Security Guard Training in California

The basic requirements to becoming a security guard in California are to reach the age of 18, have a criminal background check passed through the California Department of Justice, fingerprinting completed through the FBI, and take a total of 40 hours of security guard training and pass the corresponding tests. In California you need to have only completed at least 8 of these hours prior to beginning work as a security guard. The remaining 32 security guard training hours can be completed while you are working as a guard in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento or whichever city in California you choose to serve and protect.

The first 8 hours of security guard training in California covers the Powers to Arrest. This course can be conveniently completed online, or at select community colleges or tech schools which offer security guard training programs in person. Security guard training in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento are all great options for those seeking to further their education. Following the completion of the initial 9 hours, a person will then apply for their security guard license through the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). The application will cost $50 (with an addition $1 processing fee). At this time, the applicant needs to follow the necessary steps in order to get their background check completed, and their fingerprints run through Live Scan. The Department of Justice charges $32 for the background check, and fingerprint processing is another $17.

After the BSIS in California has received all components of the application (including completed 8 hour Powers to Arrest, cleared background check, and fingerprint scan), then the applicant – if cleared – will appear on the Bureau’s list of cleared security guards.  A person can search licensed security guard list on the BSIS website to verify their California security guard license clearance, and perspective employers may also use this resource to verify applicant credentials: www2.dca.ca.gov

California Armed Security Guard License

Persons in California who wish to work armed security need to complete all the above security guard training requirements, with a few additional training obligations. To obtain a firearms permit a person must be a United States Citizen. They must go through an additional 16 hours of training (on top of the 40 needed to become an unarmed guard). They then need to submit a firearm permit application and pay the $80 application fee. The application package needs to be sent to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, P.O. Box 989002, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002. The firearms training needs to be completed by an approved training program: for a list of certified training facilities for firearms training in California call (916) 322-4000.

Security Guard Training Los Angeles

Before you can work in LA as security guard, a person needs to first obtain their Guard Card. This is a card that proves to a hiring security company that you have passed state background checks through the Department of Justice, and have passed a nationwide fingerprinting scan through the FBI. A person must be able to clear these prior to being able to work as a Los Angeles security guard. In addition to these 2 items, the California Guard Card also requires a person to have already taken and completed the first 8 hours of security guard training Los Angeles (or the Powers to Arrest course). Once all of these steps are complete a person may actually apply for their Guard Card through the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). Once the Guard Card is received, a person can then work as a security guard in the Los Angeles area. Keep in mind that newly certified guards still need to complete an additional 16 hours of security guard training Los Angeles within the first 30 days of working, and another 16 hours within 6 months. These Los Angeles security guard training courses can be taken conveniently online, as well as at a physical training center in LA.

Security Guard Certification in San Diego, CA

San Diego California has a lot of programs which offer the schooling needed in order to become a security guard. San Diego even has its own security guard training academy. This academy offers courses to become basic unarmed guards, but also offers all that is needed in order to work as an armed guard. If taking a course in person isn’t as appealing as taking a security guard classes online, there are options for both. Some people prefer to complete their security guard training from the comfort of their own home. This option is available to San Diego residents who are looking to pursue security work. The requirements for becoming a security guard in San Diego are the same as those listed above for the state of California. There are many great security guard opportunities in San Diego.

Requirements for Security Guards in Sacramento

For those looking to pursue security guard certification in Sacramento, the requirements are the same as the rest of the state. However, being that Sacramento is the state capitol, there are many opportunities for jobs as security guards. Also, the BSIS – Bureau of Security and Investigative Services – is located in the capitol. This means that those wishing to apply, or struggling with the process, have the ability to visit the actual office in case they need further assistance. A person needs to follow all the steps laid out for individuals in Sacramento, California and obtain their Guard Card prior to applying for security guard jobs in California.

Security Guard Jobs in Los Angeles

California has the highest employment level for security guards, with over 148,740 security guard jobs in California reported in 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Division of Occupational Employment Statistics. California’s security guard jobs are distributed throughout the state, however the overwhelming majority are located in the Los Angeles area. The Los Angeles – Long Beach – Santa Ana, CA area has 63,400 security guard jobs, and the Los Angeles – Long Beach – Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division holds over 52,160 jobs. There is great opportunity for security guard jobs in Los Angeles.

Other notable areas for security jobs in California include:

  • San Francisco – Oakland – Fremont CA with 20,500 jobs
  • Riverside – San Bernardino – Ontario CA with 14,410 jobs
  • San Diego – Carlsbad – San Marcos CA with 13,830 jobs
  • San Francisco – San Mateo – Redwood City CA Metropolitan Division with 11,620 jobs
  • Santa Ana – Anaheim – Irvine CA Metropolitan Division with 11,240 jobs

If your California city is not listed here and you are curious about the employment rates in your area, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website here. Under code 33-9032 Security Guards – you can select “Create Customized Tables” and build your own report for greater California, or for your specific area.