Backgrounder - Training & Testing

The Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA), was proclaimed on August 23, 2007, and is now law. This is the first significant legislative change governing the private security industry since 1966. The purpose of this Act is to strengthen the professional requirements for security guards and private investigators and to enhance public safety.

Beginning April 15, 2010, the new Training and Testing Regulation will be in effect. It is a critical component to the enhancement of the PSISA as it will ensure that security guards and private investigators possess the basic knowledge and skills to perform their duties. All new applicants will be required to have successfully completed basic training and passed the ministry test prior to applying for a security guard and/or private investigator licence.

Existing licensees whose licences expire between April 15, 2010 and July 15, 2010 can apply for a renewal without having to successfully complete the ministry test. However, these individuals will be required to pass the test by their next renewal date. If an existing licensee’s renewal date falls on or after July 16, 2010, they must pass the ministry test before submitting their renewal application. Existing licensees are not required to take the basic training course.

The new Training and Testing Regulation confirms that the mandatory basic training course can only be provided by the following:

• A public university;
• A college established under the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002;
• A private career college registered under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 as part of a program approved under that Act;
• A licensed security guard and/or private investigator agency under the PSISA; or
• A registered business under the PSISA that employs the applicant or that has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant.

Licensed and registered businesses that wish to deliver a course based on the ministry’s basic training curricula must register as trainers with the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch. Further details on how to register will be provided in the near future.

The test fee is $60. Please be advised that each time a candidate attempts the ministry test, they will be required to pay the full test fee. Candidates are only required to pass the test once.

For more information, contact:

The Private Security and Investigative Services Branch 777 Bay Street, 3rd Floor Toronto Ontario M5G 2C8

Telephone (Toronto area): 416-212-1650 toll free: 1-866-767-7454 fax: 416-326-0034
www.ontario.ca/private-security

To view the act and/or its regulations in their entirety, please visit:
www.e-laws.gov.on.ca.