Bureau of Security and Investigative Services

Join us for a live webinar on 11/21 at 5p (PST) to learn about licensing resources available to military members and families. Active-duty military, spouses/domestic partners, veterans, and others that support the military community are encouraged to attend. More info: https://www.dca.ca.gov/military/live_webinar.shtml

Our Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for Nov. 21, 2024 has been canceled.

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) has updated the Biennial Fi****ms Permit Qualification Application, previously known as the Fi****ms Qualification Applicant form. All Firearm Permit Renewal Applications submitted for processing must now include this updated form, which is necessary for DOJ to verify a permit holder's ongoing eligibility to possess a firearm.

As of October 17, 2024, the new Biennial Fi****ms Permit Qualification Application is available on the Bureau's website at the following link: https://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/fi****ms_qualification.pdf.

Please note that starting December 1, 2024, the Bureau will only accept the revised Biennial Fi****ms Permit Qualification Application.

NOTICE: POWERS TO ARREST AND APPROPRIATE USE OF FORCE EXAM UPDATE: Based on inquiries and feedback from the industry, BSIS has revised questions 8, 10, 11, 17, and 36 on the BSIS Powers to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force Exam. It's available here: https://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/poa_appropriate_force.pdf.

If you are authorized to provide training, please reach out to the Bureau via email at [email protected] for a copy of the updated answer key.

** IMPORTANT BUREAU UPDATE AND GUIDANCE ON POWER TO ARREST/USE OF FORCE TRAINING **

Recent legislation (AB 229, Chapter 697, Statutes of 2021) AB 229 expanded the Bureau’s Power to Arrest and fi****ms trainings to include topics on the appropriate use of force. AB 229 also mandated that at least half of the new training be in-person only.

The Bureau has seen an uptick in the number of complaints from applicants and licensees who are doing a portion of their training online, and then having to find a trainer to complete the in-person portion. The Bureau does not accept multiple training certificates for the Power to Arrest/Use of Force (PTA/UOF) training, nor do we accept multiple instructors signing off on a single certificate. (See Business and Professions Code 7583.10.)

The Bureau strongly recommends that all applicants and licensees get their training from a single source trainer and training facility, as it will not accept multiple certificates for the PTA/UOF training.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Bureau at [email protected].

NEW: Expedited licensure application processing now available to servicemembers enrolled in SkillBridge. For details, visit https://www.dca.ca.gov/military/

The Bureau has updated its Fi****ms Qualification Training Written Examination. If you are a licensed Fi****ms Training Instructor/Facility, please contact us at [email protected] to request a copy of the updated examination.

We are LIVE! Join DCA staff as we explain licensing resources available to veterans, active-duty military members and their spouses/domestic partners. Watch here: https://www.dca.ca.gov/military/live_webinar.shtml

LICENSEE ALERT: Check your baton permit status on BreEZe. If you were issued a baton permit prior to January 1, 2024, and it is not showing as current on BreEZe, that means it is not properly associated with a current and valid qualifying license. A baton permit is only valid when associated to a qualifying license. To associate your baton permit with your qualifying license, email the Bureau at [email protected] with a front and back copy of your baton permit that clearly shows the date of completion, the facility name/license number and trainer signature/license number so the Bureau can verify and associate your permit. The Bureau will continue to assist individuals with associating a previously issued baton permit to their qualifying license until June 1, 2024. Individuals who do not get their baton permits associated to their qualifying license before June 1, 2024, will have to apply for a new baton permit.

Stay up-to-date with Bureau announcements, weekly license suspension and revocation notices, and proposed regulations. Subscribe at https://www.bsis.ca.gov/subscriptions.shtml to receive email notifications from the Bureau.

Looking for an opportunity to serve your community and contribute to consumer protection? We are looking for bureau advisory group members who are passionate about serving California. Apply: https://www.dca.ca.gov/about_us/board_members/appointment.shtml