API Academy - TFF -1090 - Online Training Program Get your guard card in the comfort of your own home.
Online Training Courses
If you have never registered for our classes we highly suggest you read all material listed below prior to proceeding.
At API Academy we offer your guard card training in 2 forms.
1) Personal instruction - You can choose to train in a classroom environment along with an instructor and other students for discussion
2) Online Training - You can choose to take your training online via your computer - you can choose to take one (1) or all of your classes in the comfort of your home at 2am if you choose.
Certain classes will not be offered online because of the nature of the classes. Among these are Exposed Firearms, Taser, OC / Pepper Spray, Handcuffing.
Among the online classes you can take are listed below
Phase 1 - Classes
Posers to Arrest and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
Phase 2 Classes
Public Relations Observation and Documentation Communications and it's Significance Liability and Legal Aspects
Phase 3 Classes
Officer Safety Handling Difficult People Workplace Violence Crowd Control
The course you will need to take first, so that you can apply for a guard-card, is an eight (8) course called "Powers to Arrest". The "Powers to Arrest" course is listed in the "Stage 1" category in the online training feature. With a "print screen copy" of your approval from the State's BSIS website and a valid ID you are allowed to start working.
Within thirty (30) days of the approval of your guard-card or start of employment you must complete sixteen (16) additional training hours. These training hours include two (2) mandatory courses and two (2) elective courses. Using Top Security Agency's online training feature you will see these courses in the category "Stage 2". At this point you will simply provide your employer, if you are employed, with copies of the course certificates.
The next required training hours are an additional sixteen (16) that again include two (2) mandatory courses and two (2) elective courses. These hours must be completed within six (6) months of the approval of your guard-card or start of employment. Using Top Security Agency's online training feature you will see these courses in the category "Stage 3".
Once the forty (40) hours of training are completed you then are required to complete eight (8) hours of training per year to maintain your guard-card. The State allows for you to complete all forty (40) training hours before applying for a guard-card should you choose.
Using the online training feature you will pay for your courses as you go along. You might want to consider taking the powers to arrest course and the courses for the first sixteen (16) training hours before you apply to the State. This way you would have a full six (6) months to complete the remaining sixteen(16) training hours. Moreover, you may find an employer during that time that will provide or pay for the training hours.
To maintain a guard-card with the online training feature you only need to take eight course hours. Your employer, if you are currently employed, is required to provide these hours at no cost to you other than the State's annual renewal fee. You can select courses from any category and you can even repeat a course, such as the powers to arrest if you like.
|
STEP ONE: Take the CA state
required 8-Hour Guard Card Course to obtain your CA state
certified training certificate.
|
STEP TWO:
Go to a an official
Live Scan location and get fingerprinted using the BSIS Live
Scan security guard form.
Click Here to download the Live Scan security guard form
|
STEP THREE:
Submit a Security Guard
Application with the BSIS. This can be done online, or by mail. Submit State Security Guard App: Make sure to use the info from your certificate filling out the state's online form. API Training Academy
|
|
When the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) receives your online or by mail application and your criminal history clearances, your name will appear on the Bureau's Web site. After that, anyone that needs to can obtain public proof of the Bureau's approval by checking the Bureau's "Verify a License" Web Page. It takes at least 10 business days before your name will appear on the Bureau's Web site. It may take longer if you have EVERY been arrested for ANYTHING - This includes DUI or anything which you may of had expunged PC 1203.4
|
|
Bureau's License Verification Page
*Having a felony or misdemeanor conviction does not automatically disqualify someone from applying for security guard registration with the State. The State will consider your circumstances and "evidence of rehabilitation". It is very important to be absolutely truthful on your State application. They are mainly checking ,of course, to see if you have criminal convictions. However, some convictions may not automatically disqualify you from the being issued a guard-card. As long as you are truthful the State will review your circumstances and may grant you your guard-card. Just as an example, someone with a misdemeanor assault conviction may still be issued a guard-card, it only restricts them from carrying weapons. |
In order to be employed as a Security Officer with a security guard company in California you must have a current California Security guard registration card. It is most commonly referred to a guard-card. The State fees, fingerprint fees, and course fees are your responsibility.
All the information for fees and the course can be found at the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). You will have to take the eight (8) hours "powers to arrest" course before you can apply to the State. An additional 32 hours (making forty (40) hours total) of training is required within six (6) months of your guard-card approval or start of employment. Half of the training hours, Sixteen (16) hours of training, are required within the first 30 days and the remaining Sixteen (16) hours of training are required within six (6) months of your guard-card approval or start of employment.
As concise as possible, you need to take eight (8) course hours just to apply and start working, another sixteen (16) course hours within a month later and another sixteen (16) course hours within six (6) months thereafter. The starting date, of the six (6) month period for your training hours to be completed, is the date your application is approved or start of employment. You are allowed to take some or all of the courses beyond the first required course before you apply to the State.
No matter which way you get your guard-card, on your own or through a licensed PPO employer, it must be valid before you can start working. Once you are issued your guard-card by the State it is yours. It, like the weapons permit, is not specific to a job site or one employer it is owned by you. As long as it is current it is accepted by all employers. The annual renewal few is much less than what you will initially pay to get it, of course. Currently it is $50.00.
It is very important to be absolutely truthful on your State application. They are mainly checking, of course, to see if you have criminal convictions. However, some convictions may not automatically disqualify you from the being issued a guard-card. As long as you are truthful the State will review your circumstances and may grant you your guard-card. Just as an example, someone with a misdemeanor assault conviction may still be issued a guard-card, only it restricts them from carrying weapons.
Keep in mind the system for guard-cards has been much improved over the past several years thankfully. With the improvements that the State has made it is not easy to be lost in the shuffle and work for a few weeks or months before your employer and you are notified all is not well with your guard-card status.
Online Training Courses