How-To Guide for Military Applicants

Veterans Come First Program

In order to assist veterans in their transition from military service to civilian employment, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) has implemented the Veterans Come First Program. This program offers priority services to veteran applicants and assists veterans by leveraging their transferable military experience and training in order to meet all or part of the Bureau's licensing qualifications allowable by law.

VETERANS COME FIRST!

The BSIS Veterans Come First Program provides the following support for veteran applicants:

  • Provides veteran applicants with direct line telephone numbers and email contact information.
  • Provides veteran applicants whose applications require special attention with a BSIS staff person to support them through the licensing process.
  • Provides veteran applicants priority in the licensure process.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR A VETERAN TO APPLY FOR LICENSURE?

Security Guard License:

  1. Complete the eight (8) hour "Power to Arrest" training and pass the examination. This must be completed before applying.
  2. Complete and submit the online security guard application in BreEZe.
  3. Using the BSIS Security Guard Live Scan form, submit copies of your fingerprints electronically using Live Scan.
  4. Once BSIS receives your online application, a criminal history background check is conducted.
  5. Additional details on how to apply for a guard card are available at www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/guard_fact.pdf.
  6. If you have not received any correspondence (e.g. a deficiency letter or guard card) from the Bureau within 30 days of submitting your application and payment in BreEZe, send an email to BSISveterans.dca@dca.ca.gov with your name, date of birth, and social security number. Bureau staff will then review your application to determine the delay in processing.

All Other BSIS issued licenses: Email BSISveterans.dca@dca.ca.gov and include a list of the licenses you are interested in applying for. A BSIS representative will reply with information on the specific process for that license.

HOW DO I USE MY MILITARY EXPERIENCE TO QUALIFY FOR LICENSURE?

The Bureau will review your DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) and the education and training transcript provided by your branch of the military. To request a military transcript:

If a military transcript is unavailable, just provide BSIS with your DD214. Please note that the Bureau may need to request additional confirmation of your training and experience.

The Bureau will review your Live Scan results and your civilian and military experience and education. If it is determined that your conviction history meets the necessary standards and your stated experience and education covers 100% of the experience requirements, you will be approved to take the appropriate licensing test, if required.

If your experience and training only meets a portion of the requirements for licensure, the Bureau will contact you directly and provide you with a path on how to fulfill the missing pieces. If it is determined that your Live Scan results do not meet the necessary standards you will be notified by the Bureau on how to engage your rights to an appeal.

HOW CAN I USE MY SPECIFIC MILITARY EXPERIENCE OR TRAINING TO FULFILL LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS?

Here is a summary of how you can use your transferable military experience and training to qualify for licensure:

  • Private Patrol Operator and Private Patrol Operator Qualified Manager: Military veterans who have at least 2 years (4,000 hours) working as a guard, watchperson, sentry, MP, or equivalent can be used to fulfill the required 4,000 hours (two years) of the total 6,000 hours (three years) towards eligibility to take the Private Patrol Operator and/or Private Patrol Operator Qualified Manger test(s). NOTE: Effective 01/01/2024, per business and professions code (BPC) 7583.1, the experience for a qualified manager is a total of 6,000 hours, total three years’ experience. No less than 4,000 hours (two years) of experience as a patrolperson, guard, or watchman, or the equivalent of and no less than 2,000 hours (one year) experience as a manager or in an administrative position with a licensed and current private patrol operator. One year of experience consists of 2,000 hours.
  • Private Investigator: Military veterans can use their military police officer experience conducting investigations towards the hours required to become a licensed Private Investigator.
  • Baton Instructor: Licensure requires an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice, or the equivalent, and a baton instructor certificate issued by a federal, state or local agency, or one year of verifiable baton teaching experience, or its equivalent. Experience in baton training in a military setting can be used to help satisfy this requirement.
  • Firearm Instructor: Licensure requires an Associate's Degree in the Administration of Justice, or one year of teaching and training experience and possession of a police or security firearms instructor training certificate issued by the National Rifle Association, or a firearms instructor training certificate issued by a federal, state or local agency. Experience in firearms training in a military setting can be used to help satisfy this requirement.

CAN MY GI BENEFITS PAY FOR MY LICENSING & CERTIFICATION TEST?

You can receive reimbursement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for many of the licensing and certification tests the State of California administers. The following certification and licensing tests administered by the Bureau have been approved for VA reimbursement:

  • Private Patrol Operator, Qualified Manager
  • Alarm Company Operator, Qualified Manager
  • Private Investigator, Qualified Manager
  • Repossession Agency, Qualified Manager

Currently, the VA will only pay for the costs of the tests and not other fees connected with obtaining a license or certification. For more information on reimbursement, please see the Federal Department of Veteran Affairs website at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/ .

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

These are additional resources for veterans:

Professional License Portability and State Registration for Servicemembers and their Spouses

The federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) authorizes service members or their spouses who currently hold a valid license in good standing in another state, district, or territory to practice in California within the same profession or vocation, if they relocate to California because of military orders. For individuals who desire to practice in California under the terms of the SCRA, please visit: https://www.dca.ca.gov/military/federal.shtml.