You need a BC security worker licence to work as a private investigator. New investigators start with a “private investigator under supervision” licence and can only work under a fully licensed PI until they qualify for their own.
Steps from source.
| Detail | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | Private investigation work in BC requires a security worker licence. New entrants start as 'private investigator under supervision' and may only work under a fully licensed PI. | source |
| Issuing body · Url | Official page | source |
| Credential | REQUIRED: Security worker licence - Private investigator or Private investigator under supervision | source |
| Licence status | required | source |
| Regulation | Security Services Act and Security Services Regulation (B.C. Reg. 207/2008) s.15 licence types | source |
| Pay | Security guards and related security service occupations (NOC 64410, includes private investigators and security consultants), B.C.: low $18.00/hr, median $22.75/hr, high $32.00/hr; annual $42,156 (WorkBC, B.C. LMI Office from 2025 Job Bank data) | source |
| Fee | New security worker licence application: $60 (90 days), $120 (1 year), $180 (2 years), $240 (3 years); renewal/change fees differ (see Security Services Platform); non-refundable | source |
| Term | Maximum licence term 3 years (90 days for one licence type) | source |
| Minimum age | Age 19+; ordinarily resident in Canada; fluent in English (most categories) | source |
| Criminal record check | Registrar runs a criminal record check, police information check and correctional service information check on every new or renewal applicant; fingerprinting and identity verification may be required | source |
| Verify licensee | Look up a security worker licence by licence number (names cannot be searched); recently renewed licences may show stale status | source |
| Training | Under supervision: PSKN Introduction to Private Investigation course and exam, OR BC-relevant courses in criminal law, civil law, human rights, information/privacy, evidence, interviewing, report writing, surveillance and documentary research. Full licence: 2,000 h PI work in last 5 years (employer/client letters) + one of those training options, OR 10 years Canadian police service + PSKN registration (complete within 1 year of licensing) | source |
| School and city | Program and approval | Length | Intakes | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Security Knowledge Network (PSKN) online | Introduction to Private Investigation course and exam Named by BC Security Programs Division source | Listed on official registry: BC Security Programs Division approved training | Listed on official registry: BC Security Programs Division approved training | Listed on official registry: BC Security Programs Division approved training | Program page |
No. An under-supervision licensee may only work under a fully licensed private investigator.
A new security worker licence costs $60 for 90 days, $120 for 1 year, $180 for 2 years or $240 for 3 years. The fee is non-refundable, and renewal fees differ.
The Registrar runs a criminal record check, a police information check and a correctional service information check on every new and renewal applicant. Fingerprints and identity checks may be required.
Use the BC security licence status lookup at justice.gov.bc.ca. You need the licence number; names cannot be searched, and recently renewed licences may show an old status.
WorkBC groups private investigators with security guards (NOC 64410): $18.00 low, $22.75 median, $32.00 high per hour. There is no separate PI wage.
This page relies on the official pages below. Rules, fees and processes change, so check the authority before you apply or spend money.
Links checked November 1, 2026. Found an error or a broken link? Report it.