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BC Private Investigator overview

BC Private Investigator flashcards

Flip through the key rules from our handbook notes, one card at a time. Mark each card "Got it" or "Review again"; your progress stays on this device.

  • 150 cards
  • 11 topics
Card 1 of 150Got it 0 · Review again 0

Keyboard: Space flips, ← → move, 1 = Review again, 2 = Got it. On a phone, swipe left or right.

The first 10 of 150 cards

Front and back of each card, as in the deck above. The cards come from our own notes on the official handbook; check anything you are unsure of with B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General — Security Programs Division (exam delivered by the Professional Security Knowledge Network).

  1. Who needs a B.C. PI licence and how to get one · Private investigator

    Private investigator — key rule 1

    A private investigator is a person who, for consideration, seeks or obtains information about: crimes, offences, contraventions or misconduct (or allegations of them); the activities, character or repute of a person or organization; a person's whereabouts; the location, disposition or recovery of lost, stolen or missing property; or the cause of, or responsibility for, a fire, accident or incident causing damage or injury.

  2. Who needs a B.C. PI licence and how to get one · Private investigator

    Private investigator — key rule 2

    A private investigator business is a "security business", and private investigator work is "security work".

  3. Who needs a B.C. PI licence and how to get one · Licence required

    Licence required — key rule 1

    Doing PI work, or holding yourself out as available for it, requires a security worker licence for that work.

  4. Who needs a B.C. PI licence and how to get one · Licence required

    Licence required — key rule 2

    Applicants must be ordinarily resident in Canada and at least 19, authorize criminal record, police information and correctional service checks, and pay the fee.

  5. Who needs a B.C. PI licence and how to get one · Licence required

    Out-of-province PIs

    the registrar may exempt a PI licensed elsewhere who enters B.C. only to continue an investigation for an employer or client outside B.C., after notifying the registrar and applying.

  6. Who needs a B.C. PI licence and how to get one · Exemptions

    Exempt from both worker and business licences

    peace officers on duty; licensed insurance adjusters within their licence; reporting agencies and collectors under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act; people who only obtain financial ratings; reporters and journalists; lawyers in their practice; people who only advise on protecting electronic data.

  7. Who needs a B.C. PI licence and how to get one · Exemptions

    Exempt

    people who mainly obtain information for employers on the qualifications and suitability of job candidates (pre-employment screening), for that work only.

  8. Who needs a B.C. PI licence and how to get one · Exemptions

    Exempt from the worker licence

    government employees performing their duties; people doing security work for no pay (except liquor door security).

  9. Who needs a B.C. PI licence and how to get one · Licence types and term

    Two PI licence types

    private investigator (item 4) and private investigator under supervision (item 5), who works only under the supervision of a fully licensed PI.

  10. Who needs a B.C. PI licence and how to get one · Licence types and term

    Regulation qualification for a full PI licence

    conversational English plus two years' PI experience and courses in evidence gathering and presentation and in relevant criminal and civil law, or equivalent experience accepted by the registrar.

FAQ

BC Private Investigator flashcards: questions

Where do these flashcards come from?

Each of the 150 cards is one point from our study notes, which we write from the official Introduction to Private Investigation — modules and learning objectives (PSKN). The front names the rule; the back states it. Nothing on the cards is added beyond those notes.

How should I use the flashcards?

Read the front, answer in your head, then flip. Choose "Got it" only if you knew it; otherwise choose "Review again". At the end, go through the "Review again" cards once more, or pick a single topic from the list to focus on it.

Is my progress saved?

Yes, on this device only. Cards marked "Review again" stay in the "Needs review" list, and every card you rate counts towards your topic map on the exam overview. Nothing is sent to us with your name; you can clear it from the overview page.

Are flashcards enough to pass the BC Private Investigator test?

No. Flashcards help you remember the rules, but the test asks multiple-choice questions. Use our practice tests and mock exams as well, and study the official material from B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General — Security Programs Division (exam delivered by the Professional Security Knowledge Network).

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