The process of becoming a Canadian private investigator differs depending on what state and province you plan on working in. While different provinces often require additional work, becoming a private investigator in Ontario only takes a few simple steps, so you can start your career much sooner than you think.
If you’re interested in becoming a private investigator in Toronto, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the process, straight from the experts at Cancom Security Training Academy.
Your first step in becoming a Toronto private investigator starts with the basic training course. You must take a 50-hour long course, completed either online or in-person, that is offered by a licensed training company or school.
Of course, it’s best to complete your training with a company that’s established in the security and private investigation field, as these organizations will look much more credible on your resume.
Cancom Security Training Academy offers online private investigator training courses that meet the Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services’ requirements for private investigators — learn more below.
Once you’ve successfully completed the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion along with a completion number on it, which is what you’ll need to sign up for your private investigator exam.
Once you receive your training completion number from your school of choice, you’ll be able to schedule your exam through Serco, the official testing provider of the Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services (MCSCS).
Your exam will be made up of 60 multiple choice questions that will assess your understanding of the topics covered in your training course. Keep an eye out for your exam results, which will usually become available about two days after you take your test.
Now that you’ve passed your exam, your final step is to apply for your private investigator license through the MCSCS.
Your application must also include additional documents, such as a passport-quality photo, copies of two official identification documents, the $80 application fee, and the Guarantor Information Form.
In addition to turning in your application, you must also:
Expect to receive your license in the mail about two to four weeks after you apply. Once you receive it, you can now begin applying for jobs with any investigative agency in the province.
If you’re ready to start your new career as a Toronto private investigator, sign up for our online private investigator course once it becomes available.
The six-day course spans 50 hours of education that satisfies and exceeds Ministry requirements. You’ll learn everything you need to succeed in this field, including criminal and civil law, investigative techniques, and self-management skills. We also offer a private investigator manual so you can brush up on your skills whenever you need to.
Interested in learning more? Send us a message using the contact form on our website. If you’d like to speak with someone directly, give us a call at +1 416-763-0000 instead.
