The new Security and Investigative Services Act received Royal Assent in May 2010, but it is, as yet, not proclaimed and no date for proclamation has been approved.

 

Security Programs Office

The Department of Justice, Security Programs, licenses and regulates the private security and private investigative industry in accordance with the Private Investigators and Private Guards Act. The private security industry is regulated to ensure the interests of the public are adequately served and protected.

The Department of Justice, Security Programs, appoints and regulates provincial civil constables (process servers) in accordance with the Police Services Act and special constables and by-law enforcement officers in accordance with the Police Act. Select an item from the following list for more information:

• Individual Private Investigator/Guard Applications
• Private Investigator/Guard Business Information and Forms
• Provincial Civil Constables
• Special Constables
• Regulating Private Security in Nova Scotia
• Complaints/Unlicensed Activity
• Questions/Inquiries

Forms

Private Investigator and/or Private Guard

These forms are now in "fillable" PDF formats. You can complete the forms online by typing directly into the document, then print (on your local printer) and submit as indicated.

• Application for Individual License
• Application for Individual License Renewal

Private Guard/Private Investigation Business - Nova Scotia

• Letter Explaining Process for New Businesses
• New Business Application Form
• Private Investigators and Private Guards Act
• Private Investigators and Private Guards Regulations
• Application for Business License Renewal

For a list of currently licensed private guard, armed guard and private investigation businesses in the Province of Nova Scotia, please click here (PDF).

Private Guard/Private Investigator Business Forms

• Licensing Request Form (to request license upgrades, terminations, re-instatement, replacement license, etc.)

Provincial Civil Constables

• Letter Explaining Process
• Provincial Civil Constable Application Form
• Form 5 - Personal Bond
• Form 6 - Bond of a Guarantee Company
• Oath

To confirm whether an individual holds a valid provincial civil constable appointment in Nova Scotia, please contact the Private Security Office.

Regulating Private Security in Nova Scotia

In February 2007, the Department of Justice distributed a Discussion Paper to security stakeholders, organizations and the public on how private security in Nova Scotia could be regulated to better reflect the expansion of the industry and the growing need for strengthened accountability measures to enhance the safety and security of the citizens of Nova Scotia. Some of the issues addressed were:

• security occupations which should be covered under the legislation;
• the appropriate licensing regime of those occupations;
• minimum training and testing standards;
• and accountability requirements.

Click here to view a copy of the Discussion Paper
View the results to our discussion paper questionnaire

Complaints/Unlicensed Activity

The Department of Justice, Security Programs, investigates complaints regarding the security industry and provincial civil constables. If you have a complaint, please contact the Security Programs Compliance Officer at 424-0859, or toll free 1-888-760-5577(anywhere in Canada). Please note, all official complaints must be submitted in writing.

Questions/Inquiries

For questions or inquiries regarding applications, the application process, or the status of an application or license, please contact this office by mail, phone (424-2905), or toll free 1-888-760-5577 (anywhere in Canada), or email.

For additional information on private security licencing requirements and provincial civil constables visit the Nova Scotia Permits Directory.