How to Become a Licensed Security Guard Card Trainer in California

Security guard licensing in California is a complex process. Multiple licenses in multiple categories must be issued by the state regulatory agency (BSIS) for security service operation, training and licensure. This page was prepared to help demystify the process.

The bottom of the page contains references to the California Business and Professions Codes related to security guard training requirements.

Related Pages

• Licensed Firearms Instructor
• Licensed Baton Instructor
• Licensed Unarmed Trainer
• Firearms Training Facility (TFF)
• Baton Training Facility (TFB)

Security Guard Courses

There 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.

Course/License	Proprietary Private Security Employer	Private Patrol Operator	Firearms Facility	Baton Facility
8-hours, Powers to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force
40-hours Unarmed Guard Card
8-hours Unarmed Annual Refresher
20-hours School Security Officer
16-hours Proprietary Security Guard
Exposed Firearms Permit
2-hours Armed Requalification
Baton Permit
Chemical Agents (defensive spray)

California Business and Professions Code

Chapter 11.5, Private Security Services
Article 4. Private Patrol Operators

Section 7583.6.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

1. 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 7585.5.

1. Any individual who desires certification by the bureau to instruct a firearms course shall complete an application for a firearms training instructor certificate. An application shall be made on a form provided by the bureau.
2. An applicant for a firearms training instructor certificate shall meet the following minimum qualifications:
   
   1. Possess an associate of arts degree in the administration of justice or one year of teaching or training experience in firearms or the equivalent thereof.
   2. Possess a police or security firearms instructor training certificate issued by the National Rifle Association or a firearms instructor training certificate issued by a federal, state, or local agency.
3. The application shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in this chapter.
4. Upon approval by the bureau of an applicant for certification as a firearms training instructor, the chief shall issue to the applicant a "Firearms Training Instructor Certificate." The certificate shall be posted at the training site.

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:

1. Possess an associate of arts degree in the administration of justice or the equivalent thereof.
2. 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.
3. The application shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in this chapter.
4. 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.

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Disclaimer

Security 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.