Security agencies play a vital role in maintaining safety and integrity in the private security industry. Whether employing security guards, private investigators, or both, agencies must operate within the legal framework set out in Ontario’s Private Security and Investigative Services Act (PSISA) and comply with all provincial and federal regulations.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in severe penalties, including fines up to $250,000 and potential imprisonment for directors, partners, or officers of an agency.

Maintaining a Valid Licence

Security guard and private investigator agencies must:

• Hold a valid agency licence at all times
• Ensure all employees working as security guards or private investigators hold valid individual licences
• Update the Ministry of the Solicitor General (MSG) immediately if there are changes to:
  • Business name or contact information
  • Officers, directors, or partners of the agency
  • Branch offices
  • Uniform or marked vehicle design

While agencies are responsible for verifying that their employees hold valid licences, it is the individual’s responsibility to obtain and renew their own security guard or private investigator licence. Employers can verify the status of licences online through ServiceOntario.

Business Premises and Mailing Address

Agencies must provide a physical Ontario address where the business will operate. While this does not need to be a commercial location, it must be compliant with all municipal zoning laws and by-laws.

Additionally, agencies are required to:

• Display their agency licence in a visible location within their office
• Ensure business operations comply with all applicable laws, including local, provincial, and federal regulations

Approved Training Provider

Agencies that wish to provide training for security guards and private investigators must register as an approved training provider. Training providers include:

• Licensed security or private investigation agencies
• Registered businesses
• Public universities and colleges
• Private career colleges

First Aid Requirements

Security guard training must meet all PSISA training and testing regulations and include an emergency first aid component, covering:

• Scene management
• Treating shock and unconsciousness
• Adult choking response
• Severe bleeding control
• One-person adult CPR

Uniform and Equipment Regulations

Agencies employing security guards must ensure their staff wears uniforms that meet provincial requirements. Employers are responsible for determining whether security personnel are authorized to carry specific equipment, which may include:

• Batons (for defensive purposes only)
• Handcuffs
• Firearms (only for those with a valid firearms licence and an Authorization to Carry (ATC) permit)

Armed security guards must always carry their firearms licence and ATC permit while on duty and be prepared to present them upon request. Private investigators may carry batons and handcuffs, but they are not permitted to carry firearms as part of their duties.

It is the agency’s responsibility to ensure they have adequate insurance coverage for any risks associated with employees carrying weapons or specialized equipment.

Notifying the Ministry About Armed Employees

If a security guard is authorized to carry a firearm, the agency must notify the Ministry of the Solicitor General in writing within five days of the authorization being issued.

Additionally, any changes, such as:

• The employee losing their firearm authorization
• The employee leaving the agency

Must also be reported within five days. Security professionals must also notify the Chief Firearms Officer of any change in their Authorization to Carry (ATC) status.

Use of Force Reporting

All security guards and private investigators must be trained in appropriate use of force techniques. If an employee uses force while on duty, their employer must complete a Use of Force Report and keep it on file for at least two years (or longer if part of an investigation or legal proceeding).

Examples of use of force incidents include:

• Use of batons, handcuffs, or firearms
• Physical restraint of an individual
• A working dog attacking a person while under a security guard’s command

If a firearm is drawn or discharged, the local police and Chief Firearms Officer must be notified immediately.

Recordkeeping Requirements

Agencies must maintain records in accordance with Ontario’s Recordkeeping Requirements for Licensed Business Entities regulation. These records must be kept for a minimum of two years and be readily available for inspection by the ministry upon request.
If records are linked to an ongoing investigation, complaint, or legal proceeding, they must be retained until the matter is fully resolved.

Compliance Inspections

Licensed agencies are subject to routine inspections to ensure compliance with Ontario’s security laws.

New Agency Inspections

• Within 30 days of being licensed, agencies are contacted by a compliance inspector
• A full inspection occurs within six months to ensure adherence to PSISA requirements

Regular Inspections

• Every two years, all licensed agencies undergo scheduled compliance inspections
• If an agency provides security training, the training program will also be reviewed

Ad Hoc Inspections

• The ministry conducts random inspections at agency offices and job sites
• Inspectors check for licence validity, uniform compliance, and proper recordkeeping
• Some visits are unannounced, while others are scheduled

Inspection Follow-Ups

After an inspection, agencies receive a compliance report via email. If violations are found, agencies must correct them within 30, 60, or 90 days, depending on the severity of non-compliance. Failure to correct violations may result in:

• Licence conditions or restrictions
• Licence suspension or revocation
• Legal charges

For questions about inspections, agencies can contact PSISB Compliance at psisbs.compliance@ontario.ca.

Changes to Agency Operations

Agencies must notify the ministry immediately in writing if:

• The business closes or suspends operations
• The agency undergoes new ownership or management changes

Closure or Suspension Notice Requirements:

• Must be submitted on company letterhead
• Include the licence number
• Signed by a director

Notifications can be sent via email to PSISB.Compliance@ontario.ca or by mail to:

Private Security and Investigative Services Branch
25 Grosvenor Street, 12th Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2H3

New Ownership Notification

If an agency undergoes new ownership or management changes, the new owner must request permission from ServiceOntario to continue operations during the transition.

For Help

For full details on agency licensing and compliance refer to the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General.

If you are interested in becoming a professional licensed security guard or private investigator, contact our preferred experts, Smith Security. They offer government approved training courses.

								
You now have 3 options:
								

									
More answers about Private Security
									
Master List: 2,500 Legal Answers
																													
																		
Government Links