SECURITY GUARD (FACT SHEET)

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION

A security guard must have in his/her possession a valid security guard registration or a screen-print of the Bureau's approval from the Bureau's web site at www.dca.ca.gov/bsis, along with a valid photo identification, before working as a security guard.

Security guards are employed by licensed private patrol operators to protect persons or property and prevent theft. To be eligible to apply for a security guard registration, you must:

 

• Be at least 18 years old
• Undergo a criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and
• Complete a 40-hour course of required training. The training and exam may be administered by any private patrol operator or by a certified training facility.

40 Hour Security Guard Training Requirement

 

Date of Completion  Training Hours Needed
Prior to Being Assigned on Post  8 Hours
Training Required within the First 30 Days  16 Hours
Training Required within the First Six Months  16 Hours
TOTAL HOURS  40 HOURS


 

EXPEDITE PROCESSING ONLINE

In order to speed up the security guard application and fingerprinting process, the following steps should be followed:

STEP 1
The security guard must have received the eight (8) hour "Power to Arrest" training and passed the examination.

STEP 2
The security guard applicant, private patrol operator or the training facility must submit the security guard application online at http://www.dca.ca.gov/bsis/online_services/online_licensing.shtml. The online application is sent electronically to the Bureau.

Breakdown of fees paid online:
Security Guard Application Fee $50.00
Online Convenience Fee $1.00
TOTAL $51.00

STEP 3
The security guard applicant must submit fingerprints electronically using Live Scan. You must only use the security guard Live Scan forms downloaded from the Bureau's Web site or obtained from the Bureau. The Live Scan form from the Bureau contains the correct coding to ensure that the Bureau receives the FBI and DOJ responses.

Breakdown of fees paid at Live Scan site:
Department of Justice Fingerprint Fee $32.00
Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Fee $19.00
TOTAL $51.00

Live Scan site locations are available at http://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/livescan/scansites.shtml
Live Scan forms can be downloaded at http://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/livescan/forms.shtml

Note: Live Scan sites may charge a Live Scan submission processing fee. The Bureau does not set the fee amount.

STEP 4
Once the Bureau has received the online application and criminal history clearances, the cleared security guard will appear on the Bureau's Web site. The security guard, private patrol operator or training facility can verify the Bureau's approval by checking the Bureau's "Verify a License" at http://www.bsis.ca.gov/online_services/verify_license.shtml. Once the security guard registration has been cleared and appears on the Bureau's Web site, a screen-print from the Web site may be made and used as an interim security guard registration. The security guard can then be placed on assignment. The actual security guard registration will be mailed to the applicant and should be received in 10 to 15 business days.

STEP 5
Security guards placed on assignment must keep the following documents with them:

1. A valid security guard registration or a screen print of the Bureau's approval obtained from the Bureau's Web site.
2. A valid photo identification

NORMAL PROCESSING

The Bureau will continue to accept the following:

Submit your completed security guard application, a $50 registration fee and a Security Guard Live Scan form signed by the Live Scan operator. A $32 DOJ fingerprint processing fee and a $19 FBI fingerprint processing fee must be paid at the Live Scan site. Send your application package to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002.

Applications for registration as a security guard are available from private patrol operators or training facilities certified by BSIS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATON FOLLOW THE LINKS BELOW:

http://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/guardgd.pdf

http://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/fire_fact.shtml
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