How To Apply

Click the link to the electronic e-form application forms found on the Private Investigators and Security Guards program webpage and complete the form.

Payment is made at the time of application by Visa, Mastercard, Visa Debit, or Mastercard Debit.

After you have made payment, please allow time for review and processing of your application.

You will be notified by email that your licence application has been processed.

Your licence card will be sent by postal mail to the mailing address provided on your application form.

You may only work once you have received your licence card in the mail.

New Licence:

To apply for a new licence, please complete all required fields on the eForm online licence application form. All required documents for application can be uploaded to the eForm. This includes your record check results, identification documents, photograph and training certificate to the online form before submitting your application.

Document uploads must be in .jpeg file format.

A new licence application requires all of the following to be processed:

  1. A complete online application form
    1. A link to the online application form can be found on the program website.
    2. Complete your online application form. Only the applicant may complete the application form.
    3. Ensure that you have completed all required fields on the online application form and that you have provided true and correct information. The information provided in your application is used to determine your eligibility for a licence.
  2. Upload the results of your criminal record check dated within the 6 months prior to the date of your application.
  3. Upload the results of your Manitoba child abuse registry check dated within the 6 months prior to the date of your application form.
  4. Upload a digital photograph (in .jpeg file format). See Photo Requirements below.
  5. Upload your proof of training or proof of competency
    1. Security Guard Licence: Certificate showing completion of the Manitoba Security Guard Training Program from an approved trainer.
    2. Private Investigator Licence: Proof of competency (see Proof of Competency below for information)
    3. If you are enrolled in security guard training, you may be eligible for a temporary licence (see Temporary Security Guard Licence below)
  6. Upload a copy of two pieces of government issued identification. See Establishing Your Identity for acceptable identification documents.
  7. For Loss Prevention Officers only: Download the uniform exemption form from the program website. Complete the form. Upload completed form to the online application form before submitting your licence application.

Important: Please do not submit your application without including the results of your criminal record check or child abuse registry check. A receipt showing that you have applied for a criminal record check or a child abuse registry check will not be accepted. The results must be included with your application.

Renewal Applications:

Renewal of your licence is required each year before expiry.

Updated criminal record check results; child abuse registry check results; and a new photograph are required every three years. The expiry date of these documents is 3 years from the date on the record check results.

To renew your licence, please complete the eForm online Renewal Application. A link to the online form is found on the program website.

Please ensure that all your required documents including record check results, identification documents and/or photograph are uploaded to the online application eForm. If you are unsure what is needed for your renewal this year, please refer to your reminder letter or contact the PISG program by email to request this information.

Renewal applications must be submitted before the expiry date of the licence. Applicants should refer to the program website for updates on current licence processing times to ensure they submit their renewal application in advance to allow for processing time prior to their expiry date.

A renewal application form will only be accepted for up to 30 days past the expiry date of the licence. If your licence has been expired for more than 30 days, a new licence application is required, including the results of a new criminal record check, new child abuse registry check, and photograph.

Reminder Letters: As a courtesy, reminder notices are sent 60 days prior to the expiry date of the licence or the expiry date of any of the required documents. The reminder notice will list the expiry dates of the licence and required documents. It is the responsibility of the licence holder to ensure that required record checks are submitted.

Temporary Security Guard Licence:

If you are currently enrolled in the Manitoba Security Guard Training Program you may be eligible for a 6-month temporary security guard licence. Only one temporary licence can be issued per person. A temporary licence cannot be renewed or extended past the 6-month term.

A temporary licence can be amended to a full licence following the successful completion of the Manitoba Security Guard Training Program and achieving a pass mark on the final exam.

To apply for a temporary security guard licence:

  1. Enroll in the Manitoba Security Guard Training Program
  2. Submit a licence application using the online eForm Application for a New Licence including:
    1. all required documents, see New Licence.
    2. Select the check box for a temporary licence
    3. For Proof of Training, include a letter from your approved trainer which confirms your name, date of birth, and that you are enrolled in the Manitoba Security Guard Training Program, with your expected date(s) of training.

Note: For a temporary licence application, all required documents must be submitted with the application form including the results of a criminal record check, the results of a child abuse registry check, and photograph. The letter confirming your training enrollment must be included with the application form and required documents.

To amend your temporary licence to a full licence, submit your training certificate to infopisg@gov.mb.ca. You should do this as soon as pass your exam and you receive your certificate.

Criminal Record Check Results – All Applications

Criminal record check results should be obtained from the Canadian police agency for the jurisdiction where the applicant resides.

The following alternate criminal record check providers are accepted in some cases. Applicants must be aware when selecting to use an alternate service provider, that the Registrar may request a record check from the police agency for the jurisdiction where the applicant resides as determined to be necessary and at the Registrar’s discretion. Any additional cost is the responsibility of the applicant:

If your criminal record check indicates that you have, or may have, a record of charges or convictions, you will be required to provide a criminal record check that has been certified with fingerprints and includes a transcript listing the charges and/or convictions on your criminal record. This must be dated within the previous 6 months from the date of your application. The certified criminal record check must be obtained from the police agency for the jurisdiction in which the applicant resides. The licence application cannot be processed until the complete results are provided, including the transcript.

Returned or Incomplete Applications

If your application is returned to you because of an error or missing information, you have 90 calendar days to respond. If we do not receive the requested information from you within 90 calendar days, your application will be closed, and your payment will be retained as a processing fee. A new application and payment will be required, which will be subject to regular processing time.

Establishing Your Identity:

The Private Investigators and Security Guards program must be able to verify your identity before issuing a licence. Two pieces of government issued identification are required with your application. Further documents may be requested by the Registrar as needed.

Acceptable identification documents

You must provide a copy of two different pieces of government- issued identification:

  1. One piece of identification which includes your full legal name, photograph, signature and date of birth.
  2. A second piece of identification which shows you are eligible to work in Canada.

When preparing to submit your identification, please remember:

  • select one identification document from each list below
  • two different pieces of identification are required
  • identification submitted must be current and valid (not expired, cancelled, or suspended) at the time your application was submitted
  • the first and last names on your licence application must match your name as on the identification provided
  • your identification must be in English or French
  • you must submit clear, quality, visible copies (front and back) of your original identification documents

Acceptable documents

  1. Choose one piece of identification from the following list which includes your full legal name, photograph, date of birth, and signature:
    • valid Manitoba Driver's licence
    • any valid Passport (showing photo and signature page)
    • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (card with photo)
    • Provincial Identification Card issued by a Canadian province or territory
    • Canadian Department of National Defence Identification Card or Canadian Forces Card
    • Certificate of Indian Status Card
    • Refugee Protection Claimant Document
  2. Choose your second piece of identification from the following list which shows you are eligible to work in Canada:
    • Canadian birth certificate
    • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
    • Canadian Citizenship Card
    • Canadian passport (photo and signature page)
    • Permanent Resident Card
    • Valid work permit or study permit
    • Certificate of Indian Status Card (issued by the Canadian government)
    • Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad
    • Department of National Defence (DND) Services Card
    • Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) Canadian Forces Card
  3. The following documents will not be accepted:
    • Manitoba health card
    • Social Insurance Number (SIN) card
    • Firearms Possession and Acquisition (PAL) or Possession-Only (POL) licence
    • Your security guard or private investigator licence card

Other identification or documents may be accepted. If you have a question regarding acceptable documents, or do not have valid government issued identification as listed above, please contact the Private Investigators and Security Guards program office at 204-945-2825 for further information or assistance.

Photo Requirements

If you are applying for a new licence you will need to submit a photograph with your licence application.

Photos are valid for three years. If you are renewing your licence, you will be required to submit a new photograph if the photo on file has expired.

Your photo must be a digital photograph of passport quality and must be submitted in a .JPEG file format with your application.

Your photo must meet the following requirements:

  • an original photo that has not been altered in any way
  • a photo taken of an existing photo or a photo taken of a hard copy photo are not accepted (for example, photos of your passport or another identification document photo will not be accepted)
  • your photo should not be a ‘selfie’
  • clear, sharp and in focus
  • taken in front of a plain white or a neutral and light-coloured background which shows a clear difference between your face, clothing, and the background
  • taken within the last 6 months
  • displays your natural skin tones
  • avoid shadows across your face and/or shoulders, around your ears, or in the background
  • taken straight on, with your face and shoulders centered and squared to the camera
  • taken with your eyes open and clearly visible, and with your mouth closed in a neutral position (for example no smiling, neutral expression)
  • photos with a red-eye effect will not be accepted
  • do not use filters to edit or alter the digital image

Glasses: You can wear prescription glasses if your eyes are clearly visible and there is no reflection or glare in the lenses. Sunglasses cannot be worn.

Hats and head coverings: You cannot wear hats and head coverings unless it is worn daily for religious or medical reasons. Your full face must be clearly visible in your photo and your head covering must not cast a shadow on your face.

Uniforms: You cannot wear a uniform in your photograph, this includes your security guard uniform.

Legal Change of Name Documents

Legal change of name documents are required when:

  • Requesting a change of name on your licence
  • Submitting a licence application which contains a change of name
  • Requested by the Registrar

Note: Change of name documents may be requested by the Registrar for previous legal names on new licence applications.

Acceptable legal change of name documents:

  • Marriage certificate issued by a Canadian province or territory
  • Certificate of Change of Name (issued under the Change of Name Act or issued by a Canadian province or territory)
  • Certificate of Election of Surname
  • Certificate of Resumption of Surname
  • Divorce Certificate with birth certificate (for return to maiden name)

Private Investigator Competency

In Manitoba, private investigator licences are issued based on proof of competency, which must be included with new licence applications. The current criteria for proof of competency is:

  • Certificate of Service issued by a Canadian municipal, provincial or federal police service.
  • Proof of completing a regulated Private Investigator training standard set by another Canadian provincial jurisdiction.
  • Proof of successfully completing a curriculum at a university, college or vocational institute which covers police studies, criminal law and criminal justice.

Out of Province Licences

A licence issued in Manitoba is only valid in the province of Manitoba. A licence issued by another Canadian province or territory is not valid in Manitoba. This means that if you are a licence holder from another Canadian province or territory you cannot work as a security guard or private investigator in the province of Manitoba without holding a licence issued by Manitoba.

It is not possible to transfer or convert a licence from another province or territory to a Manitoba licence. You must apply for a New Licence in Manitoba. However, if you have completed a training standard from another Canadian province or territory, you may be eligible for training equivalency when applying for your Manitoba licence. Training equivalency means that you would be considered to have met the training requirement for a Manitoba licence and may not be required to complete the Manitoba Security Guard Training Program.

What is required to be considered for training equivalency for out of province licence holders?

  • You must hold a valid security guard or private investigator licence from another Canadian province or territory
  • You must have moved to Manitoba and have a Manitoba address
  • The other Canadian province or territory in which you hold the licence must have a training requirement place

To apply for a Manitoba licence based on training from another Canadian province or territory, submit the following:

  • A completed Manitoba licence application form (use the eForm online application for a New licence, the link is found on program website)
  • Results of your criminal record check dated within the previous 6 months
  • Results of your Manitoba child abuse registry check dated within the previous 6 months
  • Photograph (.jpeg file format) taken within the previous 6 months
  • Copy of your valid security guard or private investigator licence from another Canadian province or territory (front and back)
  • Copy of your training certificate and/or proof of competency
    • For Ontario licence holders, a training completion number (TCN) is accepted.

All applications are subject to review by the Registrar and must meet the eligibility criteria for a licence in Manitoba.

Establishing Your Manitoba Address:

To obtain a security guard or private investigator licence in Manitoba, you must reside in the province of Manitoba. Any exceptions to this require approval by the Registrar.

If the Registrar needs to confirm your address or Manitoba residency, the Registrar will request two supporting documents to prove that you reside in Manitoba. A supporting document must be dated within 90 days of the date of your application and contain your physical address in Manitoba. (For rural residents, at least one of the supporting documents must contain your physical address and the second supporting document can contain your mailing address).

Acceptable Supporting Documents showing a Manitoba address:

  • Bank Statement or void cheque
  • Employment confirmation
  • Manitoba Health Card
  • Mortgage document or residential lease
  • Personal income tax document
  • Social assistance benefit confirmation
  • Utility Bill

Replacement Licence Cards

There is a $15.00 fee for all replacement licence cards.

Lost or Stolen licence card:

  • Report your security guard licence card lost or stolen to the appropriate police agency
  • Send an email to infopisg@gov.mb.ca to notify the Private Investigators & Security Guards program of the lost or stolen licence card, including the police report number
  • This email must be sent by the licence holder
  • Please include your security guard licence number (if available), full name (as it appears on the licence card), date of birth, telephone number, and email address
  • Program staff will contact you for payment of the replacement card fee
  • A new licence card will be sent by mail to the mailing address on file

Contact Us:

By Phone: 204-945-2825
Please note, this line is monitored for messages which are returned by the following business day. Please leave a voice message with your name, telephone number, and licence number if applicable.

By Email: infopisg@gov.mb.ca

By Mail: Private Investigators & Security Guards Program
PO Box 20 Stn Main Winnipeg, MB R3C 9Z9

Website: Private Investigator and Security Guards Program

Application processing updates can be found on the program website.