Commissionaires BC

Basic Security Training (BST)

Become security trained and learn from the best.

Commissionaires BC offers the latest official curriculum of Basic Security Training (BST), taught by experienced facilitators who want to see each individual succeed. Our rigorous training standards ensure each participant is prepared, upon completion, to tackle real-life security guarding scenarios professionally. 

Request Training or call 877 322 6777. View class schedule.

Why You Should Take This Course

Commissionaires is the expert when it comes to security guard training. We’ve developed a course to train students to the highest possible standards and prepare them for the required testing. By taking this BST course you will gain practical knowledge, allowing you to immediately apply your new skills and experience in the real world as a security professional. This course is designed to utilize the life experiences of each participant and build on existing skills for advancement across all levels. Our highly-trained facilitators will guide you through this program, ensuring the material is well-understood and that you have every chance for success.

In order to become security licensed as a security worker in British Columbia, you will now require this BST five-day, 40-hour theory course.

What You Will Learn

Commissionaires teaches the official curriculum for security training, developed by the Justice Institute. We are an approved provider of this course. The BST course is designed to familiarize students with, and qualify them to perform, the roles and responsibilities of a security worker.

 The BST course is delivered in five segments:

1. Intro to the Course
2. Intro to Private Security
3. Legal Issues
4. Documentation
5. Personal Safety

The exam will be made up of 100 multiple choice and true / false questions. Students will have two hours to complete it. Commissionaires offers a free, half-day review the morning of the exam for any participants who wish to attend.

Who Should Attend?

• Individuals seeking employment in the security industry as a security guard, and in related positions;
• Individuals who would like to apply for security licence certification;
• Those employed by organizations requiring their employees to be security trained and / or certified;
• Those who wish to add to their skills and become trained in security.

Course Duration

The BST course is a five-day, 40-hour theory course, followed by a two-hour exam. Classes run from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm weekdays only and are currently not offered evenings or weekends. See class schedule for next classes offered.

Course Locations

You may take the BST course at the Commissionaires Learning & Development Centre location most convenient for you. Classes are offered at our Surrey Gateway facility and also at our Kelowna training facility. Our state-of-the-art Surrey campus is equipped with the very latest in classroom technology and teaching tools for interactive presentations and digital media. It is conveniently located in the Gateway Station Tower on the SkyTrain Expo line. Our Kelowna classroom is centrally located in the heart of Kelowna.

Course Schedule and Registration

Please check the class schedule for upcoming classes. When you are ready to register, you can Request Training online or call 877 322 6777 to speak to a training professional today.

Why Commissionaires?

Commissionaires is known for our excellence in training. Our training is delivered by Commissionaires’ subject matter experts who are trained facilitators with extensive real-life, relevant experiences. Commissionaires BC is a member of the Canadian Society of Training and Development (CSTD). CSTD, the professional association in Canada focused on training, learning, and development in the workplace, has been setting standards in the industry for over 30 years as Canada's only national association for workplace learning and development. As members of CSTD, Commissionaires BC holds a competitive advantage in the security industry, having a forum for our trainers to engage, learn, achieve and connect with other members.

Commissionaires has earned a reputation as a security leader, having protected people and property across Canada for over 85 years. Our organization employs many individuals who are former military and RCMP. The calibre of security expertise of our people is second to none in the private security industry, and students can reap the benefits. Our courses have an extremely high success rate for completion, and graduates can bring that success to the organizations they work with.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the more commonly asked questions. For more information on the security industry regulation changes, please visit http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/securityindustry.

Who needs a security guard licence?

Security workers may need a licence if they are paid to perform work that consists mainly of protecting individuals or property. This includes security guards, bodyguards, and in-house security.

What is needed to apply for a security licence?

• Successful completion of BST training;
• Fingerprints taken;
• Proof of citizenship or relevant documentation;
• Proof of age (19) and copy of photo ID.

Please see our security licensing services for assistance with fingerprinting and application process.

What are the current changes to the Security Act that concern security guarding?

Effective March 1, 2009 the Basic Security Training (BST) 1&2 program changed in accordance with the Security Services Act and Regulations. The Basic Security Training (BST) course is now provincially mandated to be a 40-hour, five-day course and replaces the BST 1, BST 2 and BST 1&2 courses that were previously offered.

According to the BC Security Services Act, individuals in some security related positions are now responsible for directly obtaining and holding a security licence.