Rules for licensed security workers

Learn about the rules for licensed security workers and what happens if you break them.

On this page

• Rules and enforcement
• Allowed work
• Business
• Equipment
• Force
• Licence
• Reporting

Rules and enforcement

As a licensed security worker, you must follow:

• Security laws, including the code of conduct for security workers
• Licence conditions

The provincial government enforces the rules through:

• Inspections
• Complaints
• Investigations

Learn what happens if you break the rules

Allowed work

Your licence shows what kind of security work you're allowed to do. This includes:

• The security profession you can work in
• Whether you can use dogs or restraints

You can't do any work that isn't on your licence.

Apply to change the type of security work you can do

Business

You can't operate a security business unless you have a security business licence.

Equipment

While doing security work, you can't:

• Carry a badge
• Wear over-the-shoulder equipment belts linked to waist belts (known as Sam Browne belts)
• Carry or use items designed to injure or control people

For example, you can't carry or use:

• Tasers
• Pepper spray
• Batons

Force

If you use force, you must keep a record of it. Complete SPD Form 0513: Use of Force Incident Report (PDF, 61 KB). If you work for a security business, give the completed form to your manager.

Force is an action a security worker does to someone to get them to comply. This might include:

• Blocking someone’s access to or from a location
• Actively moving or restraining a person
• Using handcuffs
• Using a weapon

Licence

Carrying your licence

You must carry your licence when you do security work. Replace your licence immediately if it gets lost or stolen.

It's against the rules to work with an expired licence. Make sure you renew your licence before it expires.

Showing and giving your licence

When doing security work, you must show your licence to anyone who asks to see it (unless you're working as an armoured car guard or door security at a liquor establishment).

Only give your licence to:

• Special Provincial Constables under the authority of the Registrar of the Security Services Act
• Police officers

Don't give your licence to anyone else.

Reporting

Security workers must report:

• Charges 
• Convictions
• Address changes
• Legal name changes
• Becoming a peace officer

You may continue to do security work unless Security Programs Division (SPD) tells you to stop.

Report changes, charges or convictions