Security guard management software for California security companies

Schedule guards across every California site, prove they were on post, record patrols and incidents, and keep copies of their BSIS guard registration on file, in one platform.

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What software do California security companies use to manage guards?

California security companies use security guard management software to schedule guards, verify they were on site, record patrols and incidents, and report to clients. ForceVera does this in one platform: shifts published to guards' phones, a geofenced time clock, QR patrol checkpoints, incident and daily reports, dispatch and a client portal. Guards can upload a photo of their BSIS security guard registration (guard card) so a copy sits on their profile.

Licensing in California

Who licenses security guards in California

Regulator: Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

Security guard registration (guard card)Anyone working as a security guard in California needs a security guard registration from BSIS, commonly called a guard card. Applicants must be at least 18 and complete a criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice and the FBI using Live Scan fingerprinting.

Training before and after registrationPower to Arrest training must be completed before the registration is issued. BSIS then requires 32 hours of security officer skills training within the first six months of registration, and 8 hours of continuing training every year.

RenewalBSIS asks for renewal applications at least 60 days before the registration expires; a registration not renewed within 60 days after it expires is canceled.

Overtime for security guards in California

California has daily overtime as well as weekly overtime. Under the state rules, non-exempt employees are paid time and a half for hours over 8 in a workday or over 40 in a workweek, and for the first 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek; hours over 12 in a workday, and over 8 on that seventh day, are paid at double time. A 12-hour guard shift therefore includes 4 hours of overtime in California unless an exception applies.

Estimate the overtime in a schedule with our free security guard overtime calculator, or work out headcount with the 24/7 coverage calculator.

How ForceVera helps

Run your California guard operation in one platform

Guard cards on fileGuards upload a photo of their guard card in the guard app, so a copy sits on their profile. ForceVera does not check registrations with BSIS or warn you before one expires.

Hours to check against daily overtimeTimesheets show each guard's hours shift by shift and export to CSV or Excel, so your payroll team can apply California's daily overtime and double-time rules. ForceVera's client invoices apply a weekly overtime threshold; they do not calculate California daily overtime.

Schedules on every guard's phonePlan the week by site and guard, including recurring and overnight shifts, publish it to the guard app and send reminders before each shift.

Proof guards were on postGuards clock in and start breaks only inside the site's geofence with a PIN; leaving the site, going idle or clocking out off site is flagged.

Proof of patrolQR checkpoints scanned from the guard app, with missed and late tour alerts and time-stamped, located scans.

Reports clients trustIncident and daily activity reports with photos from the guard app, and branded daily reports emailed to clients.

ForceVera keeps records; it does not make a company compliant with state law. See all features or see pricing.

FAQ

Security companies in California: questions, answered

Who licenses security guards in California?

The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. A security guard needs a BSIS security guard registration, commonly called a guard card.

What training does a California guard card need?

BSIS requires Power to Arrest training before the registration is issued, 32 hours of security officer skills training within the first six months, and 8 hours of continuing training each year. Check the BSIS fact sheet for the current rules.

Does ForceVera calculate California daily overtime?

Not automatically. Timesheets show the hours each guard worked shift by shift, ready to export to your payroll system, which should apply the daily overtime and double-time rules. ForceVera's client invoices use a weekly overtime threshold. Our free overtime calculator can estimate California daily overtime for a schedule.

Can ForceVera track guard card expiry dates?

No. Guards can upload a photo of their guard card and it is kept on their profile, but ForceVera does not check registrations with BSIS or remind you before they expire.

Is this legal advice?

No. This page summarizes information published by California state agencies as of October 2026. Rules change and exceptions apply, so check the official sources or ask an employment lawyer.

Official sources

Checked October 2026. Licensing and wage rules change, so confirm them with the agency before you rely on them. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Other states: Texas · Florida · New York · Illinois · all US states.

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