ONTARIO PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR EXAM 2026
EXAM PREPARATION PACK KEY LEGAL
AUTHORITIES AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS WITH
EXPLANATIONS
◉ What section of the PSISA covers licensing requirements? Answer:
Section 10(1)
◉ What are the licensing requirements for a private investigator? (4)
Answer: 1. Have a clean criminal record
2. Be 18 years of age or older
3. Entitled to work in Canada
4. Successfully completed training and testing as prescribed
◉ When could a licensee be denied a license or have their license
revoked? Answer: Fee nonpayment, past conduct suggests that
license will not be honoured, no reasonable expectation of
responsibility, contravention of the Act/regulations/terms and
conditions of license, conviction of offence, or the holding of a
license would be prejudicial to public interest.
◉ Who is responsible for issuing, amending, suspending, or
cancelling a license? Answer: The Registrar.
,◉ What can the Registrar do if they have received a complaint or
have the grounds to believe a licensee is acting in bad faith? Answer:
They have the power to investigate under the Act and in general
delivery of services; including inspection of business offices and
search warrants as obtained by court order.
◉ When can you stop a Registrar from investigating? Answer: You
can't, doing so is an offence under the Act and the Registrar may
apply to the court for remedies to prevent further/continued
violations.
◉ What does the Act specifically prohibit licensees from doing? (5)
Answer: 1. Representing themselves as police officers or in
connection with a police service
2. Refer to government licensing or bonding in any advertisement
3. Use a name other than the one they are licensed
4. Use the term "detective" in their representation
5. Allow other persons to use their license
◉ What does the Act mandate for licensees? (5) Answer: 1. Wear a
uniform approved by the Registrar
2. Carry and present their license to anyone making a request
3. Comply with any terms and conditions of license
, 4. Be over 18
5. Return the license when it has expired or is
terminated/suspended/cancelled
6. Report any incident involving use of force or unusual intervention
to the Registrar
◉ Under what circumstance is a private investigator not required to
carry or show their license? Answer: When performing an
undercover operation wherein doing so would jeopardize their
safety or the investigation.
◉ What are the 8 parts of the PSISA? Answer: 1. Interpretation and
Application
2. Administration
3. Prohibitions
4. Licensing
5. Complaints and Investigations
6. General duties and standards of practice
7. General
8. Regulations
◉ What offences are outlined in the Act? Answer: Furnishing or
presenting false information in any application, statement, or return
EXAM PREPARATION PACK KEY LEGAL
AUTHORITIES AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS WITH
EXPLANATIONS
◉ What section of the PSISA covers licensing requirements? Answer:
Section 10(1)
◉ What are the licensing requirements for a private investigator? (4)
Answer: 1. Have a clean criminal record
2. Be 18 years of age or older
3. Entitled to work in Canada
4. Successfully completed training and testing as prescribed
◉ When could a licensee be denied a license or have their license
revoked? Answer: Fee nonpayment, past conduct suggests that
license will not be honoured, no reasonable expectation of
responsibility, contravention of the Act/regulations/terms and
conditions of license, conviction of offence, or the holding of a
license would be prejudicial to public interest.
◉ Who is responsible for issuing, amending, suspending, or
cancelling a license? Answer: The Registrar.
,◉ What can the Registrar do if they have received a complaint or
have the grounds to believe a licensee is acting in bad faith? Answer:
They have the power to investigate under the Act and in general
delivery of services; including inspection of business offices and
search warrants as obtained by court order.
◉ When can you stop a Registrar from investigating? Answer: You
can't, doing so is an offence under the Act and the Registrar may
apply to the court for remedies to prevent further/continued
violations.
◉ What does the Act specifically prohibit licensees from doing? (5)
Answer: 1. Representing themselves as police officers or in
connection with a police service
2. Refer to government licensing or bonding in any advertisement
3. Use a name other than the one they are licensed
4. Use the term "detective" in their representation
5. Allow other persons to use their license
◉ What does the Act mandate for licensees? (5) Answer: 1. Wear a
uniform approved by the Registrar
2. Carry and present their license to anyone making a request
3. Comply with any terms and conditions of license
, 4. Be over 18
5. Return the license when it has expired or is
terminated/suspended/cancelled
6. Report any incident involving use of force or unusual intervention
to the Registrar
◉ Under what circumstance is a private investigator not required to
carry or show their license? Answer: When performing an
undercover operation wherein doing so would jeopardize their
safety or the investigation.
◉ What are the 8 parts of the PSISA? Answer: 1. Interpretation and
Application
2. Administration
3. Prohibitions
4. Licensing
5. Complaints and Investigations
6. General duties and standards of practice
7. General
8. Regulations
◉ What offences are outlined in the Act? Answer: Furnishing or
presenting false information in any application, statement, or return
