To become an armed security officer in California, you must obtain a Security Guard Registration license, or a “guard card” and an Exposed Firearms Permit.
Both the Guard Card and Exposed Firearms Permit are issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Bureau of Security & Investigative Services (BSIS).
For information on obtaining a Guard Card, see our step-by-step directions here: Click Here
Requirements for an Exposed Firearms Permit:
To view the requirements on the BSIS website, click here: https://bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/fire_fact.shtml
Applicants must:
- Be a United States citizen or permanent resident.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required to take the course. Acceptable documents include, but are not limited to:
- Birth certificate (U.S. or U.S. territory)
- Certificate of birth abroad
- Valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card
- DD Form 214
- Valid U.S. military ID card
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Permanent Resident Card – INS Form I-551 (“Green Card”)
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Not be prohibited from owning or possessing firearms under State or Federal law.
- Possess or simultaneously be in the application process for at least one of the following BSIS licenses:
- Security Guard Registration (Guard Card)
- Private Investigator
- Qualified Manager – Private Investigator
- Private Patrol Operator
- Qualified Manager – Private Patrol Operator
- Alarm Company Operator
- Qualified Manager – Alarm Company Operator
- Alarm Agent
- Complete a 16-hour BSIS Exposed Firearms Permit course within the 6 months preceding the date the application is submitted to BSIS.
- Complete a psychological assessment within the 6 months preceding the date the application is submitted to BSIS.
- Complete a criminal background check by submitting fingerprints via Live Scan.
Steps to obtaining an Exposed Firearms Permit:
Step 1
Complete your psychological assessment.
Click the following link for more information about the assessment process and how to complete it: https://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/fa_information_bulletin.pdf
Note: You may complete the psychological assessment either before or after completing our Exposed Firearms Permit course
Basic Firearms Training recommends completing the psychological assessment before taking our Exposed Firearms Permit course. This is to save time and money in the event you do not pass your assessment.
Step 2
Complete our Exposed Firearms Permit training course.
Register for our Exposed Firearms Permit course here: Click Here
Step 3
Submit your apphttps://basicfirearmstraining.net/form-offline-course-bsis-exposed-firearms-permit-initial-course/lication to BSIS and pay the application fees.
To apply online, visit BSIS’ online application system “Breeze” here: https://www.breeze.ca.gov/datamart/loginCADCA.do
Create an account and then apply for the Exposed Firearms Permit.
You may also mail a hard copy of the application to BSIS. To do so, follow the instructions on the application.
Applying online is a faster and more efficient process.
Step 4
Submit your fingerprints for a criminal history check. You have two options for submitting your fingerprints.
- Complete a Live Scan through a Department of Justice Live Scan provider. You can search here for DOJ providers in your area: https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations
Select the appropriate Live Scan form based on which BSIS license you are associating the Exposed Firearms Permit to, e.g. Security Guard, PPO, PI, etc. Here is link to the list of Live Scan forms: https://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/livescan/index.shtml
Most applicants will be associating the firearms permit with a Guard Card. They need to use the “Security Guard w/Firearm” Live Scan form.
- Complete fingerprint cards. If you live out of state and/or cannot access a DOJ Live Scan provider, you may submit 2 fingerprint cards. You will need to use FD-258 fingerprint cards. Instructions for submitting fingerprint cards can be found at the bottom of this webpage: https://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/livescan/index.shtml
NOTE: You must submit your application BEFORE you complete your Live Scan or mail in hard fingerprint cards.
Live Scan pro tip:
If you plan to obtain your Exposed Firearms Permit soon after your guard card or other applicable license, it is beneficial to complete the Exposed Firearms Permit course then apply for both your guard card (or other appropriate license) and firearms permit at the same time. By doing this, you only need to complete one Live Scan. This will save you time and money.
Step 5
Wait patiently!!! Allow at least 60 days for BSIS to process your application.
We hope you found this information helpful and we wish you the best of luck as you proceed forward in your career as a security professional. As always, Basic Firearms Training is here to assist with your BSIS training needs.
