Ontario Security Guard Licence Renewal: The CRJMC Step (2026)

Short answer: an Ontario security guard licence lasts about two years and expires on your birthday. To renew it you apply through ServiceOntario, pay the $80 licence fee, and submit a new Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) in its official format. You do not have to repeat the 40-hour training course.

The rest of this guide covers each step, where people usually get stuck, and how to get the CRJMC sorted out early so your licence does not lapse.

How long an Ontario security licence lasts

According to the Ontario government's licensing page, when you renew a valid licence before it expires, the new expiry date is set two years ahead and tied to your date of birth. In practice, your licence expires on your birthday in the second year after it was issued.

You cannot legally work as a security guard in Ontario with an expired licence. Renew early, and do not wait for the last week before your birthday.

What you need to renew

Based on the ServiceOntario requirements, a renewal application needs:

your current licence details and Ontario mailing address
a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) in its official format
a photo that meets the ministry's photo requirements
the licence fee: $80 for a security guard licence, or $160 for a dual security guard and private investigator licence

If you are only renewing, you do not need a new training completion number. The 40-hour basic training and the licensing test are a one-time requirement.

The CRJMC: the step that usually delays renewals

The CRJMC is the middle of the three police record check levels set out in Ontario's Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015:

Criminal Record Check — criminal convictions that have not been suspended.
Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) — everything above, plus outstanding charges, warrants, certain court orders and some recent absolute or conditional discharges.
Vulnerable Sector Check — the most detailed level, used for people working with children or vulnerable people.

The security guard licence requires level 2, the CRJMC. A basic criminal record check is not enough, and a vulnerable sector check is more than you need.

Two practical points:

Freshness. Licensing guidance often says the CRJMC should be recent, commonly within six months of your application. Get it shortly before you renew, not a year ahead.
Official format. Submit the document exactly as issued, usually a PDF that has not been edited, cropped or reprinted from a screenshot.

Where to get a CRJMC

You have two main options.

Your local police service. Most Ontario police services offer the CRJMC. Fees usually fall in the $30–$70 range, and processing takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on the service and the time of year. Some services, such as Hamilton Police Service, now accept online applications, but you can only apply to the service where you live.

An online third-party provider. Ontario's legislation allows authorized third-party providers to produce police record checks. Services like ours order the CRJMC online and email the result, usually within about 15 minutes. That helps when your licence expires soon and police wait times are long. Before ordering from any provider, ours included, check the current ServiceOntario wording on which CRJMC sources it accepts.

Step-by-step renewal checklist

Check your expiry date on your current licence, and set a reminder 60 days ahead.
Order your CRJMC so it arrives in the official format and is recent when you apply.
Check your photo against the ministry's photo requirements.
Renew through ServiceOntario, online through your ServiceOntario account or by mailing the application form with a certified payment.
Pay the $80 fee, or $160 for a dual licence.
Watch your email for questions from the licensing office. An incomplete application is the most common reason for a delay.

Common questions

Can I keep working while my renewal is processing? Only while your current licence is still valid. Once it expires, you have to stop working until the renewal is approved. This is why getting the CRJMC early matters.

Do I need to retake the 40-hour course or the test? No. Training and testing are one-time requirements for your first licence.

I have a minor record. Will my renewal be refused? Not automatically. The ministry looks at what the CRJMC discloses. If you are unsure, read our guide on what shows up on a Canadian criminal record check or get legal advice before you apply.

I also hold a private investigator licence. A dual licence costs $160 and follows the same CRJMC requirement. See our Ontario private investigator guide.

Sources

Fees and requirements were checked against the official pages above on November 7, 2026. Rules can change, so always confirm on ServiceOntario before you submit.