Train Online For Your Alberta Private Investigator Course (AIT)

This Alberta Private Investigator Course (AIT) was developed by Security Training Subject Matter Experts in consultation with industry and legal experts to meet or exceed all government standards and is government-approved for persons desiring to work as a private investigator in the Province of Alberta.

Our next Alberta Private Investigator Course (AIT) session is:

AIT July 8, 2024 to July 18, 2024

Terms and Conditions: Full Payment is required to reserve you seat, No Credits or refunds if Cancelation is received after the registration cut off date. Once, paid, we will refund up until the cut off.

Once you have logged your required 60 hrs we will provide you with your Training Certificate and instructions to book your Exam. The exam is paid separately to the provider and costs $60.

At the end of this course, you will be able to


  1. Describe the roles of professional investigators, the knowledge and skills required, and the types of investigations typically conducted
  2. Explain the licensing rules, regulations and processes for investigators in Alberta
  3. Identify the limitations imposed by law on investigative functions, notably the Security Services and Investigators Act, the Criminal Code of Canada, federal and provincial privacy legislation, occupational health and safety legislation and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
  4. Explain basic principles of professionalism and ethical conduct, including client confidentiality and privacy of information within an investigation
  5. Explain the following concepts: prejudice, discrimination, stereotyping, harassment
  6. Describe the signs and dynamics of abuse in relationships
  7. Describe the Ministry’s Code of Conduct and Complaints process
  8. Identify potential hazards in a workplace and industry-accepted control measures that can mitigate identified hazards
  9. Describe typical response measures regarding unsafe workplaces/conditions and/or work practices
  10. Discuss and provide examples of a citizen’s power of arrest under the Criminal Code 
  11. Identify the differences between civil law and criminal law
  12. Articulate legal , tactical and situational considerations in the decision to use force
  13. Explain the Use of Force Continuum and how it applies to professional investigators
  14. Assess client needs, plan an investigation and explain how an investigation is managed, including risk management
  15. Describe various investigative techniques, including research, surveillance, evidence collection and maintenance, file management and cognitive interviewing
  16. Identify legal requirements and client/agency rules impacting electronic surveillance of premises and people
  17. Demonstrate the key components of effective verbal communication, including techniques in challenging, aggressive and/or threatening situations
  18. Describe the differences between types of reports and demonstrate the ability to write a detailed investigative report and accurate field notes
  19. Demonstrate appropriate techniques for providing testimony
  20. Identify basic elements of planning and operating a professional investigation business. 

Licence required

You must be licensed to work as a private or in-house investigator in Alberta. As an investigator you investigate things like:

  • accidents and personal injury
  • damaged or stolen property
  • backgrounds and whereabouts of people
  • organizations



While investigating you:

  • collect information
  • interview people
  • conduct surveillance
  • obtain statements
  • research reports or records

Licences are issued under the Security Services and Investigators Act by Alberta Justice.

Read the Security Programs Policy Manual for more information about an investigator licence.

The investigators licensing fee is $160. Your licence is valid for 2 years.


The renewal process is the same as the initial application process.


Investigators can’t hold a second licence as a locksmith or automotive lock bypass worker.


Your individual licence is portable. This means your licence is still valid if you change employers or if you work for multiple employers.

To apply for a licence you must:

  • be over 18 years old
  • be eligible to work in Canada
  • be fluent in English
  • have no criminal record
  • have no outstanding criminal charges
  • not be the subject of a criminal investigation

All security service workers must meet a specific English fluency standard. This is a level 5 benchmark according to the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks.

All investigators must:


  • successfully complete an approved investigator training course
  • score 80% or higher on the provincial final exam

There are 2 approved training courses. Take either the:


  • Alberta Professional Investigator Training Course, or
  • Accredited Investigator Training Course

These courses must be completed through an approved training provider.


Contact Security Programs if you’ve:


  • previously worked in law enforcement, or
  • completed equivalent training outside Alberta

After you’ve successfully completed your final exam with a score of 80% or higher, you’ll get your training certificate by mail within one week.


Exam rewrites, challenges or reviews

For information about exam rewrites, or to find out if you’re eligible to challenge an exam, contact Security Programs.

In order to carry a baton, you must:


Baton training re-certification is required every 36 months.



Apply for or renew your licence

If you’re on a work or study permit, contact Security Programs for application and renewal steps.

1

 Records check

See your local police service website to find out how to get your documents.

All three searches are mandatory – no exceptions:


  • criminal record check
  • vulnerable sector search
  • local police database search



For all classes of licences:

  • your photo does not need to be signed on the back
  • these details are important when applying for a police information check:
  • security services are designated as essential services
  • you must specify the employment type as 'security services' – regardless of licence class
  • ask for a print/mail copy of your results to attach to your application – if needed, police services can email results to ssia.registrar@gov.ab.ca


2

Fill out the forms

3

Gather your documents

When you apply, you’ll need to provide photocopies of your:


  • Canadian photo ID
  • approved training course certificate
  • 40 hour baton use-of-force training certificate (if applicable)


You’ll also need to provide a current:



  • police information and criminal record check, and
  • passport-size colour photo


4

Submit and pay for your application

There are 2 ways to submit your application:


In person

Take your application and documents to a registry agent that offers Security Programs licensing services.


Pay the licensing fee and service charge at the registry:

  • $160 investigator licensing fee, or
  • $160 dual security service and investigator licensing fee, and
  • $9 service charge

If your application is approved, you'll get a temporary licence that's valid for 60 days.


By mail

Send us your:

  • completed application form
  • required documents
  • payment or online payment receipt for:
  • $160 investigator licensing fee, or
  • $160 dual security service and investigator licensing fee

Pay the licensing fee with a (made payable to the Government of Alberta):

  • certified business cheque, or
  • certified personal cheque, or
  • money order, or
  • bank draft


or

Pay by credit or debit online:

  • print and mail the receipt with your completed application
MAKE PAYMENT ONLINE

Course Content

  • Module 1: Introduction to the Investigation Industry

    Introduction to Investigators and Investigations

    Roles, Responsibilities and Limitations of an Investigator

    Investigator Job Description

    Principles and Processes in Investigations

    Investigator Licensing in Alberta

    Investigator Professional Development and Professional Designations 

  • Module 2: Professionalism and Ethics

     Defining Ethics and Professionalism

     Core Principles of Professionalism and Ethics

     Codes of Conduct

     Other Examples of Code of Conduct

     Complaints Process

     Provincial and Federal Privacy Legislation

     Prejudice, Discrimination, Stereotyping, Violence in Relationships and Harassment

    Violence in Relationships

  • Module 3: Health and Safety

    Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulations and Code

    Identifying Potential Hazards

    Controlling Hazards

    Response Measures

    Incident Reporting


    Addenda: 

    Key OHS Act Sections, By Number

    Key OHS Regulation Components

    Key OHS Code Components

    Example Mitigation (Control) Measures 

  • Module 4: Law and the Canadian Legal System

    The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

    The Charter and the Investigator

    Alberta Human Rights Act

    Criminal Code of Canada

    Powers of Arrest

    Powers of Search

    Criminal Code Offences

    Surveillance and Audio Recording

    Evidence Acts


    Addenda: 

    Further Information on Criminal Code

    Guidance on Covert Video Surveillance in the Private Sector 

  • Module 5: Use of Force

    Introduction to Use of Force

    Sec. 25, Criminal Code of Canada – Use of Force

    Sec. 26, Criminal Code of Canada – Excessive Force

    Sec. 27, Criminal Code of Canada – Prevention of a Crime

    Sec. 34, Criminal Code of Canada – Prevention of an Unprovoked Assault

    Overview of the Use of Force Continuum Model 

  • Module 6: Investigations

    Purposes of an Investigation

    Planning an Investigation and Managing Risk

    Cognitive Failures in Investigations

    Managing Investigative Risk

    Investigative Techniques: An Introduction

    Interviewing

    Surveillance

    Collection of Physical Evidence

    Collection of Information from Open and Closed Sources

    Undercover Work

    Confidential Sources

    Investigation File Management and Preservation 

  • Module 7: Communications and Report Writing

    Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

    Challenges to Communication

    Seven Steps for Effective Communication

    Communicating With Uncooperative Persons

    Field Notes

    Report Writing

    Privacy Legislation and Reports

    Common Errors in Writing Reports

    Structure of Reports

    Providing Testimony

  • Module 8: Specialized Investigations

    Introduction to Specialized Investigations

    In-House Investigations

    Regulatory Investigations

    Barrister and Solicitor Investigations

    Location of Persons Investigations

    Corporate and Due Diligence Investigations

    Insurance Investigations

    Occupational Health and Safety Investigations

    Private Client Investigations

    Retail Sector Investigations

    The Use of Experts

    Specialized Professional Development 

  • Module 9: Business of Investigations

    Overview of the Business Side of Investigations

    The Investigations Business

    Licensing: Individuals

    Licensing: Companies

    Contracts and Agreements

    Personnel and Systems

    Equipment and Data

    Insurance

    Databases and Anonymity

    Clients

    Compliance and Risk Mitigation Systems

    Ongoing Professional Development


    Addendum: 

    Sample Template for Client Service Agreement 

SSIA Course License - Alberta Professional Investigator Training