Introduction
Are you looking to pursue a career in security services in Alberta?
The Security Services and Investigator’s Act requires individuals working in specific security service positions to hold a license. To obtain this license, completion of a mandatory training program and a provincial exam is necessary. At Columbia College, we are proud to offer the Alberta Basic Security Training (ABST) course. Taught by experienced faculty members with over 20 years of working experience in the field, our ABST course provides practical insights and real-world knowledge to excel as a security professional. With higher exam success rates compared to the provincial average, we ensure that you are well-prepared to pass the provincial exam and secure your license. Offering the flexibility of online or in-person learning, you can choose the format that best suits your needs and preferences.
Course Highlights
- Delivery: Online, Webinar, In-Class
- Duration: 38.5 Hours
- Semester Intake: Ongoing
Course Information
- Each participant will be provided with a course Participant Manual which complements the course materials, interactive discussion, and video-based exercises which make up this course.
- Upon successful completion of the 38.5 hour security training course an individual will be eligible to write the mandatory provincial exam.
Classroom
- In-person or virtual classes available
- Course Fee: $255 (Effective May 1, 2024)
- Exam cost included if taken on campus
- How to Register: in-person or online
- Part-time and full-time options available. See course schedules below:
Online (Self-Directed)
- Course Fee: $130
- Students are required to pay an additional exam fee. See “Sitting Fee” for more information.
- How to Register: Self-registration online at securitytrainingnow.com
- Start the first two modules at no cost
- Access to assistance is available if needed
To enroll in the course, individuals much meet the following criteria:
- At least 18 years old
- Fluent in speaking English (Level 5 Canadian Language Benchmark)
- No serious criminal convictions that have not been pardoned
The seven modules which make up the Alberta Basic Security Training course are:
- Module 1: Introduction to the Security Industry
- Module 2: The Canadian Legal System and Security Professionals
- Module 3: Basic Security Procedures
- Module 4: Communication for Security Professionals
- Module 5: Documentation and Evidence
- Module 6: Emergency Response Procedures for Security Professionals
- Module 7: Health & Safety for Security Professionals
Getting Your License
- Take 1 passport-sized photo and two pieces of government issued identification to the police service.
- Have a member of the police service, peace office, or commissioner of oaths employed by the police service sign the back of your photo.
- Request an employment Police Information Check (PIC) to include
- CPIC
- Vulnerable Sector
- Local database
- Do not submit your application until you have received your final documents or are informed by the police service that the documents will be sent directly to the Ministry.
- Complete all sections of the application form (must be neat and readable) using a computer or print using CAPITAL letters only.
- Sign both part 5 and part 6 (police do not sign your application).
- Photocopy both sides of your government issued identification to include with your application.
- Provide photocopies of proof of training.
- Proof of citizenship or eligibility to work in Canada (e.g. a Work Visa).
- Submit your application with all other documents, ensuring it is completed to:
Security Programs
PO Box 1023 Station Main
Edmonton, AB T5J 2M1
If using a courier:
Security Programs
Alberta Solicitor General and Public Safety
9th Floor, 10365 97 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 3W7
You may also use an approved Registry Office to submit your application and receive a 60-day temporary license. A copy of your official Certificate of Completion is required in order to use a Registry Office. It typically takes approximately 2 weeks to receive your Certificate of Completion from the Solicitor General’s Office in the mail. To access a list of the approved Registry Offices, please click here .
Please click here to access a copy of the Security Services and Investigator’s Act (SSIA) License Application. If you have trouble opening this document, you may choose to save the document to your computer and it will save and open.
The BC, MB, and ON governments have accepted the ABST online course as valid training and will be accepted to apply for your license in those provinces. Please see the information before for your province.
British Columbia
The BC government will accept training from Alberta only when accompanied with a valid security worker license from that province. In the case of Alberta, the security license must also read “certified”. This means that you must apply for your Alberta License first in order to then apply for your BC license. Information on this piece of legislation can be found at the following link:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/security-services/security-industry-licensing
Manitoba
The Manitoba Government recognizes the ABST classroom or online course as valid training. Once you have completed the course, successfully passed the provincial exam, and received your certificate you would just have to submit your certificate to be exempt from Manitoba’s mandatory training.
Ontario
The Ontario government will only accept the classroom-based training in order to apply for a license in that province.
Additional Information
The following is a list of authorized proctoring sites/individuals as per the Alberta Solicitor General’s office. Any cost associated with using any of these will be the writer’s responsibility to pay.
- Public libraries
- Testing Centres
- Educational Institutions
- Active/Retired Teachers
- Licensed Professionals including Doctors, Lawyers, Accountants (CA, CGA, CMA), and Engineers, Realtors
- Active/Retired Police Officers
- MLA/MP Offices
- Sitting Fee at Columbia College for Columbia Online students $30
- Sitting Fee at Columbia College for students who completed his/her training at another provider $50
- The proctored exam fees are waived for those individuals who have taken the Columbia College Alberta Basic Security Training classroom-based course.6
To graduate from the security training course an individual must successfully complete the 38.5-hour basic security training course.
Upon successful completion of an authorized security training course an individual will be eligible to write the mandatory Solicitor General’s provincial exam and be issued a certificate of completion upon passing the exam with 80% or better.
Funding assistance may be available through the following organizations:
- Alberta Works
- Prospect Human Services
- Alberta Works Connect
- MCG Careers
- Center for Newcomers
For more information about funding
- Exposure Course Information.
- Security Services office at Columbia College
- 403-235-9300 / (587) 316-1576
- or by email at securityservices@columbia.ca.
Columbia College is a certified testing center for the ABST mandatory provincial exam. See the following tables for exam times.
Graduation Success
Columbia College takes pride in its impressive 92% exam success rate, surpassing the provincial average of 72%.
Example Job Titles
Security Services (static or mobile), Loss Prevention Worker, Executive Security (body guards), In-house Security, Dog Patrol Services, Alarm Responders (those who physically respond; not monitoring a screen)
Course Features
- Lectures 2
- Quizzes 0
- Duration 50 hours
- Skill level All levels
- Language English
- Students 0
- Assessments Yes
