Every California guard card applicant goes through a criminal-history review: your Livescan fingerprints go to the California Department of Justice and the FBI, and the results go to BSIS, which decides your application. The question most applicants actually have is simpler: "Will my record stop me?" Here's the honest answer.
What the check covers
- California criminal history — through the DOJ.
- National criminal history — through the FBI.
- Ongoing monitoring — DOJ subsequent-arrest notifications mean the state can be notified of new arrests while you hold a registration, not just at application time.
It's a criminal-history review, not a credit check or an employment reference check — those are separate things employers may do on their own.
Will a record disqualify you?
Not automatically. BSIS evaluates applications individually. In broad strokes:
- Serious and violent felonies, and weapons offenses, are the highest hurdles — particularly recent ones.
- Convictions substantially related to the duties of a security guard — theft, fraud, assault — get close scrutiny, because the role involves public trust and property protection.
- Older and minor history frequently clears. Time since the offense, your record since, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter — California licensing law requires the state to consider rehabilitation, not just the conviction.
- An arrest is not a conviction. Arrests that didn't lead to conviction carry far less weight.
If your situation is borderline
We'd rather tell you the truth before you spend money than collect $28 and let BSIS surprise you. If you have a record you think could be an issue: check your own history first (you're entitled to review your California record with the DOJ), consider contacting BSIS about your specific circumstances, and know that a denial can be appealed — BSIS provides a process for contesting decisions and demonstrating rehabilitation.
What happens after you clear
Once DOJ and FBI results reach BSIS and your application and training certificate check out, your registration is issued and you're lookup-able in BSIS's public license search — which is exactly where employers will verify you. Your training certificates stay verifiable too, via our certificate verification page.
The background review runs while your application processes — training is the part you control today.
Start the Online Course — $28 See All Five StepsThis guide is general information, not legal advice. BSIS makes all licensing determinations; consult BSIS or an attorney about your specific circumstances.