A Consumer’s Guide to the

Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
Many consumers concerned about safety
turn to private security professionals
to protect their homes and businesses.
If you are considering hiring a private
security professional, there are
a few things to keep in mind.

For your protection

All private security-related individuals and businesses,
including security guards, alarm companies, locksmiths,
and private investigators, must be licensed by the
California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Bureau
of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS).
Everyone in a job under BSIS’ jurisdiction must carry
the appropriate license while at work. A valid license
means the person passed a criminal background check
and met other legal requirements. BSIS monitors
unlicensed activity and may initiate administrative,
civil, or criminal enforcement action for violations.

BSIS licenses and regulates the following:
Locksmith companies and their locksmiths, who
install, repair or open locks, and modify or make
keys. Someone who makes a duplicate key from
blank stock does not need a BSIS license.

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Private investigators conduct criminal or civil investigations
for individuals, businesses, and public agencies.
Proprietary security officers are hired by a
business or individual to provide security only for
that business or individual. They are unarmed.
Training facilities offer courses in firearms and baton handling,
and the instructors who teach firearms and baton use.
Alarm companies sell, install, service, maintain, and monitor
alarm systems. Some alarm company employees also need a
license, but retail outlets that only sell alarm systems do not.
Private patrol operators employ security guards to provide
security services under a contract. The security guards who work
for the operator also need a registration and must carry it on
the job. Security personnel who carry a baton, firearm, or tear
gas must complete additional training and carry other permits.

BSIS’ other role

BSIS also oversees repossession agencies. Repossessors recover
personal property for a creditor when a consumer defaults on
certain loans for a vehicle, boat, or motorcycle. See the BSIS
publication “Consumer Guide to Repossession Practices.” Go
online to www.bsis.ca.gov or call (800) 952-5210 for a copy.

How to be an informed consumer

Here are some steps you should take before you
sign a contract for private security services.
Verify the BSIS license. Call DCA’s Consumer
Information Center (CIC) at (800) 952-5210, or go
online to www.bsis.ca.gov to check licensing.

Other steps

Compare prices. Get three or more estimates for
similar services. Ask for referrals and check them.
Contact the DCA Consumer Information Center
at (800) 952-5210 to ask about any BSIS-related
complaints against the company or individual.
Contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to check
the background on a company. Local BBB offices are in
your phone directory or online at www.bbb.org.
Make sure all contract terms and conditions are in
writing. Read the contract and be sure you understand it. An
alarm company’s written contract must include the company’s
license number, the approximate dates work will begin and
end, a description of the alarm system to be installed, as well
as any monitoring, repair, or other services to be provided
after installation. Be sure to ask about any monthly fees.

If you want to cancel your contract

If you change your mind about a private patrol, private
investigator, or alarm company service after you have signed
a contract in your home, you have three days to cancel the
contract. Remember, the three-day cancellation applies only
to a contract signed in your home, not at a business.
Deliver your cancellation paperwork in person within three days
or send it by certified mail, with a return receipt requested.

If you have a problem

Call DCA’s Consumer Information Center at (800) 952-5210
for help or to report a problem. Assistance is available
in English, Spanish, and 144 other languages.

Complaint Resolution may work

DCA’s Complaint Resolution Program helps parties
resolve disputes. Call the CIC for details on resolution
or go to www.dca.ca.gov/complainthelp.

DCA Consumer Information Center
(800) 952-5210; TDD (916) 928-1227

Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 270
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 322-4000
www.bsis.ca.gov

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A Consumer’s Guide to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services

A Guide to the

Bureau of Security and
Investigative Services
consumers

A Security Professional’s Guide to the

Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
Crime prevention is a major concern in today’s
society. As a result, many consumers are turning
to the private security industry to help protect
their neighborhoods and businesses.
The Department of Consumer Affairs’ Bureau of Security
and Investigative Services (BSIS) licenses and regulates
the individuals and companies that provide private
security services in the State. These include private
patrol operators, security guards, private investigators,
alarm companies and their employees, locksmiths and
their employees, and repossession agencies and their
employees. Firearms and baton training facilities, and
their instructors, also fall under BSIS’s jurisdiction.
BSIS licensing and certification ensures these
business operators and specific employees have
passed a criminal background check and have met
other requirements mandated by law. BSIS monitors
unlicensed activity and may initiate administrative,
civil or criminal enforcement action for violations.

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BSIS regulates the
following individuals and
businesses:

Individuals

Locksmith employees
install, repair, or open locks
and modify or make keys. A
person who makes duplicate
keys from blank stock does not
need a locksmith license.
Proprietary Private Security
Officers are unarmed, wear a
distinctive uniform, and interact
with the public. These officers
can be hired by an individual
business to provide security
services; however, their services
cannot be contracted out to
another business or individual.
Training Instructors (firearms
and baton) are employed
by training facilities to teach
firearms and baton use.

Qualified Managers are
the responsible managers for
private patrol operators, private
investigators, alarm companies
and repossession agencies.
A qualified manager must
successfully complete a written
examination given by BSIS, pass
a criminal background check,
and provide proof of qualifying
experience in the security
industry. A qualified manager
is the person responsible for
the day-to-day operation of the
business and is the first point
of contact for consumers who
have questions about services.

A guard who carries a concealed
weapon must have a concealed
weapons permit from a local law
enforcement agency, in addition
to the BSIS firearms permit.

Security guards work for
private patrol operators or
private businesses. All armed
security guards must have a
valid security guard registration
and a firearms permit.

Security guards must carry
valid “guard cards” on the
job. If a security guard carries
a firearm, baton, or tear gas,
additional training is required,
and the security guard must
carry valid permits. All
security guards must carry a
pocket license at all times.

Security guards cannot work
independently—a private patrol
operator must employ them.
A security guard employed by
a private patrol operator must
pass a BSIS-approved Powers to
Arrest exam given by his or her
employer or a BSIS-approved
training facility, pass a criminal
background check, and meet
other training requirements.

Businesses

Private investigators conduct
criminal and civil investigations
for individuals, businesses,
attorneys, insurance companies,
and public agencies.
Locksmith companies contract
to provide locksmith services.
Training facilities offer
courses in firearms, baton,
and security guard training
to security personnel.
Alarm companies sell,
install, service, maintain, and
monitor alarm systems for
individuals, businesses, and
public entities. Alarm company
operators also respond to
burglar alarms. Retail outlets
that only sell alarm systems
do not need BSIS licensing.
Private patrol operators
provide services to protect
people and/or property

according to a contract.
Security guards are employees
of private patrol operators.

Repossession agencies
recover personal property for
a registered owner or lien
holder. Repossessors are used
when a consumer defaults on
a certain type of loan, usually
for a car, boat, motorcycle,
or recreational vehicle.
More information on licensing
requirements, BSIS-approved
training facilities, and related
matters is available on the BSIS
Web site, www.bsis.ca.gov, or by
calling BSIS at (916) 322-4000.

Bureau of Security
and Investigative
Services

2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 270
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 322-4000 or (800) 952-5210
www.bsis.ca.gov

A Guide to the

Bureau of Security and
Investigative Services
industry professionals

A Security Professional’s Guide to the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services