Complete guideSecurity Guard License Requirements by State (2026)
No federal guard license exists. Compare training hours, armed rules, and renewal requirements in 12 major states, each sourced from the state regulator.
Verified October 5, 2026
Licensing & Training Guides
What your state requires, what it costs, and how to choose a licensed school. Every requirement is sourced from the state regulator and dated so you know when it was last checked.
State Licensing Requirements
What each state requires for unarmed and armed security officers.
Complete guide
How to Get a Guard Card in California (2026 Step-by-Step)
The 2026 steps to a California guard card: 8-hour Power to Arrest and Use of Force course, BreEZe application, Live Scan, then 32 hours of training and annual CE.
Verified October 5, 2026
California Exposed Firearm Permit: Requirements, Training & Range Qualification
Who needs a BSIS exposed firearm permit, the 21+ age rule, the firearms assessment, classroom and range training, fees, and the four range requalifications needed to renew.
Verified October 5, 2026
California Baton Permit: Who Needs It and How to Get It
California guards need a BSIS baton permit to carry a baton on duty. Here's who qualifies, the 8-hour course at a TFB school, the exam, fees, and two-year renewal.
Verified October 5, 2026
Becoming a Security Officer
Costs, timelines, eligibility, and pay for new guards.
Complete guideHow to Become a Security Guard: The Complete 2026 Guide
The steps to become a security guard in 2026: state rules, eligibility, licensed training, fingerprints, applying, getting hired, and what the job pays.
Verified October 5, 2026
How Much Does a Guard Card Cost? Training, State Fees & Fingerprints (2026)
What a guard card really costs: official state application and fingerprint fees for CA, TX, FL and NY, plus training, permits, renewals and ways to pay less.
Verified October 5, 2026
How Long Does It Take to Get a Guard Card? State-by-State Timelines
Getting a guard card can take days or several weeks. Here's how long training, fingerprints, and state processing take in CA, TX, FL, and NY, and how to avoid delays.
Verified October 5, 2026
Training Courses & Certifications
What each course covers and who needs it.
California Power to Arrest & Use of Force Training Explained
What California's 8-hour Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course covers, who can teach it, the 100% exam, in-person rules, and where WMD training fits now.
Verified October 5, 2026
About Our Data
How we source and verify school listings.
Complete guideHow We Verify Security Training Schools
Where our school listings come from, which California BSIS licenses we use, and how we confirm a provider actually trains the public before we list it.
Verified October 5, 2026