Guard Card Fundamentals^™ (855) 500-3633

Guard Card Frequently Asked Questions

I have a conviction on my record

We receive many questions from potential students who have convictions who want to work as security guards. We cannot offer legal advice and cannot guarantee that the BSIS will issue a Security Guard Registration Card. We have been informed that the BSIS will not discuss specific cases prior to receiving a formal guard application and all fees have been paid. This requires that at least the 8-hour "Power to Arrest" course be completed, plus a Live Scan and Application fees. Therefore, the estimated costs to determine if the person with a conviction is even eligible to work as a security guard is approximately $143.

All applicants with convictions will have their applications sent to the Disciplinary Review Committee. This may add up to 120 days of processing time to the application.

From the Application For Security Guard Registration:

Be sure to answer all questions on the application completely and truthfully. Any omission or false statement on the application may constitute grounds for denial or subsequent revocation of the registration.

A registration may be denied to any person who makes a false statement or who has been convicted of any crime or act substantially related to the functions or duties of a security guard. However, the Bureau will consider evidence of rehabilitation.

Question 7 on the Application for Security Guard Registration asks:

7.a Have you ever been convicted of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to ANY criminal or civil offense in the United States, it’s territories, or a foreign country? This includes every citation, infraction, misdemeanor and/or felony. Convictions that were adjudicated in the juvenile court or convictions under California Health and Safety Code sections 11357(b), (c), (d), (e) or section 11360(b) which are two years or older, as well as criminal charges dismissed under section 1000.3 of the Penal Code or equivalent non-California laws, should NOT be reported. Convictions that were later dismissed pursuant to sections 1203.4, 1203.4a, or 1203.41 of the California Penal Code or equivalent non-California law MUST be disclosed. YES/NO

7.b Is any criminal action pending against you, or are you currently awaiting judgment and sentencing following entry of a plea or jury verdict? YES/NO

More information can be found here:
Frequently Asked Questions - Informal Review before the Disciplinary Review Committee (DRC)

Firearms Permits and Convictions

Source: BSIS Firearms Training Manual (2012)

FELONS, PROHIBITED MISDEMEANORS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROHIBITIONS:

Instructors are to specifically inform each student that a firearm permit shall not be issued by the Bureau to a person who has been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor that prohibits the person from carrying or possessing a firearm.

Specifically, the Bureau SHALL NOT issue a firearm permit to: A convicted felon (Business and Professions Code Section 7583.24(a); Penal Code Sections 29800, 29810, 29900, 29905), to a person convicted of a misdemeanor who is prohibited from possession of a firearm for a period of 10 years (Penal Code Section 29805 and 29810); nor to an individual with a history of domestic violence or who is subject to a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) - (Penal Code Section 18250)

Students may also be denied a firearm permit if they have been convicted of a crime of violence (Penal Code Section 29905), such as assault, battery, assault with a deadly weapon, or a weapons violation, such as brandishing a weapon, illegal possession of and/or discharge of a weapon or carrying a concealed weapon without a concealed weapon permit.

BSIS Application Processing Timeframes

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Wondering how long the BSIS is taking to process applications? Click the links below to find out!

The table linked below lists the curent date from which the BSIS is processing applications. For example, if the date listed in March 8, the BSIS is processing application received on or before March 8th. If your application was submitted after that date, then the BSIS has not even looked at your application yet.

Initial Applications
https://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/app_timelines.shtml

Renewal Applications
https://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/app_renew_timelines.shtml

If you have not heard from the Bureau within 6 weeks from submission of a BreEZe online application or 8 weeks from submission of a paper application, email the Bureau at bsis@dca.ca.gov.

BSIS Timeframe Example