How to Become a Licensed Security Guard Baton Instructor in California
As a provider of approved BSIS training materials, Security Training Center® receives many calls and emails regarding the process of becoming a licensed trainer. This page was established to address the most common questions and misconceptions about instructor licensing.
Two (2) BSIS licenses are required to teach a security guard firearms course:
- Training Instructor - Baton (TIB)
- Training Facility - Baton (TFB)
A baton trainer cannot use just any facility to teach. The facility must be licensed by the BSIS in addition to the baton instructor. Furthermore, the instructor must be officially associated with the facility license (registered with the BSIS).
Each facility must have a separate/distinct license. For example, Security Training Center® has three (3) training facilities in the Los Angeles area. We must pay for and maintain three (3) separate TFF licenses, one for each facility. The same holds true for baton training facilities.
A business entity must hold the TFB license. This can be any type of legitimate business formation. For example, sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, s-corporation, etc.
A licensed baton instructor can be associated with multiple TFB licenses and multiple companies.
There is no "BSIS train-the-trainer" or "BSIS trainer certification class" requirement in order to become a BSIS licensed baton instructor. Individuals must meet the minimum experience and qualification requirements (listed below).
Baton Permits NOW EXPIRE
As of January 1, 2024, baton permits expire every two years and must be renewed. A refresher/renewal course is required for permit renewal.
There is no specialized renewal course material. The students must repeat the inital course every two years for permit renewal.
Security Guard Courses
Back to topThere are multiple security guard licensing courses in California. Some courses may be taught by Private Patrol Operators (security guard employers) and others must be taught exclusively in licensed training facilities by licensed instructors. The table below outlines the various courses and which type of facility may teach the course.
Training Facilities can teach any weapons course for which they hold a facility license plus all unarmed courses. Private Patrol Operators may only teach unarmed courses.
Certified firearms and/or baton instructors are approved to administer the Powers to Arrest Examination and all other training; a certificate or other written approval is not necessary.
| Course/License | Proprietary Private Security Employer | Private Patrol Operator | Firearms Facility | Baton Facility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-hours, Powers to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force |  |
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| 40-hours Unarmed Guard Card | |
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| 8-hours Unarmed Annual Refresher | |
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| 20-hours School Security Officer | |
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| 16-hours Proprietary Security Guard | |
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| Exposed Firearms Permit | |
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| 2-hours Armed Requalification | |
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| Baton Permit | |
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| Chemical Agents (defensive spray) | |
|
Baton Trainer Minimum Qualifications
Back to topIn accordance with California Business and Professions Code Section 7585.12, a baton training instructor applicant must:
Possess:
- An associate of arts degree in administration of justice
AND
Possess:
- A baton instructor certificate issued by a federal, state, or local agency
OR
- One year of verifiable baton teaching experience
OR
- Its equivalent as determined by the Chief
Applicants must submit supporting documents establishing baton training experience.
Application Fees
Back to topBaton Instructor Fees (TIB)
There is a non-refundable $350 application fee that must accompany the application.
There is a non-refundable $275 application fee that must accompany the renewal application (every two years).
Course Materials
Back to topThe California BSIS provides mandatory training materials and examinations for baton training.
Student Training Requirements
Initial Application/Training Requirement
The initial baton permit application will be available on the Bureau's website starting January 1, 2024. The fee for the initial baton permit is sixty dollars ($60). Prior to applying for a baton permit, applicants must complete the required baton training course specified in Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 7585.9. The baton permit application requires a licensed Baton Training Instructor to complete a certification page, included with the application, certifying completion of the training.Renewal Application/Training Requirement
The renewal application will be available on the Bureau's website starting April 1, 2024. The renewal fee is forty dollars ($40). Permit holders need to complete the training specified in BPC Section 7585.9 within six months prior to the expiration date. The renewal application requires a licensed Baton Training Instructor to complete a certification page, included with the application, certifying completion of the training. An expired baton permit cannot be renewed. If your baton permit expires before it is renewed, you must apply for an initial permit.BSIS Baton Forms and Course Materials
- Baton Training Manual Administrative Procedures
- Baton Training Manual Student Text
- Baton Manual Answer Key
- Application for Training Instructor Certificate
- Application for Training Facility Certification (Form 31F-4)
- Notification of Facility Instructor Association/Disassociation
- Baton Permit Initial Application
- Baton Permit Renewal Application
Baton Changes - January 1, 2024
NEW LAW ALERT Baton Permits - January 1, 2024
https://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/baton_permit_not_letter.pdf
Baton Notice
Check your baton permit status on BreEZe. If you were issued a baton permit prior to January 1, 2024, and it is not showing as current on BreEZe, that means it is not properly associated with a current and valid qualifying license. A baton permit is only valid when associated to a qualifying license. To associate your baton permit with your qualifying license, email the Bureau at bsis@dca.ca.gov with a front and back copy of your baton permit that clearly shows the date of completion, the facility name/license number and trainer signature/license number so the Bureau can verify and associate your permit. The Bureau will continue to assist individuals with associating a previously issued baton permit to their qualifying license until June 1, 2024. Individuals who do not get their baton permits associated to their qualifying license before June 1, 2024, will have to apply for a new baton permit.
https://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/baton_notice.pdf
Baton Permit Update
Initial Application
The initial baton permit paper application is now available for download on the Bureau's website. BreEZe online applications should be available in February. Until then, applicants can submit the paper application.
The fee for the initial baton permit is sixty dollars ($60). Prior to applying for a baton permit, applicants must complete the required baton training course specified in Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 7585.9. The baton permit application requires a licensed Baton Training Instructor to complete a certification page, included with the application, certifying completion of the training.
Renewal Application
The renewal application will be available on the Bureau's website starting April 1, 2024.
The renewal fee is forty dollars ($40). Permit holders need to complete the training specified in BPC Section 7585.9 within six months prior to the expiration date. The renewal application requires a licensed Baton Training Instructor to complete a certification page, included with the application, certifying completion of the training.
An expired baton permit cannot be renewed. If your baton permit expires before it is renewed, you must apply for an initial permit.
https://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/baton_notice.pdf
California Business and Professions Code
Back to topChapter 11.5, Private Security Services
Article 4. Private Patrol Operators
Section 7583.6.
- Each applicant for a security guard registration shall complete a course in the exercise of the power to arrest and the appropriate use of force as a condition for the issuance of the registration. A course provider authorized to provide the training pursuant to Section 7583.7 shall issue a certificate of completion to the person upon satisfactory completion of the training. The course provider shall conduct the training in accordance with Section 7583.7 and any applicable regulations adopted by the bureau.
- Except for a registrant who has completed the course of training required by Section 7583.45, a security guard registrant shall complete not less than 32 hours of training in security officer skills within six months from the date an initial registration is issued. A security guard registrant shall complete 16 of the 32 hours within 30 days from the date the registration is issued.
- A course provider, which is authorized to provide the training required by subdivision (b) pursuant to subdivision (f), shall issue a certificate of completion to a registrant after the registrant completes each training course. The course provider shall conduct the trainings in accordance with any applicable regulations adopted by the bureau subject to this chapter.
...
Section 7583.7.
- The course of training in the exercise of the power to arrest and the appropriate use of force may be administered, tested, and certified by any licensee or by any organization or school approved by the department. The department may approve any person or school to teach the course in the exercise of the power to arrest and the appropriate use of force. The department may review and provide more guidance on courses of training when best practices are updated. The course of training shall be approximately eight hours in length and shall cover all of the following topics: ...
Private Patrol Operator MAY NOT teach Chemical Agents course:
Section 7583.36. A licensee [Private Patrol Operator] shall not permit any employee to carry tear gas or any other nonlethal chemical agent prior to ascertaining that the employee is proficient in the use of tear gas or other nonlethal chemical agent. Evidence of proficiency shall include a certificate from a training facility approved by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Security and Investigative Services that the person is proficient in the use of tear gas or any other nonlethal chemical agent.
Article 5. Firearms and Baton Training Facilities
Section 7585.12. Any individual who desires certification by the bureau to instruct the baton course shall complete an application for a baton training instructor certificate. An application shall be made on a form provided by the bureau.
An applicant for a baton training instructor certificate shall meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Possess an associate of arts degree in the administration of justice or the equivalent thereof.
- Possess a baton instructor certificate issued by a federal, state, or local agency or one year of verifiable baton teaching or training experience or the equivalent thereof to be determined by the chief.
- The application shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in this chapter.
- Upon approval by the bureau of an applicant for certification as a baton training instructor, the chief shall issue to the applicant a "Baton Training Instructor Certificate." The certificate shall be posted at the baton training site.
Power To Arrest Training
Firearms Instructor/Firearms Training Facility; Baton Instructor/Baton Training Facility Application
(Rev. 11/2020)
Page 3
Certified firearms and/or baton instructors are approved to administer the Powers to Arrest Examination and all other training; a certificate or other written approval is not necessary.
You might also be interested in:
Baton Training DVD
Baton Training Manual
Baton Presentations
Disclaimer
Back to topSecurity Training Center® is not a government department or organization. The information and links on this page and site are provided as a courtesy. Although great pains have been taken to collect the information provided here, Security Training Center® does not guarantee the accuracy, currency, or completeness of the information provided.
All questions regarding trainer licensure, applications, notices, and announcements should be directed to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS):
https://bsis.ca.gov/webapplications/apps/contact/index.shtml
Information provided on this site is for educational purposes. It is not legal advice.