Skills, Education and Experience
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Skills
- strong observation and communication skills
- ability to make quick decisions during emergency situations and work in stressful situations
- comfortable working alone
- ability to stick to procedures, routines and regulations
- ability to act in a disciplined, honest and ethical manner
- physically fit, good hearing and vision
Education and Experience
To work as a Security Guard in BC you require:
- Completion of grade 12 (preferred by employers but not mandatory)
- Licensing under the Security Services Act
- A criminal background check
- Completion of the Basic Security Training (BST) course with a grade of 60 percent or higher on the final exam for each course
Additional training requirements vary depending on your employer.
Source: WorkBC
Qualifications
Qualifications
This occupation is regulated in British Columbia.
You must obtain a valid BC Security Worker Licence in order to work as a security guard in BC.
There are a number of requirements before obtaining a security worker licence including:
- Complete Basic Security Training (BST)
- Comply with the Security Services Act “Code of Conduct”
- Consent to a Criminal Record check
- Provide fingerprints and photograph
- Complete a Mental Health Condition Report if receiving treatment for any mental health condition
- Supply proof of Canadian Citizenship or Landed Immigrant status
- Be sufficiently fluent in the English language to communicate with the public while carrying out duties
- Must be at least 19 years old
For more information on licensing see:
Internationally Trained Security Guards
Internationally Trained Security Guards
If you were trained as a security guard outside of Canada, a full assessment of your credentials is likely needed.
For more information on applying for certification, contact: