What score do I need on the California guard card exam?

100%. BSIS says you must pass the Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force exam with a score of 100% to complete the training.

How many hours of training do I need before I get a guard card?

8 hours: Power to Arrest (3 hours) and Appropriate Use of Force (5 hours). The 32 hours of skills training are completed within six months after that.

How do I apply for a California guard card?

Apply online through BreEZe or by mail, and get fingerprinted by Live Scan using the security guard Live Scan form.

Can I work before my guard card arrives in the mail?

Yes, once BSIS has approved you. Carry a printout of the approval from the BSIS website and a valid photo ID until the card arrives.

California Guard Card Practice Test 2026

Pregunta 1 de 22

Which California agency issues security guard registrations (guard cards)?

California Highway Patrol
California Department of Justice
Department of Motor Vehicles
Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)

BSIS, part of the Department of Consumer Affairs, registers and regulates security guards in California. The Department of Justice only runs the criminal history check.

Pregunta 2 de 22

What is the minimum age for a California security guard registration?

19
18
21
16

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. 18

Business and Professions Code section 7582.8 requires applicants to be at least 18 years old.

Pregunta 3 de 22

Which training must be finished before BSIS will issue a guard registration?

An exposed firearms course
Power to Arrest training
All 32 hours of security officer skills training
An 8-hour first aid and CPR course

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. Power to Arrest training

Power to Arrest training must be completed before the registration is issued. The skills courses are completed later, within the first six months.

Pregunta 4 de 22

The Power to Arrest course is 3 hours long. How long is the Appropriate Use of Force course that goes with it?

16 hours
5 hours
8 hours
2 hours

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. 5 hours

BSIS lists Power to Arrest at 3 hours and Appropriate Use of Force at 5 hours, for 8 hours in total.

Pregunta 5 de 22

What score must you get on the Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force exam to complete the training?

70%
80%
75%
100%

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. 100%

BSIS requires a score of 100% on the exam provided in the training manual.

Pregunta 6 de 22

How many hours of security officer skills training must a new guard complete within the first six months?

32 hours
8 hours
40 hours
16 hours

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. 32 hours

New guards must complete 32 hours of skills training within six months, made up of mandatory and elective courses.

Pregunta 7 de 22

Which list shows California's four mandatory skills courses?

First Aid; Fire Safety; Courtroom Demeanor; Supervision
Trespass; Access Control; Parking Control; Evacuation Procedures
Public Relations; Observation and Documentation; Communication and its Significance; Liability and Legal Aspects
Crowd Control; Driver Safety; Radio Procedures; Chemical Agents

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. Public Relations; Observation and Documentation; Communication and its Significance; Liability and Legal Aspects

These four 4-hour courses are mandatory. The courses in the other lists are electives.

Pregunta 8 de 22

How much continuing training must a California security guard complete every year?

4 hours each year on any topic
None after the first year of work
16 hours each year, including at least 8 hours of firearms range training
8 hours, including at least 2 hours reviewing appropriate use of force

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. 8 hours, including at least 2 hours reviewing appropriate use of force

Annual training is 8 hours and must include a minimum of 2 hours on appropriate use of force topics.

Pregunta 9 de 22

Who may provide the required security guard training in California?

Any guard who has held a California guard card for at least one year
Only a California community college
Only the local police department
A private patrol operator or a BSIS-certified or approved provider

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. A private patrol operator or a BSIS-certified or approved provider

BSIS allows training from a private patrol operator, a certified training facility or an approved course provider.

Pregunta 10 de 22

What must a California security guard carry while on duty?

A valid guard registration card
A copy of the client's contract
A passport
A firearms permit, even when unarmed

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. A valid guard registration card

Business and Professions Code section 7583.3 requires guards to carry a valid registration card while on duty.

Pregunta 11 de 22

Your registration has been approved, but the card has not arrived by mail. How can you work in the meantime?

With your Power to Arrest training certificate and nothing else
You cannot work until the card arrives
With a printout of the BSIS approval and a valid photo ID
With a letter from a friend who is a guard

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. With a printout of the BSIS approval and a valid photo ID

Under section 7583.17, a guard may work with a printout of the Bureau's approval and valid photo ID until the card arrives.

Pregunta 12 de 22

How are applicants for a California guard card fingerprinted?

By the employer, using ink fingerprint cards at the job site on day one
They are not fingerprinted
By Live Scan, for checks by the California Department of Justice and the FBI
By the training school only

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. By Live Scan, for checks by the California Department of Justice and the FBI

Applicants are fingerprinted by Live Scan so the DOJ and FBI can run criminal history checks.

Pregunta 13 de 22

How early should you submit your guard registration renewal?

On the day it expires
At least 60 days before it expires
At least 1 year before it expires
Within 30 days after it expires

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. At least 60 days before it expires

BSIS asks guards to submit the renewal at least 60 days before the expiration date.

Pregunta 14 de 22

What happens if a guard registration is not renewed within 60 days after it expires?

It stays valid for another year
It turns into a firearms permit
The employer can still renew it at any time by paying a late fee
It is canceled and cannot be renewed, so you must apply again

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. It is canceled and cannot be renewed, so you must apply again

Under section 7583.20, a registration not renewed within 60 days after expiration is canceled and cannot be renewed.

Pregunta 15 de 22

What does a California guard need to carry an exposed firearm on duty?

A hunting license
A separate BSIS exposed firearms permit
Only a guard card
Written permission from the client and the local police

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. A separate BSIS exposed firearms permit

A guard card alone does not allow carrying a firearm. A separate BSIS firearms permit is required.

Pregunta 16 de 22

Before carrying a baton on duty, a California guard must:

Watch an online video only
Complete baton training at a BSIS-approved baton training facility
Get written permission from the county sheriff or the local police chief
Have worked as a guard for five years

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. Complete baton training at a BSIS-approved baton training facility

Section 7583.33 requires baton training at a Bureau-approved facility, and only registered guards may carry a baton on duty.

Pregunta 17 de 22

Under California Penal Code section 837, a private person may arrest someone for a public offense that was:

Described by an anonymous caller
Committed or attempted in the private person's presence
Reported in the news
Committed by anyone at any time in the past, even years ago

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. Committed or attempted in the private person's presence

Section 837 allows a private person to arrest for a public offense committed or attempted in their presence.

Pregunta 18 de 22

Under Penal Code section 837, when may a private person arrest someone for a felony that did not happen in their presence?

When a felony has in fact been committed and they have reasonable cause to believe that person did it
Whenever they suspect someone might commit a felony later
Never, under any circumstances
Only if the person confesses to a friend

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. When a felony has in fact been committed and they have reasonable cause to believe that person did it

Section 837 allows an arrest when the person has committed a felony, or when a felony has in fact happened and there is reasonable cause to believe the person did it.

Pregunta 19 de 22

After making a citizen's arrest in California, what must the private person do?

Take the person's photo and let them go
Question the person until they confess
Take the person before a magistrate or hand them to a peace officer without unnecessary delay
Hold the person in a locked office on site until the next business day

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. Take the person before a magistrate or hand them to a peace officer without unnecessary delay

Penal Code section 847 requires a private person who arrests someone to deliver them to a magistrate or peace officer without unnecessary delay.

Pregunta 20 de 22

The "duty to intercede" is part of which required California course?

Public Relations
Parking and Traffic Control
Appropriate Use of Force
Radio Procedures

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. Appropriate Use of Force

Appropriate Use of Force covers the duty to intercede, de-escalation, objectively reasonable force and related topics.

Pregunta 21 de 22

Under Penal Code section 490.5, a merchant who has probable cause to believe a person is stealing merchandise may:

Hold the person for as long as needed to get a written confession
Detain the person for a reasonable time to investigate in a reasonable manner
Fine the person on the spot
Search the person's car in the parking lot

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. Detain the person for a reasonable time to investigate in a reasonable manner

Section 490.5(f) lets a merchant detain a suspected shoplifter for a reasonable time to investigate, in a reasonable manner.

Pregunta 22 de 22

How long must a guard keep their training certificates?

For 30 days after the course ends
Until the end of the first patrol
Certificates do not need to be kept after the guard card is issued
Until the registration expires or is canceled

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. Until the registration expires or is canceled

Section 7583.6 requires guards to keep training certificates until the registration expires or is canceled.

California Guard Card Practice Test 2026

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