The Ontario private investigator licensing test is 60 multiple-choice questions completed in 75 minutes within a two-hour appointment. You need 77% to pass. This page gives you the full format breakdown, the exact question count for each of the 12 topic areas, and everything you need to know about scoring and booking before you sit.
How many questions are on the Ontario PI test?
The Ontario PI test is 60 multiple-choice questions, with 75 minutes to complete them. The appointment slot is two hours, but the actual test time is 75 minutes. Questions span 12 topic areas drawn from the legislation the exam tests: the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005 (PSISA), its Code of Conduct regulation (O. Reg. 363/07), privacy law, and the Criminal Code’s arrest and use-of-force provisions.
The test is delivered in person through Serco DES Inc., the Ministry of the Solicitor General’s test delivery agent.
What is the pass mark for the Ontario private investigator exam?
The official pass mark is 77%. On a 60-question test, you need at least 47 correct answers to reach that threshold: 46 correct (76.7%) falls just short. Some third-party sites cite lower figures such as 62%, but those are outdated. Results are released within five business days.
How are the 60 questions distributed across the 12 topic areas?
The questions are spread across 12 areas of law and regulation. The table below shows exactly how many questions come from each area:
| Topic area | Questions |
|---|---|
| Complaints, investigations and inspections | 7 |
| Privacy: PIPEDA | 7 |
| Licence decisions and appeals | 6 |
| Duties and standards of practice | 6 |
| Arrest and use of force (Criminal Code) | 6 |
| Interpretation and scope | 5 |
| Licensing requirements | 5 |
| Offences and penalties | 5 |
| Prohibitions | 4 |
| Privacy: FIPPA and MFIPPA | 4 |
| Code of Conduct (O. Reg. 363/07) | 3 |
| Administration and licence types | 2 |
| Total | 60 |
The five highest-weight areas together account for 32 of the 60 questions: complaints and investigations, PIPEDA privacy, licence decisions, duties and standards, and Criminal Code arrest powers. No area is safe to skip entirely.
What does each topic area cover?
Interpretation and scope tests who qualifies as a private investigator under the Act, key statutory definitions, and which roles are exempt from licensing. Administration and licence types covers the Registrar and the six types of licence available.
Prohibitions asks what activities are forbidden without a licence, including which lines of work PIs may not take on. Licensing requirements covers eligibility rules, a clean criminal record requirement, the application process, and the general conditions for holding a licence.
Licence decisions and appeals (6 questions) covers how the Registrar issues, refuses, revokes or imposes conditions on licences, the hearing process, decision timelines, and appeals to the Licence Appeal Tribunal. Complaints, investigations and inspections (7 questions) deals with how complaints are handled, the role of investigators and inspectors, inspection powers, entry to premises at any reasonable time, and search warrants.
Duties and standards of practice tests day-to-day obligations: maintaining insurance, carrying and displaying your licence on request, uniform requirements, and the prohibited titles (including “detective,” “private detective,” “police,” and “officer”). Offences and penalties covers false representations, the offence provisions, fines of up to $25,000 for an individual and $250,000 for a business entity, and the immunity clause for persons acting in good faith.
Code of Conduct (O. Reg. 363/07) lists nine duties every licensee must follow, from acting with honesty and integrity to using no unnecessary force, maintaining confidentiality, and cooperating with police.
Privacy under PIPEDA (7 questions) tests the ten fair-information principles, consent requirements, and the exceptions a PI may rely on when conducting an investigation. Privacy under FIPPA and MFIPPA covers Ontario’s access-to-information statutes governing personal information held by provincial and municipal institutions. Arrest and use of force (Criminal Code, 6 questions) tests citizen’s arrest authority, use-of-force powers, self-defence, and defence of property.
How much does the test cost and how do I book?
The fee is CA$35.00 plus 13% HST, totalling CA$39.55 per attempt. You must first complete a private investigator training course approved by the Ministry of the Solicitor General and receive a Training Completion Number (TCN). Without a TCN you cannot book the test. Booking is done through Serco DES Inc. Full details, including approved training providers, are at ontario.ca.
A quick-reference format summary
| Format | Written, multiple choice |
| Questions | 60 |
| Time | 75 minutes (within a 2-hour appointment) |
| Pass mark | 77% (at least 47 of 60 correct) |
| Prerequisite | Approved training + Training Completion Number (TCN) |
| Fee | CA$35.00 + 13% HST = CA$39.55 per attempt |
| Results | Within 5 business days |