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BSIS Module I.A · Pre-Assignment

The 8 hours that license you to work.

California requires every new security officer to complete 8 hours of Powers to Arrest training before being assigned to a post. Under SB 652 (effective January 2026), 4 of those hours must be in-person — and both halves must be delivered by the same BSIS-licensed training provider. This is that course.

SB 652-compliant hybrid Completion certificate Finish in 1–2 days Required before posting
A California security officer at a quiet commercial property post

What you'll learn

Thirteen chapters covering every BSIS-mandated Powers to Arrest topic, anchored in California Penal Code and Business & Professions Code citations. Every chapter ends with a knowledge check that maps directly to one of the fourteen learning objectives.

Part 1 · Online · 4 hours
10
Responsibilities & Ethics in Citizen Arrest
Authority · color-of-authority trap (PC §538d)
~20 min
11
Liabilities — Officer · Employer · Client
Civil + criminal exposure (16 CCR §643)
~20 min
12
Powers of Citizen's Arrest
The three §837 predicates · PC §841 notice
~20 min
13
Limitations on Authority
Impersonation · detention duration · interrogation
~20 min
14
Search & Seizure
Consent · weapons frisk · what's prohibited
~20 min
15
Trespass
PC §602 / §602.5 · posted-notice standard
~20 min
16
Use of Force
PC §835a · de-escalation · use-of-force continuum
~25 min
17
Procedures for Making a Citizen Arrest
Ten-step sequence · §841 notice · handcuffing
~25 min
18
Misdemeanor vs. Felony Arrest
Presence requirement · reasonable cause · examples
~20 min
19
Reporting & Documenting an Arrest
12-element incident report · objectivity discipline
~20 min
20
Surrendering the Suspect
PC §847(a) · custody transfer · post-decline release
~15 min
21
Weapons & Equipment Restrictions
Firearms · baton · OC spray permits (BPC §7583.5/.12)
~15 min
22
Code of Ethics & Professionalism
Whitestar Code · the one-sentence ethics test
~15 min
Assessment
30
Section 1 — True / False
15 questions · 80% to pass
~10 min
31
Section 2 — Multiple Choice
20 questions · 80% to pass · advances to Part 2
~20 min
Part 2 · In-Person · 4 hours (SB 652-required)
40
Facilitated Practical Session
Use-of-force continuum demo · handcuffing · §841 role-plays · practical rubric · sign-in attestation
4 hr
Under SB 652 (amending BPC §7583.6, effective January 1, 2026), the 8-hour Powers to Arrest course must be delivered with 4 hours in-person and 4 hours online by the same BSIS-licensed training provider. A student who completes only Part 1 has not satisfied the pre-assignment requirement and may not lawfully be posted. Final licensing decisions are made by BSIS — always verify with BSIS directly.
Who this is for
  • People applying for a first California guard card
  • Guards whose Powers-to-Arrest certificate has lapsed
  • Out-of-state security professionals moving to California
  • Whitestar contract personnel needing the pre-assignment hours before deployment
Eligibility
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Government-issued photo ID for the in-person session
  • Reading comprehension at a high-school level
  • Able to attend a Whitestar in-person session within 30 days of completing Part 1
What makes this course different
  • Original Whitestar-authored content — every legal claim cites the statute
  • Hybrid by design — no last-minute scramble for in-person hours
  • Practical rubric scoring, not just multiple-choice memorization
  • Pass-or-remediate model: failed items send you back to the cited objective

What happens next

From enrollment to BSIS-ready certificate, here's the sequence.

1
Enroll & start Part 1 online
Open the 13 chapters in order on any device. Progress is saved between sessions. Average completion: 3–4 hours of focused reading.
2
Pass the written assessment
15 True/False + 20 Multiple Choice. Score 80% on each section to advance. Failed items return you to the cited learning objective for remediation.
3
Schedule the in-person session
Reserve a 4-hour Whitestar facilitated session at the location nearest you. Bring your government-issued ID and your Part 1 completion record.
4
Complete the practical evaluation
Use-of-force continuum demonstration, handcuffing fundamentals, §841 notice role-plays, and a 10-item practical rubric. Pass = 70% with no critical failures.
5
Receive your completion certificate
Issued the same day after sign-out. Your serial is verifiable by any employer. Whitestar retains the training record for the period required by 16 CCR §643.

Related courses

This 8-hour module is the pre-assignment requirement. If you're starting from zero, you'll also need the additional 32 hours of BSIS modules within 6 months of registration.

40-Hour Guard Card · New (Hybrid)
Includes this 8-hour Powers to Arrest plus the remaining 32 hours of BSIS modules. Best value if you've never held a guard card.
$129View course →
Exposed Firearm Permit
14-hour course + 4-hour live range qualification. Required to carry on duty under BPC §7583.12.
$398View course →
Baton Permit
8 hours of BSIS-approved baton training. Required for any on-duty baton carry.
$119View course →