California

Complete Your California Post-Guard-Card Training Online

California is the one state where the guard card comes first. The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) registers you, and the training you owe starts the day your card is issued — the first courses within 30 days, and 32 hours in total inside your first six months.

Security Guard School does not run the initial guard card course. What you will find below is the post-registration training California asks of every newly registered officer, online and self-paced, so you can clear the deadlines without taking time off the job.

Scroll down to pick your course — and to see exactly what to do after your training is complete.

State-approved training

Courses Available in California

Explore our electives

Our guards who take advantage of career enhancement electives make on average 23% more per hour. Each elective is a short, state-approved course in a skill employers pay more.

Every elective is $35.00

Your California Guard Card Online Course Is Stage One, Not the Whole License

California issues the guard card in two stages, and only the first stage happens on a screen.

Stage One: The 8-Hour Course You Complete Online

This 8-hour, BSIS-approved course is where you can start your California guard card online, working through the material at your own pace from a phone, tablet, or desktop, before you apply for your card through BSIS.

Stage Two: The Hours BSIS Requires After Your Card Is Issued

Once BSIS issues your guard card, California requires the remaining training hours to be completed within the first 6 months to keep the card active. The State Certificate package above already includes this 32-hour requirement.

Redeeming credits for either stage follows the same checkout flow as the packages above: see how package credits and checkout redemption work before you buy.

How it works

Get Started in 4 steps

  1. Purchase the course

    Pick your state course, or a card renewal if your card is running out. (Electives are optional: de-escalation, first aid, report writing, and they qualify you for better-paid posts.)

  2. Complete the training

    Study online at your own pace, on any device. Start the minute checkout is done and pick up wherever you left off.

  3. Get your certificate

    Finish the course and download your certificate of completion, the proof your state board or your employer asks to see.

  4. Get licensed and hired

    In most states you then apply to the state agency for your guard card: certificate, fingerprints, background check and the state fee. Then start applying for posts.

Licensing is set state by state. A few states, Alabama and Colorado among them, issue no state guard licence at all, and some require the application to be filed through the security company that hires you. Each course page lists what your state asks for.

After your training

California Security Guard License: What to Do After Completing Your Guard Card

California has a different process from many other states. Security Guard School does not provide the initial California Guard Card training. This page is for individuals who have already completed the required initial California Guard Card training and are ready to complete their required post-registration security officer training.

  1. Step 1: Make Sure You Have Your California Guard Card

    Before taking Security Guard School's California post-Guard-Card courses, you must already have completed the required initial training and registration process for your California Guard Card.

    The California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) regulates California security guards.

  2. Step 2: Complete Your Required Post-Registration Training

    After your Guard Card is issued, California requires additional security officer training.

    California requires newly registered security guards to complete the required mandatory training within specified time periods. The training includes the initial courses that must be completed within 30 days and additional mandatory courses that must be completed within the first six months.

    Security Guard School provides California's required post-Guard-Card training to help security officers complete their required training.

  3. Step 3: Complete the Remaining Training Within Six Months

    California requires a total of 32 hours of specified security officer training during the first six months after registration. After that, security guards must continue completing the required annual training.

    Keep records of all completed training for your records and employment requirements.

  4. Step 4: Keep Your Guard Card and Training Current

    California security guards have ongoing training obligations. Make sure you understand your employer's requirements and continue completing the training required by BSIS.

Important: Security licensing requirements can change. The information on this page is provided as a general guide. Always verify current requirements, applications, fees, and deadlines with the official licensing authority for your state before submitting an application or beginning work.

From our graduates

Hear From Security Guards Who Started Here

Thousands of working guards took their first course with us. Here are a few of them, in their own words.

  • Kevin Turner

  • Dylan Grant

  • Deshawn Carter

  • Tyrone Brooks

  • Marcus Bell

  • Derrick Mason

The state standard

Built to Meet Professional Security Training Standards

Every course is built to what the job actually asks for, from the state-mandated basics to the advanced electives, and kept current as the rules change.

Before you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my guard certification cover all cities and towns in California?
Yes, your security guard certification in California is valid statewide including cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and more covering all cities and towns. Once you obtain your certification (guard card) from the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), you can work as a security officer anywhere in the state, as long as you keep your certification up to date with any required renewals and training.

What qualifications do you need to become a security officer in California?
Yes, your security guard certification in California is valid statewide, covering all cities and towns. Once you obtain your certification (guard card) from the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), you can work as a security officer anywhere in the state, as long as you keep your certification up to date with any required renewals and training.

What disqualifies you from becoming a security guard in California?
In California, you can be disqualified from becoming a security guard if you have felony convictions, certain misdemeanor convictions (especially those involving violence, theft, or moral turpitude), or if you fail the FBI and California Department of Justice background check. Being on probation, parole, or having a history of substance abuse can also disqualify you. Additionally, failure to complete the required training or providing false information on your application can lead to disqualification.

How much does it cost to take a Level 2 training course to become a security officer in California?
In California, the cost of a Level 2 security officer training course, which includes the required 8-hour training for an unarmed guard, typically ranges from $100 to $300, depending on the training provider. Security Guard School provides this course for $49.99 Additional fees for fingerprinting, background checks, and applying for a guard card through the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) can add another $100 to $150, bringing the total cost to around $200 to $450.

What are the levels of security guards in California?
In California, security guards generally fall into two levels: unarmed guards and armed guards. Unarmed guards are required to complete a 40-hourtraining program and obtain a guard card from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) to perform basic security tasks. Armed guards, in addition to the 40 hour training, must complete specific firearms training, obtain a firearm permit, and undergo live range qualification to carry a weapon while on duty. Both levels must pass background checks and maintain certification through continuing education.

Are Level 2 non-commissioned security guards allowed to carry a firearm in California?
In California, security guards generally fall into two levels: unarmed guards and armed guards. Unarmed guards are required to complete a 40-hourtraining program and obtain a guard card from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) to perform basic security tasks. Armed guards, in addition to the 40 hour training, must complete specific firearms training, obtain a firearm permit, and undergo live range qualification to carry a weapon while on duty. Both levels must pass background checks and maintain certification through continuing education.

How do I get my security guard license in California?
To get your security guard license in California, you must complete a 40-hour training course approved by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), pass a background check with the FBI and California Department of Justice, and submit your fingerprints. After completing training, you apply for a guard card through the BSIS website. Once approved, you will receive your guard card and be eligible to work as a security officer across the state.

From the field

Expert Advice for Security Professionals