To apply for a security guard or private investigator licence in Ontario, you must include a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) issued within six months of the date you submit your application. That is the requirement on the Government of Ontario’s licence page (updated August 4, 2026; checked October 27, 2026). This guide explains what counts, who can issue the check and how to avoid having it rejected.
What the licence application requires
| Requirement | What the Government of Ontario says |
|---|---|
| Check type | A Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC). All applicants must provide one. |
| How recent | Issued within six months of the date you submit your licence application. |
| Who can issue it | An Ontario municipal police service, an Ontario First Nations police service, the OPP, or a private business authorized to provide police record checks. |
| Online applications | Upload the original, unaltered digital PDF from the record check provider. Scanned or altered copies are not accepted. |
| Mail applications | Send the original paper document. Photocopies are not accepted. |
| Name | The name on your CRJMC must match your identification exactly. |
Source: Security guard or private investigator licence (individuals), ontario.ca, checked October 27, 2026.
What a CRJMC shows
A CRJMC includes criminal convictions without a record suspension, permitted youth findings of guilt, absolute and conditional discharges within their disclosure periods, outstanding charges and arrest warrants, and certain judicial orders. It is broader than a Level 1 Criminal Record Check, so a Level 1 check does not meet this requirement. Read more in What is a CRJMC?
Who can issue the check
You can get a CRJMC from the police service where you live (see police check fees in Ontario) or from a private business authorized to provide police record checks. The Government of Ontario notes that it does not approve or license third-party providers (police record checks, ontario.ca), so if you use a private provider, make sure it is authorized to provide police record checks and gives you the original digital PDF.
How to avoid a rejected check
- Use your exact legal name as it appears on your ID when you order the check, including middle names.
- Keep the original PDF. Don’t print and scan it, convert it, merge it with other files or edit it.
- Mind the six-month window. Order the check close to when you will submit your licence application.
- Plan for delays. If your name and date of birth possibly match someone with a record, fingerprints may be needed to confirm your identity, which can add time (RCMP processing times).
Licence renewals and out-of-province applicants
The licence page says you can renew up to 90 calendar days before your licence expires, but it does not set out separate police check rules for renewals. Check the current renewal instructions on the licence page before you apply. Applicants who live outside Ontario may use an out-of-province check that meets the page’s equivalency standard.
Getting your CRJMC online
Online CRJMCs from us are opening soon — join the waitlist and we'll email you at launch. $45 plus tax. Check the licence requirements above before you order.
Join the WaitlistSources
- Security guard or private investigator licence (individuals) — Government of Ontario (updated August 4, 2026)
- Police record checks — Government of Ontario
- Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 (Ontario e-Laws)
- RCMP — Processing times and fees
Written by the Ontario Criminal Record Check editorial team · Published Oct 27, 2026 · Updated Oct 27, 2026 · Editorial standards
Ontario Criminal Record Check is a private online service and is not affiliated with any government or police service.