Every security guard in BC needs a Security Worker Licence from the province. Most people get there through 40 hours of Basic Security Training (BST) and a 70% assessment.
Anyone working as a security guard in BC needs a Security Worker Licence from the Security Programs Division (Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General). The usual route is the 40-hour Basic Security Training (BST) and assessment, then an application with criminal record check and fingerprints. (source)
BST delivery changed April 1, 2026. JIBC now delivers BST mainly itself. It says BST is also offered through designated public post-secondary institutions, select partners serving remote and Indigenous communities, and large security firms that train their own employees, and no longer through privately operated schools (JIBC news, Jan 12, 2026). Before you pay any provider below, confirm it with JIBC or BC Security Programs.
Steps from BC Security Programs.
| Detail | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements · Minimum age | 19 to apply for the licence; BST can be completed before 19 Per JIBC BST FAQ | source |
| Requirements · Education | BST or another accepted route (see routes) | source |
| Requirements · Language | English fluency required | source |
| Requirements · Background check | Criminal record, police information and correctional service information checks (Security Services Regulation s.5); consent form with application | source |
| Requirements · Fingerprints | Required on initial application; renewals through a BC Services Card account do not need new prints, otherwise prints required again | source |
| Requirements · Documents | Criminal record check consent, training proof, proof of citizenship/PR/work permit, passport photo, government photo ID, fingerprint slip, mental health form if applicable | source |
| Requirements · Medical | No general medical required; a mental health condition form only if applicable | source |
| Route: BST then full licence | Complete JIBC BST theory (40 h) in person or online → pass the BST assessment (70%) → get fingerprints → apply online with fee | source |
| Route: Security guard under supervision | Apply for a supervised security guard licence; no training needed | source |
| Route: Equivalent training/experience | JIBC Gaming Security Officer course; or police/corrections/sheriff/auxiliary/border officer experience; or a security licence from AB, SK, MB or ON | source |
| How long it takes | BST 40 hours; assessment within 6 months | source |
| Exams | BST assessment SCRT-1656: 70% pass; write within 6 months of course; max 2 attempts (each rewrite paid), then retake theory course; written at JIBC New Westminster, bring a laptop | source |
| Costs · Training cost | JIBC BST $347.32 domestic tuition + $3.32 learner services fee + $3.06 other fees | source |
| Costs · Exam fees | $64.14 per assessment attempt | source |
| Costs · Licence fee | New licence: 90 days $60; 1 year $120; 2 years $180; 3 years $240 (non-refundable) | source |
| Costs · Renewal fee | Up to 1 year $60; 1-2 years $120; 2-3 years $180 (s.16(1)(e)) | source |
| Costs · Fingerprinting | not published Fingerprints required on initial application; fee set by the fingerprinting service, not published (page updated Sep 28, 2026) | source |
| Renewal | Maximum term 3 years (s.6); renew online | source |
| Add-on: Armoured car guard · Training | No training needed to apply; requires Authorization to Carry restricted firearms/prohibited handguns under the Firearms Act | source |
| Add-on: Armoured car guard · Fees | Same licence fee schedule | source |
| Add-on: Dog handler (authorization) · Training | JIBC Canine Security Validation, renewed annually | source |
| Add-on: Restraints (handcuffs) authorization · Training | JIBC Advanced Security Training (renew every 3 years), or police-type experience plus use-of-force training within 12 months | source |
| Add-on: Locksmith · Training | SkilledTradesBC Locksmith certificate, other approved apprenticeship, 2 years full time within 5 under a licensed locksmith (employer letter), or course plus supervised experience; supervised licence available | source |
| Add-on: Locksmith · Fees | Same licence fee schedule | source |
| Add-on: Private investigator (under supervision) · Training | PSKN Introduction to Private Investigation course and exam, or relevant BC courses | source |
| Add-on: Private investigator (full) · Training | 2,000 hours in last 5 years plus courses, or 10 years police experience plus PSKN | source |
| Add-on: Private investigator (full) · Fees | Same licence fee schedule | source |
| Add-on: Security consultant · Training | 2 years full-time experience within last 5 | source |
| Add-on: Security consultant · Fees | Same licence fee schedule | source |
| Add-on: Security alarm service · Fees | Same licence fee schedule | source |
| Add-on: Body armour salesperson · Fees | Same licence fee schedule | source |
| Policy | Licensing process & licence conditions policies | source |
| Costs - Fingerprinting fee | Not published by Security Programs Division (Government of B.C.) (checked Nov 1, 2026) | source, checked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Add-on: Dog handler (authorization) - Fees | Not published by Security Programs Division (Government of B.C.) (checked Nov 1, 2026) | source, checked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Add-on: Restraints (handcuffs) authorization - Fees | Not published by Security Programs Division (Government of B.C.) (checked Nov 1, 2026) | source, checked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Add-on: Private investigator (under supervision) - Fees | Security worker application fee by licence term (not by category): 90 days $60, 1 year $120, 2 years $180, 3 years $240; renewal fees differ; non-refundable. | source, checked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Add-on: Security alarm service - Training | Alarm installer under supervision: no training needed (age 16+). | source, checked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Add-on: Body armour salesperson - Training | No training requirement stated. Selling body armour requires a security worker licence, and the business needs a security business licence (unless exempt). | source, checked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Name and city | Program / status | Cost | Notes | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justice Institute of British Columbia New Westminster | Basic Security Training SCRT-1651 + assessment SCRT-1656 Provincially designated BST provider | $347.32 domestic tuition + $3.32 learner services fee + $3.06 other fees source | Official page | |
| Justice Institute of British Columbia (online) Online | Basic Security Training SCRT-1651 (online self-paced) Provincially designated BST provider | $347.32 domestic tuition + $3.32 learner services fee + $3.06 other fees source | Official page | |
| Guardteck Security Corp Burnaby | Basic Security Training (BST) Listed as approved BST school on JIBC BST page | Price not published, ask provider source | JIBC news (https://www.jibc.ca/news/article/jibc-updates-delivery-model-security-training) says private approved schools are no longer used from April 1, 2026; the live JIBC BST page checked 2026-11-01 still lists this school. Confirm before publishing. | Official page |
| Guardteck Security Corp Victoria | Basic Security Training (BST) Listed as approved BST school on JIBC BST page | Price not published, ask provider source | JIBC news (https://www.jibc.ca/news/article/jibc-updates-delivery-model-security-training) says private approved schools are no longer used from April 1, 2026; the live JIBC BST page checked 2026-11-01 still lists this school. Confirm before publishing. | Official page |
| Securiguard Services Ltd Kelowna | Basic Security Training (BST) Listed as approved BST school on JIBC BST page | Price not published, ask provider source | JIBC news (https://www.jibc.ca/news/article/jibc-updates-delivery-model-security-training) says private approved schools are no longer used from April 1, 2026; the live JIBC BST page checked 2026-11-01 still lists this school. Confirm before publishing. | Official page |
| Paladin Security Vancouver Island Nanaimo | Basic Security Training (BST) Listed as approved BST school on JIBC BST page | Price not published, ask provider source | JIBC news (https://www.jibc.ca/news/article/jibc-updates-delivery-model-security-training) says private approved schools are no longer used from April 1, 2026; the live JIBC BST page checked 2026-11-01 still lists this school. Confirm before publishing. | Official page |
| Paladin Security Vancouver Island Victoria | Basic Security Training (BST) Listed as approved BST school on JIBC BST page | Price not published, ask provider source | JIBC news (https://www.jibc.ca/news/article/jibc-updates-delivery-model-security-training) says private approved schools are no longer used from April 1, 2026; the live JIBC BST page checked 2026-11-01 still lists this school. Confirm before publishing. | Official page |
| Sting Executive Group International (SEGI) New Westminster | Basic Security Training (BST) Listed as approved BST school on JIBC BST page | $420 (JIBC student fee and manual included; exam $64.41 extra) source | JIBC news (https://www.jibc.ca/news/article/jibc-updates-delivery-model-security-training) says private approved schools are no longer used from April 1, 2026; the live JIBC BST page checked 2026-11-01 still lists this school. Confirm before publishing. | Official page |
| Paladin Security Mainland Vancouver | Basic Security Training (BST) Listed as approved BST school on JIBC BST page | Price not published, ask provider source | JIBC news (https://www.jibc.ca/news/article/jibc-updates-delivery-model-security-training) says private approved schools are no longer used from April 1, 2026; the live JIBC BST page checked 2026-11-01 still lists this school. Confirm before publishing. | Official page |
Moving property in an armoured vehicle needs the armoured car guard category of the security worker licence. The training requirement is a federal Authorization to Carry Restricted Firearms and Prohibited Handguns under the Firearms Act; the province lists no other course. source WorkBC notes armoured car drivers need a valid PAL for restricted and non-restricted firearms (source; see our PAL guide). Median pay: $22.75/h (WorkBC, NOC 64410, shared with guards) source.
Each of these is its own security worker licence category. source
Source: source. Median pay: alarm installers fall under NOC 22311, $27.88/h source; security consultants are in NOC 64410, $22.75/h source.
Owning body armour in BC needs a permit under the Body Armour Control Act, unless an exception applies. Licensed security guards, private investigators, armoured car guards, security consultants and body armour salespeople may have it without a permit while working, as may peace officers and firearms licence holders. source
The permit costs $90 new or $45 to renew and lasts up to 5 years. source No training is needed, but you must show why you need it. Report changes within 14 days. source There is no public lookup for body armour permits.
Related: Private investigator licence · Locksmith licence · Jobs you didn’t know need a licence
WorkBC (2025 Job Bank wage data via WorkBC): $18.00 to $32.00 an hour, median $22.75 (WorkBC career profile).
We could not confirm these on an official page, so we left them out: Costs - Dog validation.
Yes. Anyone working as a security guard in BC needs a Security Worker Licence from the Security Programs Division. There is also a supervised security guard licence that needs no training.
Through the Justice Institute of BC, in person or online. JIBC says private BST schools stopped delivering BST on April 1, 2026, so check the JIBC BST page and BC Security Programs before paying anyone else.
BST training price: not published, ask the provider. Each assessment attempt is $64.14, and a 1-year licence is $120 (90 days $60, 2 years $180, 3 years $240). Fingerprinting cost is not published.
You get a maximum of 2 attempts, and each rewrite is paid. After that you have to retake the theory course.
Up to 3 years. You renew online. Renewing through a BC Services Card account means you do not need new fingerprints.
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.