Rules for licensed security businesses

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

On this page

• Laws, policies and enforcement
• Allowed work
• Business operations
• Equipment
• Licence
• Personnel
• Record keeping
• Reporting

Laws, policies, and enforcement

As a licensed security business, you must follow:

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

The provincial government enforces these through:

• Inspections
• Complaints
• Investigations

What happens if you violate the laws and policies.

Allowed work

Your licence shows what type of security services your business is allowed to provide. This includes whether the business has authorization to use dogs or restraints.

You cannot do any work that is not outlined on your licence. Your employees also cannot do any security work, unless they have a valid security worker licence that lets them.

Apply to change the type of security services your business can provide

Business operations

Advertising

Advertising and logos cannot:

• Depict violence against people or property
• Imply that your business is associated with a police force
• Promote hatred or intolerance of a person or class of people

Branch offices

You branch offices must:

• Operate under the same business name as your security business licence
• Have a manager who is at least 19 years old who is responsible for supervising your licensed security workers
• Remain under direct control of the main security business (for payroll, administration, policy and procedures)
• Be covered by the general liability insurance policy

You must report when branches close or new ones open.

Business managers

You cannot give your security workers:

• Over-the-shoulder equipment belts linked to waist belts (known as Sam Browne belts)
• Items designed to injure or control people or animals (such as batons, tasers or pepper spray)

Uniforms

You cannot issue badges to security workers.

Uniforms cannot look like police uniforms. Some security worker licences have rules about uniforms. For example:

• Armoured car guards must wear uniforms
• Private investigators cannot wear uniforms

Vehicles

You must follow regulations for vehicles.

Licence

Posting your licence

Your security business and branch offices must have your valid licence posted at all times in a place people can easily see it.

Replace your licence immediately if it gets lost or stolen.

Working with an expired licence is not permitted. Make sure you renew your licence before it expires.

Surrendering your licence

If your licence is cancelled, suspended, expired, or refused, you must immediately surrender your licence and all copies to the Registrar, or to Special Provincial Constables or police officers following the direction of the Registrar.

DO NOT give your licence to anyone else.

Personnel

Controlling members

A controlling member is any person who can direct the activity of your business. Controlling members must follow the code of conduct.

They must also report:

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

Employees under supervision

Some security workers have an "under supervision" licence. This licence allows the worker gain on-the-job training and experience.

If you have workers under supervision, you must:

• Make sure they are supervised by someone who is fully licensed with the same type of security worker licence
• Develop written training plans for the worker to follow
• Have regular progress reviews with the worker
• Tell clients the security worker isn't fully licensed

Record keeping

Security businesses must maintain records and provide them to inspectors upon request.

Business records

You must keep your business records for at least 2 calendar years. 

Employee records 

You must keep records about licensed security workers for at least 2 calendar years. 

The records must include:

• Names 
• Dates of birth 
• Residential addresses 
• Security worker licence numbers 
• Payroll records 
• Dates and hours of work 
• The type of security work employees performed on their shifts 

Force

If a security worker uses force, they must record it, and you must keep that record as a part of your business records. Ask the worker to complete SPD Form 0513: Use of Force Incident Report (PDF, 61 KB), or a document that captures similar information.

Force is an action taken by a security worker towards someone to make someone comply with their directions, or to control their actions. This might include:

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

Restricted key log - Locksmiths

If you are a Locksmith business, you must keep a Restricted Key Log (PDF, 19KB) for restricted keys.

This includes:

• Key cards
• Other lock operating devices

If someone requests a duplicate key, record their following information:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number

Including:

• The date the duplicate was requested
• The name, address and phone number of the key's owner
• The reason the key needs to be copied

Reporting

You are required to report certain incidents and changes to your personal or business information.

Charges and convictions

You must report any charges or convictions against you, and your licensed security workers must report theirs as well.

Unless Security Programs Division (SPD) says otherwise:

• Your business may keep operating
• Your security workers may keep working

Business details

Within 14 days, you must report changes to:

• Your business address
• Business name
• "Doing business as" name
• Names of controlling members
• Business partnership or incorporation
• Branch office locations or addresses
• Ownership or management of the business