Qualifying for a Security Industry Business Licence

General Business Information

Your application for a security business licence must:

  • Show whether your company is registered, non-registered, a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation
  • State its legal business name and trade name (i.e.: “doing business as”) address, telephone number, email address
  • Include copies of registration documents (if applicable)

Identify a Business Manager

To qualify for a security business licence, your business must identify a manager. Your manager must be at least 19 and ordinarily resident in Canada. A manager’s responsibilities include:

  • Applying for the security business licence
  • Ensuring the licence remains valid at all times
  • Supervising licensed security workers

Employing a Security Worker with the Correct Licence Category

Your business must identify an employee who holds a valid security worker licence of the same category that your business is applying for.

There is one exception to this rule. If you are applying for a Private Investigator business licence your manager must hold a valid Private Investigator’s licence, as the manager is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the business’s security workers.

Insurance

Your business must have general liability insurance of not less than $1 million and you must provide proof of insurance when you apply for or renew a new business licence. The insurance must cover each of your offices.
The insurance document must also include:

  • The business name
  • The business locations
  • The expiry date of the insurance

Armoured Car Documentation

If you are applying for an Armoured Car Guard security business licence, you must provide the Registrar with:

  • Proof you own, lease or rent an approved armoured car
  • Proof you have liability insurance
  • A copy of a safety certificate issued under section 37.04 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations (See also s. 4(3)(e) of the Security Services Regulation).

Branch Offices

If the business has branch offices, the Registrar must be provided with the addresses, branch manager names and phone numbers for each office listed. When the head business office is issued its security licence, it will receive a copy of the licence for each listed branch office. Under the Security Services Act, it is mandatory that the security business and its branch offices have the licence posted at all times while operating.

Controlling Members of a Business

See Controlling Member of a Security Business.