In Alberta, a licensed Security Guard is called a Security Service Worker.
Becoming a Security Guard/ Security Service Worker in Alberta is similar to a lot of other Canadian provinces: you need to meet basic requirements such as age, language proficiency, and other usual requirements of this nature.
Register for your Alberta security guard license course here:
Take the Alberta government Security Guard exam here (after the courser):
How to get an Alberta Security Guard License?
Furthermore, to get a Security Guard license in Alberta, you need to take a government approved Alta Security Guard licensing course:
Alberta Basic Security Training Course (ABSTC)
In AB, the government body that controls an Alberta Security Guard's license is the Security Programs office governed under the Security Services and Investigations Act.
So, it is the Security Programs office that will have a list of approved AB Security Guard licensing courses and be the best source for all the up to date information on becoming a Security Guard in Alberta.
Once you submit the proof of your ability to meet the requirements and completion of the Alberta Basic Security Training Course to the Security Programs office, you will get your Alberta Security Guard license.
Alberta Security Guard License Requirements
Age: You must be 18yo or older.
Criminal Record: You cannot have a criminal record of any kind or be under investigation for a crime. You will need to submit a criminal records check to the Alberta Security Programs office in your application. You can obtain a criminal records check via the RCMP. This records check will be called "Employment Police Information Check" and will need to include 1. CPIC, 2. Vulnerable Sector, and 3. Local Database.
Canadian Citizen: You need to be a Canadian citizen or be legally allowed to work in Alberta. You will have to submit a copy of Canadian government ID to the Security Programs office.
English: You must be able to speak and write in English.
Alberta Government Approved Security License Course: You will need to complete a Alberta security license course approved by the Alberta Security Programs office and submit proof of completion in your application. This can be an online security course.
Passport Photo: You will have to provide the Alberta Security Programs office with a certified passport photo. Most Alberta passport photo services can often certify a passport photo.
Fee: You will have to pay a small licensing fee, around $100 CAD.
Submitting: The documents you submit can be sent to the Alberta Security Programs office via mail or online uploading.
Security Programs
P.O. Box 1023 Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2M1
AB SECURITY TRAINING Equivalent
You are able to possibly avoid needing to take the required AB security training if you have equivalent experience the Security Programs office considers as acceptable, such as police. Contact the Alberta Security Programs office to determine if your experience is acceptable. You will need to attach your employment history in the AB Security Guard application.
What Does an Alberta Security Guard Do?
Alberta Security Guards Patrol Vacant Locations
Alberta Security Guards will do foot patrols of locations for a set number of times per shift.
A common task for an Alberta Security Guard will be checking mechanical rooms for any unusual signs or potential health and safety issues.
Alberta Security Guards watch for hazards and fill out hazard reports (Alberta Guards write a lot of reports).
Guards in Alberta document and report maintenance issues to supervisors.
Many Alberta security sites require Guards to monitor fire extinguishers to ensure that they are not overdue for inspection (official reviews are done by maintenance personnel).
Alberta Security Guards write a lot, including filling in logs as their shifts progresses with what activities are being done at what times. Alberta Guards will have their own security notebooks and will constantly note all unusual sightings, occurrences, and incidents.
Alberta Security Guards will respond to alarms and act accordingly as per the Emergency Response plan set in place by supervisors. This may include,
Evacuation of the security site.
Checking alarm system on the way out for information about where the problem is occurring.
Contacting supervisors.
Responding to incidents and completing all reports as necessary.
Alberta Security Guards Protect Sites with Customers
If an Alberta Security Guard is working in a team environment, they will usually meet for a pre-shift briefing at a set location. Once the meeting has been completed the Alberta Security Guards will go directly to their designated sites.
In Alberta security site locations with customers, Guards will do a lot of patrolling. This can be in a building or outside in places such as parking lots.
Alberta Security Guards are usually responsible for site cleanliness when there are no designated cleaning staff. This means as an Alberta Security Guard, expect to be cleaning a lot of trash.
Monitoring CCTV cameras will be a big part of an Alberta Security Guard’s job. This will be on a continuous basis with follow ups on issues seen.
When it comes to security sites in the service industry, Alberta Security Guards will have to assist customers in various non-security ways. This can be giving them directions or carrying items for them. Furthermore, Alberta Security Guards will often be expected to be friendly, outgoing, and talkative with customers in their security sites.
A constant security issue for Alberta security sites with customers will be smoking, alcohol consumption, and narcotics. Alberta Security Guards will often be making sure people aren’t smoking in non-smoking areas, consuming alcohol, or narcotics. For the latter, an Alberta Security Guard will usually report the issue to local police.
If the Alberta security site is a residence, responding to noise complaints will be a big part of the job.
Of course, catching shoplifters will be a constant for an Alberta Security Guard in a site with customers.
Alberta Security Guards Work at Security Gates
Alberta Security Guards will patrol parking areas to make sure vehicles are registered at that security site.
Every person entering through the security gate will produce valid photo ID to the Alberta Security Guard. The Guard will determine if the individual may pass.
During medical emergencies, the Alberta Security Guard will direct traffic to allow easy access for Alberta EMS vehicles.
Alberta Security Guards Deal with Medical Issues
Emergencies at an Alberta security site can happen at any time, day or night. On going communication will be key for all Alberta Security Guards involved to get through the emergency with the best possible outcome.
Alberta EMS/ ambulances will often be called by Alberta Security Guards.
The Alberta Security Guard that places the 911 call will relay info regarding who, what, where, why, and when.
Alberta Security Supervisors will usually take lead on these incidents and direct other Alberta Guards to specific tasks to perform during the emergency.
Alberta Security Guards will always remain calm and professional. Furthermore, they will assist however they can.
About the Author
Peter Sandru is an Instructor & Co-Founder of NDIL with over 15 years working security, including several years as an Alberta Private Investigator. Peter has spent more than a decade conducting security operations throughout the world, primarily for corporations, law firms, and government agencies. Peter has assisted in the creation of numerous security training programs in various capacities. Peter has personally trained many AB Security Guards. Furthermore, Peter has trained many Calgary Private Investigators and Edmonton Private Investigators.