Nova Scotia Security Law and Trespass Course 2026
This course is for security guards in Nova Scotia. It covers the Private Investigators and Private Guards Act and its regulations, the Protection of Property Act (the province's trespass law), and how a guard's arrest and force powers under the Criminal Code fit with them.
Kort svar
Den här gratiskursen har lektioner på cirka 30 minuter och ett prov med 25 frågor. Med minst 80 % kan du ladda ner ett kursintyg (privat, inte ackrediterat). Kontrollerad mot officiella källor den 12 oktober 2026.
Det här lär du dig
- Explain who must be licensed as a private guard in Nova Scotia and who regulates guards
- Follow the rules for ID cards, uniforms, badges, vehicles and equipment
- Give trespass notice the way the Protection of Property Act allows
- Explain why only police may arrest under the Protection of Property Act
- Apply Criminal Code section 494 arrest powers and the duty to deliver to police
- Describe the legal limits on force in sections 25 and 26
Få minst 80 % för att ladda ner ditt certifikat.
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Fråga 1 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 2 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 3 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 4 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 5 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 6 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 7 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 8 av 25
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Svar: D. "Police", "sheriff" or "officer"
Section 14(3) of the regulations says uniforms must not display the words police, sheriff or officer.
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Fråga 9 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 10 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 11 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 12 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 13 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 14 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 15 av 25
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Svar: 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)).
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Fråga 16 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 17 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 18 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 19 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 20 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 21 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 22 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 23 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 24 av 25
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Svar: 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.
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Fråga 25 av 25
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Svar: 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.
Tangentbord: 1–4 för att svara, Enter för nästa fråga.
Bra att veta före provet
- Nova Scotia licenses guards under the Private Investigators and Private Guards Act. The Security Programs Office of the Department of Justice runs licensing.
- You must be 19 or older to act as a private guard, and licences expire on March 31 each year.
- Guard uniforms must not show the words police, sheriff or officer, and guards may not wear a metal badge or shield.
- Trespass notice under the Protection of Property Act may be given orally or in writing. Signs must be clearly visible in daylight at each usual access point.
- Only a police officer may arrest for an offence under the Protection of Property Act. In a shopping centre with four or more stores, a warning to leave must come first.
Vanliga frågor
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.
Är intyget ackrediterat eller officiellt erkänt?
Nej. Det är ett privat kursintyg, bara för dina kunskaper. Det är inte erkänt, ackrediterat eller godkänt av någon myndighet, tillståndsmyndighet, tillsynsmyndighet eller utbildningsinstitution, och det ersätter inte någon licens, certifiering eller utbildning som krävs enligt lag.
Källor
- Private Investigators and Private Guards Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 356
- Private Investigators and Private Guards Regulations, N.S. Reg. 180/2005
- Nova Scotia Department of Justice: Security Programs Office
- Nova Scotia: Private investigator and private guard licence information
- Protection of Property Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 363
- Criminal Code, section 494 (arrest without warrant by any person)
- Criminal Code, section 25 (protection of persons acting under authority)
- Criminal Code, section 26 (excessive force)