Certifications › Guard card › California
California guard card requirements
Security Guard Registration (guard card) · Last verified November 1, 2026
Not legal advice. This guide is general information, not legal or career advice. Licensing rules, hours and fees change and vary by state and employer. Verify every requirement with the issuing body before you enroll, apply or work.
Issuing agency
California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
Requirements and training
- Minimum age
- 18
- Training and requirements
- Power to Arrest training before the registration is issued; 32 hours of security officer skills training within the first 6 months (if you can't show certificates, 16 hours within 30 days of hire and the rest within 6 months); 8 hours of continuing training every year. DOJ and FBI Live Scan background check.
You can work on an approved web print-out plus photo ID while waiting for the card.
Cost and time
- Fees
- Check with California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)
- Time
- About 4-6 weeks for BSIS to process, longer if the DOJ/FBI response is slow.
Renewal
Submit the renewal at least 60 days before expiration. A registration not renewed within 60 days after it expires is canceled and you must apply again. 8 hours of continuing training each year.
Sources
Last verified November 1, 2026. Where a field says "Check with", we couldn't confirm it from an official source.