ALBERTA BASIC SECURITY TEST (ABST)
TRAINING EXAM – ALBERTA SECURITY
SERVICES CURRICULUM – 2026/2027
ACADEMIC YEAR QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF
Core Domains:
1. Legal Authorities & Regulatory Framework (Security Services and
Investigators Act, Criminal Code of Canada, Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms)
2. The Security Industry and Professional Conduct (Roles, Responsibilities,
Ethics, Licensing)
3. Basic Security Procedures (Patrol, Access Control, Observation,
Documentation)
4. Communication for Security Professionals (Verbal, Non-Verbal, Conflict
Resolution, Media Interactions)
5. Emergency Response Procedures (Evacuation, Medical Emergencies, Alarm
Response, Working Alone)
6. Health and Safety for Security Professionals (OHS Legislation, Hazard
Assessment, PPE, Working Alone)
7. Use of Force and Legal Arrest Powers (Section 25, Section 494, Citizen's
Arrest, Reasonable Force)
8. Documentation and Evidence (Report Writing, Evidence Preservation,
Confidentiality, Note-Taking)
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge and
competency required for certification as a Security Professional through the
,Alberta Basic Security Training (ABST) program. It evaluates the candidate's
understanding of the Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA), the
Criminal Code of Canada, core security procedures, communication
techniques, emergency response, health and safety, use of force, and
documentation requirements. The exam utilizes a multiple-choice format with
scenario-based questions that reflect real-world security situations
encountered by security professionals in Alberta. Emphasis is placed on the
application of legal authorities, professional conduct standards, and practical
security procedures to protect persons, property, and information. This
assessment is required by the Government of Alberta for individuals seeking a
security worker licence and is aligned with the mandatory 40-hour training
curriculum.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 - 100
DOMAIN 1: LEGAL AUTHORITIES & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
(Questions 1–25)
1. What is the primary piece of provincial legislation that governs the
licensing and conduct of security professionals in Alberta?
A. The Criminal Code of Canada
B. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
C. The Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA)
D. The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act
C. The Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA)
RATIONALE: The Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA) is the
specific Alberta law that mandates licensing, training, and conduct for
security professionals in the province. The Criminal Code is federal law, the
Charter addresses constitutional rights, and OHS addresses workplace safety,
not professional licensing.
,2. Security professionals in Alberta are licensed under which
legislation?
A. The Criminal Code of Canada
B. The Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA)
C. The Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act
D. The Privacy Act
B. The Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA)
RATIONALE: Security professionals in Alberta are licensed under the
Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA), which governs the licensing
and conduct of security workers in the province. This act establishes the
regulatory framework for the security industry in Alberta.
3. Which of the following best describes the primary difference
between a security guard and a peace officer in Alberta?
A. Security guards can make arrests without a warrant; peace officers cannot
B. Peace officers have statutory authority to enforce the Criminal Code;
security guards do not
C. Security guards are required to carry firearms; peace officers are not
D. Peace officers are employed only by private corporations; security guards
work for the government
B. Peace officers have statutory authority to enforce the Criminal Code;
security guards do not
RATIONALE: Peace officers are granted statutory powers under the
Criminal Code and provincial legislation to enforce laws. Security
professionals are private citizens performing protective functions and do not
possess the same statutory enforcement authority as peace officers.
4. What are the primary duties of a security professional in Alberta?
A. To observe, arrest, and report
B. To observe, report, and protect persons and property
C. To investigate crimes and enforce laws
D. To arrest all offenders and use force when necessary
, B. To observe, report, and protect persons and property
RATIONALE: The primary duties of a security professional are to observe,
report, and protect persons and property as directed by their employer. While
security professionals may have limited arrest powers under section 494 of
the Criminal Code, their primary role is protective and observational, not
enforcement.
5. Who is responsible for issuing security service worker licences in
Alberta?
A. The local municipal police service
B. Private training providers after course completion
C. The Government of Alberta (Security Programs)
D. The Canadian Security Association
C. The Government of Alberta (Security Programs)
RATIONALE: Security service worker licences in Alberta are issued by the
Government of Alberta through Security Programs. Applicants must
successfully complete a mandatory training course and pass the provincial
licensing exam to qualify for a licence.
6. Section 16 of the Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA)
authorizes a security professional to:
A. Carry a firearm while on duty
B. Detain an individual to investigate their possible involvement in criminal
activity
C. Issue fines for trespassing
D. Conduct searches without consent
B. Detain an individual to investigate their possible involvement in
criminal activity
RATIONALE: Section 16 of the SSIA authorizes a security professional to
detain an individual to investigate the individual's possible involvement in a
criminal activity. This is a specific power granted under the Act.
TRAINING EXAM – ALBERTA SECURITY
SERVICES CURRICULUM – 2026/2027
ACADEMIC YEAR QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
Core Domains:
1. Legal Authorities & Regulatory Framework (Security Services and
Investigators Act, Criminal Code of Canada, Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms)
2. The Security Industry and Professional Conduct (Roles, Responsibilities,
Ethics, Licensing)
3. Basic Security Procedures (Patrol, Access Control, Observation,
Documentation)
4. Communication for Security Professionals (Verbal, Non-Verbal, Conflict
Resolution, Media Interactions)
5. Emergency Response Procedures (Evacuation, Medical Emergencies, Alarm
Response, Working Alone)
6. Health and Safety for Security Professionals (OHS Legislation, Hazard
Assessment, PPE, Working Alone)
7. Use of Force and Legal Arrest Powers (Section 25, Section 494, Citizen's
Arrest, Reasonable Force)
8. Documentation and Evidence (Report Writing, Evidence Preservation,
Confidentiality, Note-Taking)
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge and
competency required for certification as a Security Professional through the
,Alberta Basic Security Training (ABST) program. It evaluates the candidate's
understanding of the Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA), the
Criminal Code of Canada, core security procedures, communication
techniques, emergency response, health and safety, use of force, and
documentation requirements. The exam utilizes a multiple-choice format with
scenario-based questions that reflect real-world security situations
encountered by security professionals in Alberta. Emphasis is placed on the
application of legal authorities, professional conduct standards, and practical
security procedures to protect persons, property, and information. This
assessment is required by the Government of Alberta for individuals seeking a
security worker licence and is aligned with the mandatory 40-hour training
curriculum.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 - 100
DOMAIN 1: LEGAL AUTHORITIES & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
(Questions 1–25)
1. What is the primary piece of provincial legislation that governs the
licensing and conduct of security professionals in Alberta?
A. The Criminal Code of Canada
B. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
C. The Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA)
D. The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act
C. The Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA)
RATIONALE: The Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA) is the
specific Alberta law that mandates licensing, training, and conduct for
security professionals in the province. The Criminal Code is federal law, the
Charter addresses constitutional rights, and OHS addresses workplace safety,
not professional licensing.
,2. Security professionals in Alberta are licensed under which
legislation?
A. The Criminal Code of Canada
B. The Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA)
C. The Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act
D. The Privacy Act
B. The Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA)
RATIONALE: Security professionals in Alberta are licensed under the
Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA), which governs the licensing
and conduct of security workers in the province. This act establishes the
regulatory framework for the security industry in Alberta.
3. Which of the following best describes the primary difference
between a security guard and a peace officer in Alberta?
A. Security guards can make arrests without a warrant; peace officers cannot
B. Peace officers have statutory authority to enforce the Criminal Code;
security guards do not
C. Security guards are required to carry firearms; peace officers are not
D. Peace officers are employed only by private corporations; security guards
work for the government
B. Peace officers have statutory authority to enforce the Criminal Code;
security guards do not
RATIONALE: Peace officers are granted statutory powers under the
Criminal Code and provincial legislation to enforce laws. Security
professionals are private citizens performing protective functions and do not
possess the same statutory enforcement authority as peace officers.
4. What are the primary duties of a security professional in Alberta?
A. To observe, arrest, and report
B. To observe, report, and protect persons and property
C. To investigate crimes and enforce laws
D. To arrest all offenders and use force when necessary
, B. To observe, report, and protect persons and property
RATIONALE: The primary duties of a security professional are to observe,
report, and protect persons and property as directed by their employer. While
security professionals may have limited arrest powers under section 494 of
the Criminal Code, their primary role is protective and observational, not
enforcement.
5. Who is responsible for issuing security service worker licences in
Alberta?
A. The local municipal police service
B. Private training providers after course completion
C. The Government of Alberta (Security Programs)
D. The Canadian Security Association
C. The Government of Alberta (Security Programs)
RATIONALE: Security service worker licences in Alberta are issued by the
Government of Alberta through Security Programs. Applicants must
successfully complete a mandatory training course and pass the provincial
licensing exam to qualify for a licence.
6. Section 16 of the Security Services and Investigators Act (SSIA)
authorizes a security professional to:
A. Carry a firearm while on duty
B. Detain an individual to investigate their possible involvement in criminal
activity
C. Issue fines for trespassing
D. Conduct searches without consent
B. Detain an individual to investigate their possible involvement in
criminal activity
RATIONALE: Section 16 of the SSIA authorizes a security professional to
detain an individual to investigate the individual's possible involvement in a
criminal activity. This is a specific power granted under the Act.
