What the BSP Is and Why It Matters
The Bureau de la sécurité privée (BSP) is the Quebec government body that regulates the private security industry under the Private Security Act. No one may legally work as a security guard, patrol officer or concierge security agent in Quebec without a valid BSP agent licence — and no agency may operate without an agency licence. When you hire a security company, verifying its BSP licence is the single most important due-diligence step.
Step 1: Meet the Eligibility Requirements
You must be at least 18 years old, be legally entitled to work in Canada, and have no criminal record related to the duties of a security guard. The BSP conducts a background verification with police authorities as part of every application.
Step 2: Complete the Mandatory Training
Quebec requires aspiring guards to complete a recognized security guard training program — roughly 70 hours covering legal frameworks, communication, emergency response, first aid and professional conduct — offered by approved schools across the province, including in Montreal, Quebec City and several regions. Keep your attestation: you will need it for the application.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Applications are filed with the BSP online or by mail, with proof of training, identification and the application fee. Processing times vary, so apply well before your target start date. Licences are valid for a set period and must be renewed before expiry — working on an expired licence is an offence under the Private Security Act.
Working for a Licensed Agency
Once licensed, you can work for any BSP-licensed security agency. At 1st Nations Security, we actively recruit new licensees — including many Indigenous candidates beginning their security careers — and provide site-specific onboarding beyond the basic training. See our careers page or email admin@1stnation-security.com to apply.