Security Guard Card Program :
Thank you for your interest in the Mission Hiring Hall Security Guard Card Program.
Mission Hiring Hall’s Security Guard Card Program is up and running! We are ready to help San Francisco residents gain the training and certifications needed to enter the private security industry.
About the Program
Designed to help San Francisco residents build a career in private security, our program provides the official state-compliant training course required to qualify for the California Guard Card license, foundational customer service instruction, and robust job application and search support.a
The Security Guard Card Program is designed to help San Francisco residents enter the private security industry. It typically includes:
- A one-day, state-compliant required training to be eligible to apply for the California Guard Card license
- Basic customer service instruction
- Job application and job search support
Contact & Enrollment
Ready to start or want to learn when the next class session begins? Contact our Mission Office at (415) 626-1919 or visit us in person to speak with a career advisor and get signed up.
California Guard Card Requirements & Paperwork Details
To legally work as a security guard in California, applicants must go through the state’s Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). Here is what is needed and what programs like ours provide: 1. Basic EligibilityAge: Must be at least 18 years old. Background Check: Must clear a criminal history background check via the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 2. Training Provided by the Program (The 8-Hour Initial Course)Power to Arrest & Appropriate Use of Force (8 Hours): Before applying to the state, California mandates an 8-hour foundational course split into legal powers of arrest (3 hours) and de-escalation/appropriate use of force (5 hours). Job Readiness / Intro Support: Programs typically bundle this instruction with basic customer service, resume building, and job search coaching to prepare participants for immediate job placement.Note on Follow-Up Training: Once you have your guard card and get hired, California requires an additional 32 hours of security skills training within your first six months (16 hours in the first 30 days, and 16 hours within 6 months). 3. Paperwork & Application ChecklistBSIS Application: Submitted online through California’s BreEZe licensing portal (recommended for faster processing) or via a paper application. The standard state application fee is $60. Live Scan Fingerprint Form: You must complete fingerprinting in person at a DOJ-authorized Live Scan location. You need to bring the official Security Guard Request for Live Scan Service form (which includes specific routing codes for BSIS) along with processing fees (typically around $49–$69 plus local rolling fees). Training Certificate: A certificate of completion showing you successfully passed the 8-hour pre-assignment training. Temporary Work Permit: Once your background check clears and your online application is approved, your status will show as “Active” on the BSIS License Verification Page. You can print that confirmation page to use as a temporary working permit while waiting for your official plastic card to arrive in the mail.