Need a Guard Card?
How to Become a
Security Guard in California
- Be 18 Years of Age or Older -
- Undergo a criminal history check through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) AND the FBI (this is accomplished through the standard Live Scan Fingerprinting Process) -
- Complete the required California Guard Card Class Training Requirements
- Submit their comleted application to the State of California
Step 1 - Take the Guard Card Class
You can take the power to arrest / Guard Card Class at a number of approved training facilities throughout California. Once you take this 8-hour power to arrest course and pass the test administered by the training instructor, the facility will issue you a certificate of completion that you will include with your security guard application that you will submit to the State of California.
Step 2 - Have your Fingerprints Taken / Pass the Background Check
You can have your fingerprints taken at any approved Live Scan Fingerprinting Location. The standard FBI and DOJ processing fees total $51. The Live Scan site will charge a rolling/processing fee in addition to the DOJ and FBI fees. Most Live Scan sites will charge $25, so the total fees for the Live Scan process will be around $76.
Step 3 - Submit Your Application and Fees to the BSIS
You can sumbit your application via mail or online. The State can take anywhere from 2 weeks to a few months to process your application and issue your California Guard Card. Included in your application packet will be 1. Your guard card application, 2. Your completed Live Scan Fingerprinting Form, 3. Your proof of completion of the Guard Card / Power to Arrest Training Class, 4. Your application fee ($50 if you mail it in, and $51 if you file it online.
Step 4 - Continued Training Requirements
Once you receive your guard card, you are ready to become a security guard. All you need to do is find a security job! Within the first 6 months of the issuance of your guard card, you are required to complete and additional 32 hours of continued training (16 hours within the first thirty days and an additional 16 hours within the first 6 months). If you are already employed, your employer should