How to Apply for your Alberta Security Guard Licence
For security guards and private investigators
If you intend to work as a security guard in the province of Alberta, follow these steps to apply for your Security Services licence. If you intend to work as a private investigator in the province of Alberta, follow these same steps to apply for your Security Services licence as a private investigator.
Applying for your Alberta Security Services licence can seem daunting, so we have simplified it in an easy-to-understand procedure. Follow this guide if you have never applied for your licence before, or if your licence is more than 90 days expired.
If you need to renew your security licence, please follow these instructions.
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If you have a security Licence from a different Province please follow these instructions.
STEP 1: Check to make sure you meet these basic requirements
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Must be at least 18 years of age
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Fluent in speaking English. (Level 5 benchmark)
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A Canadian citizen or legally entitled to work in Canada
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No serious criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted
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No outstanding criminal charges
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Not the subject of a criminal investigation
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Complete approved/accredited Alberta Basic Security Training course
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Successfully pass the government final exam with a score of 80% or higher​
STEP 2: Gather the following information together
1. Fill out and sign the Individual Licence Application section of the Application Form either digitally, then print it, OR print it and fill it out by hand.
Note: If you are getting an error message when you click the link to open the form "Please wait... If this message is not eventually replaced by the proper contents of the document, your PDF viewer may not be able to display this type of document", your browser is trying to open the downloaded file. Please make sure you are opening the document in Adobe Acrobat NOT your browser. You may have to go into your "Downloads" folder to find the file, right click and choose Open With > Adobe Acrobat.
2. Proof of Identification
a. If born in Canada, a copy of either:
i. Birth certificate​
ii. Valid Canadian passport
iii. Native Status Card
b. If born outside of Canada, a copy of either:
i. Citizenship document
ii. Valid work permit
iii. Permanent resident card
iv. Valid Canadian passport
Note: Non-Canadian identification documents will NOT be accepted. If you are mailing in your application, provide photocopies of the front and back of your documents.
3. 1 current colour passport photo (2 3/4" x 2")​ or (50 mm wide by 70 mm high)
Note: You can get one done at many places, such as London Drugs or Costco.
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4. Original Police Information Check documents including:
a. CIPC / National
b. Vulnerable Sector (below are answers to 3 of the Vulnerable Sector questions)
Position: Enter: "Security Guard / Security Services"
Employer: Enter: "Licensed Security companies" – there is no specific employer as their licenses are portable.
Vulnerable Cliental Duties: Enter: "As a security guard, I would most likely be working in a place where I will be assisting children and/or vulnerable people."
c. Local Database
Note: This costs approximately $76 and these documents expire after 90 days.
If you live in the Edmonton area, you can request this online.
If you live in the Calgary area, you can request this online.
If you live in rural Alberta areas, you can request this online.​
5. Alberta Justice and Solicitor General exam passing certificate that was mailed/emailed to you OR your signed grade sheet, emailed to you from Tip of Spear, from your ABST or AIT government final exam.
Note: As of January 2023 - For students who pass the exam, certificates are issued and emailed by the Solicitor General of Alberta (NOT Tip of Spear) 3-10 days after they receive your passing grade from the exam Proctor. This is an official Government document and it is your responsibility to maintain a copy. Lost or misplaced copies will no longer be replaced by the Government. If you have misplaced this certificate your record of training is on file within the Government office, and you can submit your application directly to their office and they will confirm your training in their system and your application will be approved for processing.
Note: that if you take your application to a registry, they will ONLY accept the Alberta Justice and Solicitor General exam passing certificate, not your emailed exam grades.
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6. If you are seeking authority to carry a baton, include a copy of your baton certification training certificate.
Note: This is only for those who have taken their baton training and wish to have the authority to carry and use a baton on the job on their Security Licence. The training certificate must be less than 3 years old.
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7. Proof of application fee of $100 + additional processing fees.
Note: Payment types accepted are credit card online, money order, bank draft, or certified cheque. Payment instructions are in the Application Form from Step 1. If you take your application to a registry for processing, they can take your application fee payment, and they will also charge approximately an extra $10 to process your request.
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STEP 3: Choose one of the following ways to submit your application package
Note: If your Police Information check is not absolutely clear, and/or you are on a study or work permit, you must submit your application by the first or second option below ONLY.
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Recommended option:
Mail it to Alberta Justice and Solicitor General:
Security Programs
Alberta Justice and Solicitor General
PO Box 1023 Station Main
Edmonton, AB
T5J 2M1
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Drop it off at Alberta Justice and Solicitor General office:
John E. Brownlee Building
9th Floor (You may be asked to leave it with reception on the main floor.)
10365 97 St. NW
Edmonton, AB
T5J 3W7
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/mJkX4Dx6sZMaNe3V6
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Go to an approved registry to get a temporary licence. If you are in the Edmonton area, this location is recommended (Only available for Canadian Citizens or Permanent residents, with Government issued training certificates):
Registry on Wye Ltd.
Phone: 780-417-7300
Email: info@registryonwye.com
#440, 450 Ordze Road
Sherwood Park, AB T8B 0C5
Now What?
If you mail in your application and it is approved, you'll get a temporary licence that's valid for 60 days emailed to you within 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the volume of applications being processed. You may begin working once you have your temporary licence. Your permanent, hardcopy licence card will be mailed to the address on your application form in approximately 4-6 weeks. You must provide a photocopy of your licence card to your employer and carry the original licence with you while you’re working.
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If you are still looking for work now is the time to get your resume updated and start applying for jobs! Make sure you also register for our employment database as we have some great local employers who are interested in hiring you!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to get my security licence?
The security service licensing fee through the government is $100.
The Police background check cost starts at $76
Passport photo can cost $15-$30
2. How long is my licence good for?
Your licence is valid for 2 years, or to the expiration of your work/study permit. You are responsible for ensuring you renew your security guard licence before it expires, as you are not permitted to work with an expired licence.
3. If I change jobs, does that affect my licence?
Your individual licence is portable, which means your licence is still valid if you change employers or if you work for multiple employers.
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For more information, check out the ABST Frequently Asked Questions section, or visit: https://www.alberta.ca/security-service-worker-licence.aspx