Rules for licensed security businesses

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

On this page

• Rules and enforcement
• Allowed work
• Business operations
• Equipment
• Licence
• Personnel
• Record keeping
• Reporting

Rules 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 the rules through:

• Inspections
• Complaints
• Investigations

Learn what happens if you break the rules

Allowed work

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

You can't do any work that isn't on your licence. Your employees also can't do any security work unless they have a security worker licence that lets them.

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

Business operations

Advertising

Advertising and logos can't:

• 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 and 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 can't 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 can't issue badges to security workers.

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

• Armoured car guards must wear uniforms
• Private investigators can't wear uniforms

Vehicles

You must follow regulations for vehicles.

Licence

Posting your licence

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

Giving your licence

If asked, you must give your licence and all copies 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.

Personnel

Controlling members

Controlling members must follow the code of conduct.

They must also report:

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

To report changes:

1. Complete Form SPD0518: Controlling Member Reporting an Update (PDF, 221KB)
2. Submit the form to Security Programs Division

Employees under supervision

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

If you have workers under supervision, you must:

• Make sure they're supervised by someone who's 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

You must keep records and show them to inspectors when asked.

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 keep a record of it. Ask the worker to complete SPD Form 0513: Use of Force Incident Report (PDF, 61 KB).

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

Restricted key log

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:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number

Also include:

• 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 must report some events and changes to your personal or business information.

Charges and convictions

You must report charges or convictions against you and your licensed security workers.

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