What are the Requirements and Qualifications to Become a Security Guard in California?

Becoming a security guard in California is quite challenging and requires you to undergo certain training and certifications.

The crime rate has been increased in California over the past few years. Therefore, residents and business are hiring security guards to protect their people and property as well.

While the ever growing demand has benefitted the security guard business, the career of becoming a security guard has become a great choice in this state as there are types of Security Guards anyone can hire.

Many professionals are looking for security guards jobs in California for better salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the security guard job vaccines will increase 19 percent from 2010 to 2020. The job of a security guard provides a wide range of opportunity for those who like challenges and can live up to the strict requirement set by the State of California.

A job of a security guard is to safeguard the people and the property of the area assigned to him by patrolling, inspecting, monitoring and deterring the crime.

If you want to be a security guard, your training and certificates will be instrumental in turning you into a reliable and efficient security guard.

However, you must know that security guard licensing procedure is quite complex in California. BSIS or Bureau of Security and Investigative Services issues licenses for security services in California in multiple categories including security services operation, training, and licensure.

A professional security guard is required to undergo the course including powers of arrest, weapons of mass destruction/terrorism awareness, public relations, observation and documentation, communication and its significance, liability/legal aspects and other elective courses that vary depending upon the training facility and type of unarmed license desired.

What are the Requirements for Registration?

Security guards are employed by licensed private patrol operators or private security employers to protect persons or property or prevent theft as defined in Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 7582.1.

You have to apply through the Bureau of Security and Investigative Service (BSIS or Bureau).

Following are the guidelines prescribed by BSIS for licensing the applicants: 

• The applicant must be 18 years or above.
• The applicant should have experiences of receiving training from PPO or BSIS certified facilities.
• Applicant must pass a criminal history background check performed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and BSIS.
•  A fresher must undergo an 8-hour “Power to Arrest” training course and pass an examination at the end of the course with a 100% score in accordance with the Manual’s Administering Instructions. The attendant must have a Certificate of Completion given by the trainer.
• Applicant is required to submit a set of fingerprints using Live Scan, along with the application and ATI number.
•  If applicant passes the criminal background check, he is fit for a security guard job and must wait for interim license.
•  Applicant is also required to undergo 16 hours of security training from any certified company within 30 days after receiving the interim license.
• Applicant must undergo additional 16 hours of training within 6 months of receiving the interim license.
•  To obtain a firearm permit, an applicant should pass a 14 hour bureau course and the exam at the end. Besides, an applicant has to submit a firearm permit application and send it to the BSIS.

(NOTE: If the security guard is unable to complete the training within the deadline, his security license can be terminated.)

For more information, you can contact Secure Guard Security Services, the leading security guard service provider in California.

So these were the qualification and training you must have to become a security guard in California.

While certification and training are essential for your security guard career, you must possess other essential qualities to become a reliable security guard like dedication, honesty, alertness, communication skills and an ability to serve the client’s needs.