Anyone who works as a security guard or private investigator in Ontario requires a valid security license. You may complete a security training course in person, but can you get a security license online?
It’s common to apply for your license by mail, but the fastest way to get your license is to apply online.
What do you need before you apply?
Before applying for a security license, you need to prove your eligibility. Besides being 18 years and older, you must also be legally entitled to work in Canada.
The requirements also stipulate that you have a clean criminal record and must have completed the mandatory basic training course and passed the test for security guard training. Once completed and passed, the mandatory test number is required for the license application.
What must you submit with your application?
Submit the following documents with your application for your license:
- Your testing completion number
- Security guards and private investigators with an existing license from another province must provide a copy of both sides of their license.
- All applications need a passport-quality photo, and photos are only valid for 6 years. If the photo on file has expired, you need to submit a new one. Photos cannot be a selfie, a photo altered in any way, or a photo from identification documents or passports. The photo must be clear and sharp, have uniform lighting, with the applicant facing the camera with a neutral facial expression.
- You require two identification documents – one that proves your identity and one that proves your eligibility to work in Canada. The documents you choose must have your full legal name, date of birth, and photo, proving your identity. Your Canadian Birth Certificate or Certificate of Canadian Citizenship are the most usual documents presented for work eligibility, but others include Permanent Resident Card, Naturalization Certificate, valid work permit, Certificate of Indian Status, etc.
- Documents that are not accepted include your health card, social Insurance number (SIN) card, firearms license, etc.
- Find a guarantor who has known you for at least two years who will fill the Guarantor Information Form and sign it. A guarantor must be at least 18 years of age, and accessible by phone. If he hasn’t known you for at least 2 years, he should be able to confirm your basic personal information.
- Submit the appropriate information for your license type.
Register for an Online Training Course
The online security license course is a 33.5 hour training. This course will contain all of the material taught in an in-person training session, but can be completed in the comfort of your own home. Registering for the online security license course is easy.
How to get an online license?
An online application is always faster. Read these eligibility and application requirements to ensure you submit the papers correctly for your online application. Expect it to take up to 10 business days for processing and approval.
On approval, your new license card is sent by mail, and you should receive it within eight weeks. Your license is also available to download a digital copy and to print.
For your online license you need:
- Get secure access with a ServiceOntario ONe-key ID account
- A scanned photo (if required) that meets the requirements
- The two different valid government-issued identification documents (IDs) that haven’t expired must be scanned clearly front and back.
- The Guarantor Information Form (026-0178), signed and dated by your guarantor
- The payment according to your license type
Note: If you are renewing your existing license, you can renew up to 90 calendar days before it expires.
Conclusion
Every security guard or private investigator license expires on the date that is linked to the date of birth of the applicant. The first time it is issued, the license expires two birthdays after the day it is issued. For example: if the applicant’s birthday is December 15th and the license was issued on October 1st, 2020, then the license will expire on December 15th, 2021.
Thereafter, when the license is renewed, the renewal date will always be two years in the future and linked to your date of birth.
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