How to Get a Security Guard License or Guard Card in California - SecurityNick's First Licensing Guide
Hi future security guards! Security Nick is here with his first licensing guide, on how to get licensed as a security guard in the State of California. I hope this will help make the application process much easier for you and get you your guard card as soon as possible. If there's anything you would like to see added, or if you have other suggestions, please let me know...
Here we go... If you would like to start a career as a security guard in California State, then you the first thing you should know is that you've made an excellent decision regarding job opportunities. Both companies as wel as individuals are becoming much more aware about crime and as a result of that they prefer to safeguard their buildings. That is why the need for security guards has been growing consistently. Perhaps i should rephrase that last sentence to 'the need for licensed security guards has been growing consistently'. Working as a security guard without a valid license is not recommended. For starters, you will have a very hard time finding employment without a guard card. Seconly, both you and your employer risk heavy fines if you get caught and thirdly, you cannot be insured without a valid license.
The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) is the agency that regulates the licensing of private security officers in California.They set the regulations that candidates have to meet before they are given a license. Their very first demand is that all applicants are at least 18 years of age. Until you meet this qualification, there isn't any use in trying to get a guard card, as no exceptions are made on this requirement.
The next requirement is to complete a so-called Power to Arrest instruction course in order to be all set for the task. The training program takes up 8 hours and should be completed at a state-approved security training schools. In the training course, beginners in the industry will learn the most crucial items they ought to master in order to work in the security guard industry. After completion of the 8-hour program, all guard card candidates will have to complete a multiple-choice exam.
Once you have successfully completed the training and successfully passed the exam, it is possible to advance to another stage in the Guard card application process. This step involves having your fingerprints registered digitally and sending them to the Federal Bureau to enable a criminal record analysis. In case you haven't committed any felonies up to now, the FBI will send a positive report to the icensing agency and there should be no problem in acquiring your California guard card. Please note that a $79 non-refundable fee must be paid for the fingerprint processing.
Now that we've completed the necessary training course and transmitted our fingerprints, we wish to request a license. This should be done by filling in a license application form and dispatching it to the licensing bureau either on the internet or by postal mail. Your individual license will arrive in the mail within 2 to 3 weeks
As soon as you receive your personal guard card, you are allowed to start job hunting for a position as a security guard. However, in an effort to maintain your security guard license, adittional training is required when you are employed. This specific on-the-job schooling incorporates two modules. The first is required to be achieved within a thirty day period of the day you got hired, the second within half a year. In these mandatory lessons, the now licensed security guards will learn the more functional aspects of being employed as a security guard, such as security guard regulations and verbal skill development. I recommend you to visit security guard center if you want to know more about the California security guard training requirements, where the modules are already explained in great detail.
While browsing Security Guard Center, i found this great video that summarizes the full California guard card application process in an easy to follow presentation. Make sure to check out their site as well, as they currently have more security guard license information than Security Nick's Blog.
Make sure to let me know if this guide helped you in getting your California guard card. Good luck!
