Department of Justice Security Guard, Private Investigator, Armed Guard Licence

Department of Justice

Private Guard, Private Investigator, Armed Guard: Licence (Individual)

Who Needs This Licence?
  Any person who wants to act as a Private Guard, Private Investigator or Armed Guard in the Province of Nova Scotia.
Issuing Department / Agency:
  N.S. Department of Justice, Public Safety and Security Division, Security Programs Office
Where can you get this Permit and / or further information?
 

Contact:

Security Programs Office
Public Safety and Security Division
N.S. Department of Justice
 

Phone:

902-424-2905
or toll free 1-888-760-5577
 

E-mail:

SECPROG@novascotia.ca
 

Website:

 http://novascotia.ca/just/Public_Safety/private_security.asp
 

Visit:

1681 Granville Street, Ground Floor
Halifax, NS
 

Write:

PO Box 7
Halifax, NS  B3J 2L6
 

Fax:

902-424-0700
Application Forms & Process:
 

Application forms can be obained from our website noted above.

Security individuals cannot contract their services as sole proprietors.  A company licensed to carry on the business or practice of providing private investigators, private guards or armed guards must employ them.

Individuals must make an application through the company before submitting the application to the Security Programs Office.

When the application is received, a police records and background check will be conducted on the applicant to determine if the applicant has a criminal history which will disqualify him/her from holding a valid licence.

Applications for a license or a license renewal shall be submitted to the Department of Justice, Security Programs Office on the prescribed form.  Applicants applying for a private investigator, private guard or armed guard licence must:

  • be at least 19 years of age;
  • be a Canadian citizen or a person legally entitled to work in Canada;
  • not be an active regular member of a police service with peace officer status;
  • have no disqualifying criminal history.
Waiting Period:
  2 to 10 business days
Provided that all the items that must accompany the application have been received
Expiry & Renewal:
  Every license and renewal of a license expires on March 31 of each year unless suspended or revoked prior to expiry. Renewal notices are sent out to the company before the license expires.
Price & Payment:  (No tax is charged)
 

Application fees for licences are payable to "Minister of Finance" by cheque, money order or cash (in person only).. Application fees for licences are processing fees and are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Initial application and annual renewal

- application for a licence to act as private investigator: $26.15

- application for a licence to act as private guard: $26.15

- application for a licence to act as an armed guard: $26.15

- application for a licence to act as private investigator and private guard: $39.85
Related Requirements:
  None
Additional Information:
 

The applicant must have no disqualifying criminal history as per Department of Justice screening criteria policy.

Every applicant for an armed guard licence must produce proof that they are a holder of a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) and an Authorization to Carry (ATC) pursuant to the Firearms Act.

Legislative Authority:
 

Private Investigators and Private Guards Act, Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1989, Chapter 356

Private Investigators and Private Guards Regulations, made under Section 26 of the Private Investigators and Private Guards Act.

Criminal Code of Canada

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