Basic Security Training
Security Professionals working in the province of British Columbia are required to complete mandatory training prior to being eligible for provincial licensing.
Mandatory BST training is 40 hours in length, and focuses on the following content:
- Professionalism & Ethics
- Legal Studies
- Report Writing
- Personal Safety
Read about the Objectives of BST
Approved Security Training Schools are required to follow the training standards for the security industry as outlined in the Security Services Act. Approved Security Training Schools are listed further down this page.
If you're interested in becoming an approved security training school or becoming an approved security training instructor , please complete the appropriate application form(s).
BST Online Course
JIBC offers BST training as an online course.
This is the official BST course that is based on the mandatory 40-hour security patrol training.
On completion of the online training, students must pass a final written exam with a score of 60%. This is not available online and must be written in person. Regularly scheduled exams are held in the Lower Mainland at the JIBC New Westminster Campus. Out of town students will have an exam set up in a location near them but may have to wait up to three weeks. Your online administrator will contact you by email or phone to confirm exam details.
Course Completion
Students must achieve a minimum of 60% for successful completion. Successful students will receive their Certificate of Training Completion electronically via their school or via the JIBC for online students.
Licensing Exemption
Individuals may be able to apply directly to the Registrar, Security Services Act if they can provide proof of 2 years experience as a Canadian Police Officer, correctional officer, sheriff, auxiliary, reserve or border service officer.
If you don’t meet direct licensing exemption, you may qualify for a training exemption.
Training Exemption
Individuals with prior training and experience can apply for exemption from training or from training and examination, if they meet specific exemption criteria and are within applicable timelines. Non-refundable application fees apply.
Individuals may apply for exemption from training and examination if the applicant can document that within the last 3 years;
- The applicant has successfully completed a BST equivalent course (course must have been submitted for evaluation and deemed to be equivalent) and has been employed as a Security professional in Canada for a period of one year; OR
- The applicant has held Peace Officer status in Canada and completed specified training for that office. Peace officer is defined as Police, Sheriff, Correctional Officer, or Canada Border Services Officer only.
If training and experience has occurred longer than 3 years ago, applicants may be granted exemption from training only, and be required to write the standard BST exam and achieve a minimum score of 60%. If the applicant is unsuccessful, the applicant will be required to complete the full BST course before re-writing the BST exam.
Approved Security Training Schools
Security Training Programs administers mandatory security training in British Columbia on behalf of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and the Security Services Act.
Abbotsford
- Canadian Community College 604.557.9944
- Central Valley Academy 604.859.8860
- Excel Career Institute 604.613.3125
- Integrity Training Academy 604.968.3871
Burnaby
- Concord Security Corporation 604.689.4005
- International Career Training Institute of Canada, Inc. 604.861.8919
- PSG Safety and Security Institute of BC 604.677.8700
Campbell River
- Domcor Health, Safety & Security Ltd 250.286.3163
Chilliwack
- Allegiance 1 Security Training Academy 604.392.1692
- Core Security Institute (CSI) 1.888.713.2673
- Moffat Security Training Academy 604.703.0888
Coquitlam
- Douglas College 604.777.6148
Courtenay
- Excel Career College 250.334.2452
- Moffat Security Training Academy 250.240.1948
Dawson Creek
- Northern Lights College 250.782.5251
Kamloops
- Thompson Rivers University 250.828.5213
Kelowna
- BC Corps Commissionaires BC 250.979.4779 Toll Free 877.322.6777
- Focus Training Institute Ltd. 250.861.5808
- Frank McConnell School of Karate 250.707.3034
- WT Security & Safety Services of British Columbia 250.861.4357
Kitimaat
- Kitamaat Valley Education Society 250.639.9199
Nanaimo
- Moffat Security Training Academy 250.240.1948
- Securiguard 250.756.4452
New Westminster
- Justice & Public Safety Division, Justice Institute of BC 604.528.5590 [ BST Online ]
- Sting Executive Group International (SEGI) 1.888.713.2673
Parksville
- Moffat Security Training Academy 250.240.1948
Prince George
- International Protection Sciences 250.562.1215
- Northern BC Guard Academy 250.552.3311
Prince Rupert
- Hecate Strait Employment Development Society 250.624.9498
Surrey
- A-1 Security Training Academy 604.502.8502
- Advanced Learning Centre Ltd. 604.543.7300
- BSL Security and Training Institute 604.507.8915
- BCTI Brar Career Training Institute Inc 604.502.7520
- Bravo Security and Career Training Inc. 778.389.9050
- Canuck School of Education Ltd. 604.598.2424
- CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care 604.585.8585
- Commissionaires BC 604 495.8201 E 2007 Toll Free 877.322.6777
- Lead Institute of Learning 778.881.3126
- Prosafe First Aid Training School Inc. 604.585.7233
- School of Indigenous Peacemaking and Security 604.594.0438
- Universal Learning Institute 604.273.2880
Trail
- Domcor Health, Safety & Security Ltd 250.286.3163
Vancouver
- 24 Hour Security Ltd. 604.696.0988
- Genesis Security Inc. 604.669.0822
- Langara College 604.323.5482
- London Security Training Institute Ltd. 604.697.0008
- Securiguard Advanced Training 604.685.6011
Victoria
- Securiguard Advanced Training 250.388.3118
Williams Lake
- Thompson Rivers University 250.828.5213
Last updated February 3, 2012
