Yukon Security Law and Trespass Course: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: Security licensing in Yukon

This course explains Yukon's own security licensing law and the trespass, arrest and use-of-force rules that apply in Yukon. It is a knowledge course. It does not replace any licence requirement.

Security work in Yukon is governed by the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act and its Regulations. Licences are handled by Professional Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, part of the Government of Yukon's Department of Community Services.

Who needs a licence

Under section 6, no person may act as a security guard unless they hold an agent's licence. The Act defines a security guard as a person who guards or patrols to protect people or property for pay. Agencies need an agency licence, and under section 12 they may employ only licensed agents.

Some people are exempt. Under section 2(5), the Act does not apply to a person permanently employed by one employer whose work is only for that employer, when the employer is not in the security business. RCMP members and peace officers acting in their role are also exempt.

Getting and keeping a worker licence

Norma	What Yukon requires
Age	At least 19
Employer	A security agency with a valid Yukon licence
Background	A criminal record check; past complaints or charges are assessed case by case
Quién lo ejerce	Individuals only, not companies or partnerships (section 15)
Expiry	March 31 of the calendar year after it was issued (section 15)
Renewal	Every year: renewal opens February 1 and is due by March 1, with a new criminal record check each year

The government warns that it is illegal to work in the new licence year before your licence has been renewed.

Lesson 2: Rules on the job

ID card (section 36): while working, you must have your prescribed identification card and show it to anyone who asks.
No fake badges (section 36(2)): you may not carry or display any badge, card or object that suggests you are licensed, except your own ID card.
No firearms (section 35): a licensed person may not carry a firearm in licensed work. Armoured car services have a limited exemption. Weapons prohibited by the Criminal Code are also banned.
Not the police (section 34): you may not hold yourself out as providing the services ordinarily provided by police, or act as a debt collector.
No bylaw enforcement (section 34(c)): you may not provide peace officer services, including bylaw enforcement. The exceptions are limited parking bylaw enforcement and a guard who holds a bylaw officer appointment.
Confidentiality (section 33): do not disclose information you learn on the job, except as the law allows or requires. Telling your employer in the course of your duties is allowed.

Breaking the Act is an offence (section 37). Instead of prosecuting, the registrar may impose an administrative penalty of up to $5,000 (section 38). The person can appeal to the review board within 21 days.

Lesson 3: Uniforms and vehicles

The Private Investigators and Security Guards Regulations set these rules:

Uniforms, equipment, badges and rank insignia need the registrar's written approval of colour, pattern and design (section 11(1)).
A guard on duty must wear the security uniform, unless doing bodyguard work or the registrar approves otherwise (section 11(2)).
The word "Security" or "Security Guard" must be on the chest of the outermost garment (section 11(3)(a)).
Each upper arm must have shoulder flashes with the agency name, except on a uniform blazer (section 11(3)(b)).
No insignia or badge may show the word "Police" (section 11(4)).
No Sam Browne-style belt and shoulder strap, or anything like the RCMP's (section 11(5)).

Patrol vehicles

Under section 12, a business vehicle may not have a siren, flashing light or loud hailer, except as the Motor Vehicles Act and its regulations allow. A loud hailer is allowed if it is hidden from view. An agency may mark its vehicles "Security" or "Security Patrol", and any marking must include the licensee's name and telephone number.

Lesson 4: Trespass in Yukon

Every province has trespass legislation. Yukon does not have a general trespass act for private property. A 2025 Government of the Northwest Territories FAQ notes that no territory has private-property trespass legislation, and that Yukon's law covers only school grounds.

The School Trespass Act

It covers schools, colleges, universities, trade schools and other educational premises, including land used for parking or recreation.
Notice may be given orally, in writing, or by a "no trespassing" sign or similar wording. The people named to give notice are school administrative, teaching and maintenance staff.
A person who trespasses after notice can be fined up to $1,000, jailed up to 30 days, or both.
Only a peace officer may arrest a trespasser without a warrant, and only to find out who they are. The person must be released once identified.

On other private property

On a store, office or site, you act for the owner. You may ask a person to leave on the owner's behalf. If they refuse or the situation is unsafe, call the RCMP. Two Criminal Code rules may apply:

Section 35 (defence of property): a person in peaceable possession of property, or someone lawfully helping them, may act to stop a person who is entering or staying on it without legal right, but only if the act is reasonable in the circumstances.
Section 177 (trespassing at night): it is an offence to loiter or prowl at night, without lawful excuse, on another person's property near a home on that property.

Lesson 5: Arrest and use of force

A guard in Yukon has the same arrest powers as any citizen, under the Criminal Code. There is no territorial trespass arrest power for guards.

Section	What it allows or requires
494(1)	Anyone may arrest a person found committing an indictable offence, or a person they reasonably believe committed a criminal offence and who is escaping from, and freshly pursued by, people with authority to arrest them
494(2)	The owner, a person in lawful possession of property, or a person they authorize may arrest someone found committing a criminal offence on or in relation to that property, at the time or within a reasonable time if police cannot feasibly do it
494(3)	A person who arrests without a warrant must deliver the person to a peace officer forthwith
29(2)	The person making an arrest must, where feasible, tell the person the reason for the arrest

In Yukon, the peace officer you hand a person to is the RCMP. Call them as soon as you decide to arrest.

Use of force

Section 25(1): a person authorized by law who acts on reasonable grounds may use as much force as is necessary for that purpose.
Section 26: a person who uses force is criminally responsible for any excess.
Section 27: anyone may use as much force as is reasonably necessary to prevent certain offences that would likely cause immediate and serious injury to a person or property.
Section 30: a person who witnesses a breach of the peace may interfere to stop it, using no more force than is reasonably necessary.

The safest choice is usually to observe, record and call the RCMP. An arrest is a last resort. Talk first, keep your distance, and never risk your safety or anyone else's to protect property.