Ontario security guards and private investigators can switch employers without re-licensing under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act of 2005

Ontario’s security landscape isn’t just about hard hats and badge numbers. It’s also about flexibility, clarity, and knowing what’s on the page when a new opportunity comes along. If you’re a security guard or a private investigator in Ontario, you’ve probably wondered what happens to your license when you switch employers. Here’s the plain, no-nonsense answer, with a few context-rich details that make the rule feel a lot more practical.

The key rule in one line

• Can change employers without having to be re-licensed.

That’s the core point under the licensing provisions of the Private Security and Investigative Services Act 2005. Let’s unpack what that means in everyday terms, and why it matters for your career momentum.

Why this rule exists, and why it matters

Think of your license as your professional credential, not a piece of paper tied to a single job. The act recognizes that good people may move between assignments, clients, or employers as opportunities arise. If your skills are certified, your value isn’t erased just because your job title or company changes. This design helps qualified guards and private investigators stay nimble in a labor market that can swing with project-based work, contract opportunities, or shifting security needs.

For workers, that means less downtime between gigs. For employers, it means access to a pool of licensed professionals who bring their credentials with them. For the industry as a whole, it reinforces trust: the professionals carrying the license are the ones who meet minimum standards, regardless of which company they happen to work for today.

What changes about day-to-day practice

• The license stays with you. You don’t have to re-apply or re-qualify every time you switch jobs.

• Your new employer must still be properly licensed to provide security services. In other words, you can move to a new role, but you’re stepping into a team that’s authorized to operate.

• You should keep your license current and in your possession. If there are changes to your personal information or status, you’ll want to update the regulator as required, just to keep everything clean and compliant.

• Your ongoing obligations about use of equipment, conduct, and security standards don’t disappear with a job change. You still owe the same professional duties and uphold the standards that earned you the license in the first place.

The myth-busting moment

A and C aren’t correct, and D (A and C only) isn’t the right choice either. Let me spell it out plain:

• A = “Cannot change employers without having to be re-licensed.” Not the case. The license travels with you.

• C = “Cannot use security equipment.” That’s not tied to the employer change rule; it’s about your license and compliance generally, and it doesn’t form a correct answer to the question about changing employers.

• B = “Can change employers without having to be re-licensed.” Yes, this is the accurate rule.

A practical checklist when you switch employers

If you’re weighing a move, here are a few pragmatic steps to keep things smooth:

• Confirm your license is current. If it’s due for renewal, handle that ahead of your transition so you’re not in between statuses.

• Verify the new employer’s licensing status. The company you’re joining should be licensed to provide security services in Ontario.

• Bring your license along. Carry a copy or have it accessible so you can demonstrate your credentials if asked.

• Update your details if they’ve changed. If your name or contact information has changed, report it to the regulator per the required timelines.

• Align with your new role’s expectations. Even with the license in hand, you’ll want to refresh on site-specific rules, client requirements, and any site-specific equipment policies.

Why this is good for Ontario’s security ecosystem

Mobility among licensed professionals reduces friction in the workforce. For clients and employers, it means quicker onboarding of trusted, qualified people. For workers, it means more opportunities and less bureaucratic red tape when career moves are on the horizon. The licensing framework recognizes that a well-trained, vetted professional should be able to contribute wherever there’s a legitimate need, without getting bogged down by repetitive licensing hurdles.

A few real-world angles you’ll recognize

• Career fluidity: If you’re specialized in a certain security domain—patrol, investigations, event security—the ability to switch employers without re-licensing keeps your career path flexible. You can ride project cycles, seasonal surges, or organizational changes without losing momentum.

• Employer confidence: Companies hiring licensed guards or investigators want to know you’re a vetted professional, not someone starting from square one every time you switch teams. The rule supports that trust.

• Continuous professionalism: The underlying intent isn’t to encourage wandering from job to job, but to prevent licensing from becoming an unnecessary gatekeeper that blocks capable people from doing the work they’re licensed to perform.

A short detour into the practical world

Here’s a quick analogy you’ll get if you’ve ever joined a new team at work: your badge is your passport. It proves you’ve met a set of standards. Your passport doesn’t expire mid-trip just because you’re boarding a different plane or changing airports. The airline doesn’t issue a brand-new passport each time you fly with a different carrier—your credentials travel with you, and you simply show proof of your eligibility wherever you land. That’s the principle at play here in Ontario’s private security field.

What to watch out for, beyond the licensing rule

While the headline is about mobility, there are a few practical caveats worth keeping in mind:

• The license isn’t tied to any one employer, but it is tied to you. If you lose your license or it’s suspended for some reason, the ability to work ends until you remedy the situation.

• Your new employer must hold the appropriate license to operate. If a company isn’t properly licensed to deliver security services, you may be stepping into a non-compliant arrangement, which is a risk for you and the client.

• Compliance isn’t a one-and-done task. You’ll still need to adhere to professional standards, training requirements, and any site-specific rules. Your license is a baseline; your on-the-ground performance matters just as much.

Why this topic matters to Ontario security professionals

If you’re in this field, you’re in a profession that blends public safety with personal responsibility. The fact that you can move between employers without re-licensing is more than a procedural convenience; it’s a statement about the value of trained, responsible professionals. It helps ensure that licensed individuals aren’t sidelined by bureaucracy when good opportunities show up. And it keeps the economy of security services in Ontario more resilient—ready to adapt, quickly, to changing needs.

Wrapping up with a clear takeaway

If you’re licensed in Ontario as a security guard or private investigator, you can change jobs without the hassle of re-licensing. That’s the straightforward answer to the question you might have asked over coffee or late at night after a shift: What happens when I switch employers? The license stays with you, the employer must be properly licensed, and you stay in good standing as long as you keep your credentials current and comply with the rules.

If you’re curious about the specifics, the best next step is to check in with the regulatory body that oversees private security and investigative services in Ontario. They’ll provide the most current guidance on licensing requirements, professional standards, and any updates to the rules that could affect your career moves.

Bottom line: your professional passport is portable. In Ontario’s security sector, a licensed professional can move from one opportunity to the next without the red tape of re-licensing. That’s not just bureaucratic detail—it’s a practical advantage for people who take their responsibility seriously and want to stay employed, skilled, and ready for the next challenge.