COMPLETING THE ONLINE GUARD CARD TRAINING COURSE IS THE FIRST STEP IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE CALIFORNIA GUARD REGISTRATION (GUARD CARD).

AFTER COMPLETING THE ONLINE GUARD CARD TRAINING COURSE, FOLLOW OPTION 1 OR OPTION 2 TO APPLY FOR FOR THE GUARD CARD

Option 1: Apply Online (Recommended)

1. Complete the application for Security Guard Registration online and pay the $55 application fee. Watch the step-by-step tutorial below for assistance with the online application process. Caution: During the online application process, you will be asked if you will be submitting your fingerprints on hard fingerprint cards. Make sure you answer "NO" to that question as that is for out of state applicants only.
2. Complete a fingerprinting background check. In the Oakland area, applicants can have their Live Scan Fingerprinting done at our facility, 524 7th Street, Oakland. The cost is $74. We are open Tuesday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (closed for lunch 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm), and Saturday, 9:00 am - 2:30 pm. If the applicant is not in the Oakland area, he/she can have the Live Scan Fingerprinting done at any Live Scan Facility. The applicant must bring a copy of the Security Guard Live Scan Service Form to the Live Scan facility.

HOW TO CHECK THE STATUS OF THE GUARD CARD

After completing the Course, State Application and Live Scan Fingerprinting, the standard processing time for the State to process a Guard Card is 2-6 weeks, however, some are processed much quicker (24 hours) while others may take longer (8+ weeks). See the current BSIS processing times here. The processing time may take longer for applicants with any prior criminal history.

• Check the status of a Guard Card online
• Contact the BSIS at (916) 322-4000 or by email about the status of a Guard Card, only if it has been more than 8 weeks since the submission of the application, application fee, and completion of the Live Scan fingerprinting background check.

Option 2: Apply by Mail

1. Mail the Application for Security Guard Registration and the $55 application fee to the BSIS. The applicant must add his/her Certificate of Completion Serial Number and Training Date on Page 2 of the application. Applicants do not need to include a copy of the Training Completion Certificate with the application.
2. Complete a fingerprinting background check. In the Oakland area, applicants can have their Live Scan Fingerprinting done at our office, 524 7th Street, Oakland. The cost is $74. We are open Tuesday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (closed for lunch 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm), and Saturday, 9:00 am - 2:30 pm. If the applicant is not in the Oakland area, he/she can have their Live Scan Fingerprinting done at any Live Scan Facility. The applicant must bring a copy of the Security Guard Live Scan Service Form to the Live Scan facility.

HOW TO CHECK THE STATUS OF THE GUARD CARD

After completing the Course, State Application and Live Scan Fingerprinting, the standard processing time for the State to process a Guard Card is 2-6 weeks, however, some are processed much quicker (24 hours) while others may take longer (8+ weeks). See the current BSIS processing times here. The processing time may take longer for applicants with any prior criminal history.

• Check the status of a Guard Card online
• Contact the BSIS at (916) 322-4000 or by email about the status of a Guard Card, only if it has been more than 8 weeks since the submission of the application, application fee, and completion of the Live Scan fingerprinting background check.