A call has gone out for security guards to make certain that their licensing is up to date by the end of this month.

National security minister Wayne Caines said there had been “some confusion” over training requirements.

The Private Investigators and Security Guard Act 1974 sets out the standards.

Although the deadline is near, Mr Caines said the warning notice had not been “pulled out of a hat at the last minute”.

He explained the ministry had kept in touch with the security guards division of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Caines added: “Stakeholders are reminded that only security guards that are trained through an approved programme, which must be gazetted as such by the Commissioner of Police, can be licensed.

“A short training programme approved by the commissioner is offered at the Bermuda College — an option that would mitigate costs of providing training in other circumstances.

“Alternatively, where security companies have a training programme of their own, details of those programmes should be provided for the review of the commissioner.

“Providing the programme meets the minimum standard of required training, it will be approved as having met the requirements of the ‘Bermuda Security Standard’.”

Licensing of private investigators and security guards is required by law.

Mr Caines said: “If you are not licensed, then you are unable to work in this field after March 31.”

He added that the college course lasted “a matter of days” and last year attracted more than 500 participants from 18 companies.