Investigator licence

Overview

You must be licensed to work as a private or in-house investigator in Alberta. As an investigator you investigate things like:

• accidents and personal injury
• damaged or stolen property
• backgrounds and whereabouts of people
• organizations

While investigating you:

• collect information
• interview people
• conduct surveillance
• obtain statements
• research reports or records

Licences are issued under the Security Services and Investigators Act by Alberta Justice and Solicitor General.

Policy manual

Read the Security Programs Policy Manual for more information about an investigator licence.

Licensing

The investigators licensing fee is $160. Your licence is valid for 2 years.

The renewal process is the same as the initial application process.

Your individual licence is portable. This means your licence is still valid if you change employers or if you work for multiple employers.

Eligibility

To apply for a licence you must:

• be over 18 years old
• be eligible to work in Canada
• be fluent in English
• have no criminal record
• have no outstanding criminal charges
• not be the subject of a criminal investigation

All investigators must meet a specific English fluency standard. This is a level 5 benchmark according to the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks.

Training

All investigators must:

• successfully complete an approved investigator training course
• score 80% or higher on the provincial final exam

There are 2 approved training courses. Take either the:

• Alberta Professional Investigator Training Course, or
• Accredited Investigator Training Course

These courses must be completed through an approved training provider.

Contact Security Programs if you’ve:

• previously worked in law enforcement, or
• completed equivalent training outside Alberta

Final exam

After you’ve successfully completed your final exam with a score of 80% or higher, you’ll get your training certificate by mail within one week.

Exam rewrites, challenges or reviews

For information about exam rewrites, or to find out if you’re eligible to challenge an exam, contact Security Programs.

Baton training

In order to carry a baton, you must:

• have approval from your employer to carry a baton
• complete an approved 40 hour baton use-of-force training course
• submit a copy of your training certificate with your application

Baton training re-certification is required every 36 months.

Apply for or renew your licence

Step 1. Get a criminal record check

Get a criminal record check and your photo signed at your local police station.

This check must include these elements:

• criminal record
• vulnerable sector
• local database

You can’t submit your application without these original documents. These documents expire 90 days after they’ve been issued.

For more information about criminal record checks including fees and processing times:

• contact your local police, or
• visit RCMP Criminal Record checks

Step 2. Fill out the forms

Fill out all the forms in this package:

Application for Individual Licence (PDF, 569 KB)

Step 3. Gather your documents

When you apply, you’ll need to provide photocopies of your:

• Canadian photo ID
• approved training course certificate
• 40 hour baton use-of-force training certificate (if applicable)

You’ll also need to provide a current:

• police information and criminal record check, and
• passport-size colour photo signed on the back by the police service

Step 4. Choose your payment method

The private investigators licensing fee is $160.

A dual security service and investigators licensing fee is $160.

There are 3 ways to make your payment:

Online

Make your payment online

Print and attach the receipt to your application as proof of payment.

In person

If you’re submitting your application through a registry agent, your payment must be made at that registry.

A $9 service charge will be added to the licence fee.

Find a registry agent that offers Security Programs licensing services

Mail

When submitting your application by mail, you can pay by:

• certified business cheque
• certified personal cheque
• money order
• bank draft
• credit or debit online – attach the receipt to your mail application as proof of payment

All payments must be made out to the Government of Alberta.

Step 5. Submit your application

There are 2 ways to submit your application:

In person

Take your application and documents to a registry agent that offers Security Programs licensing services.

If your application is approved, you’ll get a temporary licence that’s valid for 60 days.

Mail

Mail your application, required documents and payment to:

Security Programs
Alberta Justice and Solicitor General
P.O. Box 1023 Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2M1

If your application is approved, you’ll get a temporary licence that’s valid for 60 days emailed to you.

After you apply

Your licence card will be mailed to the address in your application.

You must provide a photocopy of your licence card to your employer and carry the original with you while you’re working.

Change, cancel or report a licence

Follow the below steps to:

• update your personal information
• modify your licence class
• cancel your licence
• report a lost, stolen or destroyed licence

Step 1. Fill out the form

Update to Individual Licence (PDF, 1.6 MB)

Step 2. Submit the form

There are 2 ways to submit the form:

Email

ssia.registrar@gov.ab.ca

Mail

Security Programs
Alberta Justice and Solicitor General
P.O. Box 1023 Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2M1

Contact

Hours: 8:15 am - 4:30 pm (Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 1-877-462-0791
Email: ssia.registrar@gov.ab.ca

Security Programs
P.O. Box 1023 Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2M1