In Ontario, all security licenses expire two years after they are issued, and you cannot work as a security guard and/or private investigator without a valid security license. So, do you know how to renew your Ontario security license?
This article will bring you comprehensive information about when and how to renew your Ontario security license. If this is exactly what you need, don’t miss this article.
When to renew Ontario security license？
Security licenses are required by law to be renewed. If you work in the security industry, then you must renew your security license before it expires. If you fail to do so, it is against the law. You could lose your job, affect your future, and even be investigated for it.
It’s advisable to start security license renewal two to three months before the expiration date. This will allow more time for the government department to process the documents you submit, prevent any unforeseen circumstances from arising, and ensure that the renewal goes through without a problem.
Required documents for security license in Ontario
Before you apply for renewing your security license, you should first prepare the required documents. Check the lists below:
| Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) in 6 months | All the applicants need to provide CRJMC. In Ontario, one can request CRJMC from the following departments, and CRJMC from third-party providers is not acceptable. • Municipal police service • First Nations police service • Ontario Provincial Police |
| Declaration of Offences | You will be unable to hold a security license if you have committed any crime under the Eligibility to Hold a License – Clean Criminal Record Regulation and have not been pardoned or had your record suspended. |
| Passport-size Photo in 6 months | Your photo must be 50mm x 70mm. The photo must be clear, clean, and sharp, and in focus. The background needs to be white, and there must be a sharp difference between the face, background, and clothes. Prescription glasses are allowed, but no sunglasses. Your face can not be covered unless due to religious beliefs or for medical reasons. |
| Two acceptable Identification Documents (IDs) with photocopies of two sides | Choose one to confirm your eligibility to work: • Canadian Birth Certificate • (Certified) Statement of Live Birth • Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (front and back) • Canadian Citizenship Card (front and back) • Canadian Passport (photo and signature page) • Permanent Resident Card • Confirmation of Permanent Residence • Naturalization Card (issued before January 1, 1974) • Valid work permit or study permit • Record of Landing (IMM1000) • Certificate of Indian Status Card (front and back) • Department of National Defence (DND) Services Card (front and back) • Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) Canadian Forces Card • Verification of Landing • Retention Certificate • Verification of Status/Notice of Status Verification • Canadian Immigrants Identification Card (IMM183) |
| Choose one to confirm your identity: • Any valid Driver’s License • Any valid passport (showing photo and signature page) • Ontario Photo Card • Canadian Department of National Defence Identification Card (issued within the last five (5) years – front and back) • Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) Canadian Forces Card (front and back) • Canadian Travel Document • Refugee Protection Claimant Document (must have a photo) • Certificate of Indian Status Card (front and back) • Provincial Photo Identity Card | |
| Declaration of Consent to the Release of Information | Sign your name and date (within 90 days of application submission) on your application form. If you do not date your application or sign with your name, your application cannot be processed. |
🔎Read Also:
Complete Guide on Ontario Photo Card in 2024
How to Get Security License in Ontario?
How to renew Ontario security license
You have two ways to renew your Ontario security license, either make the application through mail or make an online application. Check the information here:
Online
By making an online application, you can get the security license more quickly. After you submit the application, it will take 15 calendar days for your application to be processed and approved. After the approval of your application, you will receive the digital security license via email. Alternatively, you can go to My Ontario Account to get your digital security license downloaded and printed.
If you want to make an online application, you need the following things ready.
| Get a My Ontario Account. |
| Ensure your required information and documents are ready in the format DOC, DOCX, PDF, JPG or JPEG to upload. |
| An appropriate debit/credit to pay the fee. |
By mail
A security license via mail is slower than an online application. It will take 30 calendar days for your application to be processed and approved. If you want to make an application via mail, you need to get the following things ready and mail them to the designated place.
| Print and complete the Security Licence Application form. |
| Get all the required documents ready. |
| The application fee is paid by a draft, money order, or certified cheque payable to the Minister of Finance |
| Mail Address: ServiceOntario Occupational Licensing Services Office P.O. Box 4500Kingston, Ontario K7L 0E1 |
If your application is approved, the paper security license will be mailed to you at the address you leave. Or you can offer an email address so that they will email you the digital security license for you to download and print.
Security guard license cost
Depending on the type of security license, the cost can be various. To apply for or renew the license, you need to pay the fees:
- $80 for a private investigator license
- $80 for a security guard license
- $160 for both (dual license)
Please note there is no refund policy. Any refusals of application due to ineligibility or incomplete information and documents are not refundable.
Security guard license renewal time
The effective date of your security license is related to your birthday. So, your license will expire every birthday (two years) after the date of issue. As said previously, it is recommended that you renew your license two or three months before its expiration in case there are any unexpected situations.
How to change information on Ontario security license?
If you want to change your information on the Ontario security license, you can apply it via mail or online.
- Online
Change information application online is free. But you should first ensure that you are eligible to change your information from the following terms.
Ensure your security license is valid.
- There are no more than 90 days of remaining expiration days.
- Notify the ministry in these cases:
- You want to change your personal information, like name, address, or contacts.
- You are sentenced to the offense listed under Ontario Regulation 37/08 within 5 days of conviction.
You will need to provide specific information and documents according to what you want to change.
- Change of Name Certificate
- Certificate of Marriage
- By mail
To change the information of security license via mail, you need to mail the fulfilled Change of Information form for Security Guard and/or Private Investigator Licence to the designated place:
ServiceOntario
Occupational Licensing Services Office
P.O. Box 4500
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 0E1
Tips for a faster security guard license
Ensure your information and documents appropriately fulfill the requirements so that your application will not be refused due to this reason.
If you want your security license application faster, it is always right to choose to apply online rather than through mail. Now, log in to your account and make an online application; up to 15 days, you will get it.
FAQ
Can I change my license type?
YES. As long as your security license is still valid and the remaining validity is not to exceed 90 days, you can apply to change the license type. If you hold a security guard license, you can change it into a private investigator license or a dual license. If you hold a private investigator license, you can change it into a security guard license or a dual license. If you hold a dual license, you can change it either into a security guard license or a private investigator license, and you need to contact (1-866-767-7454) the ServiceOntario Contact Centre for assistance.
To change a license type, you will need to provide:
- Ontario Testing Completion Number or out-of-province (OOP) license details and a copy of the front and back.
- Passport-size photo.
- Two acceptable Identification Documents (IDs) with photocopies of two sides
- pay for the $80 application fee.
How many questions are there in security guard test Canada?
The security license exam includes 60 multiple choice questions. You have to pass 62% of them to pass the exam.
Can I renew my security guard license after it expires in Ontario?
NO. If you want to renew it, you need to submit the renewal application before it expires. Otherwise, if it is invalid after the expiration, you will need to make an application for a new security license.
How long is a security license valid for Canada?
Each province has a more varied renewal time, which in Ontario is two years.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that it is very important to renew your security license. It will affect your future and your career if you don’t renew it. The above is the information to help renew your license, and it is recommended to keep an eye on the official website for the latest policies and requirements.