Security guard training in Montreal: how to go about it

Looking for security guard training in Montreal? It is the city in Quebec with the widest choice, in the public network as well as the private sector. You still have to choose a course that really leads to the licence from the Bureau de la sécurité privée (BSP), Quebec's private security regulator, at the right price and on a schedule that suits you. Here is how to go about it, step by step.

The content of the training (the three modules, the list of recognized private schools) is explained on our page security guard training in detail. This article covers what is specific to Montreal.

What training do you need to be a security guard in Montreal?

The rule is the same everywhere in Quebec: to get a security guarding licence, the BSP requires at least 70 hours of classes. The BSP states that this training is taken in a school service centre that offers the private security guarding program, or in another training program recognized by the Minister and included in its list.

In Montreal, you will come across two formats in the public network:

• the basic training required for the licence, of at least 70 hours
• the Attestation of Vocational Studies (AEP) "Sécurité privée – Gardiennage" (program 4239), which is much longer: 390 hours, or about three months. It also exists in English (Private Security Guarding, program 4739).

The AEP covers much more than the minimum: surveillance, access control, emergency response, first aid and a workplace integration component. If you simply want your licence as quickly as possible, ask the centre which of the two formats it offers and whether the certificate it issues is the one the BSP accepts.

Where can you take a security guard course in Montreal?

According to Inforoute FPT, at least two school service centres on the island of Montreal offer the AEP Sécurité privée – Gardiennage:

Sessions do not all start at the same time and are not offered every month. The simplest way: search for program 4239 on Inforoute FPT or on Admission FP, which show the open groups, with the start date, the schedule and the registration deadline.

There are also several private schools in Montreal. Some are recognized by the BSP, others no longer are, and training is accepted only if it was taken after the date of its recognition. We do not recommend any school: simply check the exact name of yours in the official list "Autres formations en gardiennage acceptées par le BSP" before you pay.

How long does the training last, and can you take it in the evening?

The length depends on the format: 70 hours at a minimum for the basic training, 390 hours for the AEP. Schedules, for their part, vary by centre and by session. In the public network, there are daytime groups, Monday to Friday, and evening groups for people who already work. Weekend formats are rarer. If that is your only option, ask the centre directly.

A BSP temporary licence can allow you to work during a work-study training program. It lasts no more than 120 days.

How much does security guard training cost in Montreal?

The cost varies by centre, by format and by your situation (some groups in the public network are funded, others are offered by the business services department at a fixed rate). Always ask:

• whether the materials and first aid are included in the price
• whether there are registration or exam fees on top
• whether the centre has places funded by Services Québec.

Do not forget the fees for the licence itself, which are added to those of the course. They are indexed every year: see BSP licence and renewal fees.

Is there free security guard training?

Yes, in some cases. If you are unemployed, Services Québec can pay for your training through the Mesure de formation de la main-d'œuvre, its workforce training measure. According to Québec.ca, this measure can:

• pay an allowance of about $400 a week during qualifying training (such as an AEP)
• reimburse certain costs: childcare, transportation, training fees, lodging.

To be eligible, you must in particular be 16 or over, have left full-time school at least 24 months ago and show that the lack of training keeps you from finding a job. The decision is up to Services Québec: apply before you register, online or at a Services Québec office in your neighbourhood.

Some agencies also train their new guards at their own expense. The Decree respecting security guards does not require them to: it is a hiring condition to negotiate.

What should you do after the training?

1. Keep your certificate. It proves to the BSP that you have the required training.
2. Apply for your licence online, by mail or in person. The BSP has its offices in Montreal, on boulevard Crémazie Est. All the details: the steps for the BSP licence.
3. Look for a job during the security check. Montreal has positions in office towers, hospitals, shopping centres, events and transportation. See finding a security guard job.

Which additional training is useful in Montreal?

• First aid, CPR and AED (16 h): already included in the basic training, but you have to redo it every 3 years to keep the premium provided for in the Decree.
• Crisis management: requested in hospitals and health institutions, of which Montreal has many, where it gives the right to a premium.
• Customer service: a short course that also gives the right to an hourly premium.
• English: in many positions downtown, in hotels or at events, the employer asks that you be able to serve the public in both languages. Adult education centres and government-offered language courses are one avenue.

The premiums and the validity period of each training course are in the table on our security guard training page. For the full path, from zero to your first shift: become a security guard.

Frequently asked questions

Can you take security guard training online?

Only in part, depending on the school. First aid and emergency procedures require practice in class. Check how much of the course is given online and that the certificate will be accepted by the BSP.

Can you take the course in English in Montreal?

Yes. The AEP exists in English (Private Security Guarding, program 4739). Search for this program number on Inforoute FPT to see which centres offer it.

Do you need a high school diploma?

Not necessarily. For the AEP, you need at least Secondary 3 (or to have passed the general development test) and to meet one other condition, for example being 18 years old. For the licence, the BSP requires that you be 18 and have the right to work in Canada.

How long is it from the start of the course to the first job?

Count the length of the course, then the BSP processing time, which varies. The temporary licence can shorten the wait in some cases.

Sources

• BSP: Formations requises
• BSP: Autres formations en gardiennage acceptées
• Inforoute FPT: AEP Sécurité privée – Gardiennage (4239)
• Admission FP: AEP 4239
• Québec.ca: Suivre une formation avec une aide financière (Mesure de formation de la main-d'œuvre)
• Decree respecting security guards, section 4.07 (LégisQuébec)