How to Become a Security Guard Officer in California

Steps to becoming Security Officer in California

Requirements for Registration

Security guards are employed by licensed private patrol operators or private security employers to protect persons, property or prevent theft.

To be eligible to apply for a security guard registration through the Bureau of Security and Investigative Service (BSIS), 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)
• Complete the Power to Arrest training

Fees (Title 16, California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 640)

Initial Application Fee: $50.00
Renewal Fee: $35.00

Criminal History Background Check/Live Scan

Applicants for a BSIS Security Guard Registration must undergo a criminal history background check through the FBI and DOJ. Applicants should use the Security Guard Request for Live Scan Form available on the Bureau’s website as it contains the correct coding needed to ensure the Bureau receives the information in a timely manner. Applicants are responsible for paying all Live Scan, DOJ and FBI processing fees at the time of fingerprinting.

A list of Live Scan locations can be found on the Bureau’s website.

Security Guard Training Requirements

• The power to arrest training must be completed prior to the issuance of a Security Guard Registration .
• The thirty-two (32) hours of training in security officer skills must be completed within the first six (6) months of licensure.
• Eight (8) hours of continuing training must be completed annually.
• The training may be administered by the guard’s employing private patrol operator or by a Bureau-approved course provider.

Application Processing

Online Application

First Shield recommends online application as the recommended method for timely and accurate processing.

Applicants may apply for security guard registration online via the bureau’s website.

Paper Application

Applicants may submit their completed security guard application, $50 application fee and completed Live Scan form containing the signature of the Live Scan operator and Automated Transaction Identifier (ATI) number or classifiable fingerprint cards to:

Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
P.O. Box 989002
West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002

Verification of Security Guard Registration

A security guard must possess a valid and current security guard registration card on his or her person while on-duty; however a person may work as a security guard pending receipt of their hard-copy security guard registration card if he or she has been approved by the Bureau and carries on his or her person a hardcopy printout of the Bureau’s approval from the Bureau’s website and valid picture identification. Registrants should receive their registration card via US Mail within approximately 3 weeks from the time the Bureau issues the registration.

Guard Registration Renewal

It is important that guard registrants keep a current and valid address on file with the Bureau at all times to help ensure they receive their renewal notices. The Bureau automatically mails a registrant his/her registration renewal form approximately 90 days before the registration is set to expire to their address of record. By law, a registrant must submit the completed renewal application or coupon at least 60 days prior to expiration to provide the Bureau sufficient time to process the renewal. If a guard does not receive the Bureau-issued renewal coupon, he/she can also submit a completed Security Guard Renewal Application, available on the Bureau’s website.

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