Security Guard Requirements In California

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Becoming registered as an unarmed security guard in the State of California requires the following qualifications:

• You must be over the age of 18

• Submit to a background check from the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice, California.

• You must finish a mandatory training course consisting of 40 hours of instruction.  Any qualified security company or training facility is capable of administering both the training and the exam.

Unarmed Security Guard Requirements in California:

What Constitutes The 40-Hour SGT Requirement?

• Training Prior To Active Assignment: 8 Hours
• Required Training During The First 30 Days - 16 Hours
• Within the first six months, training is 16 hours.
• Summary Of Total Training Requirement: 40 Hours

Get Faster Registration By Submitting Online

If you need the fingerprint and application process to be expedited, you need to follow these steps.

STEP 1

Receive the eight-hour pre-duty training course on the "Power to Arrest" and pass the associated test. You can get the necessary training and pass the examination by following this link.

STEP 2

The applicant, training facility or private patrol operator should submit the application online here. Once submitted, the application will be relayed automatically to the Bureau.

Online Fee Breakdown:

• Fee For Applying For Registration: $50.00
• An online convenience fee of $1
• Summary Of Application Fees: $51.00 Total

STEP 3

The applicant should then submit his/her fingerprints through Live Scan. The valid forms for the process should be downloaded from the official website of the Bureau or obtained physically from the premises.

The valid Live Scan forms contain the right code to guarantee that the DOJ and FBi receive the proper fingerprint scans electronically.

Fees Required For Fingerprinting:

• Department of Justice Fingerprint Fee: $32.00
• FBI Fingerprint Fee : $19.00

Total Of $51.00

To see a list of Live Scan sites, click here!

The SG Live Scan forms are available for download at http://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/livescan/index.shtml.

Note that the Live Scan sites might also charge a processing fee. The fee amount is not set by the Bureau.

STEP 4

After your background check responses and your online application are received by the Bureau, you will be added to the online directory of registered security guards.

The training facility, private patrol operator or security guard can verify the approval by checking the site's Verify A License option.

Upon clearing the security guard registration and appearing on the Bureau's website, the security guard can create a screen print from the website which can then be used as a provisional security guard registration.

It is only after this time that the security guard can be posted on an assignment. The actual application and registration document should be mailed within 10 to 15 work days.

STEP 5

All the security guards on assignment should always carry the following documents.

1. Either a proper Bureau registration or a screen print from the "Verify a License" website as described above.

2.  A valid photograph for identification purposes

Normal Processing

Applications for Bureau registration can also be submitted traditionally:

• Submit all of the following: a completed application, a proper Live Scan form signed by your scan operator, and a $50 registration fee.
• Pay $32 and $19 at the Live Scan site for the DOJ and FBI fingerprint processing fees, respectively.
• Send all application requirements to the BSIS, P.O. Follow the link on our site for the address.

Applications for security guard registration can be obtained from all BSIS-certified training facilities and private patrol operators.