Introduction
The Alberta Security Services and Investigators Act requires any person in Alberta who works in any of the security service positions listed below to have an Alberta security license.
To apply for a security license in Alberta, an individual must complete an Alberta security guard training program (ABST) and successfully pass a provincial exam.
This course specifically designed to provide participants with knowledge and skills in their roles and responsibilities as security professionals. Alberta Guard Training offers the Alberta Security Guard Training (ABST) course.
Individuals who obtain an Alberta security license after taking this course may be employed in one of the following positions:
- Security Services (static or mobile)
- Loss Prevention Worker
- Executive Security (bodyguards)
- In-house Security
- Dog Patrol Services
- Alarm Responders (those who physically respond; not monitoring a screen)
Our Guide
We’ve created this detailed 3 part guide on Alberta security guard license training to help you navigate through the requirements for this highly in-demand position. The demand for trained security professionals is on the rise across the country, with excellent growth in the field for Alberta.
This guide is organized into 3 parts as follows:
Ministerial Oversight
Under the Security Services and Investigators Act, individuals working in the security, investigation and locksmith services industry must be licensed. Working without an Alberta security license is an offence under the Act and may result in fines or court appearances.
The Security Programs Department is part of the Law Enforcement and Oversight Branch of the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General. It administers the Security Services and Investigators Act, Peace Officer Act, Body Armour Control Act, and First Nations Policing and Law Enforcement Professional Standards for the Province of Alberta.
Under the Security Services and Investigators Act the Security Programs department is responsible for oversight, licensing and compliance for the security guard, investigator and locksmith services industries in Alberta.
The Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General defines security personnel as “any person or organization that provides or supervises any person undertaking to:
- * Monitor, patrol, guard or provide security for another person or the property or premises of another person or organization
- * Investigate loss of or damage to property or premises of another person or organization
- * Conduct searches of persons, personal property or premises for the purpose of protection or loss prevention
- * Detain, control, discipline or warn anyone while accessing or on another person’s property or premises
- * Security Guards can also respond and monitor alarms installed on the property of another person.”
Applicants for an individual Alberta security license must meet basic licensing requirements and training qualifications before applying to receive a license. Individual licences are issued for 2-year terms and are subject to the terms and conditions of the Act, Regulations and Policy. Applicants should familiarize themselves with these documents and their rights and responsibilities under the legislation.
Individual Alberta security licenses are portable, meaning the licence remains with the individual when they change jobs and enables the individual licensee to work for more than one company if they choose to do so. Individual licensees, not their employers, are responsible for applying for, renewing and maintaining their licences.
Alberta Security Guard Licensing Requirements
- At least 18 years of age
- A Canadian citizen or legally entitled to work in Canada
- Competent and of good character
- No serious criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted
- No outstanding criminal charges
- Not the subject of a criminal investigation
- Fluent in speaking English.
- The standard for fluency is the ability to communicate effectively with the public and members of the emergency response system during emergency situations.
- This is a level 5 benchmark according to the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks
- Successful completion of security license training requirements (see Training below for more information) for the class(es) of licence being sought
- Successful completion of baton training if seeking authority to carry a baton
- In addition to providing proof of qualifications, applicants will be required to swear an affidavit on the application form attesting to their qualifications. Swearing a false affidavit will result in suspension or cancellation of a licence.
Every applicant must undergo a police information and criminal record check at the time of application and every 2 years at the time of licence renewal.
Checks are performed by the police services in the community where an applicant resides. Contact the police service for hours of operation and fees.
Applicants should report to the police service closest to where they reside, and bring 2 pieces of government-issued ID (at least one must be photo ID) and a colour passport-size photo (no more than 3 months old).
Request an Employment Police Information Check and provide the photo for the signature of a police service representative.
Individuals with police information check findings will be required to undergo further checks by the police service.
All security service workers must meet a specific English fluency standard. This is the level 5 benchmark according to the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks.
Ensure all forms are complete and supporting documents, photos and payment are attached when submitting an application. Incomplete applications will be returned, resulting in a delay in processing the application.
Fees
Individual Alberta security licenses are issued for a 2-year term. The cost is $100 per term.
Alberta Basic Security Guard Training Course (ABST)
Effective June 1, 2011, all applicants for a security workers licence in Alberta must successfully complete a mandatory training course or provide proof of equivalent security guard training in order to qualify for a licence. Existing Alberta security licensees and individuals renewing a license are not required to complete mandatory training at this time.
ABST Course Outline:
The 40-hour ABST online training course has been prepared by private security industry experts committed to the success of our students and is Alberta security programs accredited.
This Alberta security guard training online course is designed for the success of our students and to prepare them to successfully complete the provincial exam. When you have completed the course and successfully written the exam you can join the ranks of other security professionals and gain employment in specialized areas such as healthcare security or retail loss prevention.
This course is arranged into 7 areas of coverage:
1 – Introduction to the Security Industry
- Describe the various roles and responsibilities of security professionals
- Define and demonstrate professional conduct for security professionals
- Define and demonstrate professional appearance and deportment for security professionals
2 – Canadian Legal System
- Describe how the Criminal Code of Canada and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms relate to the work of a security professional
- Identify the legal authorities, rights, and limitations of an on-duty security professional
- Discuss and provide examples of a citizen’s power of arrest under the Criminal Code of Canada
- Discuss and provide examples of provisions for search and seizure in the performance of duties
- Discuss and provide examples of the legal powers of security professionals in situations involving landlords and tenants
- Discuss and provide examples of the legal powers of security professionals in situations of trespassing or vandalism
- Identify the types of offences in the Criminal Code of Canada and provide examples of each
- Discuss and provide examples of the legal powers of security professionals in the use of force
3 – Basic Security Patrol Procedures
- Explain and demonstrate the observation skills utilized by a security professional
- Explain and demonstrate the various techniques used to:
- Patrol
- Control access
- Conduct surveillance
- Respond to alarms
- Control crowds
- Manage labour disputes
- Respond to emergency scenes
- Describe the signs and behaviours associated with substance abuse
- Identify drug paraphernalia
- Describe the signs and behaviours associated with excited delirium
- Explain and demonstrate the various techniques used to control traffic in emergency and non-emergency situations
- Describe shift-related responsibilities, such as:
- Interpreting shift posting orders
- Starting a new shift
- Transferring responsibility at the end of a shift
- Explain best practices when working with a partner
- Explain and provide examples of an appropriate use of force response for a security professional
4 – Communication
- Describe effective verbal and non-verbal communication strategies for security professionals
- Identify and demonstrate methods of communication which are free from bias, discrimination, and harassment
- Identify strategies for effective verbal and non-verbal communication in situations where communication barriers exist
- Explain and demonstrate verbal and non-verbal communication skills when interacting with individuals who show signs of being uncooperative, violent, and impaired
- Identify and develop strategies to control your personal triggers in situations of conflict or anxiety
- Conduct an effective interview
5 – Documentation and Evidence
- Describe the importance and legal implications of maintaining an accurate and complete notebook
- Describe how to effectively take detailed notes during your shift
- Describe the importance and legal implications of maintaining an accurate and complete notebook
- Describe the correct use of a notebook
- Maintain an accurate and complete notebook
- Obtain and record an accurate and complete statement
- Prepare an accurate and complete statement
- Describe the elements of an accurate and complete report
- Prepare an accurate and complete report
- Preserve and protect evidence and a potential crime scene
- Prepare for the process of giving testimony in court
6 – Emergency Response Procedures
- Recall the different levels and types of access control
- Explain the importance of access control
- Identify emergency alarm calls and required follow-up response
- Identify required assistance upon responding to an emergency
- Identify required assistance upon responding to a fire emergency
- Describe precautions for maintaining the safety of self and others at the scene of a fire
- Identify required assistance upon responding to a fire emergency
- Describe precautions for maintaining the safety of self and others at the scene of a fire
- Describe precautions for maintaining the safety of self and others at the scene of a bomb threat
7 – Health and Safety
- Describe best practices for personal safety while on duty in the areas of communication, duties, and emergency response
- Identify potential hazards at security sites and venues
- Recall the basic principles of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
- Discuss strategies for dealing with the effects of shift work on health, personal fitness, sleep, and social life
*Disclaimer: Alberta Guard Training is a marketer of this course only.
Alberta security license cost
The cost to get an Alberta security guard license is as follows:
- $99 + GST for security guard online training course
- $60 + GST for the online exam
- $100 for the government license fee
- Additional costs may be incurred for the background check and required photos
License Portability
Alberta Security Guard Training accepted in British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan
The BC, MB, and SK governments have accepted the Alberta Security Guard Training online course provided by Alberta Guard Training as valid training and will be accepted to apply for your license in those provinces.
Please see the specific information below for your province.
British Columbia
The BC government will accept Alberta Security Guard Training only when accompanied with a valid security worker license from Alberta. The security license must also read “certified”. This means that you must apply for your Alberta License first in order to then apply for your BC license. Information on this piece of legislation can be found at the following link:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-services/security-industry-licensing
Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan government will accept a certificate for the training done online from Alberta Guard Training for the ABST course. As Alberta will issue licenses for anyone completing this online training Saskatchewan will be more than happy to follow their policy. Please see information regarding writing the mandatory provincial exam and the locations where this can be arranged.
Manitoba
The Manitoba Government recognizes the Alberta Security Guard Training online course as valid training. Once you have completed the course, successfully passed the provincial exam, and received your certificate you would just have to submit your certificate to be exempt from Manitoba’s mandatory training.