Ontario Security Guard Test Private Security and Investigative Services Act 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the role of the Registrar under the PSISA?
- To train security guards
- To issue, renew, suspend, and revoke licences (Correct answer)
- To hire security guards for government buildings
- To set security guard wages
Correct answer: To issue, renew, suspend, and revoke licences
The Registrar is responsible for the administration of licences, including issuing, renewing, suspending, and revoking security guard and private investigator licences under the PSISA.
Question 2: Under the PSISA, can a security guard work for more than one employer simultaneously?
- No, this is strictly prohibited
- Yes, as long as they hold a valid licence and each employer is aware (Correct answer)
- Only with special permission from the Registrar
- Only if both employers are in the same municipality
Correct answer: Yes, as long as they hold a valid licence and each employer is aware
A licensed security guard may work for multiple employers as long as they hold a valid licence and each employer is properly licensed as a security guard agency.
Question 3: What training topics are covered in the mandatory training curriculum under the PSISA?
- Only first aid and CPR
- Legal powers, communication, use of force, and emergency procedures (Correct answer)
- Firearms training and tactical operations
- Only customer service skills
Correct answer: Legal powers, communication, use of force, and emergency procedures
The mandatory training curriculum covers a broad range of topics including legal authorities, communication skills, use of force theory, health and safety, and emergency response procedures.
Question 4: Under the PSISA, what happens if a security guard is charged with a criminal offence?
- Their licence is immediately revoked
- Nothing happens until conviction
- The Registrar may suspend or impose conditions on their licence (Correct answer)
- They must resign from their position
Correct answer: The Registrar may suspend or impose conditions on their licence
The Registrar has the discretion to suspend a licence or impose conditions upon it if a licensee is charged with a criminal offence, even before a conviction occurs.
Question 5: Which of the following is considered 'security guard work' under the PSISA?
- Monitoring surveillance cameras for personal use
- Guarding a construction site against theft and vandalism (Correct answer)
- Locking your own home at night
- Installing deadbolt locks for customers
Correct answer: Guarding a construction site against theft and vandalism
Guarding property against theft, vandalism, or unauthorized access is a core activity that falls under the definition of security guard work in the PSISA.
Question 6: Under the PSISA, are in-house security guards (employed directly by a non-security company) required to be licensed?
- No, only contract security guards need licences
- Yes, all security guards must be licensed regardless of employer (Correct answer)
- Only if the company has more than 50 employees
- Only if they work night shifts
Correct answer: Yes, all security guards must be licensed regardless of employer
The PSISA requires all individuals performing security guard work to be licensed, whether they work for a security agency or are employed in-house by another type of business.
What is the role of the Registrar under the PSISA?