required certs for CA

[Bedouin]

I've been searching the net for information on EP work in CA. and i have found that the state requires certification for just about everything. I'm curious to know about this "California Guard Card". From what i can see this is needed before a person can get work out there. Can any of you guys shed some light on this? Also what exactly is this course/school about? i see that it's 40hrs or so of classroom, but what is it they teach? Any recommendations on a good reputable place to get this done through?

I'm also a bit curious about the CCW permits for CA. I'm told that it would require an act of God to get issued a CCW. Any of you guys know a sure fire short cut or a way to streamline the process?

Thanx,
-Bedouin

[usabodyguard]

I have both a Ca guard Card, and a CA CCW, let me shed some light on the subject.

The CA Guard card is only available to residents of CA. Anyone who works as a security or a bodyguard and anywhere in between, must possess this lic.
The "40 hour" class is what the law states, but if you look into it further you will see that the initial training/class is only 8 hours, and many instructors will administer the class in less time, closer to 3-4 hours. The additional 32 hours must be in the form of CE hours (continuing education), and when I renewed my guard card, I was never asked to show proof of these hours of training - i simply renewed online.
The class is simply a "powers to arrest" course, and the course is remedial at best. The class does not cover any "Bodyguard" training at all, it covers CA state law for private citizen arrest and procedures. You watch a couple videos and take a test at the end of the class. BUT you must be a CA resident (6 months?) before you can apply.

The CA CCW, does require an act of God!! In CA the CCW process and approval is governed by the county in which you reside. You must have lived in the county for at least 6 months before you can apply.

There are counties that will NOT issue you a CCW... Los Angeles is one of them, so is Orange County, and San Diego. Ventura county gives them out, but the process can take up to two years or more, once you have turned in your application. Once you turn in your app to your resident county, they will conduct an exhaustive background check. Once your BG check is complete, and you have passed, they will have you come in for an oral interview with the Sheriff's office. There were 3 representatives in my interview, which took better part of an hour to complete... your pass/fail decision will be mailed to you.
The interview centered around my original 25+ page application, going over each q&a on it... double checking each one of my responses.
Now my situation is a little different than the typical EP agent... I own a training academy, and I am a certified NRA instructor, so they knew my background coming in. They knew I am an EP agent ahead of time; most agencies will automatically deny an application for "bodyguard" purposes.
But once I got the approval, I had to go through CCW training (live fire on the range, followed by a range test with EACH weapon I would be carrying.

The CA CCW is different than other states, additionally it is different than the CA exposed weapons permit. A CA exposed weapons permit is just what it sounds like, an exposed weapons permit... armed security guard, money truck employee, etc. The exposed permit differs in that you qualify for a weapon caliber, ie, 40 cal, 45 cal, etc, whereas the CCW permit actually lists each weapon you carry - make, model, and serial number, and you must test with each weapon accordingly. I am not certain, but I think the most you can list on your permit is 4 weapons.

Now, in order to get a CA CCW, you must FIRST possess the guard card AND the exposed weapons permit, and I dont know why, you just do.

More information can be found at this website -

http://www.bsis.ca.gov/

Best of luck, hope this shed some light on your questions.

David

[TTS]

what a pain in the arse! I know some of the northern counties (north of Sacramento) its a bit easier but it still is an act of God, ridiculous...but hey at least the crooks can carry them!

[Bedouin]

Hmmmm thanx for the response

So you must be a CA resident before you can get the CA guard card? Well that pretty much blows my plans out of the water. I was hoping to be able to swing through LA and get the guard card, and open carry classes done before actually moving there.

well i appreciate the help
-Bedouin

[usabodyguard]

what a pain in the arse! I know some of the northern counties (north of Sacramento) its a bit easier but it still is an act of God, ridiculous...but hey at least the crooks can carry them!

yea go figure right? And to top it off, a loaded concealed firearm is only a misdemeanor.

and yes, northern counties is much easier, but that doesnt help much when most of the work in CA is in the southern half...

[Bedouin]

OK heres another one for ya. Does anyone know if you need a CA guard card to work at one of the training sites?

[Secfor]

Does anyone know if you need a CA guard card to work at one of the training sites?

Bedouin,
If you mean to work at a training site as an EP or tactics instructor...No, you will not need a guard card. It is a good idea to get some sort of an instructor cert though. One group of private instructor courses that is recognized by government agencies, are the NRA's Instructor Development courses.
see link: http://www.nrahq.org/law/training/instructorschools.asp

They are not too expensive and give you the basics on how to deliver information to students if you are new to the instructor thing. This also lets perspective employers know that you are serious about developing as an instructor. These courses will not make you a good instructor, (that's something you either have within you or not) but offer some helpful tips and most important, get you the cert to get the job (assuming your other quals are what your employer is looking for)
Good luck,
Rick
Secfor International (http://www.secforinternational.com)

[Bedouin]

hey Secfor thanx for the response.

I'm just trying to get a feel for the EP environment out in CA. Apparently its not as easy as just finding a job and going to work.

[flash]

If you get a CCW permit in a county that does issue them, is the permit still good state wide? Do you know what if any states reciprocate the CA CCW?
Thanks

[Local Talent]

A CCW issued by any CA agency is valid throughout the state. Careful in some very anti-gun jurisdictions, though. Very few LEOs have ever seen a CCW and some tend not to believe they exist.

usacarry.com otherwise indicates that a CA CCW is recognized by AK, AZ, ID, IN, KY, MI, MO, MT, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT & VT.

I recommend a good look at www.californiaccw.org, www.calccw.com, www.handgunlaw.us, & www.calguns.net.

[Bedouin]

I know this is dredging up a thread from a ways back but i figured i'd post what i've found..
After much research and digging i finally got a CA guard card and open carry permit. The folks that put on the course only needed a CA mailing address (no PO Box) and never asked if i was a resident. So i used the girlfriends address and had no issues.
So if anyone else was wondering about the Guard card and residence status i hope this helps....

[TheDarkKnight]

Getting your CA guard card with the open carry permit can be pretty damn expensive too. I'll tell you what you can do if you are a resident and collecting unemployment. There is a school called Ednet in Canoga Park where I got my Guard Card, Mace, Baton, Firearms cert, Cpr, AED, 1st Aid and all of my 40 hrs of training for the first year. And I didn't pay a dime! No BS. Thay had some gov't program that paid for it because I was laid off from my last job. And it took a few weeks before I got in but they got it paid for. The guy who interviewed me, his name was Darren, he was a bit of a di*k at first, but then he was also the instructor who had been a bouncer down in Hollywood, but he lightened up a bit and was actually a decent guy and he knew what he was talking about.
I would recommend anybody that needs the training to go there. I don't know how they did it but the classes were free. I'll post the number for the guy later when I find the number. Otherwise just google it.

[TheDarkKnight]

The number to the school is 818-702-6640. Mr. Darren really bent over backwards and made some phone calls to get me the money for the training and to get me work. You should make sure you get him to help you. And tell him D Knight is returning the favor.