How much does a California BSIS Unarmed Guard Card Cost?
Cost Table
There are three (3) costs to earning a Calfiornia unarmed guard card:
- Training fees.
- Application fees.
- Background Check fees. (Live Scan)
| Payee | Online Cost | Classroom Cost | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Training, Lesson 1 | $13.99 | (only combined) | |
| Initial Training, Lesson 2 | NOT AVAILABLE | $60 | |
| Combined Training, Lessons 1 & 2 | NOT AVAILABLE | $75 | |
| BSIS Application Fees | $55 | ||
| Live Scan | Approx. $75 | ||
| Approximate Total | $148 | $205 |
Explanation
Online vs. Classroom
California BSIS has approved both online and classroom training for the unarmed guard card. The material, in theory, is identical whichever venue the applicant uses.
The Part 1 course is comprised of two (2) lessons: Powers to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force
Only the first lesson, Powers to Arrest, can be taught online. The second lesson, Appropriate Use of Force, must be completed with live instruction in a licensed training facility.
Dividing this course between online and facility lecture is due to a change in Business and Professions Code, § 7583.7, implemented on January 1, 2024.
Upon finishing this half of the Powers to Arrest course online, present your certificate of completion to any training facility, pay the course fee, and complete the second half of the training at the training facility.
At the end of the Appropriate Use of Force lecture, the facility instructor will present the final examination, issue another certificate of completion, and all application paperwork.
Required Training
Although applicants can apply with only the inital Power to Arrest/Appropriate Use of Force course (Part 1, 8-hours), the state requires a total of 40-hours of training. Therefore, after the Part 1 (PtA/UoF) course is complete, the application must return to finish the remaining 32-hours of training within 6-months. A graph of the training timelines is below.
| Training | Online Cost | Classroom Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 8-hours, Part 1 (Initial) | $13.99 + $60 | $75 |
| 32-hours, Parts 2 & 3 | $49.99 | $150 |
| 40-hours, Parts 1, 2 & 3 (comprehensive) | NOT AVAILABLE | $200 |
Guard Training Timelines
You may stand post after an eight-hour course and receiving your Guard Card from the State of California. Afterwards, you have 30-days to complete your first sixteen hours of training and then another six months to complete the remaining sixteen hours (for a total of forty hours of training). You may elect to take all forty-hours of Security Guard Card training at one time.
Security Training Center® was founded in 2003. We have provided affordable online security guard card training classes since 2011. When you take a course with us you join a community of over 100,000 successful private security officers. We are there for our students before, during, and after course completion.
Information provided on this site is for educational purposes. It is not legal advice.