Do I need a security licence to guard a film set?

Yes. Security work needs a licence from the province where you work, for example a security guard licence in Ontario or a security worker licence in British Columbia. Alberta requires approved basic security training before it issues a security service worker licence. This course is background knowledge only and does not replace licence training.

Can I stop people from walking past a film set?

No. The public must keep access to sidewalks and properties, and crews must never block pedestrian traffic. In Toronto, only the Film Office can approve short traffic stoppages, and a paid duty police officer supervises them.

Who looks after prop guns on set?

A designated weapons handler. Ontario's film safety guidelines say all weapons on a set should be in the handler's care and locked up when not needed. Security should not touch them.

What should I do if fans gather near the set?

Stay calm and polite. People may watch from public property, but they may not enter areas the production controls. If someone refuses to leave private property or follows a cast member in a threatening way, call police.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Film and TV Set Security Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

On a Toronto film location, who must keep a copy of the filming permit on site at all times?

The location department
The catering company
The lead actor's agent
The nearest police station

Show answer

Answer: A. The location department

Toronto's code of conduct for cast and crew says a copy of the filming permit must be on location at all times with the location department.

Question 2 of 25

How much notice must a Toronto production give nearby residents and businesses before filming?

At least 48 hours before the crew first arrives
No notice, as long as the film permit is approved
At least 2 hours before the cameras start to roll
At least 30 days before the shoot is first planned

Show answer

Answer: A. At least 48 hours before the crew first arrives

Toronto's filming guidelines require written notice to affected residents, occupants and businesses at least 48 hours before the production's earliest arrival.

Question 3 of 25

Under Toronto's code of conduct for cast and crew, when does filming normally take place?

At any hour, as long as a licensed security guard is on duty
Between noon and midnight, as long as police are on the set
Between 9 am and 5 pm on weekdays, with no exceptions at all
Between 7 am and 11 pm, unless most surveyed residents agree

Show answer

Answer: D. Between 7 am and 11 pm, unless most surveyed residents agree

The code says filming takes place between 7:00 am and 11:00 pm unless a majority of surveyed residents approve other hours.

Question 4 of 25

What does Toronto's code of conduct say crews must do about people walking past a location?

Close the sidewalk completely whenever cameras are rolling
Send all walkers across the street to the far sidewalk
Never obstruct them, and channel cables so they can pass
Ask each person to show photo ID before they walk past

Show answer

Answer: C. Never obstruct them, and channel cables so they can pass

The code says never to obstruct pedestrian traffic and to channel all cables. The guidelines also say the public must keep pedestrian and vehicle access.

Question 5 of 25

In Toronto, who may approve short stoppages of traffic for filming, and how are they run?

The production's security lead, for as long as each take lasts
The director, for up to ten minutes, with crew members holding the cars
The Film Office, up to three minutes, with a paid duty officer
Any licensed guard, for up to one hour, using a hand-held stop sign

Show answer

Answer: C. The Film Office, up to three minutes, with a paid duty officer

Only the Film Office can allow intermittent stoppages (up to three minutes unless otherwise negotiated), and they are supervised by a paid duty police officer.

Question 6 of 25

A person on the public sidewalk next to the set refuses to wait while a scene is filmed. What should you do?

Tell them they are trespassing on a closed film set
Let them pass safely and tell the location department
Ask for their name and phone number before they can go
Hold their arm gently until the take is completely over

Show answer

Answer: B. Let them pass safely and tell the location department

A guard has no power to stop people on a public sidewalk. The public must keep pedestrian access, so let them pass and let the location department manage the shot.

Question 7 of 25

A resident's parked car is in the spot a production truck wants. What does Toronto's code of conduct say?

The truck may park beside it and block it in
The car may be moved by the crew if a guard watches it
Security may have it towed if the permit covers the street
Moving or towing it needs the owner's express permission

Show answer

Answer: D. Moving or towing it needs the owner's express permission

Moving or towing any vehicle requires the owner's express permission, and Toronto does not allow towing to make room for filming.

Question 8 of 25

A crew member wants to park across a home's driveway for an hour. What is the rule in Toronto?

It is allowed after 9 pm without asking anyone
It is fine as long as someone stays inside the vehicle the whole time
It is fine if the vehicle has a black production plate
It is allowed only with the driveway owner's express permission

Show answer

Answer: D. It is allowed only with the driveway owner's express permission

The code of conduct says not to block or park in driveways without the owner's express permission.

Question 9 of 25

On a cold night shoot in Toronto, a driver wants to keep a production truck idling at base camp. What do the guidelines say?

Idling is allowed for up to one hour
Vehicles are not permitted to idle at any time
Idling is allowed if the truck is in a park
Idling is allowed once the residents are asleep

Show answer

Answer: B. Vehicles are not permitted to idle at any time

Toronto's filming guidelines say production vehicles are not permitted to idle at any time.

Question 10 of 25

Under Toronto's code of conduct, when may alcohol be on a set or location?

Only in the catering tent at dinner
At no time, on any set or location
Only if the location owner agrees
Only after the director calls a wrap

Show answer

Answer: B. At no time, on any set or location

The code says alcoholic beverages are not permitted at any time on any set or location.

Question 11 of 25

A crew member's friend arrives with a dog and asks to watch filming. What does Toronto's code of conduct say?

Guests may watch if they stay behind the camera crew
Guests and pets need the company's approval in advance
Guests are fine, but the pet must wait outside the set
Anyone a crew member invites may enter the set freely

Show answer

Answer: B. Guests and pets need the company's approval in advance

The code says not to bring guests or pets to a location unless the production company has authorized them in advance.

Question 12 of 25

What must crew members wear when a Toronto location requires it?

A production pass (badge)
A reflective safety vest
A wristband from catering
A company jacket with their name

Show answer

Answer: A. A production pass (badge)

The code of conduct says every crew member must wear a production pass (badge) when the location requires it, which helps security control access.

Question 13 of 25

Why does Toronto require paid duty police when prop guns can be seen by the public?

Police officers are the only people allowed to hold props
Prop guns can be mistaken for real firearms by the public
Police must film the scene for their own records
Prop guns must be stored at a police station overnight

Show answer

Answer: B. Prop guns can be mistaken for real firearms by the public

Toronto's film office notes that prop guns can be mistaken for genuine firearms, so paid duty officers are required when prop guns are visible to the public.

Question 14 of 25

Under Ontario's film and television safety guidelines, who should be in charge of all weapons on a set?

The head of security
The first assistant camera operator
The actor using the weapon
The designated weapons handler

Show answer

Answer: D. The designated weapons handler

Guideline No. 39 says all weapons on a set should be in the care and charge of the designated weapons handler.

Question 15 of 25

On patrol between takes, you find a prop gun lying on a chair near the set. What should you do?

Hand it to the nearest actor so they can look after it for now
Pick it up and lock it in your own vehicle until wrap
Unload it yourself so it is safe for everyone nearby
Leave it, keep people away and call the weapons handler

Show answer

Answer: D. Leave it, keep people away and call the weapons handler

The weapons handler is responsible for every weapon on set and locks up guns that are not needed. Security should not touch them.

Question 16 of 25

According to Natural Resources Canada, who may use special effect pyrotechnics?

Any licensed security guard who has watched a safety demo
Any crew member over 16 who has the director's written approval
Anyone who buys them from a film or theatre supply store
Professionals with a Fireworks Operator Certificate, aged 18+

Show answer

Answer: D. Professionals with a Fireworks Operator Certificate, aged 18+

Special effect pyrotechnics are for professionals holding a Fireworks Operator Certificate who are at least 18 years old.

Question 17 of 25

A Toronto scene will include simulated gunfire on a residential street. What do the filming guidelines expect?

Residents are asked to leave their homes for the day
Residents are told in advance about the loud noises
Residents are told only if they complain later
Residents are not told, so the scene looks real

Show answer

Answer: B. Residents are told in advance about the loud noises

Toronto's guidelines say residents should be advised in advance of any loud noises, including special effects and simulated gunfire.

Question 18 of 25

A production wants to borrow real Toronto police uniforms and equipment for a scene. What is required?

A signed note from the film's insurance company
A signed form from the production's costume department
Nothing, as long as the uniforms stay on the set
Prior permission from the Toronto Police Service

Show answer

Answer: D. Prior permission from the Toronto Police Service

Toronto's film office says crews may not borrow or use police uniforms or equipment without prior permission from Toronto Police.

Question 19 of 25

Which agency regulates drone flights in Canada?

Natural Resources Canada
The provincial security regulator
The local film office
Transport Canada

Show answer

Answer: D. Transport Canada

Drone operations are regulated by Transport Canada. A production that takes off from city property also discusses its approvals with the film office.

Question 20 of 25

Which statement about drones under 250 grams is correct?

They need no registration or pilot certificate, but rules still apply
They are banned from flying near all film sets anywhere in Canada
They must be registered and marked, but no pilot certificate is needed
They may fly anywhere they like, including over emergency scenes

Show answer

Answer: A. They need no registration or pilot certificate, but rules still apply

Transport Canada says drones under 250 g do not need to be registered or marked and the pilot needs no certificate, but the pilot must still fly safely and stay away from emergency sites.

Question 21 of 25

Under Ontario's film safety guidelines, who should share the safety and emergency plan with cast and crew?

The head of the catering crew
The lead actor in the scene
The 1st Assistant Director
The weapons handler

Show answer

Answer: C. The 1st Assistant Director

Guideline No. 34 says the 1st Assistant Director should communicate the safety and emergency plan, for example at a tailgate meeting or on the call sheet.

Question 22 of 25

A bodyguard from another province comes to Ontario to protect an actor during a shoot. When may they work without an Ontario licence?

When they hold a valid licence from another jurisdiction
When they work in Ontario for fewer than 30 days
When the film's producer gives written approval for it
When the actor signs a letter of permission for them to work

Show answer

Answer: A. When they hold a valid licence from another jurisdiction

Ontario says out-of-province bodyguards serving the film and television industry do not need an Ontario licence if they hold a valid licence from another jurisdiction.

Question 23 of 25

A fan enters the yard of a house rented for filming and refuses to leave when you ask. What is this under Ontario's Trespass to Property Act?

Legal, unless a no-trespassing sign is posted at the gate
A matter that only the house owner is allowed to raise
Legal, because members of the public may watch filming
An offence, because they refused to leave when asked

Show answer

Answer: D. An offence, because they refused to leave when asked

Refusing to leave when asked by the occupier or a person they authorize is a trespass offence. Call police for help.

Question 24 of 25

A fan turns up at every filming location and follows an actor's car, and the actor now fears for their safety. Which conduct listed in section 264 of the Criminal Code does this match?

Repeatedly following the person from place to place
Taking a photo of the set from a nearby public sidewalk
Asking once for an autograph at the barrier near the set
Writing a bad online review of the person's newest film

Show answer

Answer: A. Repeatedly following the person from place to place

Section 264 lists conduct such as repeatedly following a person, monitoring their movements, repeated contact, watching where they live or work, and threatening conduct.

Question 25 of 25

You lawfully arrest a person you caught stealing lighting gear from a production truck. What does section 494(3) require?

Take their photo, then release them without charge
Deliver them to a peace officer right away
Let them go once all of the gear has been returned
Hold them in a trailer until the producer arrives

Show answer

Answer: B. Deliver them to a peace officer right away

Anyone other than a peace officer who arrests without a warrant must deliver the person to a peace officer forthwith.

Film and TV Set Security Course 2026

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