Education · 1 of 4

The path

Meet the minimums, pass the tests, get hired, then train at a paid academy.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   The minimum in most provinces. Alberta's court security stream asks for a 2-year diploma or a degree, or 2 years of related experience.

2. 2

   Meet the requirements

   Before applying

   18 or older, Canadian citizen or permanent resident, valid driver's licence, first aid and CPR, clean record, and pass a fitness test (PARE, the Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation, in Alberta).

3. 3

   Selection

   3 to 12 months

   Written test, interview, psychological assessment, medical, background check. Competitions open when the province is hiring, so timing matters.

4. 4

   Academy

   10 to 15 weeks

   Alberta: 15 weeks at the government training academy in Edmonton. BC: the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Nova Scotia and other provinces run their own courses.

5. 5

   Field training

   6 to 12 months

   Paired with a senior sheriff. Alberta's field program is 9 months.