Your success in the security industry depends greatly on the amount of training and experience you have. These go hand in hand, without training, you will not be able to gain more experience because you will be limited in your post assignment options.

Security First recommends the following path to security career success:

1. Attain your basic BSIS Guard Card, and begin working unarmed ASAP. Take a variety of unarmed assignments. Take all the assignments you are offered and gain some basic experience in commercial and residential security.
2. Attain the extended plus 32 hour BSIS certification. (AB-2880) This gets you work in more sensitive areas, work in government contracts and high end clients. It is also the industry logical extension to your previous power to arrest coursework. It is also required to continue employment with Security First and you are required by BSIS to complete the additional 32 hours. Security First H.R. needs a copy of this certificate as soon as you have it for your employee file.
3. Get your CPR certification. It is an important skill often required by contractors who seek permanent security officers.
4. Move from "Guard" to officer by certifications and permits for various industry equipment... In this order, acquire the following certificates, permits and California State required licenses:
   1. 32 hour AB-2880
   2. CPR/First Aid (OPTIONS)
   3. O.C. Spray Certification (OPTIONS)
   4. Handcuffing Certification (OPTIONS)
   5. Baton Certification (OPTIONS)
   6. E.C.D. / Taser Certification (OPTIONS)
   7. Open Carry Firearm Certification (OPTIONS)
   8. Concealed Carry Certification (Special)
   9. RE-QUALIFY OFTEN, KEEP ALL PERMITS UP TO DATE!!!

Before you acquire a duty belt item, acquire the needed permit. Then train like you fight. While many instruction classes are online or in short seminar style to get you certified, you still must follow up with the state for many items to get clearance to carry, and if you plan to carry any of these items, you will want to become very familiar with their use in training.

Security First currently uses Keiko Arroyo and Advanced Tactical Solutions for Firearms and Security "basics" training. His training is provided in the classroom environment for theory, and the shooting range for practice and qualifications. Other certification instruction can be found through a wide selection of local training centers. We have provided links above to a few of them.

Quick online basic officer certifications can be achieved through Practical Defense Systems online at PDSCLASSES.COM that will have officers equipped with the basic officer level certifications within a week of online training.

In Person training that is not offered by Security First can often be found at the Security Officer Training Center. https://sotcnow.com/

NOTE: Many fresh officers make the mistake of going straight for exposed firearms certification after their initial guard guard. THIS IS A MISTAKE. Reputable security companies will not employ an armed guard who is not certified, trained and licensed for escalation of force. Follow the above order of training and certification, and you will find yourself quickly in armed employment with a good work record, otherwise, one will find themselves backtracking for several non-lethal certifications required by employers to limit liability.