Security guard management software for British Columbia security companies

Schedule guards across Vancouver and the rest of B.C., prove they were on post, record patrols and incidents, and keep clients informed, in one platform.

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What software do British Columbia security companies use to manage guards?

Security companies in British Columbia use guard management software to schedule guards, verify attendance on site, record patrols and incidents, and report to clients. ForceVera does this in one platform: shifts published to guards' phones, a geofenced time clock, QR patrol checkpoints, incident and daily reports, dispatch and a client portal.

British Columbia in numbers

Security work in British Columbia

The 2021 Census found 13,345 people employed as security guards in British Columbia, 8,215 of them in the Vancouver metro area. B.C.'s 2025 Crime Severity Index was 92.4, against 75.0 for Canada; Vancouver's was 83.5.

13,345people employed as security guards (2021 Census)
8,215of them in the Vancouver metro area
92.4Crime Severity Index, 2025 (Canada: 75.0)
83.5Crime Severity Index, Vancouver, 2025
Licensing

Security worker licensing in British Columbia

The Registrar of Security Services issues security worker licences under B.C.'s Security Services Act, through the province's Security Programs Division.

Who needs a licenceYou need a security worker licence to do security work in B.C., unless you are exempt. Applicants must be ordinarily resident in Canada and at least 19 years old, and authorize the registrar's background checks. Guards must carry the licence while working and show it on request.
Training and EnglishA security guard licence needs the Basic Standards Training Course, Levels 1 and 2, from the Justice Institute of British Columbia or a provider it approves, or training the registrar accepts as equivalent. Applicants must speak enough English to talk with the public while on duty.
Licence term and feeA security worker licence can be issued for up to 3 years. A licence valid for more than 2 and up to 3 years costs $240.

Overtime for security guards in British Columbia

Under section 40 of B.C.'s Employment Standards Act, an employee who is not on an averaging agreement is paid 1½ times their regular wage for time over 8 hours a day and double for time over 12 hours a day. Time over 40 hours a week is paid at 1½ times, counting only the first 8 hours of each day, so a 12-hour guard shift includes 4 hours at time and a half.

Work out shifts and headcount with the free 24/7 coverage calculator or the overtime calculator.

ForceVera

Run your British Columbia security operation in one platform

Daily overtime from shift hoursB.C. counts overtime by the day as well as the week. Timesheets show each shift's hours and export to CSV or Excel, so payroll can apply the daily overtime rule. Client invoices count weekly overtime only.
Licence photos on fileGuards upload a photo of their security licence in the app and it is kept on their profile. ForceVera does not verify licences with the province or track expiry dates, so keep your own renewal reminders.
Timesheets and invoicesTimesheets show each guard's hours shift by shift and export to CSV or Excel for payroll. Client invoices count overtime past a weekly threshold you set per client, 40 hours by default; they do not calculate daily overtime.
Proof of service for clientsPatrol scans, incident reports and attendance roll into a daily client report, and on Pro and Enterprise clients have their own portal.
FAQ

Security companies in British Columbia: questions, answered

Who licenses security guards in British Columbia?

The Registrar of Security Services issues security worker licences under the Security Services Act. Applications go through the province's Security Programs Division.

How old do you have to be to work as a security guard in B.C.?

At least 19, unless exempt by regulation. Applicants must also be ordinarily resident in Canada.

What training does a B.C. security guard need?

The Basic Standards Training Course, Levels 1 and 2, from the Justice Institute of British Columbia or a provider it approves, or training the registrar accepts as equivalent. Applicants must also speak enough English to talk with the public on duty.

When does overtime start for security guards in British Columbia?

Without an averaging agreement, after 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week, at 1½ times the regular wage. Time over 12 hours in a day is paid at double. This is section 40 of the Employment Standards Act.

How long is a B.C. security worker licence valid?

Up to 3 years. A licence valid for more than 2 years costs $240.

Official sources

Checked October 2026. Licensing and employment rules change, so confirm them with the regulator before you rely on them. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Other provinces: Ontario · Alberta · Manitoba · Saskatchewan · Quebec · ForceVera in Canada.

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