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Ontario Private Investigator overview

Ontario 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.

  • 241 cards
  • 11 topics
Card 1 of 241Got 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 241 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 Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General — Private Security and Investigative Services Branch.

  1. The PI industry and getting licensed · Introduction to the private investigation industry

    Introduction to the private investigation industry — key rule 1

    The PSISA came into force on August 23, 2007; its aims include professionalizing the industry, improving public safety and making sure practitioners are trained and qualified.

  2. The PI industry and getting licensed · Introduction to the private investigation industry

    Introduction to the private investigation industry — key rule 2

    The Training and Testing regulation (O. Reg. 26/10) came into force on April 15, 2010; every private investigator must meet it before applying for a licence.

  3. The PI industry and getting licensed · Introduction to the private investigation industry

    Introduction to the private investigation industry — key rule 3

    A licence is needed by anyone paid to do work that mainly consists of investigations to provide information on a person's character, actions, business, occupation or whereabouts.

  4. The PI industry and getting licensed · Introduction to the private investigation industry

    Introduction to the private investigation industry — key rule 4

    Loss prevention specialists count as security guards under the PSISA; they do not need a private investigator licence.

  5. The PI industry and getting licensed · Who the Act covers

    Who the Act covers — key rule 1

    s. 2(2): a private investigator is a person paid to do work that consists primarily of conducting investigations to provide information.

  6. The PI industry and getting licensed · Who the Act covers

    Who the Act covers — key rule 2

    s. 2(3): examples of information: character or actions of a person, business or occupation of a person, whereabouts of persons or property.

  7. The PI industry and getting licensed · Who the Act covers

    Who the Act covers — key rule 3

    s. 2(7): the Act does not apply to lawyers practising law, people mainly doing credit-rating, insurance-applicant or employment-suitability checks, peace officers acting as such, licensed insurance adjusters and insurers and their employees in the normal scope of work, armoured vehicle services, security consultants who do not sell guard or investigator services, and locksmiths.

  8. The PI industry and getting licensed · Who the Act covers

    Who the Act covers — key rule 4

    s. 2(8): pay that depends on finishing the work (contingency) still counts as remuneration.

  9. The PI industry and getting licensed · Licence types and rules

    Six licence types

    individual PI, individual security guard, PI business, security guard business, individual dual (both), business selling both.

  10. The PI industry and getting licensed · Licence types and rules

    Licence types and rules — key rule 2

    s. 6: an individual may act as a PI only with the right licence and while employed by a licensed business entity or registered employer (or an employer not required to register), or as sole proprietor/partner of a licensed business.

FAQ

Ontario Private Investigator flashcards: questions

Where do these flashcards come from?

Each of the 241 cards is one point from our study notes, which we write from the official Ontario Private Investigator Study Guide. 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 Ontario 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 Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General — Private Security and Investigative Services Branch.

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