Complete the 50-hour Ministry-approved course required to apply for your Private Investigator License.
Our private investigator training is a 100% online, 50-hour program with timed modules for full Ministry compliance. It’s available 24/7 on any device, completely self-paced with no time limit or extra fees, and your progress auto-saves so you can study in short, focused sessions.
The private investigator course is built for engagement and real-world readiness: every module includes narration with read-along text plus an instructor-led video, and you’ll work through interactive scenario videos—including a mock surveillance—to practice judgment, note-taking, and professional conduct beyond the minimum standards.
When you finish, you’ll receive your Training Completion Number (TCN) required to book the Ministry exam and then apply for your Private Investigator license. With thousands of successful students & consistent 5-star feedback, this online private investigator course gives you the clarity, confidence, and skills employers look for.
We’re thrilled you’re ready to begin. This is the #1 rated Private Investigator Training Course in Canada—created and led by Whitney Joy Smith, founder of the nation’s largest investigative agency. It’s fully Ministry-compliant, 100% online, and trusted by thousands who now work in the field.
If you’re serious about becoming a professional investigator, start right here.
Our online Private Investigator Training is designed for success from the very first lesson. Students across Canada consistently achieve outstanding results because the course is built for real learning—accessible 24/7, self-paced, and supported by timed, Ministry-compliant modules. We’ve trained thousands of students who now work confidently in the field.
Created and taught by Whitney Joy Smith, Canada’s leading investigator with over 20 years of global investigative experience and thousands of completed cases, this course delivers insights you won’t find anywhere else. Whitney is the pioneer of private investigator training in Canada and ensures every module is current, accurate, and built to the highest professional standard.
Go beyond theory with real investigative examples and a mock surveillance filmed in 6K to simulate what working in the field truly feels like. Whitney and her team share the tips and techniques they use every day so you start your career prepared, confident, and ready to deliver professional results from day one.
Choose a course built by investigators, for investigators—and start your career with the same tools and mindset the professionals use.
Our Private Investigator Training Course is trusted across Canada for one reason—it’s built by real investigators who live this work every day. As a Ministry-compliant 50-hour program, it meets every requirement while going far beyond the basics, giving students the knowledge, confidence, and practical understanding needed to succeed in the field.
This is not a generic training program—it’s an industry-designed, instructor-led course created by The Smith Investigation Agency Inc., one of Canada’s leading private investigative firms. Every lesson is filmed in our professional studio, narrated for accessibility, and structured for real learning—not memorization.
Graduates of this program consistently tell us how quickly they secure work and how prepared they feel from day one. Employers across Ontario recognize our training because it’s developed by professionals who know what quality investigative work looks like.
If you’re serious about becoming a professional investigator, start with the course trusted by both students and the industry—a course built by professionals, for professionals.
Train with instructor-led lessons filmed in 6K, narration + read-along, and timed, Ministry-compliant modules that keep you focused. It’s the 50-hour online private investigator course serious learners choose when they want clarity, structure, and momentum from day one.
Go beyond theory with real investigative workflows—surveillance etiquette, evidence handling, note-taking, and case reporting—plus our mock surveillance that shows how pros actually work. This is private investigator training built by working investigators for professional results.
Graduates tell us they feel job-ready fast, and employers recognize candidates trained by The Smith Investigation Agency Inc. Finish the course, receive your TCN, write the exam, and apply for your private investigator license—with the confidence that you’ve trained to a higher standard.
This 50-hour Ministry-compliant online course gives you a complete foundation in private investigation—from understanding the law to mastering communication, surveillance, and ethical decision-making. Each module is instructor-led, timed for compliance, and designed to help you think and perform like a real investigator from the very first lesson. Explore the modules below to see how this course prepares you to enter the industry with confidence.
Have questions before you enroll? Reach out to us today.
To become a private investigator in Ontario, you need to complete the mandatory private investigator basic training course, which consists of 50 hours of training. Once you successfully complete the course, you will receive a completion number. With this completion number, you can schedule your exam with SERCO at a local Drive Test Centre. After passing the exam, you can apply for your license with the Ministry of Ontario. It’s important to meet the eligibility requirements of being 18 years or older and having a clean criminal record. Private investigators in Ontario can expect to earn a minimum of $50,000 or more per year to start, although this can vary based on various factors. Embark on this fulfilling career path by completing the necessary training, passing the exam, and obtaining your license to operate as a private investigator in Ontario.
No, Smith Investigation Agency, in affiliation with Training Centre Canada is not just a PI training platform. It is owned by The Smith Investigation Agency Inc. and Smith Security Inc. While The Smith Investigation Agency is a nationally known private investigative firm operating in multiple provinces including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, its services extend beyond PI work. The agency operates within the legal, insurance, and corporate sectors, providing comprehensive investigative solutions. On the other hand, Smith Security Inc. is a premium security guard service provider specifically based in Ontario. It offers top-notch security services and operates in major cities such as Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Scarborough, North York, Newmarket, Hamilton, Barrie, Ottawa, London, and more. In addition to security services, Smith Security Inc. also offers online training throughout the province of Ontario. Together, The Smith Investigation Agency Inc. and Smith Security Inc., through Training Centre Canada, provide a comprehensive range of services including private investigation, security guard services, and professional training.
To become a private investigator in Ontario, you need to complete the mandatory private investigator basic training course, which consists of 50 hours of training. Once you successfully complete the course, you will receive a completion number. With this completion number, you can schedule your exam with SERCO at a local Drive Test Centre. After passing the exam, you can apply for your license with the Ministry of Ontario. It’s important to meet the eligibility requirements of being 18 years or older and having a clean criminal record. Private investigators in Ontario can expect to earn a minimum of $50,000 or more per year to start, although this can vary based on various factors. Embark on this fulfilling career path by completing the necessary training, passing the exam, and obtaining your license to operate as a private investigator in Ontario.
Once you purchase the online use of force training, we will email you your login, and you can begin the course right away. You can complete the course from a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
Finding a job as a licensed private investigator in Ontario is generally favorable due to the demand for skilled professionals in the industry. As of 2021, there were 2,463 licensed private investigators and 2,281 licensed dual investigators, indicating a need for new hires. When we hire investigators, we often find that numerous companies throughout Ontario are seeking to fill investigator positions. As the largest provider of private investigator training in Ontario, we offer our students the opportunity to apply for employment like any other candidate. We cannot hire everyone, but investigators in the areas we are searching for can certainly apply and secure employment. Prime areas for private investigator hiring in Ontario include Toronto, North York, Brampton, Mississauga, GTA, Hamilton, Scarborough, Oakville, Niagara Falls, Kingston, Peterborough, Barrie, Ottawa, Cornwall, Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins, Muskoka, Huntsville, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Windsor, London, Kitchener, Guelph, and Cambridge. One of the advantages of working as a private investigator is the flexibility to find employment anywhere. You can choose to work throughout Ontario, in your hometown, or even explore opportunities in other cities. With the growing need for skilled investigators, there are abundant possibilities to establish a rewarding career in the private investigation field across various locations in Ontario.
Experience the convenience and flexibility of our private investigator course. Our private investigation school is fully online, granting you access 24/7, allowing you to complete the training at your own pace. The course content is delivered in audio and video format, ensuring compatibility with various learning styles. If you have any questions or require further information about the course, we invite you to watch our informative video, reach out to us via phone or email. Our dedicated team is eager to assist you and discuss the possibilities of becoming a private investigator upon completing our comprehensive training. Once we receive the payment notification, we will swiftly set up your login information, granting you immediate access to our award-winning private investigator course. We are thrilled to embark on this journey with you and provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the field of private investigation. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you and look forward to supporting you throughout your training. Get ready to embark on an exciting career path as a private investigator with our comprehensive and accessible online course.
Complete the 50-hour online Private Investigator training, receive your TCN, then book the exam and apply for your PI license. Start today and be career-ready faster than you think.
