Security Guard Classes in California: A Complete Guide

If you’re just starting your security career or you’ve already received your California guard card and need to complete your remaining training hours, this guide breaks down every class you need - what they cover, when you need to complete them, and where to take them in Sacramento.

The Full Overview: 40 Hours of Required Training

California requires all security guards to complete a total of 40 hours of BSIS-approved training to become fully licensed. Here’s how those hours are structured:

• 8 hours before you apply for your guard card
• 16 hours within 30 days of starting work
• 16 hours within 6 months of starting work
• 8 hours every year after that (Annual Refresher)

You can start working as soon as your guard card is approved, but the remaining 32 hours must be completed on schedule or your registration can be placed in jeopardy.

At Securing Communities, we offer a systemized way of obtaining all of your required hours through our training facility.

Step 1 - The Initial Course: Power to Arrest & Appropriate Use of Force (8 Hours)

This is the first class every aspiring security guard must complete - and it must be finished before you apply for your California guard card.

The 8-hour Initial Course covers two BSIS-required topics:

• Power to Arrest (3 hours): The legal authority and limitations of a security guard in California, including when and how a private citizen can detain someone
• Appropriate Use of Force (5 hours): De-escalation techniques, the legal boundaries of force, and how to respond to threatening situations professionally and within the law

At Securing Communities, this course is offered in-person in Sacramento and can be completed in a single day. After finishing the course you can apply for your guard card through the BSIS BreEZe portal and start working once approved.

View the Initial Course

Step 2 - Mandatory Classes: 16 Hours Within 30 Days

Once your guard card is approved and you start working, the clock starts ticking. Your first 16 hours of post-card training must be completed within 30 days of your employment date.

To fulfill this requirement, Securing Communities offers the following four classes:

Public Relations

Learn how to represent your employer and your post professionally in every interaction.

Security guards are often the first point of contact for guests, customers, and the public - this class covers how to communicate effectively, handle difficult situations with professionalism, and represent the businesses you protect with integrity.

Observation & Documentation

Build the reporting and note-taking skills BSIS requires for accurate incident documentation.

Security guards are responsible for creating detailed, accurate records of everything that happens on their watch. This class covers proper observation techniques, how to write effective incident reports, and what to document and when.

Communication & Its Significance

Develop the verbal, nonverbal, and radio communication skills every security guard relies on.

From communicating clearly with law enforcement to managing tense situations with the public, effective communication is one of the most important tools in a guard’s toolkit. This class covers radio protocol, verbal de-escalation, and professional communication across all situations.

Liability & Legal Aspects

Understand the legal responsibilities and liability boundaries that come with the job.

Security guards operate within a specific legal framework - this class covers what you’re responsible for, what you’re protected from, and how to avoid costly mistakes that could put you or your employer at legal risk.

All four mandatory classes are available at Securing Communities in Sacramento as part of our Mandatory Package - bundled together and priced to save you $10.

Step 3 - Elective Classes: 16 Hours Within 6 Months

After completing your first 16 hours, you have until the 6-month mark from your employment date to complete an additional 16 hours of elective training.

To fulfill this requirement, Securing Communities offers the following five classes:

Fire Marshal Integrated Crowd Control

Learn crowd management techniques for events, venues, and high-traffic environments.

This class covers fire safety protocols, evacuation planning, and how to manage large crowds safely - essential for any guard working at concerts, festivals, sporting events, or large venues.

Radio Procedures & Evacuation Procedures

Learn radio protocol and evacuation planning and execution in one combined course.

Clear communication and organized evacuation can be the difference between a controlled situation and a dangerous one - this class gives you the practical skills to handle both.

Post Orders & Assignments

Learn how to read, follow, and apply post orders and site-specific assignments correctly.

Every security post operates differently - this class teaches guards how to understand and execute their specific responsibilities at any assignment, from retail stores to corporate offices to event venues.

Workplace Violence

Learn to recognize warning signs and respond effectively to workplace violence incidents.

Guards working in offices, retail environments, and public-facing businesses need to understand the dynamics of workplace violence - how to spot early warning signs, de-escalate situations before they escalate, and respond when intervention is necessary.

How to Handle Difficult People

Learn practical de-escalation techniques and strategies for handling difficult, uncooperative, or confrontational individuals on the job.

One of the most common challenges security guards face is managing people who are angry, intoxicated, or unwilling to cooperate - this class gives you a practical toolkit for resolving those situations calmly and professionally.

All five elective classes are available at Securing Communities in Sacramento and can be booked individually to build out your remaining 16 hours on a schedule that works for you.

Step 4 - Annual Refresher: 8 Hours Every Year

Once you’ve completed all 40 hours of initial training, California requires 8 hours of continuing education every year to keep your guard card active. This annual refresher ensures guards stay current on best practices, legal updates, and professional skills.

Failing to complete your annual refresher can result in your guard card being placed out of compliance - so staying on top of it is essential.

The Mandatory Package: All 4 Required Classes Bundled

If you need to complete all 16 hours of mandatory training, Securing Communities offers a Mandatory Package that bundles all four required classes together at a discounted rate - saving you $10 compared to booking them individually.

It’s the most efficient way to knock out your 30-day training requirement in one go.

View the Mandatory Package

Why Take Your Classes at Securing Communities?

Securing Communities is a BSIS-certified training facility based in Sacramento offering the full 40-hour curriculum - from the initial 8-hour course through all mandatory and elective classes.

What sets our training apart:

• In-person instruction in Sacramento from experienced security professionals
• Flexible scheduling - we offer classes on a schedule that works around your work commitments
• Full curriculum in one place - no need to piece together classes from multiple providers
• Employment opportunities - guards who complete their training with us are welcome to apply to join the Securing Communities team

Whether you’re just getting started or need to knock out your post-card hours, we have every class you need.

View all available classes