The Private Investigators and Security Guards Act, 1997 requires individuals to hold a valid security guard or private investigators licence while employed by a licensed security business in Saskatchewan. The licence is only valid for that particular business. This act governs all aspects of mandatory security guard training and equipment requirements as well as the issuing, renewal and cancellation of security guard licenses.
In order to be fully licensed, you must complete the Saskatchewan Justice Approved Security Guard Training Course.
The Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General defines security personnel as “security guard means a person who, for hire or reward, guards or patrols for the purpose of protecting persons or property or performs other prescribed functions.”
Saskatchewan is one of the few provinces in Canada where security guard licences are not issued to an individual but are issued to the employer licensing you to work for them. These licences are NOT portable, meaning that your licence is restricted to allow you to ONLY work for the employer that you were employed with when the licence was issued. You are not able to work for more than one company at a time and must renew your licence if you change employers.
You are strictly forbidden by the Act to:
- hold himself or herself out in any manner as performing or providing services or duties connected with the police;
- include in any advertisement, notice or business card any reference to being licensed or bonded pursuant to this Act; or
- engage in the business of providing private investigators, security guards or an armoured vehicle service in a name other than the name under which that person is licensed.
Requirements of Security Officer
- only wear a uniform approved by the Registrar
- carry and present their licenses to anyone making that request
- comply with any terms and conditions of their licenses;
- be over 18 years of age
- return their licenses to the Registrar when they expire, or are terminated, suspended, or cancelled;
- report to the Registrar any incident involving a member of the public involving the use of force or other unusual intervention.
Saskatchewan Security Guard Licensing Requirements
Anyone seeking a security guard license must be at least 18 years old and of good character, as applicants are required to submit a criminal record check. To qualify for a full security guard license all individuals must complete the Saskatchewan Justice Approved Security Guard Training Course through an approved course provider and obtain a standard of at least 75% on the exam administered by the Registrar for Private Investigators and Security Guards.
Your employer may apply for a temporary security guard license on your behalf by filling out the ‘Application for Employee’s Temporary Security Guard Licence’ form (step 4) until you have completed the course.
Once you have completed the training course and passed the examination with a grade of 75% or higher, you will receive a certificate from the approved course provider. The Private Investigator and Security Guard Program enters the individual into a data system which tracks:
- course completion data;
- companies the individual has/had licenses with; and
- any information related to that persons role in the private security industry.
Licensing Fees For Saskatchewan
New licenses for security guards in Saskatchewan require a fee of $25 to be paid to the Minister of Finance of Saskatchewan. This fee is to attached to the application which is sent to:
Safer Communities Enforcement Services
Private Investigators and Security Guards
Ministry of Justice
485 Maxwell Crescent
REGINA
Saskatchewan S4N 5X9
Renewal fees cost $20. All security licenses are valid a period of 1 year.