California SB 652 guard card training rules explained. Learn 2026 requirements, BSIS compliance steps, employer obligations, and what security guards must do now.
California Guard Card Training Law 2026: SB 652 Requirements Explained
Defencify Compliance
5- minute read
California recently signed SB 652 into law, requiring security guards to complete an eight-hour training course in Use of Force and Power to Arrest. The bill’s ultimate objective, which took effect on January 1, 2026, is to standardize security training and improve public safety and accountability, not just for officers, but also for the firms that employ them.
The rule further states that applicants must complete the Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course within six months before submitting their guard card application to BSIS.
For security firms, this means they must ensure new applicants meet the SB 652 requirements, and employers must continue to meet existing statutory training/recordkeeping requirements for current guards.
The rule is significant for guards, of course, but also for firms and training providers, who must adjust workflows and budgets to stay compliant and reduce liability.
At a glance, the changes that went into effect on January first are as follows:
· The full 8-hour course to include Power to Arrest and Use of Force must be taught in its entirety and the completion certified by one BSIS-approved instructor or training provider (i.e., no splitting the course across multiple instructors/providers).
· Applicants must complete the course within six months before submitting the guard card application to BSIS.
· Employers may train only their own employees or candidates and may not offer training to other firms or the public.
· The course must meet BSIS’s in-person instruction minimums (including specified topics). In-person minimums still apply.
What’s the Risk? Why Compliance Matters Now, More Than Ever
Firms that do not comply, either by neglecting the need for training or by offering non-compliant courses, will see many guard cards invalidated or not issued.
Delayed licensing can lead to staffing shortfalls, and in our already fraught environment, could impact business continuity.
There is also the issue of legal exposure to consider. Enforcement is ongoing, and firms could face challenges to their business license, not to mention reputational impact.
Having implemented SB 652, California’s Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) will actively enforce compliance with the new requirements. For firms, this means they should expect heightened scrutiny of training and completion records for all employees throughout their tenure with the company. Inspectors may request to review documentation during an inspection or audit, underscoring the need for a verifiable audit trail and meticulous record-keeping regarding training, instructors, and trainee outcomes.
What Does SB 652 Mean for Security Guards?
For guards undertaking the new training themselves, several considerations apply.[i]
First and foremost, you don’t want to drag your feet about getting it done. The BSIS has laid out strict timeframes for completion, and failure to comply may result in your guard card being revoked.
Choosing the right training provider is now essential. The trainer must be recognized and approved by the BSIS, or your training is invalid. Understanding who is legally allowed to train you is critical. If you are accessing training independently, be sure to verify credentials to avoid wasting time and money.
Check your license expiry or renewal date to ensure your training is completed before that time. If you wait too long, your guard card may lapse, and you will be unable to work legally. Bear in mind that if you are a contractor working for more than one firm, each employer will need to verify your training completion. Be proactive and submit the documentation before they ask!
What Employers and Training Providers Need to Do Now
Effective immediately, employers and training providers in California’s private security ecosystem must transition to a system where Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force courses are administered and certified by a single provider.
These essential training modules must be completed within six months of any application submission; the onboarding workflow should reflect these needs.
· For existing employees, training should be scheduled as soon as possible to avoid licensing gaps.
· If you currently manage your own internal training, review the program to ensure it meets the new standard and update as needed.
· Trainers must be BSIS approved, as must be the courses themselves.
· Certain peace officers who completed a POST-approved course (and certain federal qualified law enforcement officers) are exempt; armed guard status alone is not an exemption.
· Records systems should be updated for each employee to verify completion and maintained throughout their employment. In best practice, employers should retain these records for 3 years after the individual has moved on, in case a compliance or legal issue arises.
· If you are a security company providing the training under its licensee authority, it may do so only for its own direct employees or applicants - not as a public-facing training offering. Security firms must focus solely on employee training and not make it part of their business model.
Training providers must prepare for the updated standards. Approved courses will be standardized throughout the state. If you intend to offer this training, you must seek approval from the BSIS and update your courses to reflect the new requirements.
Your platform must also be able to issue compliant certifications. The law states that the training must come from a single provider, which means one trainer, organization, or school. Enforcing this rule at the regulatory level will help to standardize security services in California.
Employers may offer the training, but as mentioned above, only to their own employees or applicants.
As with employers, trainers, and training organizations must retain completion records for audit purposes.
Final Thoughts: Train Smart or Risk Your License
California SB 652 raises the bar for Guard Card training. And many readers might wonder whether online training is allowed under the new rule.
The answer is yes and no. SB 652 does not eliminate hybrid delivery, but BSIS requires that at least half of the 8-hour Power to Arrest + Appropriate Use of Force training be completed in person, and certain use-of-force topics must be taught in person. Providers should design the delivery so the course meets BSIS’s in-person requirements and remains certified by a single instructor.
Understandably, this is a somewhat slippery slope. Since it’s a compliance issue, it is imperative to consult a BSIS expert to clarify whether what you intend to do is allowed.
Though the first year is often filled with uncertainty and a few missteps, with a few adjustments to your training and record-keeping programs, firms and guards in California can look forward to better-trained guards, reduced liability, and safer times ahead.
