Education · 1 of 4

The path

A short course, a provincial test, a licence. Then the hard part: getting hired.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Not always required by law, but agencies expect it.

2. 2

   Basic training

   1 to 3 weeks

   Ontario: a ministry-approved course (about 50 hours, online or in class) covering law, evidence, surveillance and report writing. Alberta: the Alberta Professional Investigator Training course. BC and Quebec have their own.

3. 3

   Provincial test and licence

   Weeks

   Ontario: pass the ministry test, then apply through ServiceOntario with a clean record check. You must be 18 and eligible to work in Canada. Alberta licenses through its security services and investigators program.

4. 4

   Get hired

   Months

   Insurance investigation firms and large agencies hire most new licensees. Expect surveillance shifts first.

5. 5

   Specialize or go solo

   3 to 5 years

   After a few years: corporate fraud, workplace investigations, or your own agency licence.