In British Columbia, every single security guard must complete the Basic Security Training (BST) course. Security Professionals working in the province of British Columbia are required to complete mandatory training prior to being eligible for provincial licensing. You must also be 19 years of age before you can apply for your Basic Security Training License. The Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) develops and offers the Basic Security Training course and is mandated to administer all approved security schools in British Columbia as well as maintain course training standards. Security Programs Division will exempt applicants from the BST requirement if they have specific previous training. For more information see the Security Training Programs section of the JIBC website.

Approved Security Training Schools

Approved Security Training Schools are required to follow the training standards for the security industry as outlined in the Security Services Act. Mandatory BST training is 40 hours in length, and focuses on the following content:

• Professionalism & Ethics
• Legal Studies
• Report Writing
• Personal Safety

English Fluency

Some security guards are expected to be sufficiently fluent in the English language to converse with the public while carrying out their duties. in British Columbia, Canadian Language Benchmark level five is the language level required to meet fluency standards. To have an idea what English language skills are required to meet the level five benchmark standard, download the Canadian Language Benchmarks level five overview document from this website.

Firearms

You must possess a current Authority to Carry a Prohibited Firearm Certificate (ATC) issued under the Firearms Act (Canada) to be licensed as a armoured car guard security worker. For information on the ATC, see the Canadian Firearms Centre website.

Dogs

Security businesses and security guards using dogs while providing security services must have authorization to do so from the Registrar, Security Services. The licensed security worker (dog handler) and dog must first complete validations through the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC), then request authorization from the Registrar using the current licensing process (apply for new, renew, or update a licence). The Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) is the approved program that tests and provides the validation certificate. For more information see the Security Programs Training section of the JIBC website.

Restraints

In order for the Registrar to consider granting you the authority to use restraints (handcuffs) while providing security services, you must have a current “Advanced Security Training Certificate”. The Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) develops and offers the Advanced Security Training course. For more information see the Security Programs Training section of the JIBC website.

Out of Province Training or Experience

If you believe you have acquired the equivalent training and/or experience required for being a security guard, from outside B.C., you will need to prove that you have the required skills by demonstrating your skills or taking a challenge exam. If you do not have a Basic or Advanced Security Training Certificate, you will have to get it.

Police and Peace Officer Status

You may not hold a security worker licence in B.C. if you are a member of a police force as defined in the B.C. Police Act. You may be considered for a security worker licence if you are:

• a volunteer auxiliary or reserve constable
• a sheriff
• a corrections officer
• a court-appointed bailiff
• a special provincial constable or special municipal constable (as defined in the B.C. Police Act)