Armed Guard · BSIS Firearms Permit · 14-Hr Course + Range

Carry on duty.
Earn more.

California armed guards earn $26–$34/hr starting — $45+/hr in EP and corporate roles. Get qualified with the 14-hour BSIS firearms course, live-fire range qualification, and full Firearms Permit submission support.

Enroll Now · $398 Eligibility Check
14-Hour Course
BSIS-aligned · CA-specific
5–10 Day Finish
Course + range + permit
$26–34/hr
Typical CA armed pay
What's Included

Course. Range. Permit. One bundle.

Most California training providers separate the course, the range qualification, and the BSIS application. We handle all three in one bundle so you finish faster — and at a lower combined cost.

14-Hour BSIS Firearms Course
CA-specific firearms law, weapons handling, judgment scenarios, mechanical operation, ammunition, moral and ethical use of force. Online + in-person components.
Live-Fire Range Qualification
Range qualification at one of our approved partner ranges in LA, San Diego, Bay Area, Sacramento, Central Valley. Targets and ammo provided. Bring your own approved firearm or rent on-site.
BSIS Firearms Permit Submission
Pre-filled application, Live Scan walkthrough, qualification certificate auto-attached. We send you a checklist and walk you through the BSIS portal step by step.
Written Exam Prep
Unlimited practice tests covering CA firearms law, judgment scenarios, weapons safety, and mechanics. Most students pass first try after 2–3 practice runs.
Issued Permit Certificate
A serialized certificate proving course completion + range qualification, employer-verifiable, and ready to attach to your BSIS Firearms Permit application.
Annual Re-qualification Reminders
CA firearms permits require annual range re-qualification. We'll remind you 30 days before, with a discount code for your next round attached.
Eligibility & Requirements

Who can apply for a BSIS Firearms Permit.

California has stricter eligibility for armed guards than for new guard cards. Confirm before you pay — we'll route you to a free 5-minute eligibility check if anything looks off.

Required to apply
  • Active California guard card (security registration)
  • 21 years of age or older
  • U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
  • Eligible to possess a firearm under federal and California law
  • Pass Live Scan + DOJ + FBI background check
Disqualifying conditions
  • Felony conviction (state or federal)
  • Certain misdemeanor convictions involving violence, drugs, or weapons
  • Active restraining order or domestic-violence record
  • Mental-health adjudication restricting firearm possession
  • Dishonorable discharge from US military
Compliance Note
Eligibility for a BSIS Firearms Permit is determined by BSIS, the California DOJ, and federal law (ATF). Our 5-minute pre-check is informational only — final eligibility is set by the agencies.
Why Armed

Armed guards earn $8–12 more per hour on average.

Banks, dispensaries, hospitals, secure transport, casinos, and high-end corporate posts all pay armed-guard premiums. The 14-hour course pays for itself within 1–2 weeks of armed-rate work.

Enroll · $398 See Career Ladder
Avg pay lift
+$10/hr
~$20K/year on full-time
Timeline

From "Enroll Now" to armed and earning.

Most students finish in 5–10 days. BSIS typically issues the Firearms Permit within 2–4 weeks after submission.

1
Confirm eligibility · 5 minutes
We verify your guard card is active and run our pre-check on disqualifying conditions before you pay.
2
Complete 14-hour BSIS firearms course · 2–4 days
Online + in-person components covering CA firearms law, weapons mechanics, judgment scenarios, ethical use of force.
3
Pass written exam · same day
Unlimited practice tests until you're confident. Most students pass on the first official attempt.
4
Live-fire range qualification · scheduled
Range qualification at one of our approved partners. Bring your own firearm or rent on-site. Targets + ammo provided.
5
Submit Firearms Permit to BSIS
Pre-filled application with course + range certs auto-attached. We walk you through the BSIS portal.
6
BSIS issues Firearms Permit · 2–4 weeks
Once issued, you can legally carry on duty in California. Permit is separate from your guard card and must be renewed annually.
Start Armed Path · $398
Armed Guard FAQ

The questions armed candidates ask first.

Do I need a guard card before I can get a Firearms Permit?
Yes. You need an active California guard card before BSIS will issue a Firearms Permit. If you're new to security entirely, start with our 40-hour New Guard Card first, then add the firearms course.
Do I have to bring my own firearm to the range?
No. You can rent an approved firearm at every partner range we use. Bringing your own works too — must be a BSIS-approved caliber and configuration. We'll send a list when you enroll.
How much do California armed guards earn?
Typical range: $26–34/hr starting, climbing to $45+/hr in EP and corporate roles. Specific assignments — bank, hospital, dispensary, casino, secure transport — pay armed-rate premiums on top of base.
How often do I have to re-qualify?
California requires annual range re-qualification for all Firearms Permit holders. We'll remind you 30 days before with a discount code attached.
What if I have a misdemeanor on my record?
Some misdemeanors disqualify (violence, drugs, weapons-related), others don't. The federal Lautenberg Amendment also blocks anyone with a domestic-violence misdemeanor. Run our free pre-check before paying for the course.

Get qualified. Earn more.

14 hours, 5–10 days, and a permit that pays for itself within two weeks of armed-rate work.

Enroll · $398 Talk to the AI Navigator
Enroll Armed · $398
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