Security training (BST)
Basic Security Training (BST) 40-Hour Course
Facts checked 7 September 2026
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Part of the route toSecurity Guard·Certificate
A mandatory 40-hour course covering legal authorities, powers of arrest, emergency response, and professional reporting required to obtain a BC Security Worker Licence.
Ways to get this paid for
Government money that can cover this course. Check who qualifies before you pay.
Free adult upgrading
FreeGrade 11 and 12 courses and English classes are free at public colleges and school districts. This covers the Grade 11 and 12 prerequisite courses, not the program itself.
WorkBC training funding
Up to $7,500 tuitionIf you are out of work or underemployed, a WorkBC case manager can approve and pay for this training. Get approval before you pay.
Canada Training Credit
Half your tuition back, up to $5,000 in your lifeNot yet verifiedFederal tax credit. $250 a year builds up from age 26. Claim it on your tax return.
THE ROUTE
How this program works, step by step
Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.
The route (8 steps)
For the best view, open the map full screen.
STEP BY STEP
Step by step
The same route as the map, as a list.
Step 1 of 8
Grade 11
⏱ 1 school year- General BC secondary school curriculum and coursework at the Grade 11 level.
Step 2 of 8
Grade 12
⏱ 1 school year- General high school graduation (BC Dogwood Diploma) or equivalent mature student status.
Step 3 of 8
What you need to get in
- At least 19 years of age at time of licence application
- Government-issued photo identification
- Fluent in written and spoken English
- Legally entitled to work in Canada
- Clean criminal record (no disqualifying offences under the Security Services Act)
- Proficiency in English reading and writing
- Proficiency in English comprehension and written documentation
- English proficiency for legal documentation and written exam
Step 4 of 8
How to apply
- Choose an approved BST training school (JIBC online or an approved classroom provider)
- Register for the 40-hour course and obtain your student manual and study materials
- Attend all 40 hours of instruction (or complete online self-paced modules within 8 weeks)
- Register for the invigilated JIBC provincial examination (in person at New Westminster or online proctored for regional students)
- Submit your passing exam certificate with fingerprints and fee to BC Security Programs Division
Step 5 of 8
Security training (BST)
⏱ 1–2 weeks (40 hours)- 40 hours of intensive classroom instruction or 8-week self-paced online modules
- Legal studies covering Criminal Code authorities, powers of arrest, and Charter rights
- Practical conflict de-escalation, professional communication, and patrol procedures
- Documentation skills: daily logs, incident reports, and notebook rules for court evidence
- Personal safety, emergency response protocols, fire prevention, and scene preservation
Step 6 of 8
Where to take it
⏱ 3 schools in BC- Justice Institute of British Columbia — 1–2 weeks (About $350 for the whole program)
- Sting Executive Group International (SEGI) — 5 days (About $420 for the whole program)
- Turner Group (WT Canadian Safety & Medic Training) — 5 days (About $570 for the whole program)
Step 7 of 8
Exams and registration after
- JIBC Basic Security Training Assessment (SCRT-1656): Standardized 85-question provincial exam with a 70% passing grade
- Security Programs Division Criminal Record Check & Fingerprint Clearance
- BC Security Worker Licence Application (1-year or 3-year licence credential)
Step 8 of 8
Leads to: Security Guard
- Explore Security Guard wages, job outlook, and career pathways
SCHOOLS
Where you can take this(3 schools)
Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.
Justice Institute of British Columbia
New Westminster / Victoria / Kelowna / Chilliwack
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 7 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 7 September 2026.