How To Get Your California Guard Card Certification

The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) is the governing body that both regulates and issues California guard cards. Currently, the BSIS requires an initial eight hours of classroom training where you will receive instruction about "Powers to Arrest" and "Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness" (WMD). You will also be required to pass an exam that is not difficult as long as you pay attention to your instruction.

There are only two places to receive training for California guard card certification. You can either go to a training facility or receive your guard license training online. Both cost about the same amount of money. You should not pay anymore than $75 for the eight hour training class. Other fees associated with getting a California guard card include a $51 application fee and $60-$75 in fees for fingerprinting and background checks. So, altogether, you should expect to pay about $185 to $225 in fees depending on the cost of where you get fingerprinted and school fees.

Most feel that it is faster and easier to get a guard card online. When you go to a school, you obviously have to park and receive training in a classroom setting. When you receive your instruction online, however, there is no need to spend an entire in class because you can set your own schedule. The downside though is that you won't be able to ask questions or have the benefit of live instruction from a teacher.

Either way, once you've completed your course requirements, you'll next have to pass a criminal background check and go into a Live Scan facility to get fingerprinted. It takes about ten days to two weeks months before the complete process is done. In addition to passing a background check, in California there is also  minimum age requirement. You must be at least eighteen years of age.

To find out the closet training center simply go online and visit a search engine. Type in 'guard training' and then, next to it, type in your city. A list will show up. If you type in 'online guard training' or 'California online guard card' a different list will reveal a list of schools that offer classes that you can take online.

In the unlikely event you fail the exam, most online courses allow you to take the test until you pass, so there should be no fear of failing. Whether you receive your instruction at a training facility or online, you will receive study material. The more you study, the easier the test will be.

A California guard card allows you to work as a security guard anywhere in California. But, depending on the employer, there may be additional requirements. If, for example, the employer requires you to carry pepper spray, a baton, or a sidearm, you must get an additional armed permit which requires further training. Armed officers make about two dollars more per hour, so it may be well worth the time and expense to get the extra permit. Some believe armed guards take more risks, but statistics show that there is no greater threat to armed guards in terms of their safety than unarmed officers.

Another type of certification you may want to consider is first aid/CPR. Even if employers don't require you to be first aid/CPR certified, it's an extra skill that makes you a valuable asset to any company.

However, start first with getting your California guard card. Before you know it, you'll be a professional security officer. The training and license is just the first step in your law enforcement career.

Security Guard Jobs: Seven Five Tips Can Help You Earn Top Dollar

The best security guard jobs have more competition, but that shouldn't stop you from trying to get hired. Persistence is very important.

Before you look for the right job opportunity it's important to know what you want want to be paid per hour. What's the lowest per hour rate you are willing to accept? Knowing your bottom line will help you when you're deciding if you want to accept a position. Don't be timid about asking what a job pays per hour, and if it not acceptable to you, explain nicely why you feel you are qualified to earn more. If the employer is not willing to pay you what you believe you deserve, thank them for their time and keep searching for a better position. Or, if you are desperate to find work, you may want to at least temporarily take a lower paying position to build your resume while you search for a better alternative. When you do find a better job however, always remember that you will need to give your current employer proper notice so that they will have time to find a replacement for your position. It is only fair, plus it is always a good idea to leave on good terms in case you need to use that employer as a reference in the future . 

Below I have listed seven tips that will help you find the better paying jobs:   

1. Visit employers that have in-house security and ask to apply. In-house security means that there is no security guard company that acts as a middleman. And, because of this, there is more money that goes directly to the officers. But it's not just better rates; in-house security positions generally offer a wider array of benefits such as health coverage.
2. Apply to federal and state agencies that use security officers. These jobs also tend to pay more per hour and offer more benefits.
3. Consider more advanced training. It's well-known that armed security officers make about two dollars an hour more than unarmed officers. That adds up. There are many programs and licenses that you can take that make you more desirable to an employer.  
4. Ask around! If you know other officers, they may know of a good opportunity. If there is somewhere you may want to work that isn't currently hiring, befriend the officers who work there. This is a great way to get your foot in the door and give you a competitive advantage when the next position becomes available.
5. Visit job sites often. There are too many to list. Just type in 'security guard jobs' and your city. You'll be pleasantly surprised at what you can find.
6. Don't always judge a book by its cover. Although the starting hourly pay for a security guard job may at first seem less than what you are willing to accept, many positions have automatic pay increases that take affect as soon as complete on the job training or gain experience. You won't know for sure though unless you ask.
7. Lastly, many positions do not have set rates, so your negotiating skills can come into play. If you want to earn more than they are offering, be polite, confident, professional and know how to sell yourself in an interview.

Security Guard Jobs – Guard Licensing and The Best Places To Find Employment

Before you start looking look for a security guard job, you must first find out if you need a license to work. Most states require that guards to have a state issued licensed (commonly referred to in the industry as a "guard card") before they are legally permitted to work. Although the requirements vary from state to state, nearly all state's require at least the following:

• Guard applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Guard applicants will need to pass a criminal background check and get fingerprinted.
• Some states require guard applicants will take a class and pass a written exam demonstrating a familiarity with the security rules and regulations set by your state. Some states requiring type of training include New York, California and Washington, DC.

Once you have your security guard card, you are legally eligible to start work. The first place to look is online or in the local newspapers. If you Google 'security guard jobs' you will find many sites that are devoted to helping you find work. Employers often list security guard jobs under the broader terms such as 'security' or 'guard', so make sure you take this into consideration when doing your search.

Another great place to check, if you have one near you, are security guard training centers. These are places that offer education, teaching numerous skills that you may need to have at your job including advanced skills such as baton, pepper spray, and armed guard training. Often these training facilities get calls from guard companies who are always looking for reliable, good officers.

Security guard companies almost always have security guard jobs available. Make a list of which guard companies live close to you. You can do this by typing in "security guard companies + the name of your city"  into Google. You can also look in your local yellow pages.

Don't just call the guard companies, visit them! Make sure that you are well dressed and bring a resume, even if you do not have much experience. If the guard company tells you that they do not have any security guard jobs available, ask if it's OK to check back with them in a week. Almost always, they will say yes. And don't forget to follow up. New opportunities can emerge on any given day that may require a security company to hire new guards. When you do get a call, make sure you are prepared by following these security guard job interviewing tips.

Another good place to find guard work is by going directly to stores, malls, colleges, museums, banks, property management companies, airports, construction sites, and large public administration buildings that hire security officers. If you think about it, you probably know several places near you that hire guards. So, again, visit them, be well-dressed, polite, and find out who to contact to apply for work.

In these difficult economic times, much of your ability to find a job as a new security guard will be a matter of your perseverance. The harder you look, the easier it will be to find a opportunity. Fortunately, there are many opportunities available. So what are you waiting for? Start your security career today.

What To Do If You Lose Your California Guard Card

If you are a security officer, and you discover that you have lost a California guard card, you must contact the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) and let them know immediately. They will re-issue your card you and send it to you by mail in a few days.

Meanwhile, you'll also need to download and print a copy of your security guard license. A printed copy of your license can serve as a temporarily replacement for your lost guard card. To locate a copy of your license online, simply visit the BSIS website and search under the 'verify a license' section and then select 'security guard'. Then simply do a search for you name, and once you find it, print a copy.

In the unlikely event you do not find your name, you may have a bigger problem. All security guards with valid California guard cards should be listed on the BSIS site. If you do not find your name, call the BSIS and ask the representative to check your status. If your license is not valid, they will explain what you will need to do to get recertified.

More than likely however, you will find your license, so again, print it out and carry it with you at all times while you’re on the job. You can get in a lot of trouble if you are caught working without a valid California guard card or at least a temporary print-out copy of your license. You are legally required to keep a copy on your person at all times while you’re working.

If you do get caught working without a valid California guard card, you can get fined and get your employer into a lot of trouble. Every now and then the State sends out a representative to check on officers to confirm that they are properly licensed. Those who do not have a current, valid guard card are subject to fines. As mentioned, the employer of those security guards can also get into trouble and be fined a great deal of money. This won’t reflect well on you at all as an employee, so in addition to a fine, you could also very likely end up getting fired.

Lastly, don't overlook the obvious. All of this can hopefully be avoided by tracing your steps and searching around for where you might have lost your security guard card. It has absolutely no value to anyone but you, so even if it was stolen, there’s a really good chance that someone might find it and turn it in.

During these tough economic times, employee theft is on the rise.

Statistics bear out that most theft in internal. If you are a company or retail establishment that is seeing a rise in theft, consider taking these steps:

1. Conduct an investigation. If you have a senior loss prevention manger, have them spearhead it. If not, there are private investigators who specialize in employee theft.
2. After conducing an investigation, consider calling a staff meeting. Let employees know that you are aware of the situation and are taking action to remedy the situation and anyone caught will be fired and prosecuted.
3. Consider installing a CCTV system or camera monitoring surveillance. Prices for such equipment have really fallen, and are now very affordable.
4. Hire security guards. Even one security officer can dramatically reduce theft. Additionally, it boosts employee moral, making staffers and clients feel safe and secure.
5. Limit ingress and egress points. Have a company mandate that, unless it's an emergency, all employees can only use front doors
6. If you are a retail establishment, have all employee bags checked at the end of each shift. Many large retailers employ this theft prevention strategy.

 If you take the matter seriously,  implementing decisive, preventative measures, you will greatly reduce your theft vulnerability and win the admiration of the majority of your staff.

Security Guard Jobs Are Not difficult To Find Once You Know Where To Look

There are many great free resources available for finding security guard jobs. However, before you look, make sure you have a state issued security guard license (guard card). Without one, you can not work. Also, it would be a good idea to have a professional looking resume and cover letter ready that you can fax or email to prospective employers.

Once you have your guard license and resume in order, check with:

1. The best place to look for security guard jobs are free job posting sites: CraigsList, Monster, CareerBuilder and Indeed are constantly advertising for security guard jobs. Another free resource you can check online is your local daily newspaper or local weekly reader. Get in the habit of checking all these sites daily because security guard jobs tend to come and get filled pretty quickly. You certainly don't want to miss out on any opportunities.
2. Guard training schools: many educational facilities, especially ones that specialize in security, commonly get tips on who is hiring. Call or visit them.
3. Places that have guards employed already such as banks, malls, museums, public administration buildings, and large retail establishments.  This may seem obvious, but if you notice a security guard working at a location or business that may be of interest to you, simply ask them where and how to apply for a position. Other guard positions may be available.
4. Security guard companies: since guard companies are in the business of staffing security officers, visit or call the ones near you and see if they are hiring. If they say no, check back in a few weeks and always ask if you can at least forward your resume and cover letter so they can keep it on file.

The most difficult part of finding a security guard job is being persistent which means you have to be fully committed to look and take action every day. Positions that may not be available today, often open-up tomorrow, so don't give up. There are many guard positions available. You just have to go out there and find them.

Lastly, when you do get that call from an employer asking you to come in for a job interview, make sure you are ready by follow these security guard job interviewing tips.

Security Guard Jobs: Hourly Pay Scale

The rate that security guards make is on a per hour basis. Very few security guard jobs offer a base salary. The exact rate is dependent on a lot of factors, the most important being the qualifications that are needed, whether the officer is armed or unarmed, and the location and city of where the job is.

For unarmed jobs, the average national rate is $9.00 per hour.  
For  armed jobs, the average national rate is $11.00 per hour.

If you hire a security guard company they are going to charge you more than that for each officer hired. The above rates only refer to what the guards average rates are. You end up saving money when you hire in-house guards but you also have to pay taxes and you take on a lot more responsibility such as added insurance, withholding taxes, guard training, and licensing.

The average rate a security guard company will charge you is $14.00 per hour for unarmed officers and $16.00 per hour for armed guards. In our next article we will discuss the benefits and disadvantages of hiring guards in-house verses employing a guard vendor.

Events Security Guard Jobs Can Be Great Way To Earn Experience

If you are looking to become a security guard but lack experience, consider working events. Generally, their hiring standards are more lax and part-time guard work is almost always available in most major metropolitan areas. The hourly pay rate is typically higher than most perm post jobs too.

Most importantly, it is a great way to gain experience and build your resume, and it will give you the opportunity to meet other guards and network too. 

Most job listings sites are constantly advertising for event staffing. You should take advantage of it. Most cities have large event security companies. Find out which ones hire the most in your city. If you do not know, call large stadiums, concert halls, sports venues, etc. Ask to speak to security. If security is not available, ask for customer service.  Someone will point you in the right direction.

When you interview, wear a suit, be very polite, and you will get hired. The more event security you do, the more experience and knowledge you will have.

Security Guard Jobs: Hiring Tips For Retail Employers

If you are an employer in a retail establishment and need to hire a security guard for protection and/or loss prevention, here are some critical factors that you many want to consider when choosing your guard selection:

1. Customer service: when it comes to hiring security guards, perhaps the single most important characteristic that you should be looking for is someone who has good customer service skills. Your security officers are often the first and last person customers see. As such, they must be very courteous and polite. When interviewing your guard applicants, you should test to see how strong their customer service skills are. Role play with them. Put them through basic scenarios that they will regularly encounter which will test their conflict resolution skills.
2. Security Guard License: Most states require any employee working as a security officer to have a state issued security guard license (also commonly referred to as a "guard card"). Most state departments have websites where employers can check the status of guard cards. If a retailer is caught employing a security guard who is not properly licensed, they may be subject to stiff fines. This actually does happen quite frequently as many state departments do send out field representatives whose job it is to verify guard cards. This requirement is for your own protection as well. Most states require all prospective licensees to pass a basic training course and background check prior to issuing a guard card.
3. Check references: as in any field of work, some applicants my "fudge" their resume. Obviously, if they are willing to falsify their resume they may lie, cheat or do something else less honorable at your place of work. It does not take long to verify one's employment history and it could save you considerable headache. 
4. Experience: If the officer has not worked retail security, you may want to make sure he or she is well aware of what they are to expect. For instance, most retail security positions require officers to be on their feet. Those who have not stood post for eight hours may not be able to handle it. Generally speaking, experienced retail security officers can bring a wealth of knowledge to the post. Although it is usually a benefit, this can also act a disservice if your establishment has very specific protocol to follow as experienced officers may be set in their thinking.
5. Appearance: In retail settings, a guard's professional appearance is very important. You want your officers to be clean-cut, cordial, well-groomed, and attired in a professional looking uniform. Their appearance should compliment the aesthetics of your retail establishment and make your customers feel safe.
6. Ability to listen and follow directions: when interviewing your applicants, review a procedure you have that is fairly detailed. A few minutes later, ask the applicant to repeat the procedure. See if they remember and, if so, to what extent. 
7. Goals: it's advisable to inquire about what is motivating the applicant to become a security officer. If they are studying to be a policeman, that may be a good sign that law enforcement matters to them. If they are a student who just needs a part time job, perhaps they will not be there for the long haul. Security guards are known to be high turnover employees. Understanding an officer's career goals and also checking their employment history are two good indicators for assessing whether or not the guard will be around long term.
8. Writing skills: make sure the applicants can write relatively well and have legible hand-writing. If an incident happens, such as a theft, they will be responsible for taking an incident report.
    

California Guard Card Approval In Five Easy Steps

If you want to work in the State of California as a security guard, you are required by law to have a State issued license which is commonly referred to in the industry as a "California guard card".

The process for getting approved is not difficult. If you follow these five easy steps, you can earn your California guard card and be legally working in as little as seven to ten days.

First, you will want to make sure that you are eligible. To be eligible, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have no criminal record.

Second, you will need to find either a local school or online guard training site that is licensed by the BSIS (California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services) and sign up to take a certification class. Most schools are fairly inexpensive, usually costing anywhere from $60 to $120.

The introductory course you will be taking is a total of eight hours. In this class you will receive training in the following two subjects:

• Powers to Arrest
• Weapons of Mass Destruction & Terrorism Awareness

You will also be required to take a final exam which is not difficult to pass provided that you have paid attention to the coursework. If the unlikely event you fail, most schools will allow you to retake the exam at no additional cost.

Third, once you have completed the course and passed the exam, the next step is to visit the BSIS website and download the security guard Live Scan form which you will need to take with you (along with a legal ID) to a local Live Scan facility. There you will use the form to electronically submit your fingerprints to the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for clearance verification. The total cost associated with Live Scan fees typically runs approximately $50 to $60.

Fourth, now that you have been fingerprinted, you are ready to proceed to the next step which is to submit your application (for your California guard card) to the BSIS for approval. The easiest and quickest way to do this is by visiting the BSIS website where you can fill out the application form and pay the associated fees online. The total cost to do so is $51 which includes a $50 application fee and $1 electronic processing fee.

Fifth, and final step, you simply need to wait a few days for the BSIS to review your application and background clearances. Once they do, your can verify that you have your license by checking their website. Although it will still take a few days to receive your California guard card in the mail, you can start legally working immediately by printing out a copy of your verification from BSIS website. It is that easy.

Remember, that once you are on the job, you must have your California guard card (or copy of the BSIS printout) and a legal ID with you at all times. The BSIS does make periodic checks, and if you get caught without your guard card and ID, you and your employer can get fined or you could have your license suspended.