 2010 you may renew your licence once without having to pass the ministry test. You will need to pass the test before your licence expires the following year. If you do not renew your licence before it expires you will be treated as a new applicant, and as such you will be required to successfully complete the basic training and testing requirements before being eligible to apply for a licence.
If your licence expires on or after July 16, 2010 you must successfully complete the ministry test before being eligible to apply for a licence renewal. If you do not complete the test and renew your licence before the expiry date you will be treated as a new applicant, and as such you will be required to successfully complete the basic training and testing requirements before being eligible to apply for a licence.
We strongly encourage you to complete your test as soon as possible and submit your licence renewal application at least 30 days in advance of your expiry date. As the licensee, it is your responsibility to ensure that the application is submitted well in-advance of the expiry, the form is filled out correctly and in full, and the appropriate supporting materials are included. Applications that are incorrect or incomplete may result in processing delays or returned applications.
For further information regarding licence renewals, application processes, or training and testing requirements, please contact the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch as follows:
The Private Security and Investigative Services Branch
777 Bay Street, 3rd floor
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2J6
Telephone (Toronto area): 416-212-1650
Toll free: 1-866-767-7454
Fax: 416-326-0034
Email: PSIS.PrivateSecurity@ontario.ca
April 15, 2010
- Instructor-led Web-based Learning & Provision of Ministry Test Results
- Update: Training And Testing Regulation
March 31, 2010
Test Delivery Services
Booking a Security Guard and/or Private Investigator Test with Serco
Please note that the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch does not book security guard and private investigator tests.
Serco DES Inc. is the ministry’s test delivery vendor. They provide test hosting and exam oversight services. To book a security guard and/or private investigator test(s), you must contact Serco directly at www.ontariosecuritytesting.ca/.
Feb. 25, 2010
As of April 15, 2010, the new basic Training and Testing Regulation takes effect. This regulation helps strengthen the professional requirements for security guards and private investigators and enhance public safety.
For more information on the basic Training and Testing Regulation, please see our backgrounder and memo or visit the Frequently Asked Questions in the Training and Testing section.
Feb. 10, 2010
Serco DES Inc. Awarded Examination Hosting and Invigilation Services
The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services is committed to professionalizing the private security industry and increasing public safety by ensuring that practitioners are fully qualified to provide security guard and private investigator services.
As part of this effort, the ministry has selected Serco DES Inc as the successful bidder to provide examination hosting and invigilation services for candidates seeking licenses to work as security guards or private investigators. This follows a thorough evaluation of proposals submitted in response to the ministry’s call for bids.
Serco, a global player in the provision of public sector services, is also under contract to the Ministry of Transportation to operate the DriveTest program in Ontario through 55 driver examination centers across the province.
Serco offers convenient locations, including 20 remote Northern Ontario communities, with the ability to support the testing of security guards and private investigators.
Applicants for licenses as security guards and private investigators will soon be required to undergo mandatory training and pass a test. A new regulation, outlining the training and testing requirements for licensing will be published prior to the effective date. Details of the mandatory Basic Training and Testing program for security guards and private investigators will be announced in the near future.
The ministry will continue to provide the private security industry and all other interested parties with advance notice of new regulations and requirements.
