Do I Need Experience to Become a Security Guard?

More than a million security guards hold jobs throughout the United States, and the market for security personnel is expected to outpace average growth across all industry sectors. Working as a security guard can make it possible for you to earn a good living while doing your part to increase public safety. If you’re interested in working as a security guard, you may wonder if you need experience. While you may not necessarily need to have worked in a security position in the past to get hired for one in the future, you do need the right credentials. This means getting a guard card and then completing further education.

A Guard Card Can Give You Experience to Get a Security Job

If you want to become a security guard, the first step is to get a guard card. This involves taking an eight hour course which has been approved by the CA Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). Once you’ve got your guard card and have begun work as a security guard, you’ll need to get additional training, including eight four-hour courses. There’s a specific schedule for completing your courses but by the end you’ll have a total of 40 hours of security guard training. As you take your guard card courses, you’ll learn the types of practical things you need to know to excel in the field of security. While you don’t need to have real-world work experience as a security guard when first starting out, building a strong foundation and learning the essentials of being an effective security guard is key to finding work and doing well at it. The good news is, you can get your guard card online and take continuing courses online so you can complete the requirements to enjoy a lucrative and rewarding new job as a security guard! Check out the available online courses to begin.