Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Training and Testing Program for Security Guards and Private Investigators

NOTE: As the Training and Testing regulation is currently under development, the information below may be subject to change.

The FAQs help explain the training and testing requirements under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA). They are only a guide. If you have a question that is not answered, please contact customer service at:

Private Security and Investigative Services Branch
777 Bay Street, 3rd floor
Toronto, Ontario M7A 2J6
Telephone: 416-212-1650 or 1-866-767-7454 (toll-free)
E-mail: PSISB.TrainingAndTesting@ontario.ca

General Questions
Testing
Basic Training
Specialized Training

TRAINING AND TESTING – GENERAL QUESTIONS

Why is the Ministry implementing a mandatory training and testing program for security guards and private investigators?

The PSISA came into force on August 23, 2007 to enhance public safety and to help professionalize the private security industry and increase public safety by ensuring that all practitioners have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to carry out their jobs. The Ministry has already implemented new requirements for licensing and equipment; new standards for uniforms and vehicles will become effective in August 23, 2009. Training and testing standards are the next step towards fulfilling the PSISA’s objectives. The PSISA lists the completion of prescribed training and testing as one of the mandatory licensing requirements.

When will the Training and Testing regulation come into force?

The regulation is currently under development, and an exact implementation date has not yet been established. However, the regulation is expected to come into force in the near future.

Who needs to comply with the Training and Testing regulation?

Compliance with the Training and Testing regulation is mandatory for all security guards and private investigators. However, individuals who are already licensed when the regulation comes into force can take the test without taking training. New licensees only need to complete basic training and pass the test once.

I have a criminal record. Can I still enrol in the training program and pass the test?

Applicants must meet the training and testing requirements before they can apply for a licence. Applicants should therefore review all licence eligibility requirements, and understand that a criminal record may preclude them from obtaining a licence, even if they have already completed training and testing.

I wish to be licensed as both a security guard and a private investigator (dual licence). What is required of me?

You must take both the security guard and private investigator training courses, and pass both tests. If you hold a dual licence at the time the regulation comes into force, you will need to take both tests but will not be required to take either training course.

TESTING

Where can I take the test?

The Ministry will designate a business who will host and proctor tests throughout the province. Individuals who live in rural areas or small municipalities may need to take the test in the nearest urban area. Candidates who are not already licensed can only register for the test after they have completed basic training.

What will the test consist of?

It is currently anticipated that the test will be comprised of 60 multiple-choice questions based on the training curricula and on a survey/job analysis conducted by the Ministry in consultation with industry experts. It will take candidates approximately 75 minutes to complete.

Will there be a test fee?

Yes. The test fee will be set after a business is selected to host and proctor exams. The Ministry will select the business that provides the best service at the lowest fee. Once they have passed the test, candidates will not have to write the test again or pay the test fee again.

The Ministry already charges a licence fee; what does that cover?

The $80 annual licence fee pays for the costs incurred by the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch (PSISB) in processing a licence application. The PSISB conducts a criminal record and background check on applicants, verifies their legal status to work in Canada, processes application fees, issues licences and performs various other recordkeeping activities. However, costs related to training and testing were not factored into the licence fee.

What happens if I fail the test?

Once the regulation is in force, existing licensees can renew their licence once, even if they have not yet passed the test. If they have not passed the test by the date of their next renewal, their licence will not be renewed and the licence will be considered expired.

If the individual wants to get their licence after expiry, they will be considered new applicants and will need to take the training first, and then pass the test.

New applicants cannot obtain a licence until they have completed training and passed the test.

Individuals may take the test as many times as necessary.

How will the Ministry know if a candidate has passed the test?

The test delivery vendor will mark the tests and provide the Ministry with the results for all candidates.

BASIC TRAINING

Where can I receive training?

The Ministry’s basic training can only be offered by:

• an agency licensed under the PSISA to sell security guard and/or private investigator services;

• a business entity registered under the PSISA that employs its own in-house security personnel (Note: registered business entities can train their own employees);

• a community college

• a private career college (PCC), as part of a program approved under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005

Will there be a training fee?

There may be a fee, but the Ministry will not be responsible for setting the fee. Agencies may choose to set a fee; it will be the applicant’s responsibility to understand/agree to it.

Registered businesses may or may not charge a fee, as they can only train their own employees.

Individuals enrolled in a college program that incorporates the Ministry’s curricula will pay for basic training as part of the overall tuition fees.

What will the training course consist of?

Trainers will be required to develop a course based on the Ministry’s curricula, which were made publicly available on May 30, 2008. You may view the curricula on the Ministry’s website at www.ontario.ca/private-security, under the “Training and Testing” section.

The security guard course must consist of no less than 40 in-class hours, and must include certification in Emergency Level First Aid. The private investigator course must consist of no less than 50 in-class hours.

Students will only be considered to have completed training if they attended the course in its entirety.

How will I know which companies provide training?

The Ministry will post a list on its website of all licensed agencies and colleges who can provide training to the public. Individuals should not seek training from a company that does not appear on this list.

Why can licensed agencies offer training to any member of the public, while registered business entities can only train their own employees?

Licensed agencies are in the business of selling security guard and/or private investigator services to the public. Many already provide training to their employees, and have begun incorporating the Ministry’s curricula into their training materials. The Ministry believes that licensed agencies possess the necessary expertise to offer training to the public.

Registered businesses do not primarily provide security guard and/or private investigator services. The Ministry encourages these businesses to have their employees trained by specialists. However, businesses who feel they have the capacity to train their own employees are permitted to do so.

I want to offer a training course that is at least 40 hours long but costs less than $1000. What can I do?

Courses that cost less than $1000 are not subject to the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 and are not regulated by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. As such, trainers who wish to offer such a course can only do so if they enter into a service agreement with licensed agencies or registered business entities.

Will there be a trainer registration process? What kind of action can the Ministry take against businesses that are in violation of sections 3 (1) and (2) of the Training and Testing regulation?

There will be no trainer registration process. Licensed agencies and registered businesses who do not provide training that conforms with the Ministry’s curricula may lose their permission to deliver training, and may be found guilty of an offence under the PSISA.

Businesses that are not listed as entities permitted to deliver training under the regulation may also be found guilty of an offence.

Any business found guilty of an offence under the PSISA may be subject to a fine of up to $250,000.

Community colleges and PCCs are not subject to the PSISA, but are regulated by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

How will the Ministry know if a student has completed training?

Trainers will electronically provide the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch with a list of all students who have completed the course.

SPECIALIZED TRAINING

Will the Ministry implement specialized training requirements for security guards and private investigators?

Yes. A specialized (use of force) training program is under development, and is expected to come into force after the basic training and testing program.

Specialized training will be required for licensees who use defensive equipment such as batons or handcuffs. Unlike the basic training and testing program, the specialized training program will include re-certification requirements for licensees. More details will be posted on the Ministry’s website as they become available.