Every security guard, private investigator, armoured car guard, locksmith, and security alarm professional in British Columbia must be fingerprinted before they can work in the industry. Under the Security Services Act, fingerprinting is a mandatory, non-negotiable requirement for every type of BC Security Worker Licence — and for the owners and managers of Security Business Licences too. This guide explains exactly what the fingerprinting process involves, which licences it applies to, and why Surrey Fingerprint Company has become the go-to fingerprinting provider for the entire Lower Mainland security industry.

Why Fingerprinting Is Mandatory for BC Security Licences

The BC Security Services Act requires that all security worker applicants submit fingerprints so the RCMP can conduct a Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) — a check that goes significantly further than a standard criminal record search. Fingerprint results are sent directly from CCRTIS (the RCMP's Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services) to the BC Security Programs Division.

The reason the Security Services Act requires fingerprints rather than just a name-based check is identity certainty. A name-based CPIC check can miss records belonging to someone with a similar name, or fail to catch offences recorded under a previous name. A fingerprint-based CRJMC is tied definitively to the individual — there is no ambiguity. For a profession that may involve carrying weapons, controlling access to buildings, or handling cash in transit, the provincial government demands that certainty.

What Is a CRJMC and Why Is It Required for Security Licensing?

A standard CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) criminal record check shows only convictions — cases where a court found someone guilty. A CRJMC (Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check) is broader and more thorough. It reveals:

• Criminal convictions — all offences for which the person was found guilty
• Outstanding charges — charges that have been laid but not yet resolved in court
• Outstanding warrants — active arrest warrants from any Canadian jurisdiction
• Peace bonds — court orders restraining behaviour, often in domestic or harassment situations
• Probation orders — existing conditions from a previous sentence that are still active
• Judicial orders — restraining orders and other court-imposed conditions

This more complete picture is precisely what the BC Security Programs Division needs to evaluate whether someone is suitable to be trusted with the responsibilities of a security worker. An outstanding charge for assault or an active peace bond — neither of which would appear on a basic CPIC check — are exactly the kinds of information relevant to a security licensing decision.

Which Security Licences Require Fingerprinting?

Fingerprints are required for all Security Worker applicants on their initial application. This covers every licence type under the Security Services Act:

Initial Application vs Renewal — When Do You Need New Fingerprints?

The Complete Process — From Fingerprinting to Licence in Hand

Why Security Professionals and Companies Across the Lower Mainland Choose Surrey Fingerprint Company

Surrey Fingerprint Company has built a reputation as the Lower Mainland's most reliable partner for security industry fingerprinting. Here is what sets us apart:

Common Mistakes That Delay BC Security Licence Fingerprinting

• Showing up without the SL002 form — this is the most common mistake. The form is provided by the BC Security Programs Division and must come with you. We cannot submit without it.
• Wrong ORI number entered by provider — if the fingerprinting provider uses the wrong ORI number, results go to the wrong government department. You must be re-fingerprinted. Surrey Fingerprint Company has never made this error.
• Insufficient ID — you need two pieces of government-issued identification, at least one with your photo. Health cards are not accepted for this process.
• Getting fingerprinted before completing training — for security guard licences, the BST training certificate must accompany your application. Fingerprinting done months before training may result in an expired check.
• Using a name-based check instead — private background check companies that do not use fingerprint-based RCMP submission cannot satisfy the Security Services Act requirement.