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Welcome to Security Guard Training Headquarters! We have everything you need to make your life easier as you begin your career as a security guard officer. State specific training requirements, a step-by-step hiring process, potential employers and interviews to help you get hired are just some of the helpful things you'll find here.

Security Guard Requirements in California

In order to apply for security guard registration in the State of California and work as an unarmed security guard, you must:

Be at least 18 years old
Undergo a criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and
Complete a 40-hour course of required training. The training and exam may be administered by any private patrol operator or by a certified training facility.

40 Hour Security Guard Training Requirement

Prior to Being Assigned on Post	8 Hours
Training Required within the First 30 Days	16 Hours
Training Required within the First Six Months	16 Hours
TOTAL HOURS	40 HOURS

EXPEDITE PROCESSING ONLINE

In order to speed up the security guard application and fingerprinting process, the following steps should be followed:

STEP 1

The security guard must have received the eight (8) hour “Power to Arrest ” training and passed the examination.

STEP 2

The security guard applicant, private patrol operator or the training facility must submit the security guard application online here. The online application is sent electronically to the Bureau.

Breakdown of fees paid online:

Security Guard Application Fee: $50.00
Online Convenience Fee: $1.00
TOTAL: $51.00

STEP 3

The security guard applicant must submit fingerprints electronically using Live Scan. You must only use the security guard Live Scan forms downloaded from the Bureau’s Website or obtained from the Bureau. The Live Scan form from the Bureau contains the correct coding to ensure that the Bureau receives the FBI and DOJ responses.

Breakdown of fees paid at Live Scan site:

Department of Justice Fingerprint Fee: $32.00
Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Fee: $19.00
TOTAL: $51.00

Live Scan site locations and forms are available at https://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/livescan/index.shtml

Note: Live Scan sites may charge a Live Scan submission processing fee. The Bureau does not set the fee amount.

STEP 4

Once the Bureau has received the online application and criminal history clearances, the cleared security guard will appear on the Bureau’s Web site. The security guard, private patrol operator or training facility can verify the Bureau’s approval by checking the Bureau’s DCA License Search.

Once the security guard registration has been cleared and appears on the Bureau’s Web site, a screen-print from the Web site may be made and used as an interim security guard registration. The security guard can then be placed on assignment. The actual security guard registration will be mailed to the applicant and should be received in 10 to 15 business days.

STEP 5

Security guards placed on assignment must keep the following documents with them:

A valid security guard registration or a screen print of the Bureau’s approval obtained from the Bureau’s Web site.
A valid photo identification

NORMAL PROCESSING

You may also submit your application to the Bureau the traditional way:

Submit your completed security guard application, a $50 registration fee and a Security Guard Live Scan form signed by the Live Scan operator (see above). A $32 DOJ fingerprint processing fee and a $19 FBI fingerprint processing fee must be paid at the Live Scan site.
Send your application package to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002.

Applications for registration as a security guard are available from private patrol operators or training facilities certified by BSIS.

41 Responses to “Security Guard Requirements in California”

John Corcoran, on October 25th, 2010 at 10:39 pm Said:

This is really helpful information. I was confused about the process for becoming a security guard, but you laid out all the pieces in a clear way. Thanks for all the info.
Henry Orozco, on December 30th, 2010 at 7:43 pm Said:

I already have from Yuba College a P.O.S.T. Modular Academy Level III certificate completed 162 hours of specialized instructions. (POST Certified (4) Chemical Agents, (23) CPR/First Aid, (8) Expandable Baton, and (64) P.C.832).

I have a permit to carry conceal arms.

What do I really need to get my guard card?

Thank you.

Henry
randy, on February 2nd, 2011 at 1:12 am Said:

i want to become a security guard
but cant find any place to go??
Meka, on May 6th, 2011 at 12:54 am Said:

Can I et an unarmed guard card with a misdemeanor DUI?
Edgar Juarez, on September 20th, 2011 at 5:10 am Said:

I am 19 years old still attending school to get my high school diploma but i am interested in being a security guard if you can please contact me on how i can become a security guard
Thank You
Edgar Juarez
Fawcett, on September 2nd, 2012 at 9:32 pm Said:

I have a friend who is looking for a job,can you tell me how to become a private security guard for an important person, i.e. a celebrity or well-known person.
VIGILANT PRO PRIVATE SECURITY SERVICES, on September 25th, 2012 at 5:11 pm Said:

Hello everyone, i have a security company and i being in business for years, i teach also the class for people who wants to become security guards, so if you are thinking of becoming a security guard give me a call to set an appointment for the class, i do the class twice a week and its 8 hours and a common sense test, i explain the course and make sure that everyone understand and pass the exam, i also help people who is their English as second language so there are fees applies to get the guard card which are
$80 class fees
$70.00 fingerprints
$50.00 burearu of security and investigation.
total =$ 200.00
i can help you to get that and also i will give you hints of where to apply and how to get security jobs in minutes.
i am located in Oakland California and i can be reach at 510-200-3007.
Thanks
Yarel, on December 3rd, 2012 at 9:10 pm Said:

The link on Step 1 is currently not working; could ya fix that?
David, on January 26th, 2013 at 4:46 am Said:

Some sights say that you need to complete 40 hours while others dont mention that at all.. my question is are the 40 hours mandatory or is that for a different guard card? thanks.
Steve, on January 27th, 2013 at 12:05 am Said:

I used guardcardcourses.com to obtain my (8) hours training. I followed the steps to get my guard card but most places want you to have the (40) hours training completed before they will hire you. I don’t have the extra $110 necessary to do this and now I can’t find work and rent is about to be do.
Steve, on January 27th, 2013 at 12:06 am Said:

It only mentioned that you need to finish (16) hours mandatory courses within (30) days of hire, and another (16) hours within (6) months. What can I do? I’m located in San Bernardino, CA.
samuel, on May 2nd, 2013 at 7:23 am Said:

for a security job , I need guard card , how much the grand total money to spend to sign up for complete courses
requirments, and how long the card is valid , and what are the renewal fees ?
as above information do I forget any Hidden fees please
inform me , and how long take to get my guard card to start for job
JESSICA ESTRADA, on March 11th, 2015 at 12:13 pm Said:

i have a question, do you need to have a driving license to be an unarmed security guard? I am 20 years old and i want to be security guard while im in college. please answer as soon as possible. do unarmed security guards get paid well?
scott, on March 20th, 2015 at 10:38 pm Said:

s there a location i can do the training physically and not online?
Elmo, on July 9th, 2015 at 4:36 am Said:

What is the Educational attainment to apply as a security guard in the State of California? Do they allow High School Graduate?
s matthew, on September 24th, 2015 at 10:24 pm Said:

Hi, I have a felony and discharged my parole. I would like to be an armed guard, but people keep telling me I should not be carrying my weapons at all! LMFAO.I believe this to be a gross violation of my right to bear arms. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF BEARING ARMS IS TO DETER THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS AGENTS FROM INFRINGING UPON THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS AND STATES. There is no good reason why I should be demeaned by the restriction of this right. I say demeaned because this is supposed to be a democracy, where the will of the majority wins. I have no method of imposing my will upon others when even the weakest of characters could use a gun and render me dead or ineffective.
junior, on April 24th, 2016 at 2:01 am Said:

I want to become a security guard but I have misdemeanors can I still get it even though I have misdemeanors I have about two of them one for domestic violence and the other one was for terroristic threat but the last one was in Texas Plz help
Aj, on May 14th, 2016 at 12:23 am Said:

Can you be approved for a unarmed guard card with a misdemeanor dui
Mohamed, on May 26th, 2016 at 4:11 pm Said:

I want honest work and thank you
Rodney, on June 8th, 2016 at 4:41 pm Said:

can I still be approve for a guard card if i have been convicted of a crime?…in 2006..non-violent felony that got reduced to a misdemeanor…and 1996..felony/misdemeanor….perjury…reduce to false impersonation…thx
Victoria C, on July 20th, 2016 at 4:55 pm Said:

I just want someone to answer me about what to do if you don’t finish your 40 hours in the time allotted? I have the guard card, but didn’t quite finish all the courses on time…
Mike, on October 16th, 2016 at 5:37 am Said:

Does getting an armed security guard card in LA County make it easier to get a CCW?
Trevor, on April 16th, 2017 at 2:08 am Said:

How do I get my guard card and firearms permit at the same time in California ? Do you have a link ?
Md.Sajid, on August 16th, 2017 at 4:51 pm Said:

Sir I Want To Security Job Because I Need This. But I Have No Money So Please Tell Me What Can I Do.
Mike Miller, on September 3rd, 2017 at 7:53 pm Said:

how far back do they go on your background history? Can i become an unarmed guard even if i had some convictions from my past. I am in recovery and i have been a guard before, also was in the navy.
Pekka Alajoki, on September 30th, 2017 at 5:14 pm Said:

Can i be a security guard in USA if im from finland. I have 1 year experience of patrol security.
Benard Omara, on January 10th, 2018 at 5:51 am Said:

I am from Kampala Uganda and i been in the Security Guard Service for the last 15Years and would like to join you. Kindly advise if i am legible for this.
Gerardo, on July 10th, 2018 at 4:45 pm Said:

Can you get a guard card if you are an immigrant?
Maude Dennis, on August 14th, 2018 at 4:07 am Said:

I am interested in getting my security guard card and my armed clearance.
Brian, on July 13th, 2019 at 12:12 am Said:

What if my record is expunge can I get my guard card
James, on September 19th, 2019 at 9:11 am Said:

Can I get a Ca gard card and still be a resident of NV ?
brittany lance, on September 21st, 2019 at 9:17 am Said:

If I have a misdemeanor from 7 years ago can I still get a guard card
De Durlesser, on October 14th, 2019 at 9:56 pm Said:

I am told by a private security person that the company you’ll be working for Must pay for you to get the Guard Card
My company and viewing on here states otherwise… So which is it ?
Amber, on January 11th, 2020 at 9:42 pm Said:

How much is a guard card after 60 days after expiration the expiration date passed? Does the price increase or do you have to fill out another guard card application?
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Carolyn, on November 9th, 2020 at 2:34 pm Said:

Trying to get an guard card class training this week . So I can get this job . Please I really need this guard job . So can you help me . Thanks
Angel, on July 4th, 2021 at 11:15 pm Said:

Looking to work in a bank or for celebrity
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