WELCOME TO SECURITY GUARD CERTIFICATION PLAYBOOK

 Step 1: Get Your Guard Card
(Required to Start Work in California)

• Complete the 8-hour “Power to Arrest” and “Weapons of Mass Destruction” training through a BSIS-approved provider
• Submit Live Scan fingerprints at a certified location (this includes your background check)
• Apply for your Guard Card license online through the BSIS website and pay the applicable state fee

🛑 You cannot legally work in private security in California without a valid Guard Card issued by BSIS.

❗️Legal Tip
Your Guard Card is the minimum legal requirement to work in private security in California. You must complete BSIS-approved training and undergo a state background check before applying.

All private security work must be performed under a licensed PPO, and guards must be hired as W-2 employees.
Working as an unlicensed guard or accepting work as a 1099 contractor is illegal and may lead to fines, disqualification from future BSIS licensing, or criminal penalties.
Always ensure the company hiring you is BSIS-compliant and operating within California law.
 

  Step 2: Complete Your 32-Hour Continuing Training (Required)

• Within your first six months of employment, you must complete:
  ◦ 16 hours of training within the first 30 days
  ◦ 16 additional hours within the full 6 months

• Topics typically include:
  ◦ Public Relations
  ◦ Observation Techniques
  ◦ Communication Skills
  ◦ Legal Responsibility & Liability

📝 BSIS requires all licensed guards to complete a total of 40 hours of training:

• 8 hours before applying (Power to Arrest + WMD)
• 32 hours after hire (this continuing education      requirement)

💡Some BSIS-approved providers offer a full 40-hour training bundle up front. This lets you complete your Guard Card and all continuing hours in one session — helpful if your employer prefers you fully trained from day one but not required by BSIS unless your job demands it.

👉 You are still allowed to pursue additional certifications (like Pepper Spray, Baton, TASER, Handcuffing, or your Exposed Firearm Permit) while completing your 32-hour requirement.
These licenses are optional but encouraged for career growth and can be earned alongside your employment training timeline.

❗️Legal Tip
This 32-hour training is a mandatory condition of employment for all licensed security guards in California. You are legally required to complete this training within six months of hire, even if you already have a Guard Card.

All private security work must be performed under a licensed PPO, and guards must be W-2 employees.
It is illegal to work as a 1099 contractor in a security role even during training periods or probationary employment. Always verify that your employer is BSIS-compliant and offering approved training programs. 

  Step 3: Get CPR Certified (Strongly Recommended)

• Learn how to perform hands-only CPR and properly use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
• Most CPR certifications are valid for 2 years and can be completed in just one day
• Employers often prioritize guards with CPR/First Aid training — especially at schools, malls, churches, hospitals, or large public events

💡 Pro Tip: Many instructors offer CPR certification as part of a training bundle with Pepper Spray, Handcuffing, and TASER — a smart way to boost your skills and complete multiple certifications quickly

We strongly recommend choosing a CPR course that includes adult, child, and infant training.
While this may cost slightly more, it prepares you to respond confidently in any emergency situation, not just those involving adults

📝 Being able to save a life before police or EMS arrive makes you more than just a guard — it makes you a protector.
Adding CPR to your resume shows employers and clients that you’re serious about safety and prepared to handle real-world emergencies. 

  Step 7: Complete Your Exposed Firearm Training (Required for Armed Security)
• You must already have a valid Guard Card before enrolling
• Enroll in a BSIS-approved Firearm Training Course (minimum 14 hours)
  ◦ Includes classroom instruction, firearm safety, and range qualification
• You will be trained on loading/unloading, safe handling, marksmanship fundamentals, and legal considerations for use of force
• A passing score on the range qualification is required for certification
  ◦ You must qualify separately for each caliber you intend to carry on duty
  ◦ The most commonly used calibers in security work are 9mm, .40, and .45 — but this is not a complete list
  ◦ You are not required to own the firearm; you may carry a legally registered weapon issued by your employer or loaned, as long as it matches a caliber you’re certified for

📝 Why this matters: This course is a required step for working as an armed guard in California and is strongly recommended for higher-paying or high-risk roles.

🛑 Important: You cannot apply for the Exposed Firearm Permit until you also complete Step 8 — the BSIS Psychological Evaluation (PSI Test).
We recommend completing your firearm training first to ensure you're confident and committed before moving on to evaluation.

❗️Legal Tip
The Exposed Firearm Permit is a BSIS-issued license specifically for armed security guards. To carry a firearm on duty in California, you must be qualified for each caliber you intend to use, and that caliber must match your certification.

You do notneed to own the firearm personally — you may use a legally registered firearm issued by your employer or loaned to you — as long as it is the same caliberyou qualified for.

All professional security work in California must be performed under a licensed PPO, and guards must be classified as W-2 employees.
Working as a 1099 contractor or independent armed guard is illegal under state law. Always verify that the company you're working for is BSIS-compliant and follows labor regulations. 

  Step 8: Complete the BSIS Psychological Evaluation (PSI Test)

• This is a mandatory written psychological exam required by BSIS for anyone applying for an Exposed Firearm Permit
• You must schedule the test through PSI Exams — a BSIS-authorized third-party testing agency
• The exam is taken at a secure testing center, typically in multiple-choice format
• Topics include judgment, decision-making, stress management, emotional stability, and professional temperament
• You must bring valid government-issued ID and follow strict security rules (no phones, notes, or personal items allowed)

📝 This evaluation is required before BSIS will process your Exposed Firearm Permit application.
A passing score is mandatory — no exceptions.

🛑You may complete this step before or after your Firearm Training Course, but we recommend finishing your training first so you can assess whether you're fully prepared to proceed.

🔎 Requirements and testing procedures can change.
Always verify current PSI testing instructions and exam availability through the official BSIS website or the PSI Exams site before booking your test.

✅ Exam Tip
You only get one attempt per appointment — so take the exam seriously. Arrive early, bring the required ID, and be prepared for a secure testing environment.

If you do not pass the psychological evaluation, you must wait 180 days (6 months) before retaking the test. This waiting period starts the day after your exam — and you will need to pay the full testing fee again to reschedule.

Failing this test can cause significant delays in getting your Exposed Firearm Permit, so come prepared and focused.

  Step 9: Obtain Your Baton Permit (Optional but BSIS-Regulated)
• You must have a valid Guard Card before enrolling in baton training
• Complete a BSIS-approved Baton Training Course through a certified instructor or facility
  ◦ Covers use-of-force laws, safe carrying, control techniques, and liability awareness
  ◦ Includes hands-on drills using training batons and padded dummies
• Upon completion, you will receive a BSIS Baton Certificate (not just a general completion cert).
  ◦ You must submit this certificate to BSIS to receive your official Baton Permit

📝 This permit allows you to carry and use a baton while on duty. It’s not required for all posts, but is often needed for patrol jobs, transport details, and any assignment where physical engagement is a possibility.

❗ Carrying a baton without this permit is illegal in California — even if you're a licensed security guard.

💡 Some employers see the Baton Permit as a sign of confidence and preparation — even when it’s not required. It can help round out your non-lethal skills.

❗️Legal Tip
In California, you cannot legally carry a baton on duty without first completing a BSIS-approved training course and submitting your Baton Certificate to receive a state-issued Baton Permit.
A certificate of completion alone is not enough — your permit must be issued directly by BSIS and appear on your licensing record.

All security guard work in California must be done under a licensed PPO, and guards must be W-2 employees.
It is illegal to work armed or unarmed security as a 1099 contractor and carrying a baton without proper authorization can lead to fines, license suspension, or criminal charges.
Always verify your employer is BSIS-compliant and that your permit is active before carrying a baton on duty.