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Can I split the 8-hour course between two providers?
No. Effective January 1, 2026, one provider must teach and certify the complete Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course.
How old can my initial training be when I apply?
The complete initial course must be completed within the six months before the application is submitted.
Do I submit the application or complete Live Scan first?
Follow the current sequence: submit and pay for the application first, then complete Live Scan with the correct BSIS form. Paper applicants must follow the payment-timing instructions.
Is there a free California guard card practice test with no sign-up?
Yes. This site provides 100 original questions, a 52-question simulator, explanations, and missed-question review without an account, email, or payment.
How many questions are on the current BSIS course exam?
The official written examination currently contains 52 questions.
What score do I need?
The current BSIS training requirement is a 100 percent score on the Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course examination.
Where do I actually take the guard card exam?
The exam is part of the required training course administered by an authorized training provider. It is not a separate public appointment at a DMV-style test center.
Do I need 40 hours before I apply?
You need the initial 8-hour course before registration. The additional 32 hours of security officer skills training must be completed within the first six months of registration.
How much is the BSIS application fee?
The current initial application fee is $60. Training and Live Scan costs are separate.
Can I work while the physical card is in the mail?
After the registration is approved and issued, a guard may work while waiting for the hard card by carrying a hardcopy printout of the state approval and valid picture identification.
Can I work just because I submitted the application?
No. Submission is not the same as approval and issuance.
How long does processing take?
The current BSIS page updated July 6, 2026 listed a 60-day target for initial online Security Guard applications. Times can change and deficient applications take longer.
How long is a California guard card valid?
Security Guard Registration is renewed biennially. Check the expiration date and submit renewal early.
What happens if the card expires?
BSIS allows renewal within 60 days after expiration with the renewal and delinquency fees. After that period, the registration is canceled and the person must apply again.
Does BSIS require a drug test?
The published BSIS guard registration requirements list age, background checks, training, exam, and application requirements; they do not list a BSIS drug test. An employer may have separate hiring policies.