Already Licensed? Stay That Way.
Guard card renewals, the annual 8-hour requirement, firearm requalifications, baton and CCW renewals — every deadline in one place, and the training to meet them in Spring Valley.
What’s due, and when
- 30Within 30 days of your card
First 16 hours of skills training
New guards complete 16 of their 32 required skills hours within 30 days of registration.
- 6Within 6 months
Remaining 16 hours
The other 16 hours are due within six months of registration.
- 1Every year
Annual 8-hour training
8 hours each year, including at least 2 hours of appropriate-use-of-force review. Keep your certificates — employers and BSIS can ask for them.
- 2Every 2 years
Guard card renewal ($44)
BSIS sends a notice about 90 days out and asks for renewals at least 60 days before expiration. Renew online in BreEZe. Registrations not renewed within 60 days after expiring are canceled.
- 4×Armed guards · per 2-year permit
Firearm requalifications ($75 at SOTC)
Four range qualifications per two-year permit — two each year, at least four months apart — each with a short use-of-force and de-escalation review. Permit renewal fee: $126.
Renewal & refresher training at SOTC
Renewal questions
How often do I renew a California guard card?
A security guard registration is valid for two years. BSIS mails a renewal notice about 90 days before expiration and asks that renewals be submitted at least 60 days before the expiration date. You can renew online through BreEZe. The renewal fee is $44 (fee schedule effective October 1, 2025).
What happens if my guard card expires?
You cannot work as a security guard on an expired registration. According to BSIS, registrations that are not renewed within 60 days after expiration are canceled, and you would need to apply as a new applicant again — including retaking the 8-hour training from a single provider under SB 652.
Do security guards need annual training in California?
Yes. Every registered guard must complete 8 hours of training each year, including at least 2 hours reviewing appropriate use of force. This is in addition to the 32 hours of skills training required in your first six months.
How often do armed guards requalify with their firearm?
Exposed firearm permit holders requalify on the range four times during each two-year permit: twice in each 12-month period, with qualifications at least four months apart, plus a short use-of-force and de-escalation review before each one. SOTC runs BSIS firearm requalifications for $75.
How much does it cost to renew a BSIS firearm permit?
The BSIS firearm permit renewal fee is $126 (effective October 1, 2025), separate from range requalification fees.
Sources: BSIS Security Guard Fact Sheet; BSIS Security Guard Training Regulation; BSIS fee schedule effective October 1, 2025. Check your exact dates on the DCA License Search.
Don’t let a deadline cost you shifts.
Call and tell us when your card or permit expires. We’ll tell you exactly what you need and get you on the schedule.