A new basic Training and Testing Regulation, under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 will:

- Starting Apr 15, require those applying to become security guards or private investigators who have not been issued a licence before this date to undergo a mandatory training program and pass a test before they can be licensed; and

- Beginning July 16, 2010, require existing security guard or private investigator licence holders to pass the mandatory test prior to the expiry of their current licence in order to complete its renewal.

The act is the first update of private security legislation since 1966 and has helped modernize the industry by establishing a code of ethics, setting standards for uniforms and vehicles and requiring all practitioners in the industry to be trained and licensed.