Can an Ontario security guard call themselves a security officer?

No. Ontario guards may not describe themselves with the word officer, or with words such as police, detective, law enforcement or special constable.

Do I have to show my security licence if someone asks?

Yes. You must carry your licence, in digital or printed form, while working and show it to anyone who asks.

Can a guard arrest someone for trespassing in Ontario?

The Trespass to Property Act allows an arrest without a warrant of a person on premises in breach of section 2. The guard must call police as soon as possible and hand the person over. Many employers limit arrests by policy.

How do I complain about a security guard in Ontario?

Anyone can file a free complaint with the Ministry of the Solicitor General, online or by mail, ideally within 90 days of the incident.

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.

Ontario Security Law and Trespass Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

Which Ontario law licenses security guards, private investigators and security agencies?

The Trespass to Property Act, R.S.O. 1990
The Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019
The Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019
The Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005

Show answer

Answer: D. The Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005

Ontario regulates guards, investigators and agencies under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA).

Question 2 of 25

What is the limit on an Ontario dual licence (security guard and private investigator)?

You cannot work as a guard and an investigator at once
It may be used only on weekends and public holidays
It can be renewed only by mail, and never online
It is not valid for any work inside the City of Toronto

Show answer

Answer: A. You cannot work as a guard and an investigator at once

A dual licence covers both roles, but the holder cannot work as both at the same time.

Question 3 of 25

What form does an Ontario security guard licence take today?

Digital only, carried as a digital or printed copy
A metal badge
A plastic card mailed every year
A paper certificate kept at the agency office

Show answer

Answer: A. Digital only, carried as a digital or printed copy

Physical licence cards stopped on September 30, 2023. Guards carry a digital or printed copy of their digital licence.

Question 4 of 25

A member of the public asks an on-duty Ontario guard to show their licence. What must the guard do?

Show it only if a supervisor agrees
Refuse, because only police may ask
Give their home address instead
Show it

Show answer

Answer: D. Show it

Guards must carry their licence on duty and show it to anyone who asks, including employers, police and the public.

Question 5 of 25

An Ontario licensee is convicted of an offence listed in the clean criminal record regulation. How soon must they tell the ministry?

Within 5 days
At their next renewal
Within 90 days
Only if their employer asks

Show answer

Answer: A. Within 5 days

Licensees must notify the ministry within 5 days of a conviction or finding of guilt for a listed offence.

Question 6 of 25

When does an Ontario security guard licence expire?

It never expires
Two birthdays after it is issued
Five years after it is issued
Every January 1

Show answer

Answer: B. Two birthdays after it is issued

The expiry date is tied to your birthday: a licence expires two birthdays after its issue date.

Question 7 of 25

What must appear on the chest of an Ontario guard's uniform?

An ID tag, the employer's name or logo, and the word SECURITY
A police-style badge, rank chevrons and the word OFFICER
The guard's home address, phone number and photo
Only the employer's phone number and a reflective stripe

Show answer

Answer: A. An ID tag, the employer's name or logo, and the word SECURITY

The uniform regulation requires an ID tag, the employer's name, logo or crest, and SECURITY or SECURITY GUARD in a contrasting colour.

Question 8 of 25

Which item is banned from Ontario security guard uniforms?

A contrasting crest
A winter jacket with SECURITY on the back
A name tag
Rank chevrons

Show answer

Answer: D. Rank chevrons

Rank chevrons, black or navy blue collared shirts, striped pants and police-style forage caps are not allowed.

Question 9 of 25

Which Ontario guards do not have to wear the security uniform?

Guards who work only on overnight shifts
Bodyguards and plain-clothes loss prevention guards
Guards in their first year of licensed work
Guards posted at private homes and condos

Show answer

Answer: B. Bodyguards and plain-clothes loss prevention guards

Bodyguards and guards in loss prevention, theft protection or plain-clothes roles are exempt, but must still show their licence on request.

Question 10 of 25

Why is "security officer" not an allowed title for an Ontario guard?

Only licensed supervisors may use that title
It must also be written in French on the uniform
The title is too long to fit on the uniform
"Officer" is a word guards may not use for themselves

Show answer

Answer: D. "Officer" is a word guards may not use for themselves

Licensees may not describe themselves using words such as detective, private detective, law enforcement, special constable, police or officer.

Question 11 of 25

What does Ontario's security guard study guide say about carrying a metal badge?

It is not allowed as a symbol of authority
It is allowed if the employer issues one
It is allowed only on night shifts
It is required for guards who work alone

Show answer

Answer: A. It is not allowed as a symbol of authority

Guards may not carry any symbol of authority other than their licence and uniform; a metal badge is the example given.

Question 12 of 25

Under Ontario's rules, how may a security guard use an employer-issued baton?

Any way the guard chooses
For defensive purposes only
To open locked doors
To move crowds along

Show answer

Answer: B. For defensive purposes only

Guards may use only employer-issued equipment, and a baton only for defensive purposes.

Question 13 of 25

Which use of a security dog is allowed under Ontario's rules?

Controlling a crowd at a busy concert entrance
Holding a suspect on the ground until police arrive
Chasing a person who runs away from the site
Patrolling on a leash, with a fluorescent collar and ID tag

Show answer

Answer: D. Patrolling on a leash, with a fluorescent collar and ID tag

Dogs must be leashed, collared, tagged and trained, and may not be used for crowd control or to pursue or restrain a person.

Question 14 of 25

What must an Ontario security agency complete when a guard uses force on duty?

Nothing, unless police are called
A Use of Force Report
A new licence application
An insurance claim

Show answer

Answer: B. A Use of Force Report

Agencies must train guards in use-of-force options and complete a Use of Force Report when force is used, keeping it at least two years.

Question 15 of 25

What is the Ontario regulation that sets the Code of Conduct for security guards?

O. Reg. 213/07
O. Reg. 297/13
O. Reg. 363/07
O. Reg. 213/91

Show answer

Answer: C. O. Reg. 363/07

The Code of Conduct is O. Reg. 363/07 under the PSISA.

Question 16 of 25

Which on-duty behaviour breaks Ontario's Code of Conduct for guards?

Writing detailed notes in a notebook
Calling police to report a crime
Asking a visitor to sign the logbook
Using profanity or abusive language

Show answer

Answer: D. Using profanity or abusive language

The Code requires honesty and respect and forbids profanity, abusive language, excessive force and being impaired on duty.

Question 17 of 25

How soon should a public complaint about an Ontario guard normally be made?

At any time; there is no time limit
Within 90 days of the incident
Within 2 years of the incident
Within 7 days of the incident

Show answer

Answer: B. Within 90 days of the incident

Complaints should be made within 90 days. Later complaints need reasons and the registrar's agreement.

Question 18 of 25

What is the maximum penalty for an offence under Ontario's PSISA, as the study guide states?

Loss of the guard's driver's licence
A written warning letter from the ministry
A fine up to $25,000, a year in jail, or both
A fine up to $500, with no jail time

Show answer

Answer: C. A fine up to $25,000, a year in jail, or both

The study guide says PSISA offences can carry a fine of up to $25,000, imprisonment of up to one year, or both.

Question 19 of 25

Which action is a trespass offence under subsection 2(1) of Ontario's Trespass to Property Act?

Staying after the occupier's agent tells you to leave
Entering a store to shop during open hours
Walking past the property on a public sidewalk
Asking a guard on duty for directions

Show answer

Answer: A. Staying after the occupier's agent tells you to leave

Subsection 2(1) makes it an offence to enter where entry is prohibited, to do a prohibited activity, or to not leave right away when the occupier or a person they authorize tells you to.

Question 20 of 25

Under Ontario's Trespass to Property Act, how can notice be given?

Only by a registered letter from a lawyer
Only by an order signed by a judge
Only by a police officer, in person
Verbally, in writing, or by signs or markings

Show answer

Answer: D. Verbally, in writing, or by signs or markings

Notice that entry or an activity is prohibited can be given verbally, in writing, or by signs or markings.

Question 21 of 25

Ontario farmland under cultivation has no sign. Is entry still prohibited?

Only if a fence surrounds the field
Only during the hunting season
Yes, cultivated land counts as notice
No, a posted sign is always needed

Show answer

Answer: C. Yes, cultivated land counts as notice

Ontario treats land under cultivation as notice against entry, even without a sign.

Question 22 of 25

What is an Ontario guard's next duty after arresting someone under the Trespass to Property Act?

Hold the person on site until the next morning shift
Give the person a warning and then let them go
Drive the person home in a company vehicle
Call police as soon as possible and hand the person over

Show answer

Answer: D. Call police as soon as possible and hand the person over

A guard who arrests under the Act must contact police as soon as possible and deliver the person to a police officer.

Question 23 of 25

What arrest powers does an Ontario security guard have?

The same arrest powers that a police officer has
Only the arrest powers any person has under the Criminal Code
Peace officer powers on any property they are hired to guard
No power to arrest anyone, in any situation at all

Show answer

Answer: B. Only the arrest powers any person has under the Criminal Code

Guards have no police or peace officer powers; they use the arrest powers any person has.

Question 24 of 25

Under section 494(2) of the Criminal Code, an authorized guard may arrest a person found committing a criminal offence…

only on public roads, parks and sidewalks
only if police approve the arrest by phone
anywhere in Canada, at any time of day
on or in relation to the property they protect

Show answer

Answer: D. on or in relation to the property they protect

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

Question 25 of 25

Under section 25 of the Criminal Code, how much force may a person use when acting lawfully on reasonable grounds?

As much force as is necessary
Only force a judge approves in advance
No force at all
Any force they want

Show answer

Answer: A. As much force as is necessary

Section 25(1) protects a person who acts on reasonable grounds and uses as much force as is necessary. Under section 26, anyone who uses too much force is criminally responsible for the excess.

Ontario Security Law and Trespass Course 2026

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