Security guards are employed by licensed private patrol operators to protect persons or property and prevent theft. To be eligible to apply for a California guard card registration, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Take the California Guard Card course
- Undergo a criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Step 1. You must have received the 8 hour California Guard Card training (Power To Arrest) and passed the examination. You will have 30 days to complete your first 16 hours of training and then 6 months after receiving your Security Guard card to complete the remaining 16 hours. All guards need to have 8 hours refresher course each year for as long as they have their guard card.
You Pay Only $100.00 Instruction Fee which includes instruction, written exam, student handouts, Guard Card course, fingerprint forms the LiveScan (Fingerprints) and State fee.
Breakdown of fees:
Guard Card Course Fee $100.00
StateFees $50.00
Total $150.00
Step 2. You must submit fingerprint electronically for DOJ & FBI in addition to the LiveScan.
Breakdown of fees:
DOJ: $32.00
FBI: $19.00
LiveScan Operator Fees: $25.00
Total: $76.00
Step 3. You must submit your Guard Card Application Online via Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. The Cost for the online application is $51.00.
The Following is how to submit your application.
Step 1. Go to BSIS.CA.GOV
Step 2. Click on the Apply for License online on the left side of your screen right below the Email Alerts box.
Step 3. To start the guard card license process please click on the following link on that webpage. http://www.dca.ca.gov/proflic/securityguards.shtml
Step 4. On the next page click on the fourth web link listed. Professional Licensing Log-in
Step 5. Next Screen scroll down all the way to the bottom and click on the box that says Professional Licensing User Login.
Step 6. Create an User ID and Password with the following criteria :
Your user ID & password must be different from each other They both need to be at least 7-15 letters long with at least one number (example: User id = testing1 Password = testing2).
Do NOT use any special characters (example: #@$%^&*!)
Do NOT use your birth date, address, name, or anything else that could be easily guessed.
Step 7. On this page you will be prompted to enter an email address, your social security number, date of birth, and will be prompted to answer a secret question in which you can pick and then answer as well. After that click next.
Step 8. On this page you will be prompted to enter your personal information again. After you are done click on the register box on the bottom of the page.
Step 9. Under the Licensee Home on the left side of the page click on Apply New.
Step 10. Under Select Profession, Click on Security Guard.
Step 11. Click on Security Guard again.
Step 12. Scroll down and Click on Continue with Application Box,
Step 13. Again enter your Address manually or click on Click Here link right on top to use an existing address already used .
Step 14. Here please enter your ATI number, found on the bottom of your Live Scan form copy. Will be prompted to answer if you have ever been arrested before.
Then it Asks what Training Facility did you go to, In that box enter ***************
Then you Enter the Address . It's *************
Then you enter the City, ******
Then you Enter the Zip Code, *****
Then you Enter the Powers To Arrest Provider License #. It's *****.
Then you enter our phone number. ***-***-****
Click Next
Step 15. On this page, on the drop down menu pick the correct credit card you will be using. And Click continue, then you will be prompted on the cost of the application which is $50.00. Click Ok again.
Step 16. Enter your Credit Cards Information as required by BSIS, the name on the credits card itself, the 16 digit number of the credit card, and expiration date. Please Continue
Step 17. Finalizing the process. Click on print so you can have a copy of the information presented on the screen. Then Click on Finish.
Step 18. You are done, this screen shows that you have submitted the information for BSIS to start processing the information, it gives your APP number as well. You are free to log out on the left side of the screen it’s the last option.
