California Security Guard Card

California Security Guard Card

CA Guard Card Training Requirements

Training Requirements to Get a Guard Card

If you are a security guard, you must complete the 40-hour BSIS course syllabus within either

  • the first 6 months of receiving your Guard Card;
  • or within 6 months of the date you are hired to work as a security guard either by a PPO or PSE.

Bureau of Security and Investigative Services Guard Card Training Syllabus

The security guard training syllabus was developed by the BSIS as mandated by California State Law.

Guard Card Training Requirements

This training syllabus includes:

+ 3 Hours of Power to Arrest before applying for your Guard Card

+ 5 Hours of Appropriate Use of Force before applying for your Guard Card. Most of this portion of the training can’t be completed online.

+ 8 Hours of required security related courses within 3 months of getting your Guard Card

+ 8 Hours of required security related classes within 6 months of getting your Guard Card

+ 8 Hours of elective security related courses within 3 months of getting your Guard Card

+ 8 Hours of elective security related classes within 6 months of getting your Guard Card

= 40 Hours

Note:  The BSIS website has not updated most of its pages to reflect that as of November 30, 2023 in-person Appropriate Use of Force training is required by California state law.  However, here is a link to a PDF where the BSIS announced the changes requiring the Appropriate Use of Force topics to be taught in-person.

Guard Card Skills Training Syllabus Class Topics

As of November 30, 2023, the Guard Card Skills Training Syllabus as outlined in the California Code of Regulations Section 643 is:

Power to Arrest (3 Hours)

  1. Overview of Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force Training Manual and subject matter.
  2. Responsibilities and ethics in citizen arrest and types of encounters.
  3. Relationship between security personnel and a peace officer in making an arrest.
  4. Limitations on security personnel power to arrest, and security personnel’s role including:
    • Background on private security industry
    • Contractual obligations
    • Company policies
  5. Restrictions on searches and seizures.
  6. Criminal and civil liabilities, including both of the following:
    • Personal liability
    • Employer liability
  7. Trespass law.
  8. Ethics and communications.
  9. Emergency situation response, including response to medical emergencies.
  10. Security officer safety.

In-person Appropriate Use of Force (5 Hours) with Traditional Classroom Instruction

Note:  This 5-hour training is required by a state law AB229 that was passed in 2021. Starting December 1, 2023, most of this 5-hours of training must be completed using traditional classroom instruction with the instructor physically present with the students.  This means that this Appropriate Use of Force training can’t be completed fully online. Use of Zoom or other video calls does not count as the instructor being physically present. See the syllabus below for which topics must be completed in-person.

The 5-hour Appropriate Use of Force training must be completed prior to the issuance of a Security Guard per California Business and Professions Code Sections 7583.6 and 7583.8. Up to one hour of it can be taken online. At least four hours must be taken in-person in a traditional classroom.  According to 631 of Division 7 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulation:

(b) “Traditional Classroom Instruction” is defined as instruction where the instructor is physically present with students in a classroom, or on a firing range, and is available to answer student questions while providing the required training. The instructor provides demonstrations and hands-on instruction in order to establish each student’s proficiency as to the course content.

(c) “Non-Traditional Instruction” is defined as instruction that includes, but is not limited to:

  1. The use of internet courses, distance learning, e-learning, or virtual classrooms; and
  2. The use of videos or media-based training modules without in-person instructors

Note: Any new hire must have completed the latest Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course, even if they have an active guard card and have previously completed the prior Power to Arrest and Weapons of Mass Destruction course. This new hire training requirement is how the BSIS can ensure all guards will eventually complete the Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course.

Syllabus Objective: To introduce, instruct, and familiarize the individual on the appropriate use of force topics listed in section 7583.7 of the Business and Professions Code.

1. Legal standards for use of force

a. Statutes

b. Licensee and client contractual obligations

c. Civil and criminal liability

2. The use of objectively reasonable force – (In-person)

a. Objectively reasonable standard

b. Restraint techniques and their implications

c. Force options

d. Real-life scenarios

3. Duty to intercede

4. Supervisory responsibilities

a. Incident reporting requirements pursuant to 7583.2, 7583.4 and 7574.37 of the Business and Professions Code as applicable

5. Use of force review and analysis – (In-person)

a. Real-life scenarios

6. De-escalation and interpersonal communication training, including tactical methods that use time, distance, cover, and concealment, to avoid escalating situations that lead to violence – (In-person)

a. Common misconceptions and benefits of de-escalation

b. Four concepts of de-escalation

1. Self-control

2. Effective communication

3. Scene assessment and management

4. Force options

c. Real-life scenarios

7. Implicit and explicit bias and cultural competency as defined in Section 631

a. Define and explain:

1. Implicit bias

2. Explicit bias

3. Cultural competency

b. Strategies for effective communication within a diverse community

c. Real-life scenarios

8. Skills, including de-escalation techniques, to effectively, safely, and respectfully interact with people with disabilities or behavioral health issues

a. Strategies for identifying and effectively communicating and deescalating a situation with an individual with a disability or behavioral health issues

b. Real-life scenarios

9. Use of force scenarios, including simulations of low-frequency, high-risk situations and calls for service, shoot-or-don’t-shoot situations, and real time force option decision making – (In-person)

a. Factors that can affect an individual’s response when threatened with danger

b. Factors to consider before using force

c. Real-life scenarios

10. Mental health and policing, including bias and stigma

a. Categories of mental illness as defined in Section 631

b. Biases and stigmas surrounding mental illness

c. Real-life scenarios

11. Active shooter situations – (In-person)

a. Recognizing an active shooter situation

b. Roles and responsibilities of security personnel

c. Real-life scenarios

Completion Certificate

For each course or group of courses you take and finish satisfactorily, the business or person providing your training must give you a Certificate of Completion. The certificate should have on it:

  • The type of course(s) you took
  • The number of hours of training you took
  • Your name
  • The name of the company you took the training from
  • The name of the licensed instructor who taught the course
  • The Training Provider license number of the company or person you took the training from
  • The date you completed the course(s)
  • A certificate of completion number (the BSIS uses this number for tracking purposes)
  • A statement that the course you took complies with the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Skills Training Course for security guards

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