Maze Security Insights · April 28, 2026
Ontario Security Guard Licensing: What the PSISA Means for Your Business
Ontario's Private Security and Investigative Services Act sets the rules every guard and security business must follow. Here's what clients should know.
The PSISA in plain language
The Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 governs every security guard working in Ontario. It requires guards to complete a 40-hour basic training course, pass a ministry exam, and hold a valid licence before working a single shift. Businesses that supply guards must hold their own agency licence.
What it means when you hire
When you contract a security company in Ontario, you are legally entitled to ask for proof of licensing — both the agency licence and the individual licences of guards assigned to your property. Unlicensed guarding exposes your organization to liability and can complicate insurance claims after an incident.
Uniforms, vehicles and identification
The PSISA regulates how guards present themselves: uniforms and marked vehicles must not resemble police, and guards must carry their licence on duty. These rules protect the public and give clients a simple way to verify professionalism at a glance.