ADVANCED SECURITY TRAINING (AST)
470
About this course
Advanced Security Training (AST) in British Columbia
Get certified. Stay safe. Advance your security career.
Our Advanced Security Training (AST) course is designed for licensed security professionals working in hospitals, events, and high-risk environments. Gain the hands-on skills and legal knowledge required to safely manage real-world situations and meet provincial requirements for handcuff use.
Course Overview
The AST course provides in-depth training on security services, the legal framework for use of force, advanced physical control tactics, and safe handcuffing methods. Delivered in a classroom setting, this course equips participants with the practical and theoretical knowledge to handle high-pressure, potentially dangerous situations with confidence. Learn from experienced instructors and gain hands-on experience to ensure you meet industry standards for security professionals.
Topics Covered in the AST Course
The following topics are covered in Advanced Security Training:
- Legal Authorities to Apply Force
- Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) National Use of Force Framework
- Identifying a Person in Distress
- Physical Control Options
- Applying Restraints/Conducting a Safety Search
- Incident Articulation, Documentation and Reporting
- Managing Stress and Boosting Resilience
The course also includes hands-on lessons where participants will demonstrate the competency of physical control tactics and restraint techniques. A final written exam will be online and administered by the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of the AST course, participants will be able to:
- Discuss your legal authorities and limitations in the application of force, including using D
restraints (handcuffs). - Explain how to manage a situation by applying alternative measures, safely disengaging
if possible, and only applying force as a last resort. - Describe potential outcomes in the application of force, including using restraints
(handcuffs). - Demonstrate a continuous assessment process to select appropriate response option(s)
in practice situations. - Demonstrate guard safety and physical control skills.
- Explain the importance for articulation and reporting of events where force was applied.
At the completion of the AST Course, Individuals holding a security worker license who are required to carry and use handcuffs in the performance of their duties are now required to make application to add this condition to their Security Worker license through the Registrar, Security Services Act.
Important: Completion of Basic Security Training (BST) is a prerequisite for enrollment in the AST course.
UPCOMING CLASSES:
FEES:
Tuition Fee: $333.94
JIBC Exam Fee: $64.41
Training Manual: $71.65
Total Cost: $470.00
*remote area surcharge for instructor expenses
PLEASE NOTE: Laptop required for provincial exam – please bring your own laptop.
Advanced Security Training FAQ:
Q: What happens if I fail the AST exam?
A: If you fail the AST exam, you can request a rewrite by emailing AST@jibc.ca. The first exam attempt is covered in the registration fee. If you fail or miss the exam, the second attempt will require payment. Follow the instructions in the response email from JIBC to pay for the rewrite. Registration will not assist with AST rewrites until the email process is complete.
Q: How do I print or save my AST certificate?
A: After passing the AST exam, log in to the portal where you wrote the exam. Navigate to the “Final exam” section and download your certificate. Processing may take a few days, so be sure to save a copy. This certificate is required to update your security license.
Q: How long do I have to write the exam?
A: Students have a maximum of 6 months from the date they attended the AST course to complete the exam.
Q: What is the passing grade on the exam?
A: 75% – there are 50 multiple choice questions – you must get 38 or more correct to pass.
Q: How do I update my security license with the AST certificate?
A: To update your security license, visit the Security Programs website. You will need your security license number and access code to complete the online process. There is a $20 fee to make the change and upload your AST certificate. Once processed, you will receive a temporary license, and the new card will be mailed to you. For help, contact Security Programs at 1-855-587-0185, press option 1.
Q: Which browser works for the AST Exam?
A: AST require the use of a secure browser called LockDown Browser.
You MUST install this browser prior to your exam date. To install LockDown Browser, please follow the instructions bellow:
Download Instructions
You must download and install LockDown Browser from this link: CLICK HERE
System requirements:
Windows: 10 or 11 | Mac: macOS 12 to 26.0+ | Not supported: Chromebook computers
Note: You won’t be able to access tests with a standard web browser. If this is tried, an error message will indicate that the test requires the use of LockDown Browser. Simply start LockDown Browser and navigate back to the exam to continue.
Advanced Security Training (AST) Course Outline: AST Course Outline – 2026
- Advanced Security Training BC
- Use of Force Training for Security
- Handcuffing Course BC
- Security Control Tactics Training
- Security Worker License Upgrade
- Excited Delirium Syndrome Training
- Security Training Classroom Course
- Law Enforcement Force Training
Syllabus
At the completion of the AST Course, Individuals holding a security worker license who are required to carry and use handcuffs in the performance of their duties are now required to make application to add this condition to their Security Worker license through the Registrar, Security Services Act
Module 1
Legal Authorities to Apply Force
By the end of this module, you will be able to… 1. Explain key provisions of the Security Services Act and its Regulation relating to carrying and use of restraints (handcuffs), and to application of force. 2. Apply key legal authorities found in the Criminal Code for a security guard’s application of force. 3. Discuss civilian expectations of relevant freedoms under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Module 2
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) National Use of Force Framework
By the end of this module, you will be able to… 1. Explain the purpose of the CACP National Use of Force Framework. 2. Explain the importance of assessing a situation in its totality, considering all the relevant circumstances. 3. Define and give examples of effective tactical communication. 4. Describe the behaviours to watch for in persons who might have a mental illness. 5. Describe the five subject behaviours. 6. Describe the five force response options.
Module 3
Identifying a Person in Distress
By the end of this module, you will be able to… 1. Discuss potential outcomes of applying force. 2. Describe violent agitation behaviours. 3. Describe the security guard's primary role when interacting with a person who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. 4. Explain the security guard's responsibilities towards a person who is under the guard's control. 5. List strategies for safely resolving a situation where the subject may be agitated and mitigate the risk of positional asphyxia. 6. Explain how de-escalation relates to the tactical communication skills. 7. Explain the importance of risk assessment during de-escalation.
Module 4
Physical Control Options
By the end of this module, you will be able to… 1. Explain the rationale for physical control and the appropriate use of physical control skills. 2. Explain the force response options context for the use of hard physical control.
Unit 5
Applying Restraints/Conducting a Safety Search
By the end of this module, you will be able to… 1. Explain the legal justification for handcuffing. 2. Explain the practical rationale for handcuffing. 3. Name the parts of a pair of handcuffs. 4. List the steps that can be taken to reduce the potential for liability as a result of handcuff use. 5. Identify the types of subjects whom security guards may handcuff. 6. Explain guidelines on searching a subject. 7. Explain guidelines on follow-up control of a restrained subject.
Module 6
Incident Articulation, Documentation and Reporting
By the end of this module, you will be able to… 1. Explain the legal requirement and authority for reporting application of force incidents. 2. Explain the importance of immediately reporting and documenting application of force 3. incidents. 4. List the benefits of application of force incident reporting for your protection. 5. Identify key information that should be included in an application of force incident 6. report. 7. Prepare a thorough Use of Force Incident Report.
Module 7
Managing Stress and Boosting Resilience
By the end of this module, you will be able to… 1. Discuss the stress response and how it affects a person's ability to think and act. 2. Recognize effects of psychological stress/trauma in self and peers. 3. Apply personal strategies for managing stress, mitigating trauma and boosting resilience.