64410 Security guards and related security service occupations

What this occupation covers

Security guards and workers in related security service occupations guard and implement security measures to protect property against theft, vandalism and fire; to control access to establishments; to maintain order and enforce regulations at public events and within establishments; to perform screening of passengers, luggage or cargo; to conduct private investigations for clients or employers and to provide other protective services not elsewhere classified. They are employed by public or private security agencies, residential complexes, educational, cultural, financial and health institutions, retail establishments, investigation service companies, transportation facilities, and organizations throughout the public and private sectors, or they may be self-employed.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 14 main duties for this code.

• Control access to establishments, operate security control-room equipment and patrol assigned areas to guard against theft, vandalism and fire
• Enforce regulations to maintain order and resolve conflicts and to monitor establishment activities
• Ensure safety and emergency procedures are followed
• Issue passes and direct visitors to appropriate areas and check age identification of patrons.
• Inspect and screen luggage or cargo using equipment or hands
• Perform searches of passengers with tools or by hand
• Monitor and screen passengers through screening checkpoints and other procedures.
• Drive and guard armoured trucks, pick-up and deliver cash and valuables to banks, automated teller machines and retail establishments.
• Investigate unlawful acts of employees or patrons of establishments
• Recommend security systems such as electronic detection devices and access devices.
• Conduct investigations to locate missing persons
• Obtain information for use in civil and criminal litigation matters or for other purposes
• May also conduct polygraph tests (integrity surveys) for clients.
• Prevent and detect shoplifting and theft in retail establishments.

Do not copy these lines into your reference letter. The letter has to describe what you actually did, in your employer’s words. DUTYPROOF flags wording lifted from the NOC as something to review, and an officer reading a letter that mirrors the NOC reads it the same way.

What DUTYPROOF screens for

This is DUTYPROOF’s screening threshold, not IRCC’s decision. For this NOC, screening requires at least 3 of its 14 official duties to be evidenced in your own words, plus the required letter elements. IRCC asks that you performed the actions in the occupation’s lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties — so treat the duty coverage as the number that matters, not the badge.

Codes this one is confused with

The NOC profile names these itself. Choosing the wrong code of a look-alike pair is the most common way genuine work experience fails to establish eligibility.

• 43201 Correctional service officers
• 41310 Police investigators and other investigative occupations
• 10029 Other business services managers
• 62029 Other services supervisors

Excluded from this code

• Correctional service officers (See 43201 Correctional service officers)
• Police investigators and other investigative occupations (See 41310 Police investigators and other investigative occupations)
• Private investigation and security service manager (See 10029 Other business services managers)
• Security guard supervisor (See 62029 Other services supervisors)
• Security service manager (See 10029 Other business services managers)

Job titles filed under this code

A title on this list does not by itself put your experience in this code — the duties in your letter decide that.

air courier guard · airport security guard · alarm investigator · armed security guard · armoured car driver · armoured car guard · automatic teller machine (ATM) guard · bodyguard (except police) · bouncer · business establishment investigator · cabin baggage inspector · carry-on baggage inspector · commissionaire · convoy guard · corporate security officer · escort - security services · gateman/woman · hand baggage inspector · hand luggage inspector · house detective · investigations officer - postal service · lie detector examiner · loss prevention officers supervisor · night guard

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• A college diploma in law and security or police technology may be required.
• Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) certification is required for screening officers.
• Security guards carrying firearms require a licence.
• Armoured car drivers require a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) for both restricted and non-restricted firearms.
• In Quebec, a permit issued by the Bureau de la sécurité privée (BSP) is required to work as a private detective or security officer.
• Corporate security officers may require experience as a police officer.
• Private investigators require provincial licensure.
• Certification for responsible beverage service is mandatory for security staff in establishments serving alcoholic beverages in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Prince Edward Island.