This guide gives official starting points. Confirm the remaining local, employer and role-specific requirements before paying for training.
Your route into security
How to become a security officer in Nova Scotia
Check your eligibility
- Age 19 or older.
- Meet the Security Programs Office's criminal-history screening criteria.
- Apply through the employer responsible for the licensed guarding work.
Confirm the job category
Ask the licensed employer whether the post involves ordinary guarding, licensed premises or another regulated activity.
Complete checks and required training
Provide the screening evidence and complete the training needed for the role. Licensed-premises rules require a separate check.
Apply through the employer
The employer supplies and submits the licence paperwork. Confirm approval before starting duties covered by the licence.
Training in Nova Scotia
What training do you need?
Confirm basic induction with the employer and Security Programs Office. Since 2026-06-01, security staff at licensed establishments must complete security and responsible-alcohol-service training and provide criminal-record check results to the employer.
How long is the training?
Role-specific. The reviewed ordinary private-guard application page supplies no universal basic-course hour requirement.
How much does it cost?
Training providers in Nova Scotia
Provider listings for this location are being checked. Use the official authority link above to confirm accepted training.
Prices 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 Nova Scotia?
Job Bank reports a median of CAD 17.00 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
- Licences expire on 31 March; confirm the applicable renewal and part-year fee.
- Published general licence guidance has limited training detail. Confirm the precise training recognised for the selected job.
- Licensed-premises rules changed in 2026 and need specific course checks before a course is listed.
Official sources and course information
- Nova Scotia private guard licence
- Security Programs Office
- Licensed-premises rules from 2026-06-01
- Job Bank wages
Reviewed 2026-09-16. Follow the current instructions for your precise role and work location.