Do security guards need a licence in Newfoundland and Labrador?

The provincial government says there is no licensing requirement for an individual security guard. The agency must be licensed, and it may only hire guards who give a clear letter of conduct and complete training meeting the Administrator's criteria.

Can a security guard arrest someone in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Yes, but only with the powers any citizen or property owner's agent has: section 4 of the Petty Trespass Act and section 494 of the Criminal Code. The person must be handed to police right away.

Can security guards carry weapons in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Section 35(2) of the Private Investigation and Security Services Act says a security guard may not carry or use a firearm.

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.

Newfoundland and Labrador Security Law Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

Which law regulates security guard agencies in Newfoundland and Labrador?

The Private Investigation and Security Services Act
The Fire Protection Services Act
The Petty Trespass Act
The Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act

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Answer: A. The Private Investigation and Security Services Act

The Private Investigation and Security Services Act and its regulations govern security, investigation and alarm agencies in NL.

Question 2 of 25

Who issues licences under the NL Private Investigation and Security Services Act?

The Chief of Police of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
The council of each city or town in the province
The Administrator of Private Investigation and Security Services
The Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission

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Answer: C. The Administrator of Private Investigation and Security Services

Sections 3 and 15 of the Act give the Administrator the job of issuing licences.

Question 3 of 25

According to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, does an individual security guard need their own licence?

No, and security agencies do not need one either
Yes, every guard needs a provincial guard licence
No, but the agency that employs them must be licensed
Yes, but only guards who work night shifts

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Answer: C. No, but the agency that employs them must be licensed

The government's licensing page states there is no licensing requirement for a security guard, while agencies must hold a licence.

Question 4 of 25

Before a licensed agency in NL may employ a security guard, what must the guard have done?

Registered with the RNC and paid a yearly guard fee
Served at least one year as a police officer here
Passed a road test and bought their own full uniform
Given a clear letter of conduct and done the training

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Answer: D. Given a clear letter of conduct and done the training

The government page says an agency shall not employ a guard without a clear letter of conduct and completion of a training program meeting the Administrator's criteria.

Question 5 of 25

What is the minimum age to be employed as a security guard by a licensed agency in Newfoundland and Labrador?

21
18
19
16

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Answer: C. 19

Section 11 of the Act sets a minimum age of 19 for security guards employed by licensed agencies.

Question 6 of 25

Under the NL regulations, what wording must appear on a security guard's uniform sleeves?

"Enforcement"
"Security guard" or "security"
"Police" or "Officer"
The guard's home address

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Answer: B. "Security guard" or "security"

Section 11 of the Private Investigation and Security Services Regulations requires "security guard" or "security" on the shoulder sleeves.

Question 7 of 25

How tall must the letters on an NL security guard's sleeve be, at a minimum?

20 cm
2 mm
5 cm
9.1 mm

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Answer: D. 9.1 mm

Section 11 of the regulations requires clear, legible letters not less than 9.1 millimetres high.

Question 8 of 25

Under the NL regulations, which uniforms must a security guard uniform not resemble?

Sports team or coaching uniforms
Airline or ferry crew uniforms
Hospital or paramedic uniforms
RCMP or RNC police uniforms

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Answer: D. RCMP or RNC police uniforms

Section 11 says the uniform must not resemble or be easily confused with RCMP or RNC uniforms.

Question 9 of 25

What does section 14 of the NL Private Investigation and Security Services Regulations say about vehicle and equipment markings?

They are not covered by any rule at all
They must show the word "police" on each side
They must be painted bright red with white letters
They must not look like RNC or RCMP markings

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Answer: D. They must not look like RNC or RCMP markings

Section 14 says markings and insignia on vehicles and equipment must not resemble those of the RNC or RCMP.

Question 10 of 25

Under section 35(2) of the NL Private Investigation and Security Services Act, may a security guard carry a firearm?

Yes, but only while guarding banks
Yes, if the client asks for armed guards
Yes, if they hold a federal firearms licence
No, the Act says a guard may not carry one

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Answer: D. No, the Act says a guard may not carry one

Section 35(2) states that a security guard may not carry or use a firearm. Only some armoured vehicle guards may, with authorization.

Question 11 of 25

Under section 34(4) of the NL Private Investigation and Security Services Act, what powers does a licensed security guard have?

The same powers as any member of the public
The same powers as an RNC officer on patrol
Powers to issue tickets for bylaw offences
Powers to search anyone who enters the property

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Answer: A. The same powers as any member of the public

Section 34(4) says agents have no powers beyond those of a member of the public and applies this to licensed security guards.

Question 12 of 25

Under section 29 of the NL Private Investigation and Security Services Act, who may call themselves a "private detective"?

Any licensed agency
Nobody
Any guard with five years of experience
Retired police officers

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Answer: B. Nobody

Section 29 bars every person, licensed or not, from using the title private detective.

Question 13 of 25

What is the main provincial trespass law in Newfoundland and Labrador?

The Trespass to Property Act
The Trespass to Premises Act
The Petty Trespass Act
The Occupiers' Liability Act

Show answer

Answer: C. The Petty Trespass Act

Newfoundland and Labrador's trespass offence is in the Petty Trespass Act, RSNL 1990, c. P-11.

Question 14 of 25

Which of these is listed in section 2(1) of the NL Petty Trespass Act?

A provincial park trail and its campsites
A public beach and the water beside it
The premises of a shopping mall and its parking area
A public highway and the shoulders beside it

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Answer: C. The premises of a shopping mall and its parking area

Section 2(1) covers shops, stores, malls and plazas, factories, schools and other commercial, industrial or educational premises, and their parking areas.

Question 15 of 25

Under the NL Petty Trespass Act, how may notice not to trespass be given?

Only by registered mail to the person's home
Only by a court order served by a sheriff
Only by a police officer who is on duty
By word of mouth, in writing, or by signs

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Answer: D. By word of mouth, in writing, or by signs

Section 2(1) allows notice by word of mouth, in writing or by posters or signboards.

Question 16 of 25

Under section 2(2) of the NL Petty Trespass Act, where must signs be visibly displayed to count as notice?

On the owner's website and social media pages
Anywhere inside the building, such as the lobby
Only on the front door of the main building
At normal access points and at fence corners

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Answer: D. At normal access points and at fence corners

Section 2(2) says posted notice counts when signs are at normal access points and at fence corners, or each corner where there is no fence.

Question 17 of 25

Under the NL Petty Trespass Act, is trespassing after notice an offence if no damage is done?

Only if the trespass happens after dark
No, only if the person damages something
Only if the person comes back three times
Yes, even if no damage is done

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Answer: D. Yes, even if no damage is done

Section 2(3) makes the trespass an offence whether or not damage results.

Question 18 of 25

Under section 4 of the NL Petty Trespass Act, which of these people may apprehend, without a warrant, a person found committing a trespass?

An employee of the owner or occupier
Only the fire commissioner
Any passer-by who sees it happen
Only a Provincial Court judge

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Answer: A. An employee of the owner or occupier

Section 4 lists a peace officer, the owner or occupier of the land, their employee, and a person the owner or occupier authorizes.

Question 19 of 25

What does section 4 of the NL Petty Trespass Act say must happen to a person apprehended for trespass?

Made to pay a fine to the guard on the spot
Released after one hour if they stay calm
Taken right away before a Provincial Court judge
Held on site until the property owner arrives

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Answer: C. Taken right away before a Provincial Court judge

Section 4 says the person is to be taken immediately before the nearest Provincial Court judge. In practice, guards call police as their policy directs.

Question 20 of 25

Under section 6 of the NL Petty Trespass Act, when does the trespass offence NOT apply?

When they reasonably believed they had a right to be there
When it is raining or very cold outside at the time
When the guard who gave them notice is now off duty
When they tell the guard they got lost on the way in

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Answer: A. When they reasonably believed they had a right to be there

Section 6 says sections 2 and 3 do not apply where the person acted under a fair and reasonable belief that they had a right to do the act.

Question 21 of 25

Under section 494(2) of the Criminal Code, who may arrest a person found committing a criminal offence on or in relation to property?

Any person who hears about it the following week
Only the Crown prosecutor for the area
The owner or possessor, or a person they authorize
Only police officers who are on duty

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Answer: C. The owner or possessor, or a person they authorize

Section 494(2) gives this power to the owner or person in lawful possession of the property and to people they authorize, such as guards.

Question 22 of 25

A guard arrests a shoplifter without a warrant. What does section 494(3) of the Criminal Code say the guard must do next?

Take a photo and then let the person go
Release the person once they give a name
Hold the person until the end of the shift
Deliver the person to a peace officer forthwith

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Answer: D. Deliver the person to a peace officer forthwith

Section 494(3) says anyone other than a peace officer who arrests without warrant must deliver the person to a peace officer forthwith.

Question 23 of 25

Under section 29(2) of the Criminal Code, what must a person making an arrest tell the person arrested, where feasible?

The guard's own home address
The reason for the arrest
The name of the property owner
Nothing, until the police arrive

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Answer: B. The reason for the arrest

Section 29(2) requires notice of the reason for the arrest, where it is feasible.

Question 24 of 25

Under section 25(1) of the Criminal Code, how much force may a private person use when acting on reasonable grounds to do what the law authorizes?

No force at all, in any situation
Any amount of force they choose
As much force as is necessary for that purpose
Only force the property owner approves

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Answer: C. As much force as is necessary for that purpose

Section 25(1) justifies as much force as is necessary, when the person acts on reasonable grounds.

Question 25 of 25

Under section 26 of the Criminal Code, what happens if a person authorized to use force uses too much?

Nothing, if they had a reason to use some force
The extra force is allowed during an arrest
Their employer is responsible instead
They are criminally responsible for the excess

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Answer: D. They are criminally responsible for the excess

Section 26 says anyone authorized by law to use force is criminally responsible for any excess.

Newfoundland and Labrador Security Law Course 2026

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