California BSIS Approved Guard Card Training Courses

The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) requires all Security Guards to be licensed in California, and complete approved training courses. *The initial 8-hour training requirement is subject to change in accordance with AB229

Course Reviews

5 star rating

Guard Card Education Review

John Nuss

Excellent source of education and information, I was thoroughly impressed.

Excellent source of education and information, I was thoroughly impressed.

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5 star rating

Helped me get my guard card fast and easy

Donovan Galvin

Thank you for providing a useful course and getting me my credentials!

Thank you for providing a useful course and getting me my credentials!

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5 star rating

Good interactive course

Christopher Nelson

Good interactive course with plenty of activities to ensure that every person has a general understanding of the information.

Good interactive course with plenty of activities to ensure that every person has a general understanding of the information.

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5 star rating

Great Course

Rob McLane

Everything is good on this test and knowledgeable. You cannot fail

Everything is good on this test and knowledgeable. You cannot fail

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5 star rating

Easy and fast course

Adina Harvey

Easy and fast course! Very interesting easy to comprehend

Easy and fast course! Very interesting easy to comprehend

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5 star rating

Thumbs Up

Jesus Martinez

This course walked me through how to get my guard card and helped me start work fast. Thank you!

This course walked me through how to get my guard card and helped me start work fast. Thank you!

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5 star rating

Studied law enforcement

Jonathan King

Studied law enforcement, but this course was very informational and I learned a lot.

Studied law enforcement, but this course was very informational and I learned a lot.

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5 star rating

Clear and concise

Anthony Roberts

The course was clear and concise. Course was straight forward and very helpful.

The course was clear and concise. Course was straight forward and very helpful.

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5 star rating

Good information and helpful

Ashley Rodriguez

I found the activities and test at the end of each section very helpful.

I found the activities and test at the end of each section very helpful.

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5 star rating

Good stuff

Juan Wood

It was very helpful for me, learned a lot and it has made me to be more careful wherever I am.

It was very helpful for me, learned a lot and it has made me to be more careful wherever I am.

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5 star rating

Very educational

Patricia Ramirez

I found this course very educational with lots of information that I did not know.

I found this course very educational with lots of information that I did not know.

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5 star rating

Course was saturated with good information.

Philip Hernandez

Course was saturated with good information. Covered all the questions I had with excellence.

Course was saturated with good information. Covered all the questions I had with excellence.

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BSIS APPROVED  TRAINING FACILITY TFF #1447 PPO #17033

FAQ

  • How much will the guard card cost me in total?

    The initial 8 Hour Guard Card course is $50 at OSOS Security Services. After you take the 8 Hour Guard Card course, the government fees listed below are subject to change at any time. We try to keep the list current, but the government can change them at any time without our knowledge. $55 BSIS Application Fee (paid directly to BSIS) $112 (price varies DOJ and FBI Electronic Finger Printing (paid to LIveScan operator). Most UPS stores do Live Scans but call before you go to make sure their time of operation and fees.

  • What is LiveScan?

    Live Scan is a system for the electronic submission of fingerprints and the subsequent automated background checks and responses. Live Scan is required for Guard Card and Firearms Permit Applications. Applicants should use the appropriate Live Scan Form available on the Bureau's website. It contains the correct coding needed to ensure the Bureau receives the required information promptly. Failure to Live Scan with the proper form will delay the processing of your application.

  • Can I get a guard card even if I have a criminal record?

    It's best to contact BSIS directly to answer this question before taking the Guard Card class. The nature of the crime, whether it was related to the duties of a Security Guard, the length of time elapsed since conviction, any evidence of rehabilitation, or mitigating circumstances are all considered when deciding whether or not to deny licensure. Bureau of Security and Investigative Services 2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 270 Sacramento, CA 95834 (916) 322-4000 1-(800) 952-5210 FAX (916) 575-7290 [email protected]

  • How long is the California guard card training?

    The initial training to get the California guard card is eight hours. Within 30 days of licensing as a security guard, you need an additional 16 hours of continuing education. Within six months of licensing, you need extra 16 hours of continuing education for a total of 40 hours of training within the first year from the date the guard card was issued.

  • How old do you have to be to get a guard card or Firearms Permit in California?

    The minimum age requirement for a Guard Card is 18 years of age. The minimum age requirement for a Firearms Permit is 21 years of age.

  • How long will my guard card be valid? How long will my firearms permit be valid?

    A security guard registration is valid for two years. Firearm permits expire two years from the date of issuance. An applicant must requalify four times during the permit's life: twice during the first year after the date of issuance and twice during the second year. Requalifications must be at least four months apart. Contact us for requalification at 415-519-3549

  • Can Security guards carry guns off duty in California?

    Security guards in California are allowed to carry a firearm while on duty in uniform with a valid firearms permit. Possession of a guard registration and exposed firearms does not permit a security guard to carry a firearm while off duty unless the guard travels to or from their residence, worksite, or firearm range. In addition, you can only carry a firearm of a caliber with which you have qualified for on the range and which is printed on your firearms permit. A security guard who carries a concealed weapon while on duty in civilian clothes possesses and carries both the guard registration card and exposed firearms permit issued y the Bureau. You must satisfy one of the following three requirements: (1) possess a concealed weapons permit (CCW) issued by a local Sheriffs Department ; or (2) be an active duty peace officer employed as a security guard/bodyguard by a private patrol operator, or by the person or the entity being protected; or (3) be an honorably retired peace officer, with an endorsement to carry a the concealed weapon, and employed as a security guard/bodyguard by a private patrol operator, or by the person or entity being protected.

  • How do I get my firearms permit?

    Security guards must obtain the BSIS license (Bureau of Security and Investigative Services) for a firearms permit. This means they must complete an assessment for BSIS Firearms Permit to show that they can carry and use a weapon while they’re performing their duties. The license is issued for two years and the Bureau requires an armed security guard to re-qualify four times during these two years. The reason for the re-qualification is to show continued competency in carrying and using weapons on the job. Contact us for more information for your re-qualifications Please send us an email at [email protected] or call Jeff at (415) 519-3549 and we will reply.

  • Can I carry a firearm when I receive my guard card in California?

    For a security guard to carry a firearm on the job, they must first take a firearms course and go through background checks before carrying a gun on duty. To have weapons on the job, security guards must obtain the BSIS license (Bureau of Security and Investigative Services). This means that they must complete an assessment for BSIS Firearms Permit to show that they can carry and use a weapon while they’re performing their duties. This includes demonstrating sound judgment and self-control according to their requirements. A security guard is to use a gun only if necessary and if their life is threatened. A security guard who carries a concealed weapon while on duty in civilian clothes possesses and carries both the guard registration card and exposed firearms permit issued y the Bureau. You must satisfy one of the following three requirements: (1) possess a concealed weapons permit (CCW) issued by a local law enforcement agency; or (2) be an active duty peace officer employed as a security guard/bodyguard by a private patrol operator, or by the person or the entity being protected; or (3) be an honorably retired peace officer, with an endorsement to carry a the concealed weapon, and employed as a security guard/bodyguard by a private patrol operator, or by the person or entity being protected.