Security Guard Licence Exam Prep: Topics, Tips, and Practice Questions

To work as a security guard in most Canadian provinces (and many US states), you need to pass a knowledge test and obtain a licence. Ontario's test is administered by the Ministry of the Solicitor General and covers the Private Security and Investigative Services Act (PSISA).

Legal Authority

Security guards are private citizens with no special powers beyond what any citizen has — plus the authority given by property owners. Key legal concepts:

Citizen's Arrest: You can arrest someone without a warrant if you find them committing a criminal offence, or if the owner of property asks you to arrest someone they found committing a criminal offence on that property.

Trespass: You can ask someone to leave private property. If they refuse, you can use reasonable force to remove them or call police.

Detention vs. Arrest: Detention is a brief stop to investigate. Arrest is formal — you must tell them they are under arrest and the reason, advise them of their right to counsel, and contact police immediately.

Use of Force

The use of force must be reasonable, proportional, and necessary. The force continuum: 1. Officer presence 2. Communication and commands 3. Empty-hand control (holds, escorts) 4. Intermediate weapons (baton, OC spray — only if licensed) 5. Lethal force (almost never justified)

Excessive force creates criminal liability. Always use the minimum force necessary.

Report Writing

Security incident reports must be: factual (only what you observed), complete (who, what, where, when, how), accurate, and timely. Avoid opinions and assumptions. Use clear, plain language. Every incident should be documented even if no action was taken.

Emergency Procedures

Know your venue's emergency plan for: fire, medical emergency, bomb threat, active threat, and natural disaster. Your role is usually to facilitate evacuation, control access, and support first responders — not to manage the emergency yourself.

Professional Conduct

Security guards are representatives of their employer and the property owner. Key standards: remain professional under pressure, avoid discrimination, protect privacy (PIPEDA compliance), and maintain confidentiality of what you observe on duty.