Armoured Transport Guard in Quebec: Licence and Training
Separate BSP licence, ENPQ firearms training, federal authorizations, P-6 premium of $2.50: how to become an armoured transport guard in Quebec.
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Every year, the transport of valuables attracts candidates looking for a security job that is a little different from security guarding. The armoured transport guard, also called a valuables transport agent, moves money and other valuable goods between businesses, institutions and processing centres, often armed. In Quebec, this trade has its own licence, its own training and federal rules on firearms. Here is what you need to know before looking for a job in the transport of valuables.
Does the transport of valuables have its own licence in Quebec?
Yes. Section 1 of the Private Security Act lists six private security activities: security guarding, investigation, locksmith work, electronic security systems, the transport of valuables and security consulting. Transport of valuables is therefore a separate activity, and the Bureau de la sécurité privée (BSP), Quebec's private security regulator, issues an agent licence for this category, alongside the security guarding one.
In concrete terms, a security guarding licence is not enough to transport valuables. You need the licence that matches the activity carried on. The general steps (application, fees, renewal) are explained on our BSP agent licence page.
What are the conditions for getting the licence?
Section 19 of the Act sets the same basic conditions for all classes of agent licence. The applicant must:
- have the training required by regulation for the activity concerned
- be of good moral character
- not have been found guilty of a criminal offence related to the activity, unless a pardon has been obtained
- be at least 18 years old.
Once issued, the agent licence is valid for 5 years (section 21). Fees and renewal are detailed in our article on BSP licence fees and renewal.
What training do you need to become an armoured transport guard?
The training has nothing to do with the 70 hours of security guarding. According to the BSP's required training page, a person who wants a transport of valuables licence must have passed a training course on the handling of firearms and the use of force, given by an instructor qualified by the École nationale de police du Québec (ENPQ).
The BSP also specifies that these instructors work with licensed transport agencies. In practice, you do not register for this training the way you would for a public course. You inquire with the agencies that transport valuables, which organize it for their candidates. The BSP does not publish a duration for this training.
Aiming for security guarding first? The 70-hour path is presented on our security guard training page.
Do you need a federal licence to carry a firearm?
Yes, and it is a separate step from the BSP licence. Firearms are a federal matter, under the Firearms Act and the Canadian Firearms Program, run by the RCMP. Two authorizations come into play:
- The Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL). To apply for it, the RCMP requires, among other things, that you have passed the mandatory safety courses. A person aged 18 or over applies as an adult. In Quebec, if the PAL covers restricted firearms, the RCMP asks you to attach form SQ-3007 from the Sûreté du Québec.
- The authorization to carry. Section 20 of the Firearms Act allows an authorization to be issued to a licence holder to carry a restricted firearm or a handgun elsewhere than at the place where it is kept, in particular when the person needs it in connection with their lawful profession or occupation.
The precise conditions of the authorization to carry (who applies for it, for how long, on what conditions) are a federal matter and can change. Your future employer and the Canadian Firearms Program are the best sources for your situation.
Does the security guards' decree apply to the transport of valuables?
The Decree respecting security guards applies throughout Quebec (section 2.01) to security agencies and their employees (section 2.02). It defines security work broadly, including watching, guarding or protecting persons, property or premises. Section 2.03 lists the exclusions (peace officers, employees of governments and municipalities, work done exclusively for the needs of one's own employer, etc.). The transport of valuables is not named there.
The Decree provides a premium for armed work. The P-6 premium, paid to a guard working with a weapon (a firearm, according to the Decree's definition), is $2.50 an hour. It is added to the base hourly rate, which has been $20.60 for a Class A employee since June 28, 2026, and it can be combined with other premiums.
| Item in the Decree | Minimum amount |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate, Class A (since June 28, 2026) | $20.60 |
| P-6 premium, work with a weapon | $2.50 an hour |
| Minimum total with P-6 | $23.10 an hour |
Whether or not the Decree covers your job depends on your employer and the exact nature of the work. If in doubt, the parity committee can settle the question. To understand all the premiums, read the Decree premiums many guards do not claim.
What does a valuables transport agent do day to day?
- Pickups and deliveries: collecting deposits from businesses and delivering money or other valuables along a planned route.
- ATM replenishment: taking part in filling and servicing automated teller machines.
- Escort and protection: covering the colleague who carries the valuables between the vehicle and the client, watching the surroundings.
- Driving: the work is often done in an armoured vehicle, as a team, with strict procedures.
- Paperwork: slips, signatures, reports. Our incident report template can help.
What are the risks of the job?
The armoured transport guard carries exactly what thieves are after. The risk of robbery is real, and that is why the training required by the BSP covers weapons and the use of force. More ordinary risks are added to that: handling bags and cash boxes, early-morning schedules, driving in the city and in winter, stress. Following procedures (never deviating from a security routine, staying in communication with the team) is the main protection. Before accepting a job, ask what ongoing training and what support after an incident the employer offers.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you become an armoured transport guard at 18?
The Private Security Act requires a minimum age of 18 for an agent licence. You must also pass the training recognized by the ENPQ and obtain the federal authorizations for the firearm, which the employer assesses with you.
Does my security guarding licence allow me to transport valuables?
No. The transport of valuables is a separate activity in the Act, with its own training. You need the licence that matches this activity.
Where can you find a job in the transport of valuables?
Apply to the licensed transport agencies: the training goes through them. Also see our security guard job postings.
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Sources
- Private Security Act (CQLR, c. S-3.5), sections 1, 19 and 21, LégisQuébec.
- Formations requises, Bureau de la sécurité privée.
- Decree respecting security guards (CQLR, c. D-2, r. 1), sections 1.01, 2.01 to 2.03 and 4.07, LégisQuébec (up to date as of June 1, 2026).
- Loi sur les armes à feu (L.C. 1995, ch. 39), section 20, Justice Canada.
- Présenter une demande de permis d'armes à feu, Royal Canadian Mounted Police.