BSIS INFORMATION ON PEACE OFFICER EXEMPTIONS

Security Guard Registration

Exemption from Fingerprint Requirement:

Who is Eligible: Currently employed, full time peace officers, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code and level I or II reserve officers, holding peace officer status as defined in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of section 832.6 of the Penal Code are exempt from the fingerprint requirement when applying for a Security Guard Registration. Only those peace officers who meet the specific exemption(s) requirement may begin working after submitting the Security Guard Registration application and the appropriate fees to BSIS. The application must be accompanied by proof of peace officer status.

Proof for Exemption: A photocopy of the front and back of a peace officer identification card is sufficient to demonstrate eligibility for this exemption [Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 7583.9].

Exemption from BSIS Power to Arrest Training:

Who is Eligible: A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, who has successfully completed a course of study in the exercise of the power to arrest approved by POST, or a federal qualified law enforcement officer, as defined in Section 926B of Title 18 of the United States Code, who has successfully completed a course of study in the exercise of the power to arrest, is exempt from completing the Bureau-related power to arrest training [BPC Section 7583.6(g)].

Proof for Exemption: The following documentation is acceptable to demonstrate eligibility and prior training: a photocopy of the front and back of the peace officer's identification card to demonstrate peace officer status and a letter from the officer's current Commanding Officer attesting to the officer's completion of power to arrest training, a copy of the officer's Basic or Specialized Basic POST course completion certificate, or the federal equivalent thereof, or a copy of the officer's POST profile detailing completion of Basic or Specialized Basic training which includes power to arrest training, or the federal equivalent thereof.

Firearms Permit (Security Guard & Other Private Security License Types)

Exemption from Fingerprint Requirement:

None

Exemption from Completion of BSIS Firearms Training Course

Who is Eligible: A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, or a federal qualified law enforcement officer, as defined in Section 926B of Title 18 of the United States Code, is exempt from completing the BSIS Firearms Training Course if he/she has successfully completed a course of study in the use of firearms [BPC Section 7583.22].

NOTE: Issuance of a firearms permit is contingent upon the applicant being approved for or already holding a qualifying license (i.e., security guard registration, private patrol operator license, or qualified manager associated with a license.)

Proof for Exemption: The following documentation is acceptable to demonstrate eligibility and prior training: a photocopy of the front and back of the peace officer's identification card to demonstrate peace officer status and a letter from the officer's current Commanding Officer attesting to the officer's completion of firearms training, a copy of the officer's Basic or Specialized Basic POST course completion certificate, or the federal equivalent thereof, or a copy of the officer's POST profile detailing completion of Basic or Specialized Basic training, or the federal equivalent thereof, in the use of firearms.

Exemption from BSIS Range Requalification for Renewal of Firearms Permit

Who is Eligible: A duly appointed peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, who is authorized to carry a firearm in the course of their law enforcement duties and has successfully completed requalification training with their law enforcement agency is exempt from the BSIS firearm range requalification requirements [BPC Section 7583.32].

Proof for Exemption: The following documentation is acceptable to demonstrate eligibility and prior training: a photocopy of the front and back of the peace officer's identification card to demonstrate peace officer status and a firearms requalification training completion document signed by the agency's Range Master, a copy of the officer's POST profile detailing the requalification(s), or a letter signed by the officer's commanding officer or agency's Range Master, on the law enforcement agency's letterhead, attesting to the officer's successful completion of firearms requalification training.

Firearms Permit (Private Investigator (PI) or PI Licensee Qualified Manager)

Exemption from Fingerprint Requirement:

None

Exemption from BSIS Power to Arrest Training

Who is Eligible: A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, who has successfully completed a course of study in the exercise of the power to arrest approved by POST, or a federal qualified law enforcement officer, as defined in Section 926B of Title 18 of the United States Code, is exempt from completing the Bureau-related power to arrest training [BPC Sections 7542 and 7583.6(g)].

Proof for Exemption: The following documentation is acceptable to demonstrate eligibility and prior training: a photocopy of the front and back of the peace officer's identification card to demonstrate peace officer status and a letter from the officer's current Commanding Officer attesting to the officer's completion of power to arrest training, a copy of the officer's Basic or Specialized Basic POST course completion certificate, or the federal equivalent thereof, or a copy of the officer's POST profile detailing completion of Basic or Specialized Basic training which includes power to arrest training, or the federal equivalent thereof. [BPC Section 7542].

Exemption from BSIS Firearms Training Course:

Who is Eligible: A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, or a federal qualified law enforcement officer, as defined in Section 926B of Title 18 of the United States Code, is exempt from completing the BSIS Firearms Training Course if he/she has successfully completed a course of study in the use of firearms [BPC Sections 7542 and 7583.22].

NOTE: Issuance of a firearms permit is contingent upon the applicant being approved for or already holding a qualifying license (i.e., private investigator license or qualified manager associated with a license.)

Proof for Exemption: The following documentation is acceptable to demonstrate eligibility and prior training: a photocopy of the front and back of the peace officer's identification card to demonstrate peace officer status and the following as proof of having completed a firearms training course: a letter from the officer's current Commanding Officer attesting to the officer's completion of firearms training, a copy of the officer's Basic or Specialized Basic POST course completion certificate, or the federal equivalent thereof, or a copy of the officer's POST profile detailing completion of Basic or Specialized Basic training, or the federal equivalent thereof.

Exemption from BSIS Range Requalification for Renewal of Firearms Permit:

Who is Eligible: A duly appointed peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code who carries a firearm in the course of his/her law enforcement duties and has successfully completed requalification training from the BSIS firearm range requalification requirements [BPC Sections 7542 and 7583.32].

Proof for Exemption: The following documentation is acceptable to demonstrate eligibility for this exemption; a photocopy of the front and back of the peace officer's identification card to demonstrate peace officer status and the following as proof of having completed firearms range requalification: a firearms requalification training completion document signed by the agency's Range Master, a copy of the officer's POST profile detailing the requalification(s), or a letter signed by the officer's commanding officer or agency's Range Master, on the law enforcement agency's letterhead, attesting to the officer's successful completion of firearms requalification training.

Alarm Company Operator Licensee, Qualified Manager or Registrant

Exemption from Fingerprint Requirement:

None

Exemption from BSIS Power to Arrest Training:

None. The Alarm Company Act requires every employee of a licensee who performs the functions of an alarm agent who responds to alarm systems to complete a course in the exercise of the powers to arrest [BPC Section 7598.1].

Firearms Permit (Alarm Company Operator Licensee, Qualified Manager or Registrant)

Exemption from Fingerprint Requirement:

None

Exemption from BSIS Power to Arrest Training:

None. The Alarm Company Act requires that every person licensed, registered, or designated under the act, who in the course of his or her employment carries a firearm, shall complete a course in the exercise of the powers to arrest [BPC Section 7596].

Exemption from BSIS Firearms Training Course:

None. The Alarm Company Act requires that every person licensed, registered, or designated under the act, who in the course of his or her employment carries a firearm, shall complete a course of training in the carrying and use of firearms [BPC Section 7596].

Exemption from Range Requalification for Renewal of Firearms Permit:

None