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After registration Do not confuse this with the initial 8-hour course

California Security Guard 32-Hour Skills Training Map

The initial Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course gets the most attention, but it is not the end of training. Use this page to understand the next deadlines and the job skills that follow.

16 hours within 30 days32 hours within 6 months8 hours every yearKeep every certificate
Last verified: July 12, 2026Checked against official agency sourcesHow we verify information →
BEFORE REGISTRATION8 hours

Power to Arrest + Appropriate Use of Force

Three hours of Power to Arrest and five hours of Appropriate Use of Force, including the required examination.

Study the initial exam topics →
FIRST 30 DAYS16 hours

Two mandatory courses

Complete two of the four mandatory four-hour subjects after the registration is issued or employment begins, as applicable.

FIRST 6 MONTHS32 hours total

Finish mandatory + elective training

Complete the remaining mandatory subjects and enough approved elective coursework to reach the required total.

EACH YEAR8 hours

Continuing training

Annual training includes at least two hours reviewing appropriate use-of-force topics, with remaining hours drawn from applicable training subjects.

Mandatory 16 hours

The four required skill blocks

Each block is listed by BSIS as a four-hour course. The training provider controls the full instructional content and certification.

01

Public Relations

Harassment and discrimination awareness, respect, stereotypes, attitude, verbal skills, crisis intervention, diversity, substance abuse, mental illness, ethics, appearance, command presence, and conduct.

02

Observation & Documentation

Report writing, observation and patrol techniques, asking appropriate questions, recognizing suspicious activity, and communication support for English learners.

03

Communication

Internal contact protocols, radios, monitors, technology, and external communication with emergency responders, medical personnel, law enforcement, and government services.

04

Liability & Legal Aspects

Personal, contractor, and employer liability; criminal, civil, and administrative consequences; BSIS rules; and the proper role of a security guard.

Elective skills

Training that connects directly to getting and keeping work

Employers and providers select approved subjects that fit the assignment. These are the areas job postings and supervisors often care about most.

Post orders & assignments

Site-specific duties, alarms, equipment, emergency contacts, lost property, and liability.

Access control

Identification checks, visitor procedures, electronic systems, CCTV, keys, and non-electronic controls.

Officer safety

Threat assessment, safe contacts, hazards, bloodborne pathogens, and environmental awareness.

Evacuation & fire safety

Routes, stairs, doors, power outages, emergency contacts, fire response, and crowd movement.

Handling difficult people

Conflict management, constructive speech, diversity, negotiation, and verbal diffusion.

Incident scenes & evidence

Identifying evidence, securing the area, avoiding contamination, and locating witnesses.

Radio procedures

Clear transmissions, call signs, priority traffic, emergency messages, and documentation.

First aid / CPR

Recognized training in first aid, CPR, and AED use where relevant to the assignment.

WHAT TO SAVE

Keep every course certificate until the registration expires or is canceled

Do not rely on an employer or school to be the only holder of your records. Keep clear copies with the course title, hours, provider, instructor, date, your name, and certificate details.

What this page does not do

This is a planning map, not a training certificate and not a substitute for instruction from an authorized provider. Course timing can depend on the registration date, employment date, and whether the registrant can provide prior certificates to the employer. Verify the exact schedule with the provider and BSIS.

Job-focused study order

  1. 1

    Master observation and report writing

    These skills support nearly every post and make your work defensible.

  2. 2

    Learn the post and access-control system

    Most daily mistakes come from not knowing doors, credentials, alarms, contacts, and escalation rules.

  3. 3

    Practice communication under pressure

    Use clear radio traffic, calm visitor interactions, and accurate emergency handoffs.

  4. 4

    Build assignment-specific safety skills

    Choose electives based on the actual post: retail, residential, healthcare, events, industrial, or mobile patrol.

OFFICIAL SOURCESBSIS Security Guard Training Regulation ↗BSIS Security Guard Registration Fact Sheet ↗