online security guard course

Alberta Basic Security Training

Start your career as a security guard in Alberta by taking the 40-hour accredited Alberta Basic Security Training (ABST) online or classroom. We also provide online or in-person government exams so you can apply for your Alberta Security Licence and start working right away.
  • Level:
  • Beginner
  • Duration:
  • 40 hours total study
  • Modules:
  • 7
  • Certificate:
  • Achieve 80%+ on course quizzes
  • Final Exam:
  • Online and in-person government exams available
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Choose your Bundle

basic
ABST Basic
.
$99
This is our most cost-effective package. It is recommended for individuals who have had some experience in the security industry. Tuition is $99+GST.


Includes 2 resources:
  • Online course
  • Digital participant manual
recommended
ABST Plus

$119 $185
This is our most recommended option, and our most popular as it includes the 2 hour pre-exam instructor-led review to help you pass your exam! Tuition is $119+GST.

Includes 4 resources:
  • Online course
  • Digital participant manual
  • Online practice exams
  • Pre-exam instructor-led review
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basic
ABST Basic + Manual
$159 $169
This is our basic package with a paper manual for students who like to study by highlighting, taking notes and following along with their physical book. Tuition is $159+GST.

Includes 3 resources:
  • Online course
  • Digital participant manual
  • Paper manual & shipping
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best value
ABST Plus + Manual
$179 $256
This is our full package. It includes all the options that we offer, bundled together into the best valued package we have. Tuition is $179+GST.


Includes 5 resources:
  • Online course
  • Digital participant manual
  • Online practice exams
  • Pre-exam instructor-led review
  • Paper manual & shipping
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Classroom Options

Prefer to take the course in-person, in a real classroom setting? Maybe you learn better by interacting with others, or need someone to guide you to get through all the material. We offer that too at our facility in Edmonton! Check out our upcoming course dates.

Considering a career as a Security Guard?

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Physical security is a highly diverse field with many areas of specialization. It is a critical function in the safety of our communities, and supports and enhances law enforcement functions. 

What is Private Security?

Private Security (or Physical Security) describes roles that secure physical spaces, people and assets. There are a broad range of positions in this discipline ranging from entry level security guard to executive level director of security who manages operations for facilities and teams of staff to ensure safety and security. Physical security is a very diverse field that allows an individual to specialize in roles such as: close protection (body guard), access control, detecting and preventing loss of assets (loss protection), responding to security alarms (mobile response), special events and crowd management, armed transportation, bylaw, law and policy enforcement and more. Some individuals use their experience in their security job to propel them into other fields such as law enforcement, while others understand how private security has a critical role in the safety of our communities and choose to devote their entire careers to that cause.

How do I start a career as a Security Guard in Alberta?

You must have an Alberta Security Services Licence to work as a security guard in the province of Alberta. If you want to start a career as a security guard or in other related security services employment in the province of Alberta, the Alberta Basic Security Training course is the place to start. This 40 hour government-required course, which is accredited through the Solicitor General of Alberta, is the legal minimum training necessary to work in the security industry.  This course covers all the material you need to know to take your government exam to get your Alberta Security Services licence. 

How do you get your Security Licence?

#1  

Check to make sure you meet the basic requirements for the licence.

#2   

Complete your Alberta Basic Security Training (ABST) course (online or in-person).

#3  

Pass your proctored government final exam (online or in-person).

#4  

Apply for your Security Services Licence.

Benefits

We help with it all!

Follow an easy, step-by-step process

We have simplified the often confusing, multi-step process of getting your security licence down to a simple, easy-to-follow process that we guide you through every step of the way.

We help with everything!
Every step

We provide everything you need to get your security licence: the course, booking the exam, and help with your licence application. No hidden fees. No hunting for your own exam proctor.

Choose the additional options you want

We want you to succeed, so we also have additional resources and options such as online practice exams and an instructor-led pre-exam review (for ABST Plus), and hardcopy manuals.
features

What's included with your course tuition

  • Immediate access on any device to the government-accredited course with experienced instruction. 
  • A copy of the digital course study material (options to purchase a physical copy).
  • Access to online practice exams and instructor review to ensure you're ready for your government exam (included with ABST Plus).
  • Guidance on booking your government exam and completing the security guard licence application.
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about us

Why choose Tip of Spear to take this training?

Additional Resources

Additional study resources are available such as practice exams and instructor-led reviews to help you pass your exam. Once you have your licence, take our numerous other advanced courses to help you grow in your career.

Qualified Instructors

Our instructors are real people with 30+ years of experience, who have actually worked extensively in the security and private investigation fields. We are constantly improving our high-quality material and instructional techniques so you effectively learn the skills you need.

Full Support

We go above and beyond to provide support and guidance on everything you need. Learn what the prerequisites are to start your career, complete your course, pass your exam, apply for your licence, and get that dream job. We help with it all!

Trusted

We are one of the largest training centres in Alberta. We have successfully trained almost 15,000 people over 12+ years and our reputation with this program is well-known in the industry. Our key courses are accredited through the Alberta Solicitor and Governor General.

Alberta Advantage

We live and work in Alberta too, so we know what the security industry is like here and teach from that perspective, which gives you an advantage. This is not just about doing the minimum to get your licence, this is about setting you up for success in your career!

Dream Careers

As a Tip of Spear student, you get an exclusive access to hiring employers so you can get a job once you pass your exam and get your (temporary) licence! Security companies trust the quality of our students and they want to hire you.
Testimonials

What our learners say   

Friendly, professional service, and incredibly accommodating during these difficult times. I initially was worried about taking the 40 hour Alberta Basic Security Training course online, but the content was very well laid out, and easy to follow. Coupled with a physical copy of the course booklet, I was able to easily grasp all the concepts, and review at my own pace. I even managed to get a 98% on my Proctored Exam! I would highly recommend Tip of Spear Inc to anyone looking to start their Alberta Basic Security Training! Especially if you're a little hesitant to attend a classroom setting during COVID-19, the online delivery is consistently high quality, with lots of extra info and practical knowledge you might not get with other courses. 5 Stars!"
- FUNK Y.
I took an online course for Alberta Basic Security Training at Tip of Spear Inc. They have a very good course. The content is accurate. Their team is very responsive and the review class before the exam was very helpful in refreshing the contents and clearing any doubts. They also helped me with my license application. Overall, the course is helpful and the team is very professional and cooperative!"
- Charanjit Singh
Let's get started

Choose your Bundle

basic
ABST Basic
.
$99
This is our most cost-effective package. It is recommended for individuals who have had some experience in the security industry. Tuition is $99+GST.


Includes 2 resources:
  • Online course
  • Digital participant manual
recommended
ABST Plus

$119 $185
This is our most recommended option, and our most popular as it includes the 2 hour pre-exam classroom review to help you pass your exam! Tuition is $119+GST.

Includes 4 resources:
  • Online course
  • Digital participant manual
  • Online practice exams
  • Pre-exam instructor-led review
Drag to resize
basic
ABST Basic + Manual
$159 $169
This is our basic package with a paper manual for students who like to study by highlighting, taking notes and following along with their physical book. Tuition is $159+GST.

Includes 3 resources:
  • Online course
  • Digital participant manual
  • Paper manual & shipping
Drag to resize
best value
ABST Plus + Manual
$179 $255
This is our full package. It includes all the options that we offer, bundled together into the best valued package we have. Tuition is $179+GST.


Includes 5 resources:
  • Online course
  • Digital participant manual
  • Online practice exams
  • Pre-exam instructor-led review
  • Paper manual & shipping
Drag to resize
Drag to resize

Classroom Options

Prefer to take the course in-person, in a real classroom setting? Maybe you learn better by interacting with others, or need someone to guide you to get through all the material. We offer that too at our facility in Edmonton! Check out our upcoming course dates.

Need financial assistance?

We help with that too! Check out our helpful article on different financial programs available.
material covered

Course Curriculum

Next Steps to get Licensed

1. Pass the Government Final Exam

Once you have fully completed the course, you can register for your government proctored exam with Tip of Spear. You can choose to take the exam online or in-person at our facility in Edmonton. For more information about the exam and to register, click the button below.

2. Apply for the Security Guard Licence

Once you have passed your exam and received notification from the Alberta Solicitor General, which takes 2-3 weeks, you can apply for your licence. Click on the button below for full set of instructions on how to apply for your Security Services Licence, including: basic requirements, what information you will need to gather together, and how to submit your application.

Upgrade to ABST Online Plus

Increase your chances of passing your government exam! If you previously purchased the ABST Online Basic bundle and realized you want to take the Instructor Review and access the online Practice Exams, you can upgrade to the ABST Online Plus bundle! Price is $45+GST

Includes 2 resources:
  • Online practice exams
  • Pre-exam instructor review

$45 (A $75 value)
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Individual Options

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am not sure if my past history will affect my eligibility. How can I find out?

If you have a specific unique scenario about the above requirements (such as a restraining order or previous offense) and are not sure if it will impact your eligibility, you can contact ssia.registrar@gov.ab.ca for more information.

2. Am I able to challenge the government final exam?

If you feel that your previous experience and knowledge may make you eligible to challenge the government final exam, you can contact ssia.registrar@gov.ab.ca to find out.

3. I've worked in law enforcement. Are there any exemptions for me in getting my Security Services Licence?

If you've worked as a police or peace officer in the past 3 years, contact ssia.registrar@gov.ab.ca to see if you are eligible for any exemptions. 

4. I haven't yet received my Security Services licence, but my employer needs me to work right away. How can I start working?

If your employer needs you to work, but you haven't yet received your Security Services licence, your employer can apply for a training licence for you, as long as you are currently enrolled in an approved training course. Training licences are valid for 30 days and will be converted to a standard licence after you've completed the training course and passed the final exam. Training licences are not portable, so if you change employers, your new employer must reapply for a training licence for you in order to work. Please note that you cannot start work until you at least have your training licence.

5. I need to renew my licence as it's about to expire soon. What's the process to renew it?

If you need to renew your licence, you are given up to a 90 day grace period to renew your licence after it has expired. Follow the steps in the article How to Renew your Security Licence. If you wait longer than 90 days after the expiry of your licence, you must apply for a new licence following the article How to Apply for your Security Licence.

6. I lost my Security Services licence. What do I do?

If you lost your licence, or it was destroyed or damaged, or if your personal information has changed (name or address), you must report it immediately. Fill out the Update to Individual Licence form and email or mail it to Alberta Justice and Solicitor General (contact information in the form).

7. I live in a different province. Can I still take this training?
8. I have my security licence in a different province, but want to move to Alberta. Does it qualify?

Under the Agreement on Internal Trade (Canadian Free Trade Agreement), Alberta Justice and Solicitor General have reciprocal agreements with other provinces that have regulated security industries with mandatory training. In most cases the individual must provide proof of training and/or a licence from the other provinces.

The following provinces fall under this agreement. This means that training you took in these provinces is currently accepted in Alberta, or if you live in one of these provinces and wish to take the Alberta training, it will qualify in your province:
  • British Columbia
  • Saskatchewan
  • Manitoba
  • Ontario
  • Quebec

Alberta Justice and Solicitor General updates the Security Programs Policy and Procedures Manual whenever there are changes related to these training equivalencies. For more information, please contact the Alberta Justice and Solicitor General directly at: ssia.registrar@gov.ab.ca
Advance your career

Don't stop here

Take the next steps to continue your education, to set yourself apart, advance your career and get that dream job you want! We have many other courses at Tip of Spear to assist in your lifelong journey.

The next two courses we recommend are:
  • Tactical Communications
  • Defensive Tactics (PPCT)
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Ready? Let's get started!