Introduction
The Security Services and Investigator’s Act requires any person in Alberta who works in any of the positions below must have a license. To obtain this license an individual must complete a mandatory training program and write a provincial exam. The Alberta Investigator’s Training course consists of nine modules to be taught on-line over a period of 50-60 hours or more. The course outcomes for this training are intended to provide participants with knowledge and skills in their role and responsibilities as a professional investigator. Columbia College offers the Alberta Investigator’s Training course.
Program Highlights
- Delivery: Online
- Duration: 50-60 Hours
- Semester Intake: This course is offered on a continuous basis
Program Information
Each participant will be provided with a course Participant Manual which complements the course materials and exercises which make up this course.
Upon successful completion of an authorized professional investigator course an individual will be eligible to write the mandatory Solicitor General’s provincial exam. The Solicitor General Registrar will issue a certificate of completion upon passing the exam with 80% or better, after which an individual may apply for his/her Professional Investigator License.
Columbia College is a certified proctoring site for the Professional Investigator’s mandatory provincial exam. For those completing the online training, we have approximately 70+ sites set up across the province where you can write your exam. Additional fees may apply.
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)
- Of good character
- No serious criminal convictions that have not been pardoned
The nine modules which make up the Professional Investigator Training course are:
Module 1: Introduction to the Investigator’s Industry
Module 2: Professionalism and Ethics
Module 3: Health and Safety
Module 4: Law and the Canadian Legal System
Module 5: Use of Force
Module 6: Investigations
Module 7: Communications and Report Writing
Module 8: Specialized Investigations
Module 9: The Business of Investigations
Licensing Application Steps
- 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 an approved registry office or:
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
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.
Additional Information
Once enrolled in part 2 of this Continuing Education course and received your course materials, no refund will be issued.
Tuition for the online course: $275.
Sitting Fee at Columbia College for Columbia Online students $25
Sitting Fee at Columbia College for students who completed his/her training at another provider $50
To graduate from the investigator’s training course an individual must complete the 50-60 hour course.
Graduation Success
Columbia College is excited to share that 90% of first-time writers on the provincial exam who completed the Columbia College online course successfully passed the exam. The provincial average success rate for first-time writers is 50%. Completing Columbia College’s online training program will assist individuals in achieving success on the provincial exam.
Example Job Titles
Professional Investigator, Detective, Surveillance, Missing Persons, Fraud Investigator
Course Features
- Lectures 0
- Quizzes 0
- Duration 50 hours
- Skill level All levels
- Language English
- Students 0
- Assessments Yes