Use this step-by-step guide to ensure you complete all sections of the form correctly and attach all required documents. Incomplete applications may be delayed or returned.
All documents submitted with your application must be neat, legible and suitable for scanning. Please print clearly using black or dark blue ink. Do not use correction fluid or white out on your application form. If you make a mistake, cross it out, write the correct information beside the error and initial the change.
Before you begin, please note that to be eligible for a security guard and/or private investigator licence, you must:
For further information about the application process, please call customer service at 416 212-1650 or toll-free at 1 866 767-7454.
The following instructions apply to all applicants (both new and renewing).
Some of the boxes on the application form contain numbers. These numbers correspond to the same step in the instructions. For example, box 1 on the form corresponds to step 1 below.
1. Make sure you select the appropriate licence category. If you do not know which licence category to check, refer to the definitions of "Security Guard" and "Private Investigator" in the "Terms and Definitions" section of our website, www.ontario.ca/privatesecurity.
Please note that you cannot hold security guard and private investigator licences separately. If you wish to be licensed in both categories, you must apply for a dual licence.
2. Ontario Training Completion Number: Enter this if you are a new applicant who has completed training and testing, but has never held a licence in Ontario.
Ontario Licence Number: Enter this if you currently hold a valid Ontario security guard, private investigator or dual licence, or if you held one in the past.
About training and testing:
As of April 15, 2010 all new applicants must complete the required training course and pass the ministry test before being eligible to apply for a licence. Your Training Completion Number is assigned to you once you have completed the course.
For further information about training and testing, please visit the "Training and Testing" section of our website, www.ontario.ca/privatesecurity.
3. Security Guard and/or Private Investigator licence from another province or territory: if you hold a valid licence from another province or territory, and if you underwent some form of evaluation to obtain that licence, you may be exempt from the Ontario training and testing requirements. Please enter the licence number, expiry date and province or territory where the licence was issued. The ministry will determine whether you are exempt from Ontario's training and testing requirements.
4 to 6. Your last, first and middle names should match what is on your identification. Inconsistencies may lead to delays with your application.
7. Enter all other names. For example, if you changed your name through marriage, enter your maiden name. If you legally changed your name, enter your former name.
8. Enter your primary phone number. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether the number is a home or mobile or cell phone.
9. Enter your email address if you have one. The ministry may use email to contact you to resolve any issues relating to your application.
10. Enter your permanent address.
11. Enter your Ontario mailing address if it is different from your permanent address. All applicants must provide an address in Ontario. This is the address where your licence and all correspondence from the ministry will be mailed. If you do not live in Ontario, you may enter, for example, the Ontario address of your employer or of a family member.
12. Enter your date of birth, sex, height, weight, eye colour, hair colour, and driver's licence information (if applicable).
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) now requires a guarantor for all criminal record checks. Due to this policy, all applicants for licences must have a guarantor confirm their identity. The guarantor must sign and date the application form, photocopies of the applicant's identification documents, and the applicant's photograph (if applicable). Applications cannot be processed without confirmation by a guarantor.
13. Find a person to act as your guarantor. This person is responsible for verifying and signing the photocopies of each identification document you submit to support your identity, as well as the back of your photograph (if applicable). These requirements are explained in greater detail below.
Your guarantor can be any person who has known you personally for at least two years. In the event that you are not able to find a guarantor who has known you for two years, your guarantor can also be any of the following:
Your guarantor must be at least 18 years old and must be accessible by telephone. Your guarantor should be able to confirm basic personal information about you such as your name, age, physical description and background.
14 to 17. Enter your guarantor's information on the application form (name, telephone number, and relationship to you or profession).
18 to 19. Your guarantor must sign and date the application form.
Your guarantor must also verify and sign the photocopies of your identification and photograph (if applicable) as follows:
IDENTIFICATION VERIFICATION
Please see Appendix A for examples of what your photocopies of identification should look like.
Make photocopies of two pieces of identification. If your identification is in card form (such as a Driver's Licence, Citizenship Card or Permanent Resident Card), you must photocopy both sides of the card. Ensure your identification meets the following requirements:
PHOTOGRAPH VERIFICATION
All new applicants must submit a photograph. For renewing applicants, photos on file with the ministry are valid for six years. If you are unsure whether the photograph on file is still valid, please call customer service at 416 212-1650 or 1 866 767-7454. If you submit a photograph when you are not required to it may not be used.
If you do not require a new photograph, please go to Part D.
Please see Appendix B for examples of what your photograph should look like.
20. Before you complete this section, please take a moment to review the Eligibility to Hold a Licence – Clean Criminal Record Regulation, which can be found by visiting the "Act and Regulations" section of our website, www.ontario.ca/privatesecurity. This regulation lists 82 criminal offences which are prescribed under the Act. If you have been convicted of one of these offences, and have not yet received a pardon, you are not eligible for a licence. If this is the case, please do not submit an application, as it will be denied and your payment will not be refunded.
Please see Appendix C for a list of the 82 prescribed offences.
21. Answer the declaration question truthfully by checking "Yes" or "No".
22. If your answer to the question is "Yes," declare all convictions and charges in the fields provided. If more space is needed, attach a separate sheet.
Examples of things you must declare in this section include:
Note: "all jurisdictions" means under the laws of any country, state or province (not just Ontario).
You do not need to declare:
23. Make sure you have read and understood everything in this section.
24 to 25. Sign and date your application form. Applications that are not signed will not be processed.
Please note that once a payment has been processed it is NON-REFUNDABLE. This includes payments made towards applications that are denied due to ineligibility, returned or withdrawn.
26. Select one of the acceptable payment methods: credit card, bank draft, certified cheque or money order. Debit is only accepted if applicants apply inperson at the Private Security and Investigative Services Branch. Cash and personal cheques are not accepted.
If you are paying by bank draft, certified cheque or money order:
27. Make sure your payment is in the correct amount:
28 to 32. If you are paying by credit card:
Before submitting your application:
How to submit your application:
By mail: Send your application, payment and all required documents to: Private Security and Investigative Services Branch Licensing Unit 777 Bay Street, 3rd Floor Toronto ON M7A 2J6
In person: Visit our office located at 777 Bay Street, 3rd floor, in downtown Toronto. Our hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Make sure you bring all required documents, as the ministry will not accept partial applications.
Example of acceptable ID photocopies with guarantor details:
[Picture of a photocopy of two pieces of identification; the photo page of a Canadian Passport and the front and back of a Canadian Birth Certificate along with the statement, "I certify that this photocopy is a true copy of the original document which has not been altered in any way," followed by the guarantor's signature and printed name.]
Examples of unacceptable photocopies of identification:
[Picture of a photocopy of two pieces of identification; the photo page of a Canadian Passport and the front and back of an Ontario driver's licence.]
The pieces of identification submitted are acceptable, however this photocopy is missing the guarantor details (declaration, signature and printed name).
[Picture of a photocopy of three pieces of identification; the front of an Ontario driver's licence, the front of an Ontario Health Insurance (OHIP) card and the front of a Social Insurance (SIN) card along with the statement, "I certify that this photocopy is a true copy of the original document which has not been altered in any way," followed by the guarantor's signature and printed name.]
Examples of what your photograph should look like:
[Picture demonstrating that your photograph should measure 70 millimetres high by 50 millimetres wide with your head centred in the shot and taking up approximately 85% of the space.] [Picture demonstrating what should be written on the back of the photograph; "I certify this to be a true likeness of [Applicant's Name.]" along with the guarantor's signature and printed name.]
Examples of unacceptable photographs:
[Picture number one depicts a person wearing sunglasses.] [Picture number two depicts a person wearing a hat.] [Picture number three depicts a shot where the person's face and head is cut off so that it is not entirely visible.] [Picture number four depicts a dark background. All photos must be taking on a white or light background.] [Picture number five shows a photograph which is too small measuring only 30 millimetres high by 20 millimetres wide.] [Picture number six shows the back of a photograph where the guarantor both signed and printed their name the back but did not write their declaration.] [Picture number seven shows the back of a photograph where the guarantor wrote their declaration, but did not sign or print their name below.] [Picture number eight shows the back of a photograph where the guarantor wrote both the declaration and signed below it, but they forgot to print their name at the bottom.]
List of 82 prescribed offences from ontario regulation 37/08 Eligibility to Hold a Licence – Clean Criminal Record
Offences under the Criminal Code (Canada):
Offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada):
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008–06–005E Guide (2011/12) © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2011