New Licensing for Security Workers

Summary#

• This bill sets the rules for private security guards, armed guards, and private investigators in Nova Scotia. It replaces the old law and takes effect on January 1, 2026.

• It creates a licensing system for workers and companies, sets training and conduct standards, and gives the province tools to oversee the industry.

• Key changes and impacts:

  • Anyone working as a security guard, armed guard, or private investigator must have a licence and be employed by a licensed security agency or by a business to provide that business’s own security.
  • Companies that sell security or investigative services must be licensed, keep required records, carry liability insurance, and have a manager and business location in Nova Scotia.
  • Workers must be at least 19, meet training standards, have a clean criminal record (no disqualifying convictions or have a pardon), carry their licence, and follow a code of conduct.
  • Security staff cannot act like police, use police-style titles, do collections, serve civil court papers, or carry out evictions.
  • Guard dogs and firearms are tightly controlled. Only licensed armed guards with federal authorization may carry firearms while working.
  • A provincial Registrar and compliance officers can inspect, investigate, and enforce the rules. Serious penalties apply for violations.

What it means for you#

• Workers (security guards, armed guards, private investigators)

  • You must hold the right licence, be at least 19, meet training rules, and keep a clean criminal record.
  • You must carry your licence while working and show it if asked by an officer or the public. You cannot use badges or symbols of authority other than your licence.
  • You must wear a uniform that shows your employer, unless you are doing allowed plain-clothes work (for example, bodyguard work, loss prevention, or private investigations).
  • You cannot present yourself as police or use titles like police, officer, constable, highway patrol, detective, or private detective.
  • If you are charged with a crime, you must tell the Registrar and your employer in writing within three days. You must also report changes like a new address.
  • You cannot do debt collection, serve civil papers, or carry out evictions as part of your security work.

• Security agencies (companies that sell security or investigative services)

  • You need a Nova Scotia licence, a registered business location in the province, a qualified manager, liability insurance, and approved business name (not similar to police or another agency).
  • You must post your licence at your office and any branch. You must only employ licensed workers.
  • You must keep required books and records and report serious incidents (use of a weapon, alleged excessive force, serious injuries or death, criminal charges against staff) to the Registrar within seven days.
  • Fines for companies can be up to $250,000 for offences.

• Other businesses that hire their own security staff (in‑house security)

  • Your in-house guards must be individually licensed. Your business does not need an agency licence if it only provides security for its own operations.
  • You must keep required records and report serious incidents involving your security staff.

• Non-profits and volunteers

  • Faith, school, charity, or community groups may use unpaid volunteer security at their own events (or similar groups’ events) if they meet strict limits: no pay or donations for the security, no “security/sécurité” on clothing, and no batons or restraints. Volunteers must follow directions from law enforcement if involved.

• Event staff and retail staff

  • People who only take tickets at the door or check receipts at a store exit do not need a security licence.

• Students

  • Registered university or college students working part-time for their school or student union may be exempt in approved situations.

• Out-of-province providers

  • Temporary entry is allowed for licensed guards or investigators from outside Nova Scotia to continue a specific job or provide bodyguard services, if their training is equivalent. They cannot advertise while in the province.
  • During a declared emergency, licensed firms from other provinces may be allowed to operate in Nova Scotia for a limited time.

• General public

  • You can expect licensed security workers to show ID and, in most cases, wear a uniform that names their employer.
  • You can make a written complaint to the Registrar within 90 days if you believe a licensee broke the rules or code of conduct.
  • The province may publish whether someone is licensed, so you can check status before hiring.

• Timing

  • The law takes effect on January 1, 2026. Existing licences under the old law stay valid until their original expiry.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Sets clear standards for training, conduct, and uniforms, which can improve safety for workers and the public.
• Makes it harder for unqualified or dishonest operators to work, by requiring licences, insurance, and clean records.
• Prevents confusion with police by banning police-like titles and symbols, and by defining what security staff can and cannot do.
• Strengthens oversight with inspections, mandatory incident reporting, and the ability to suspend a licence quickly to protect the public.
• Allows flexibility to bring in qualified help from other provinces during emergencies and for limited cross-border work.
• Lets the public verify licence status and file complaints, improving consumer protection.

Opponents' View#

• Adds costs and paperwork for small firms and in-house security (licence fees, training time, insurance, record-keeping).
• Limits independent contractors because workers must be employed by an agency or a business, not operate fully on their own.
• Gives compliance officers broad powers to inspect and seize records (though not to enter private homes without a warrant), raising privacy concerns.
• Requires workers to report criminal charges within three days even before a conviction, which some see as unfair.
• Bans common marketing terms like “detective” and police-style language, which some businesses may view as too strict.
• The Registrar can suspend a licence without notice to protect the public, which critics may see as too much discretion.