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Application and Licence Management Process

Publication date: May 26, 2025

Individuals who want to advertise for or operate a security business in B.C. are required to have a security business licence.

Learn what you may need to complete your application.

Eligibility

Insurance requirements

Your business must have an active insurance policy at the time you apply for or renew a security business licence, and throughout the term of your licence.

The insurance must:

  • Be general liability
  • Have at least $1 million in coverage
  • Cover all your branch offices
  • Show the name of the business and the dates of coverage

Manager Eligibility

The business must have at least one manager. The manager must ordinarily reside in Canada and be 19 years of age or older.

If you are applying for a Private Investigator security business licence, the manager must have a Private Investigator's security worker licence.

Employee Requirements

The business must have at least one employee with a valid security worker licence. Their licence must be in the same category as your business application.

Controlling Member Eligibility

Controlling members cannot be a member of a police force (defined by the B.C. Police Act).

Controlling members may be eligible if they are a peace officer or a retired police officer.

What you will need

Security worker licence numbers of: 

  • Employees who have a valid licence in the same category as your business licence
  • Controlling members (if applicable)

If the business is registered with the BC Business Registry

Proof of registration

Application Fees

Application fees by licence term

License term

Application fee

1 Year

$500

2 Years

$775

3 Years

$1050

Note, the renewal and change to licence fees differ from above. Please login to Security Services Platform for more information.

Payment Options

  • Credit card (recommended)
  • Certified cheque or money order payable to the Minister of Finance

Apply

Security Businesses require an active Business BCeID profile. Business BCeID provides secure access to online government services, including the Security Services platform. Authenticating your security business is the only way to access the online service.

LOGIN

Need a Business BCeID?

A Business BCeID is free to create. It will take about 15 minutes to complete the registration. Processing times vary in the completion of your Business BCeID account before it’s ready for use. But first, check if your business already has one.

Visit Business BCeID

Already have a Business BCeID?

If your business is already using Business BCeID, you should confirm that your account is active. You may need to update your Business BCeID account and confirm that Controlling Member information is up to date.

BCeID passwords expire two (2) years from the time they were created or last changed.

Log-in to your Business BCeID account to check if your business information is up to date.

Need help with BCeID?

If you have questions or need help with registering for a Business BCeID, contact the Service BC Help Desk.

Logging in for the first time

The Security Services Platform allows up to eight individuals to be authorized to manage the security business account online. These individuals are referred to as portal administrators within the system. Of the eight, up to two can be designated as primary portal administrators. 

All portal administrators must be added to your Business BCeID account before they can be added to the online platform to have their own login credentials. The first person to log into the security business online platform and starts an application will become a primary portal administrator. The primary portal administrator can log in and initiate invites to other portal administrators and can continue to manage users directly in the system.

Create BCeID user accounts

All your business’s portal administrators require individual BCeID user accounts to log in to the online platform.

  1. Search the BCeID business directory to find your business
  2. Reach out to the appropriate business manager, as listed in the directory, to request the creation of a BCeID user account
  3. Designate primary portal administrators as Profile or Account Managers

For more assistance on setting up your BCeID user accounts, refer to pg. 18-21 of the Business BCeID Profile and Account Management Guide (PDF).

If you are unable to obtain a Business BCeID, please contact our office during regular business hours for assistance.

Renewing, Updating, and Replacing your Security Business Licence

If you have a valid or expired B.C. security business licence and are looking to renew your licence, please visit the Security Services Platform and select new if it is expired, or renewal if it is not expired.

If your licence requires any of the updates listed below, please visit Security Services Platform and select update:

  • Business name change, address, or contact information
  • Opening or closing branches
  • Adding or removing licence-holder employees, managers, or controlling members
  • Changing the type of security services your business provides
  • Reporting charges or convictions for controlling members

If there has been a change in ownership of your Security Business, please contact our office during regular business hours.

If your security business licence is lost or stolen, please visit Security Services Platform and select replacement.

Submit fingerprints

Managers and controlling members without a security worker licence must complete a criminal record check. Part of the criminal record check includes the requirement to submit fingerprints.

Ask managers and controlling members to:

  1. Download form: Request for Fingerprinting under the Security Services Act
  2. Complete the first page
  3. Provide the entire form to a police station or fingerprinting agency. They will explain what to do next

Non-Canadian controlling members must provide two pieces of government identification. At least one must be photo identification.

Peace officers: Get a letter from your supervisor

Follow the guidelines in section 2.5.4 of the Security Licensing Process and Licence Conditions Policies if the manager or controlling member is a peace officer.

After you apply

The program will review your application and complete a criminal record check for your controlling members who do not hold a security worker licence. If more information is required, they will contact you by email.

Rules for licensed security businesses

Learn the laws and policies for licensed security businesses and what happens if you violate them.

Contact information

The Security Programs Division licenses and regulates the security industry. If you need to contact us, please see our contact page: Contact Security Programs Division