Guard Card Guides · Armed

How to Become an Armed Security Guard in California

Short answer

To work armed in California you need two things: your guard card (the unarmed registration) and a separate BSIS Exposed Firearm Permit. The firearm permit requires a 14-hour BSIS firearms course (classroom plus range), a firearms assessment, a background check, and range qualification — and unlike the guard card, it requires U.S. citizenship or permanent legal residency. You get the guard card first.

Step 1 — Get Your Guard Card

Everything starts with the unarmed guard card. Complete the 8-hour Power to Arrest & Appropriate Use of Force course, apply through BSIS, and pass your background check. You cannot hold a firearm permit without an active guard card.

Step 2 — The Exposed Firearm Permit

  • Complete a 14-hour BSIS firearms course (about 8 hours classroom and 6 hours range), with a written exam and a range qualification for each caliber you’ll carry
  • Pass the BSIS firearms assessment (a screening) within the six months before you apply
  • Clear a DOJ and FBI background check, and you must not be prohibited from owning a firearm under state or federal law
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident — this is required for the firearm permit even though the guard card is not
  • Pay the state application fee (around $100) plus course, assessment, and Live Scan fees

Confirm current requirements on the BSIS Firearms Permit fact sheet.

Keeping the Permit Current

The firearm permit is valid two years. You must requalify four times over that period — twice each year, at least four months apart — and complete a two-hour use-of-force refresher before each range qualification.

Other Permits You Can Add

A baton permit and a pepper spray (OC) permit are separate BSIS permits, each with its own short certification course. Many officers add these alongside the firearm permit.

Does NPS Teach the Firearm Course?

Right now we focus on the 8-hour guard card course and CPR/AED & First Aid — the foundation every armed career starts with.

Related Questions

Do I need a guard card before an armed permit?
Yes. The guard card is the required foundation. You must have an active guard card to hold a BSIS Exposed Firearm Permit.
How long is the firearm permit course?
The initial BSIS firearms course is 14 hours — roughly 8 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of range instruction and qualification.
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to carry a firearm on duty?
Yes. The BSIS Exposed Firearm Permit requires U.S. citizenship or permanent legal residency — a stricter standard than the guard card, which only requires legal work authorization.
How much does the exposed firearm permit cost?
Plan for the training course fee, a state application fee of around $100, the firearms assessment fee, and Live Scan/DOJ/FBI fees — plus ammunition for qualification. Always verify current fees with BSIS.

See more in our full FAQ and guides, or contact us. Verified against bsis.ca.gov. BSIS License ATG #2995. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Start With the Guard Card

Every armed security career in California begins with the unarmed guard card. Book the 8-hour course today.

Book the 8-Hour Course — $80