Can a security guard arrest a trespasser in Nova Scotia?

Not for trespass alone. Only a police officer may arrest under the Protection of Property Act. A guard may tell the person to leave on behalf of the occupier and call police if they refuse. A guard's arrest powers come from section 494 of the Criminal Code and cover criminal offences.

Do I have to carry my security licence card at work?

Yes. Section 18 of the Private Investigators and Private Guards Act says a guard on duty must carry the identification card and produce it on request.

Who do I contact about a security licence in Nova Scotia?

The Security Programs Office of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice. Applications go through the licensed company that employs you.

Can I carry a baton or a restraining device as a guard in Nova Scotia?

Batons and restraining devices need an endorsement on your licence, which requires written proof of acceptable training. Follow your employer's policy as well.

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.

Nova Scotia Security Law and Trespass Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

Which Nova Scotia law requires security guards to be licensed?

The Workers' Compensation Act
The Occupational Health and Safety Act
The Protection of Property Act
The Private Investigators and Private Guards Act

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Answer: D. The Private Investigators and Private Guards Act

Section 4 of the Private Investigators and Private Guards Act says no one may act as a private guard without a licence under the Act.

Question 2 of 25

Which office licenses and regulates the private security industry in Nova Scotia?

The Department of Labour's Occupational Health and Safety Division
The Office of the Fire Marshal
The Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
The Department of Justice's Security Programs Office

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Answer: D. The Department of Justice's Security Programs Office

The Security Programs Office, part of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice, licenses and regulates private investigators and private guards.

Question 3 of 25

What is the minimum age to act as a private guard in Nova Scotia?

18
19
21
16

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Answer: B. 19

Section 7 of the Act says a person must be 19 years of age or over to act as a private investigator or private guard.

Question 4 of 25

When does a Nova Scotia security guard licence expire?

On the guard's birthday
On March 31 each year
Never, once it is issued
Five years after it is issued

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Answer: B. On March 31 each year

Section 9 of the Act says licences expire on March 31 each year, so they are renewed every year.

Question 5 of 25

Can an individual security guard in Nova Scotia work as a sole proprietor?

Only if they also hold a private investigator licence
Yes, but only for night shifts at private homes
Yes, any licensed guard may contract their own services to clients
No; they must work for and apply through a licensed company

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Answer: D. No; they must work for and apply through a licensed company

The province's licence information says individuals cannot work as sole proprietors and must be employed by a licensed company.

Question 6 of 25

What must a Nova Scotia private guard do with their identification card while on duty?

Leave it at the office in case it is lost
Show it only to police officers who ask
Keep it at home and carry a photocopy
Carry it and produce it on request

Show answer

Answer: D. Carry it and produce it on request

Section 18 of the Act requires a private guard on duty to carry the identification card and produce it on request.

Question 7 of 25

Under the Nova Scotia regulations, which words may appear on the chest of an approved guard uniform?

"Police", "Officer" or "Peace officer"
"Sheriff", "Enforcement" or "Patrol officer"
"Private guard", "Security" or "Security guard"
"Guard", "Agent" or "Special constable"

Show answer

Answer: C. "Private guard", "Security" or "Security guard"

Section 14 of the regulations requires an approved uniform showing "private guard", "security" or "security guard" on the chest, "security" across the back, and the business name.

Question 8 of 25

Which words must NOT appear on a Nova Scotia security uniform?

"Security" and "Security guard"
The name of the security business
"Private guard" in block letters
"Police", "sheriff" or "officer"

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Answer: D. "Police", "sheriff" or "officer"

Section 14(3) of the regulations says uniforms must not display the words police, sheriff or officer.

Question 9 of 25

May a Nova Scotia guard wear a metal badge or shield on duty?

Yes, but only while working at special events
Yes, as long as the badge says "security"
No; only the prescribed ID card may be shown
Yes, any metal badge may be worn on the chest

Show answer

Answer: C. No; only the prescribed ID card may be shown

Section 14(4) of the regulations says guards must not display a metal badge or shield other than the prescribed identification card.

Question 10 of 25

What must a Nova Scotia security patrol vehicle display?

"SECURITY" on the side panels and the business name
No markings, so it does not attract attention
Red and blue roof lights and the word "PATROL"
The word "POLICE" on the hood and the trunk

Show answer

Answer: A. "SECURITY" on the side panels and the business name

Section 15 of the regulations requires "SECURITY" on the side panels in block letters at least 12.7 cm high and the business name. The vehicle must not look like a police or sheriff vehicle.

Question 11 of 25

Under section 20 of the Private Investigators and Private Guards Act, a licensee may not…

Write incident reports for the client
Hold themselves out as a police officer
Wear a company jacket over the uniform
Call 911 before calling their supervisor

Show answer

Answer: B. Hold themselves out as a police officer

Section 20 says a licensee may not hold themselves out in any manner as a police officer, or act as one.

Question 12 of 25

What does a Nova Scotia guard need before carrying a baton on duty?

A baton endorsement, based on proof of training
Only written permission from the client
A federal firearms licence and an Authorization to Carry
Nothing; batons are allowed for every guard

Show answer

Answer: A. A baton endorsement, based on proof of training

Section 7 of the regulations makes a baton endorsement available only with written proof of training acceptable to the Minister and written authorization from the employer.

Question 13 of 25

A security company in Nova Scotia wants to send an unlicensed new hire to a post "just for one night". Is that allowed?

Yes, if the client agrees in writing first
Yes, if a licensed guard stays on the phone with them
No; a business may not employ an unlicensed guard
Yes, for one night only, if they are supervised

Show answer

Answer: C. No; a business may not employ an unlicensed guard

Section 24 of the Act says a business may not employ an unlicensed person as a private investigator or private guard.

Question 14 of 25

What is the name of Nova Scotia's trespass law?

The Petty Trespass Act
The Trespass to Property Act
The Protection of Property Act
The Trespass Act

Show answer

Answer: C. The Protection of Property Act

In Nova Scotia, trespass is covered by the Protection of Property Act. The other names are trespass laws of other provinces.

Question 15 of 25

Under the Protection of Property Act, how may notice be given that entry is not allowed?

Only by a court order
Only by police
Orally or in writing
Only by registered mail

Show answer

Answer: C. Orally or in writing

Section 3(2) of the Protection of Property Act says notice may be given orally or in writing. A sign is one kind of written notice (section 3(3)).

Question 16 of 25

Where must a written "no trespassing" sign be posted under the Protection of Property Act?

Inside the property manager's office, beside the desk
Clearly visible in daylight from each usual entrance
At the main entrance only, lit up after dark
On the owner's website and in the lease

Show answer

Answer: B. Clearly visible in daylight from each usual entrance

Section 3(3) says a sign must be clearly visible in daylight under normal conditions from each usual point of access to the premises.

Question 17 of 25

Under section 4 of the Protection of Property Act, who may direct a person to leave premises?

The occupier or someone they authorize
Only the Fire Marshal or a fire inspector
Any passer-by who sees the person there
Only a judge, by a written court order

Show answer

Answer: A. The occupier or someone they authorize

Section 4 makes it an offence to stay on premises after being told to leave by the occupier or a person authorized by the occupier.

Question 18 of 25

What is the highest fine for a trespass offence under Nova Scotia's Protection of Property Act?

$50
$10,000
$500
There is no fine

Show answer

Answer: C. $500

Offences such as unlawful entry (section 3) and refusing to leave (section 4) carry a fine of up to $500 on summary conviction.

Question 19 of 25

Under the Protection of Property Act, who may arrest a person for an offence under that Act?

A police officer
The occupier of the premises
Any licensed security guard
Any adult who saw the offence

Show answer

Answer: A. A police officer

Section 6 gives the arrest power under the Act to a police officer (RCMP or municipal police), and only when arrest is needed to stop the offence continuing or to establish identity.

Question 20 of 25

In a shopping centre with four or more stores, when may police arrest a person for a Protection of Property Act offence?

Only after a judge signs a warrant for their arrest
If they persist after being told to leave and warned
Only on weekends and statutory holidays
As soon as the person walks into any store in the mall

Show answer

Answer: B. If they persist after being told to leave and warned

Section 6(2) bars an arrest in a shopping centre with four or more stores unless the person persists after being directed to leave and warned of arrest.

Question 21 of 25

A person refuses to leave a Nova Scotia mall after you, as the occupier's guard, tell them to go. They commit no other offence. What should you do?

Call police, keep your distance and take notes
Take their ID card and keep it until they leave
Push them out the door using reasonable force
Arrest them for trespass and hold them for police

Show answer

Answer: A. Call police, keep your distance and take notes

Refusing to leave is an offence under section 4, but only a police officer may arrest under the Protection of Property Act. A guard's Criminal Code arrest powers do not cover this provincial offence.

Question 22 of 25

Under section 494(2) of the Criminal Code, a person authorized by the owner of property may arrest someone they find committing…

A Protection of Property Act offence on the site
A criminal offence on or in relation to that property
Any municipal by-law infraction anywhere in the city
A parking violation on the street outside

Show answer

Answer: B. A criminal offence on or in relation to that property

Section 494(2) lets the owner, a person in lawful possession, or a person they authorize arrest someone found committing a criminal offence on or in relation to that property.

Question 23 of 25

Under section 494(3) of the Criminal Code, what must a guard do after making an arrest without a warrant?

Let the person go after one hour if they are calm
Drive the person home or to a safe place
Deliver the person to a peace officer right away
Hold the person until the next business day

Show answer

Answer: C. Deliver the person to a peace officer right away

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

Question 24 of 25

Under section 25(1) of the Criminal Code, a private person authorized by law to do something, who acts on reasonable grounds, may use…

No force at all, under any conditions
Only force their client has approved
Only as much force as is necessary
Any force they think is fair

Show answer

Answer: C. Only as much force as is necessary

Section 25(1) justifies using as much force as is necessary, when acting on reasonable grounds. More than that is not protected.

Question 25 of 25

Under section 26 of the Criminal Code, a person who uses more force than the law allows is…

Protected because they were on duty
Only subject to a warning
Protected if their employer approved
Criminally responsible for the excess

Show answer

Answer: D. Criminally responsible for the excess

Section 26 says anyone authorized to use force is criminally responsible for any excess, according to the nature and quality of the act.

Nova Scotia Security Law and Trespass Course 2026

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