California Security Guard Card Training

Unarmed

• New Security Guard Training: No Security Guard Experience
• Rookie Security Guard Training: 0-12 Months on Duty
• Pro / Renewal Security Guard Training: >1 Year on Duty

Armed

• New Security Guard Training: No Security Guard Experience
• Pro / Renewal Security Guard Training: >1 Year on Duty. Renew your Guard Card license.

CA Unarmed New Security Guard Training

If you are a California security guard, either armed and unarmed, you need to get a guard card before you can start working as a security guard. And to get that guard card, you need new CA security guard card training. You need to get a lot more training in California than in other any other state to become a security guard. The Bureau of Security and Investigative Service (BSIS) regulates the training requirements for security guards in California.  The BSIS issues cards after you have successfully passed a background check, completed your required training, and submitted your online application.

Security Guard Application & Licensing Requirements

1. Take your required training. Taking all 40 hours of required training can save you money as many security training companies offer discounts on the 40 hour security guard training packages.
2. You have to go to a LiveScan location and get a set of fingerprints.  It can be anywhere from $60 to $75 to get your fingerprints rolled. $51 of the fee goes to the Department of Justice and FBI to run your background check. The rest of the fee goes to the LiveScan operator. The BSIS doesn’t control the fingerprinting fess.
3. Submit your Guard Card application to the BSIS (using the online form is recommended for getting your Guard Card in the mail faster).

New Security Guard Card Training Requirements & Fees

To get your basic unarmed guard card, you must first take 8 hours of training following a BSIS curriculum.  On your first 30 days on the job, you have to take an additional 16 hours of state mandated training. Within 6 months of starting to work as a security guard, you have to take another 16 hours of security guard training. This is a total of 40 hours of security guard courses during your first 6 months as a rookie security guard.

Guard Card Training Costs

California Security Guard Training Curriculum

8 Hour Guard Card Course

The following are the topics covered in the 8 hour Guard Card course.

Note:  The topics in this 8 hour Guard Card course changed November 1, 2023 due to the passage of Assembly Bill 229 (AB229) in 2021.

Power to Arrest

• Overview and Origin of Authority to Detain and Arrest
  • Definition of a Detention
  • Definition of an Arrest
  • What is a Private Citizen’s Arrest
• Use of Force
  • Legal
  • Employer Policy
• Search and Seizure
  • 4th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
  • Acting as a Law Enforcement Agent
• Discovering Contraband
• Definition of Private/Public Property
  • Jurisdiction
  • Trespass

Appropriate Use of Force Training (starting November 1, 2023)

• Legal standards for use of force
• Duty to intercede
• The use of objectively reasonable force
• Supervisory responsibilities
• Use of force review and analysis
• De-escalation and interpersonal communication training, including tactical methods that use time, distance, cover, and concealment, to avoid escalating situations that lead to violence.
• Implicit and explicit bias and cultural competency
• Skills, including de-escalation techniques, to effectively, safely, and respectfully interact with people with disabilities or behavioral health issues
• Use of force scenario training, including simulations of low-frequency, high-risk situations and calls for service, shoot-or-don’t-shoot situations, and real-time force option decision making.
• Mental health and policing, including bias and stigma
• Active shooter situations

Note:  Many of the BSIS website pages have not been updated to reflect the changes in the Security Personnel Skills Training Syllabus. However, there is a link on the BSIS home page to a PDF that announces the training requirement changes to include the in-person Appropriate Use of Force training.

“Traditional Classroom Instruction” is defined as instruction where the instructor is physically present with students in a classroom, or on a firing range, and is available to answer student questions while providing the required training. The instructor provides demonstrations and hands-on instruction in order to establish each student’s proficiency as to the course content.

“Non-Traditional Instruction” is defined as instruction that includes, but is not limited to:

1. The use of internet courses, distance learning, e-learning, or virtual classrooms; and
2. The use of videos or media-based training modules without in-person instructors

This means that training students remotely via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other video conferencing software does not meet the in-person training requirements.

There is no grandfather clause in the updated Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force training regulations, which were effective November 30, 2023 per California Code of Regulations Section 643. The Appropriate Use of Force training requirement during an audit will be based upon the date of hire, not when the guard card was issued.

Further, the BSIS recommends that employers train any currently employed security personnel in the in-person Appropriate Use of Force course.  The annual refresher course that includes Appropriate Use of Force topics is not considered as sufficient training because it does not include all Appropriate Use of Force topics and may not have been taken in-person. Security personnel who completes the new Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force training can count the course as their annual refresher.

Online Security Guard Training

California Security Guard Training Providers

• GuardCardCourses.com

CA Unarmed Rookie Security Guard Training

Once you get your Guard Card and start working as a security guard in California, you need to take 32 more hours of rookie CA guard card training to keep your Guard Card and avoid fines from the BSIS.

Security Guard Training Requirements & Fees

On your first 30 days on the job, you have to take an additional 16 hours of state mandated training. Within 6 months of starting to work as a security guard, you have to take another 16 hours of security guard training. This is a total of 40 hours of security guard courses during your first 6 months as a rookie security guard.

Rookie CA Guard Card Training Costs

The cost of the training is set by the training provider, not the BSIS.

California Security Guard Card Training Curriculum

Mandatory Course Outlines

To familiarize and instruct the individual in basic skills and provide a common body of knowledge in the performance of security guard work. All courses shall include information and subject matter pertaining to the outline provided. Every newly licensed or employed security guard shall complete two of the mandatory courses within thirty days from the day the guard’s registration card is issued or the day the guard begins employment. The remaining two mandatory courses each consisting of four  hours of instruction, shall be completed within the first six  months from the day the guard registration card is issued or the day the guard begins employment as a security guard.

1. Recognizing Gender & Racial Harassment & Discrimination
2. Respect:
   • Stereotyping
   • Attitude
3. Verbal Skills / Crisis Intervention
4. Introduction to Diversity
5. Substance Abuse & Mental Illness
6. Ethics & Professionalism
   • Appearance
   • Command Presence
   • Proper Conduct

1. Report Writing
2. English as a Second Language
3. Observation and Patrol Techniques
4. Asking Appropriate Questions
5. Observing Suspects / Suspicious Activity

1. Internal
   • Protocols Pursuant to Contract (Who to Contact & When)
   • Radio / Monitors
   • Other Technology
2. External
   • Emergency / First Responders
   • Medical Personnel
   • Police / Sheriff / Other Enforcement
   • City Services / Government Services

1. Personal / Contractor / Employer
2. Criminal, Civil, Administrative
3. BSIS Code & Regulations
4. Role of a Security Guard

Elective Course Outlines

To familiarize and instruct the individual in basic employer requirements relating to the performance of guard duties. Additionally, to provide the employer and the individual with the opportunity to select additional course work to improve the skills and knowledge of the individual.  Every newly licensed security guard must complete a minimum of eight  hours of elective courses within thirty days from the day the security guard’s registration card is issued or the day the guard begins employment. An additional eight hours of elective courses shall be completed within the first six months from the day the security guard’s registration card is issued or the day the guard begins employment.

1. Site Specific Training
2. Equipment
   • Monitoring
   • Communication
   • Alarms
   • Elevators, Etc.
3. Emergency Response Issues
4. Liability Implications
5. Lost / Found Articles

1. Employer Reports / Paperwork
2. Reporting Processes / Procedures
3. Tax Forms, Health Forms, Etc.
4. Uniforms
5. Work Schedules
6. Other Internal Policies, Processes or Procedures
7. Employer Use of Force Policy

1. Emergency Procedures Related to Life / Safety and Acts of Nature
2. Working Knowledge of Evacuation Routes
   • Stairs
   • Elevators
   • Doors
3. Power Outage
4. Specific Points of Contact

1. Threat Assessment
2. Subject Contact
3. Safety Awareness
4. Blood Borne Pathogens
5. Environmental / Hazardous Materials

1. PC 836, 837 & the Differences
2. US Constitution & Amendments Impacting Guard Responsibilities
3. Loss Prevention
4. Merchant Law
5. Use of Force

1. Identification Procedures
2. Electronic Use / CCTV
3. Non-electronic procedures

1. Open Land
2. Private Property
3. Private Building
4. Public Property
5. Places of Public Accommodation/Public Access

1. Specific to Post Assignment

1. American Red Cross Courses
2. American Heart Association Courses
3. Automatic Defibrillator Devices (AED’s)

1. Communications
2. Conflict Management
3. Speaking Constructively
4. Valuing Diversity
5. Negotiating
6. Verbal Diffusion

1. Detecting Unusual Behavior / Warning Signs
   • Worker to Worker
   • Client to Customer
   • Supervisor to Subordinate
2. Anger Management
3. Valuing Diversity
4. Personal Security
5. Reporting

1. Tear Gas Use and Effects
2. Pepper Spray Use and Effects
3. Air Borne Chemical Agents
4. Water Borne Chemical Agents

1. Identifying Evidence
2. Care and Handling of Evidence
3. Securing the Immediate Area
4. Legal Issues to Evidence Tampering and/or Removal
5. Witness/Participant Identification

1. Controlling Boisterous Celebrations
2. Handling Disputes
3. Confronting Conflicts Constructively
4. Planning for Civil Disobedience / Disturbances
5. Labor Actions, Disputes, Workplace Stoppages

1. Cars
2. Bicycles
3. Golf Carts

1. Roles and Responsibilities
2. Legal Liability

Online CA Security Guard Card Training

California Security Guard Training Providers

• GuardCardCourses.com

CA Unarmed Guard Card Renewal Procedure

You need to follow the BSIS CA guard card renewal procedure every 2 years. In order to keep your guard card and avoid fines from working without a valid Guard Card, the state of California requires that you take a continuing education (CE) class every year and then renew your Guard Card every 2 years. The Bureau of security and Investigative Services (BSIS) requires you to take additional or remedial 8 hours instruction in private security subject matter.  Your can get your  yearly training from an independent training provider or your current employer.  Your annual training may repeat previous course(s) or be on topics applicable to private security work. Training in use of specific types of batons or a four  hour refresher course every other year may also be used to meet the continuing education requirements. You should keep our certificate of completion for your continuing education credits in case you change employers during the year. Your new employer will want proof that you completed your required training.

Online Security Guard Training Continuing Education

California Security Guard Training Providers Online

• GuardCardCourses.com

New CA Armed Security Guard Card Training & License Requirements

If you are a California security guard, either armed and unarmed, you need to get a guard card before you can start working as a security guard. You need to get a lot more training in California than in other any other state to become a security guard. The Bureau of Security and Investigative Service (BS(S) regulates the training requirements for security guards in California.  The BSIS issues cards after you have successfully passed a background check, completed your required training, and submitted your online application.

Besides the new CA security guard card training and rookie CA security guard card training, you have to take a BSIS certified range firing class. This class cannot be taken online. You must take this course in a combined classroom and firing range setting.  Or instead of firing a weapon at a firing range, you can use a laser simulator to qualify. Using a laser simulator can be cheaper because you don’t have to pay for ammunition.  You also must take a personality assessment before you can apply for a armed guard card.  It is recommended you take this test before paying for firearm range and armed guard training.

Personality Assessment / Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire

A CA state law requires that in order to become an armed security guard that you complete an assessment to demonstrate you are capable, at the time the assessment is completed, of demonstrating appropriate judgment, restraint and self-control for the purposes of carrying and using a firearm when performing security guard duties.

The assessment (Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire or 16pf) must be completed prior to submitting your application for an Initial Firearms Permit. The assessment must be taken in person at one of the 23 PSI testing centers in California.

The assessment fee is $65.00 paid directly to PSI.  You can register, pay, and schedule online.  You must already have an unarmed guard card license number before you can register for this assessment.

For additional information on fee payment information, see the PSI’s Firearms Assessment Information Bulletin.

Right after you take the personality questionnaire, you get your Firearms Assessment Examination Score Report, which you should keep for your records. Scores are:

• Demonstrate: You possess appropriate judgment, restraint, and self-control for the purposes of carrying and using a firearm during the course of your security guard duties, You may submit a Firearms Permit Initial Application.
• Did Not Demonstrate Results: You do not possess appropriate judgment, restraint, and self-control for the purposes of carrying and using a firearm during the course of your security guard duties. You may not submit a Firearms Permit Initial Application. You have the option to retake the assessment 180 days after receiving a “did not demonstrate” result. The 180-waiting period begins the day after you complete your assessment.

CA Armed Security Guard Card Training & License Renewal

You should follow all the unarmed security Guard Card renewal requirements plus you need to get range re-certified every year.