Your route into security
How to become a security officer in British Columbia
Check your eligibility
- Age 19 or older for a security guard licence.
- Ordinarily resident in Canada with entitlement to perform the work.
- Sufficient English fluency and accepted training.
- Consent to screening and provide fingerprints for an initial application.
Complete accepted BST
Train through JIBC or one of its designated schools, unless the regulator accepts your existing qualifications.
Pass the assessment
Confirm the exam format and location. JIBC requires Lower Mainland candidates to attend its New Westminster campus; qualifying candidates elsewhere can arrange online proctoring.
Apply for the worker licence
Submit proof of training, identity, work entitlement, photograph and fingerprints through the provincial process.
Training in British Columbia
What training do you need?
Complete JIBC Basic Security Training or an accepted equivalent. The BST assessment pass mark is 70%. The regulator also publishes supervised and prior-qualification routes.
How long is the training?
40 hours of BST theory plus assessment. JIBC's online course has an eight-week completion window.
How much does it cost?
Training providers in British Columbia
Training provider
Justice Institute of British Columbia
Basic Security Training: SCRT-1651 theory and SCRT-1656 assessment
- Course duration
- 40 hours; self-paced online within eight weeks, or classroom.
- Published price
- CAD 343.77 theory + CAD 3.26 learner services + CAD 64.14 assessment.
JIBC delivers BST on behalf of BC's Security Programs Division. Fees checked 2026-09-16. Licence and fingerprinting costs are separate; assessment delivery depends on location.
Check course detailsPrices and availability are checked on the dates cited. Directory inclusion identifies a source to investigate; confirmed partnerships are agreed separately.
Security guard & officer pay
How much do security guards earn in British Columbia?
Job Bank reports a median of CAD 22.75 per hour for NOC 64410, security guards and related security service occupations. Reference period: 2023–2024; Labour Force Survey; table updated 2025-11-19. This occupational benchmark includes different roles and experience levels.
Median gross hourly wage, NOC 64410 · 2023–2024; published 2025-11-19
Compare hours, gross or net pay, overtime and benefits. Wage floors and occupational medians describe different measures.
Before you take your next step
- Online study can still involve an in-person exam.
- A supervised licence and a full security guard licence have different conditions.
- Out-of-province applicants must obtain BC authorisation and confirm recognition of their training.
Official sources and course information
Reviewed 2026-09-16. Follow the current instructions for your precise role and work location.