Security Guard Training

The Best Courses.  The Lowest Prices.  That’s the deal at Practical Defense Systems! Browse training for security guards below.

Guard Card

Image of guard card certification

Online and On-Demand 24/7/365
– No Reading Required
– Multi-Media Course
– Use your Smart Phone or Computer
– Download all documents upon completion
– Start and stop when you want. You have 60 days to complete it.

Note: Course fees do not include BSIS fees or LiveScan.

Download the manual
Frequently Asked Questions

Guard Card (Annual Refresher)

This security guard certification course meets the Annual Continuing Educations Requirements for California Security Guards.

Online and On-Demand 24/7/365
– No Reading Required
– Multi-Media Course
– Use your Smart Phone or Computer
– Download all documents upon completion
– Start and stop when you want. You have 60 days to complete it.

Download the manual
Frequently Asked Questions

Exposed Firearm Permit – Initial Permit

This is a two day course – (Classroom / Live-fire at the range).

  • You must complete the classroom section before registering for your range day. You will be given instructions to sign up for your range day at the end of the class. The course fee covers both parts of the course. 
  • You must complete the classroom section no more than 30 days prior to attending the Range Day.
  • The first day of the pre-licensing course covers the Dept. of Consumer Affairs guide-lines for carrying and using a firearm while in uniform and on duty as a licensed security guard in California.
  • The second day is range training and qualification. Qualification with one caliber handgun is included in the class.  Students may qualify with more than one caliber handgun (additional charges apply at a rate of $35.00 per caliber). 

Additional information:

  • Handguns may be rented from the range if needed (rental fees paid to the range).  NOTE: The range may be limited in the number, type, and caliber of handguns available for rent. 
  • Ammunition is to be supplied by the student or purchased at the range.  NOTE: The type and caliber of ammunition available for purchase at the range may be limited.
  • The following is required in addition to successful course completion:
  • The cost of this class covers the classroom course, the instructor’s time on range day, and the application paperwork (which we provide).  It DOES NOT include range fees, ammunition, firearms rental, live scan, psychological firearms assessment fee, license application fees, or the processing of your permit application. 
  • The course is taught in English only.
  • Additional information about the application process can be found on the BSIS website.

Perquisites:

  • You must be at least 21 years of age
  • You must be able to legally posses a firearm in California in order to attend this course.
  • Proof of United States citizenship or legal residency is required.

IMPORTANT: Effective January 1, 2022, the Psychological Firearms Assessment must be completed PRIOR to submitting an Application for an Initial Firearms Permit. This is a significant change. Prior practice was to take the assessment AFTER you applied; as of January 1, 2022, you must take it PRIOR to applying for a firearms permit.

More information about the Psychological Firearms Assessment.

To Register for your assessment.

NOTE: You MUST bring the following to class and the range:

Identification and Proof of Legal Residence:

  • Government issued picture ID.
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency in the United States. The ONLY documents that are accepted by BSIS are: Birth Certificate (hospital birth certs are not accepted. Must have offical seal & document number); U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card; DD-214; Valid Military ID; Green Card; Native American Tribal documents; or INS paperwork. Photocopies are NOT accepted except for copies of a DD-214. All other documents MUST be the originals.

License or Proof of Application:

If you have one of the following or you have applied for one of the following, bring proof:

  • Alarm company operator
  • Guard Card
  • Private investigator
  • Private patrol operator
  • Responding alarm agents

If you don’t have one of the above, bring proof that you have applied or that you intend to do so.  Proof can be presented in the form of an application, or copy of an application, that you have completed and signed, even if you have not submitted it yet.  For example, a completed and signed guard card application.

Course length: 8 hrs (Classroom) 3 hrs (Range)

Cost: $150

 

Exposed Firearm Permit – Requalification

This course is taught entirely at the shooting range.

NO WALK-INS.  PRIOR REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED.
 
RE-QUALS ONLY!  No initial permit quals.
 
Security guards who already have a valid BSIS Firearms Permit are required to attend a two hour refresher course and re-qualify by firing 50 rounds on the shooting range with a BSIS licensed training instructor twice per year. Sign up for this session if you need to re-qualify for your BSIS exposed firearms permit.

 

Additional information:

  • Qualification with one caliber handgun is included in the class.  Students may qualify with more than one caliber handgun (additional charges apply at a rate of $35.00 per caliber). 
  • Handguns may be rented from the range if needed (rental fees paid to the range).  NOTE: The range may be limited in the number, type, and caliber of handguns available for rent. 
  • Ammunition is to be supplied by the student or purchased at the range.  NOTE: The type and caliber of ammunition available for purchase at the range may be limited.
  • The following is required in addition to successful course completion:
    • Submission of the required forms to the state of California
    • Payment of state renewal fee
  • The cost of this class covers the two hour refresher course, the instructor’s time on range day, and the application paperwork (which we provide).  It DOES NOT include range fees, ammunition, firearms rental, live scan, license application fees, or the processing of your permit renewal application. 
  • The course is taught in English only.
  • Additional information about the renewal application process can be found on the BSIS website.
NOTE: You must bring the following to the range in order to shoot:
  • Government issued picture ID.
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency in the United States. The ONLY documents that are accepted by BSIS are: Birth Certificate (hospital birth certs are not accepted. Must have offical seal & document number); U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card; DD-214; Valid Military ID; Green Card; Native American Tribal documents; or INS paperwork. Photocopies are NOT accepted except for copies of a DD-214. All other documents MUST be the originals.

Location: Requals are held at the P2K Range at 2082 Willow Glen Drive, El Cajon 92019. Go to http://pdsclasses.com/directions/ for driving directions to the range.

Course length: This varies depending upon the number of students and the number of calibers per student.  The average is 3 to 4 hours.

Cost: $49 including one caliber (additional calibers are $35 each)

 
 
 
 
 
 

Pepper Spray Permit – Online Course!


By California state regulation, any security guard who carries any chemical agent (Pepper Spray or Mace) must have completed an approved course of instruction in the use of chemical agents at a state licensed training facility. This online course satisfies the state requirement for training in the use of pepper spray. This course is taken entirely online and on-demand using any web capable device, such as a computer, tablet or smart phone.  Students download a personalized wallet card certifying completion of the state mandated training at the end of the course.

Course Information

Course Length: 4 hours
Cost: $29.95

buttonsignup-online

Handcuffing

This is an online course.

This course, while not required by the state, is required by many employers. Many security companies require their security officers to complete a course in the use of handcuffs before the officer is permitted to carry them. This course teaches the student how to use, carry and maintain handcuffs. Students are taught how to handcuff a suspect on the ground, facing a wall and while the suspect is on his/her knees. This is an online only course.

Course Information

Course Length: 4 hours
Cost: $29.95

This course is being redesigned and is not currently available.

Defensive Tactics

This is an online course.

This course, while not required by the state, is required by many employers. This is an essential course for any security officer who may have to physically control a suspect or be involved in a physical confrontation while on duty. The course covers conflict avoidance, de-escalation, proper interview posture, maintaining safe distance, defense and escape, and basic control techniques.

Course Length: 4 hours (2.5 hrs online – 1.5 hrs practical training
Cost: $29.95

This course is being redesigned and is not currently available.

First Aid and CPR – OnLine Courses!

(NO READING REQUIRED!  Multi-media course.*)

These 100% online First Aid and CPR courses are in compliance with the requirements stated in Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Section 643 for security officer training and the American Heart Association 2010 guidelines.  Courses are taken completely online.  You will be able to download and print your wallet card, as proof of course completion, at the end of the course.  Your wallet card is valid for two years.

* On-line students must read basic instructions, the test questions and answers while taking tests.  No other reading is required for the on-line courses.

Get CPR and First Aid all in one (8Hr Course) for only $29!