Lost your California guard card? Whether your security guard registration card was lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed, you can request a replacement from the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS).
The important thing is to act quickly.
California requires security guards to notify their employer and apply for a replacement registration card within 72 hours after their card is lost, stolen, or destroyed.
The current BSIS guard card replacement fee is $25.
This guide explains how to replace a lost guard card in California, where to submit your replacement application, how to check your registration status, and what to do while waiting for your new card.
Lost Your Guard Card? Here’s What to Do First
If you cannot find your California security guard registration card, follow these steps:
- Notify your employer. California requires you to report the loss to your employer within 72 hours.
- Check your registration status. Confirm that your BSIS guard card registration is current and valid.
- Request a replacement. Submit the appropriate replacement application to BSIS within 72 hours.
- Pay the $25 replacement fee. Your application cannot be processed without the required payment.
- Keep proof of your request. Save your confirmation or a copy of your completed application.
- Confirm your work documentation. Ask BSIS or your employer what documentation is required while your replacement is pending.
Important: Losing your physical guard card does not automatically cancel your security guard registration. However, you must follow California’s reporting and replacement requirements.
How to Replace a Lost Guard Card in California
There are two ways to request a replacement security guard registration card: through California’s BreEZe licensing system, when the replacement service is available for your registration, or by submitting the official BSIS replacement application.
Option 1: Request a Replacement Through BreEZe
BreEZe is California’s online professional licensing system.
It allows individuals to access licensing services provided by the Department of Consumer Affairs, including services for BSIS registrants.
To request a replacement:
Step 1: Visit the official BreEZe website.
Open the California BreEZe licensing portal.
Step 2: Sign in to your account.
Enter your username and password.
If you have not created an account, follow the registration instructions.
Step 3: Locate your security guard registration.
Find your existing BSIS security guard registration within your account.
You may need to associate your registration with your BreEZe profile.
Step 4: Look for the replacement service.
If available, select the option to request a duplicate or replacement registration card.
Step 5: Review your information.
Verify your name, registration number, and mailing address.
Step 6: Submit the request and payment.
Complete the available instructions and pay the required fee.
Step 7: Save your confirmation.
Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for your records.
ACCESS THE OFFICIAL CALIFORNIA BREEZE PORTAL →
If the replacement transaction is not available in your BreEZe account, use the official paper application or contact BSIS for assistance.
If you’re unfamiliar with California’s online licensing portal, our BreEZe CA.gov login guide explains how to access your account, locate your BSIS registration, check application information, and navigate available licensing services. You can use this resource before attempting to request a replacement card online.
Option 2: Submit the BSIS Replacement Application by Mail
BSIS provides an official form titled:
Application for Replacement of Security Guard Registration Card
This form is specifically for individuals who already hold a California security guard registration and need a replacement physical card.
Step 1: Download the Replacement Form
Obtain the current form from the official BSIS website.
DOWNLOAD THE BSIS GUARD CARD REPLACEMENT FORM →
Step 2: Complete Your Information
The application requests information such as:
- Full legal name.
- Security guard registration number.
- Registration expiration date.
- Date of birth.
- SSN or ITIN, as applicable.
- Address of record.
- Residence address.
- Contact information.
Make sure your information matches the Bureau’s records.
Step 3: Explain Why You Need a Replacement
The form allows you to identify whether your card was:
- Lost.
- Stolen.
- Damaged or destroyed.
- In need of replacement for another reason.
You must provide the required explanation.
Step 4: Sign the Application
The official paper application requires a handwritten signature.
Review your answers before signing.
Step 5: Include the $25 Fee
Make your check payable to:
Bureau of Security and Investigative Services or BSIS.
Do not send cash through the mail.
Step 6: Mail Your Application
Send the completed application and payment to:
Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
P.O. Box 989002
West Sacramento, CA 95798-9002
Incomplete applications or missing payments can delay processing.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Lost Guard Card?
As of October 2026, the BSIS replacement fee for a California security guard registration card is $25.
| Service | BSIS Fee |
|---|---|
| Replacement guard card | $25 |
| Regular guard card renewal | $44 |
| Delinquent guard card renewal | $69 |
| Initial guard card application | $60 |
These are government application fees, not training fees.
The replacement fee does not renew your registration or extend its expiration date.
If your registration is expired, you may need to complete a renewal or new application instead.
California’s 72-Hour Lost Guard Card Rule
California regulations require security guards to take action when a Bureau-issued registration card is lost, stolen, or destroyed.
Under Title 16, California Code of Regulations, Section 608.3, a registrant must:
1. Notify their employer within 72 hours.
2. Apply to BSIS for a replacement card within 72 hours.
The requirement applies to lost, destroyed, and stolen registration cards.
What Happens If You Wait Longer Than 72 Hours?
Failing to comply with the reporting and replacement requirements may create regulatory compliance issues.
If you have already missed the deadline, submit the replacement request promptly and contact BSIS for guidance.
Do not assume that waiting until your next renewal is sufficient.
Can You Work If You Lost Your Guard Card?
California generally requires security guards to possess their current registration card while performing regulated security guard duties.
The law provides a specific alternative for individuals whose registration has been approved but whose original physical card has not yet arrived.
However, that initial-issuance exception should not automatically be treated as permission to work after losing an existing physical card.
If your guard card has been lost, notify your employer, submit the replacement application, and verify the documentation required before returning to regulated security duties.
Can You Use a Printed BSIS License Search Result?
A printed license verification can help demonstrate that your registration appears in the state’s database.
However, a license search printout does not necessarily replace the physical registration card for every situation.
Before relying on a printout while waiting for a replacement, confirm the applicable requirements with BSIS and your employer.
How to Check Your Guard Card Status
You can verify your registration through the California Department of Consumer Affairs license search system.
Search using your name or registration number.
Review your:
- Registration status.
- License or registration number.
- Expiration date.
- Publicly available registration information.
CHECK YOUR CALIFORNIA GUARD CARD STATUS →
If your registration is expired, suspended, revoked, or otherwise not in good standing, replacing the physical card will not resolve the underlying licensing issue.
How Long Does It Take to Receive a Replacement Guard Card?
Replacement processing and mailing times can vary.
The total time may depend on:
- Whether you apply online or by mail.
- Whether your application is complete.
- Payment processing.
- The accuracy of your mailing address.
- BSIS processing volume.
- Postal delivery.
BSIS does not provide a guaranteed delivery date for every replacement request.
If your replacement has not arrived after a reasonable period, contact the Bureau to check its status.
BSIS Contact Information
Phone: 916-322-4000
Toll-Free: 800-952-5210
Have your registration number and application information available when contacting the Bureau.
What If Your Guard Card Was Stolen?
If your security guard registration card was stolen, you must follow the same BSIS replacement requirements.
Notify your employer and submit a replacement application within 72 hours.
On the replacement form, select the option indicating that your card was stolen and provide the required explanation.
If the theft involved other identification documents or personal information, consider reporting the incident to law enforcement and taking appropriate steps to protect your identity.
What If Your Guard Card Is Damaged?
A damaged or destroyed security guard registration card may also require replacement.
If the card is unreadable or cannot be used as required, request a new card from BSIS.
Select the damaged or destroyed option on the replacement application and explain the circumstances.
The standard replacement fee is $25.
Lost Guard Card vs. Expired Guard Card: What’s the Difference?
Losing your physical guard card and allowing your registration to expire are two different issues.
| Situation | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Card lost, registration active | Replacement card |
| Card stolen, registration active | Replacement card |
| Card damaged, registration active | Replacement card |
| Registration approaching expiration | Renewal |
| Registration expired but still eligible for renewal | Renewal and applicable fees |
| Registration expired beyond the allowable renewal period | A new registration application may be required |
| Application still pending | Wait for BSIS approval; a replacement request is not the appropriate process |
Losing your physical guard card is different from having an expired security guard registration. If your registration has already expired, requesting a replacement card will not restore your eligibility to work. Read our guide to an expired guard card in California to understand your renewal options, applicable deadlines, and when a new application may be necessary.
What If My Guard Card Is About to Expire?
If your registration is nearing its expiration date, check whether you should renew before requesting a replacement.
A replacement card does not extend the expiration date of your registration.
You may be better served by completing the renewal process if your registration is due to expire soon.
If your security guard registration is approaching its expiration date, you may need to renew your registration rather than simply replace the physical card. Renewal maintains your registration for another term, while replacement only provides a new copy of an existing card. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to renew your California guard card to learn about renewal requirements, fees, and submitting your application.
What If My Guard Card Has Already Expired?
You cannot restore an expired registration simply by requesting a replacement physical card.
Review your eligibility for renewal and submit the appropriate application.
California generally allows security guard registration renewal within a limited period after expiration, subject to the applicable delinquency fee.
If that period has passed, a new application may be required.
Do You Need to Repeat Guard Card Training to Replace a Lost Card?
Generally, no.
If your security guard registration remains valid and you only need to replace the physical card, the replacement process does not ordinarily require you to repeat your initial Power to Arrest training.
You also generally do not need to repeat Live Scan fingerprinting solely because your physical registration card was lost.
However, your ongoing training requirements still apply.
California security guards must continue satisfying applicable annual training requirements and maintaining their training records.
What If You Lost Your Guard Card Certificate Instead?
Your guard card and your training certificates are different documents.
A guard card is issued by BSIS.
Training certificates are issued by the training provider after successful completion of the applicable course.
If you lost your training certificate rather than your physical guard card, contact the school or training provider that issued it.
Need a Replacement Training Certificate From A & C Security Group?
If you previously completed training with A & C Security Group, contact our office to request information about certificate reissuance.
We can review available student records and determine whether a replacement certificate can be provided.
A certificate reissuance fee may apply.
CONTACT A & C SECURITY GROUP →
What If You Moved Before Receiving Your Replacement Card?
Before requesting a replacement, verify that BSIS has your correct mailing address.
The Bureau uses your address of record to send your registration card and official correspondence.
If your address has changed, update your information as instructed by BSIS.
The replacement application includes address information, but changes made through that form may apply only to the specific registration.
If you hold multiple BSIS credentials, you may need to update the address associated with each credential.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lost Guard Cards
How do I replace a lost guard card in California?
Notify your employer, verify your registration status, and submit a replacement request to BSIS. You may be able to request a replacement through BreEZe or by mailing the official replacement application with the $25 fee.
How much is a replacement guard card in California?
The BSIS replacement fee is $25.
How long do I have to report a lost guard card?
California requires security guards to notify their employer and apply for a replacement within 72 hours after their registration card is lost, stolen, or destroyed.
Can I replace my guard card online?
BSIS provides online licensing services through BreEZe. Check your account for an available duplicate or replacement registration transaction. The official paper application is another option.
Can I work without my physical guard card?
California generally requires guards to possess their registration card while on duty. Do not assume that the exception for newly approved registrants waiting for their original card also applies to lost-card replacements. Confirm the requirements with BSIS and your employer.
California has specific requirements concerning the documentation security guards must carry while performing their duties. The rules for someone who has lost an existing card may differ from those for a newly approved applicant waiting for their first physical card. Learn more about working while waiting for your guard card in California, including the distinction between an approved registration and a pending application.
Do I need Live Scan again if I lose my guard card?
Generally, no. A replacement request for an otherwise valid registration does not ordinarily require new fingerprints solely because the physical card was lost.
Do I need to retake my Power to Arrest course?
Generally, no. Replacing a lost physical card is not the same as submitting a new guard card application.
Does a replacement guard card have a new expiration date?
No. Replacing the physical card does not renew or extend your existing registration.
Can I replace an expired guard card?
A replacement card does not restore an expired registration. You must address the expiration through the appropriate renewal or application process.
What if my guard card was stolen?
Notify your employer and apply for a replacement within 72 hours. Identify the card as stolen on the replacement application.
What if I lost my guard card number?
Use the official California license search system to locate your publicly available registration information.
Can A & C Security Group issue a replacement BSIS guard card?
No. Only BSIS issues official California security guard registration cards. A & C Security Group provides security guard training and related services, not replacement state-issued registrations.
Need Guard Card Renewal or Training in Los Angeles?
If you lost your physical guard card but your registration is still active, request a replacement directly from BSIS.
If your registration is expiring, you may need renewal services instead.
A & C Security Group provides California security guard training, including initial guard card training, additional security officer skills training, and annual renewal training.
Our Security Guard Training Services
Initial 8-Hour Guard Card Training — $125
For first-time applicants who need Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force training.
Includes initial training, Live Scan, and application assistance.
All-in-One 40-Hour Package — $515
Includes initial training, additional security officer skills training, Live Scan, and application assistance.
Annual Guard Card Renewal Training
For registered guards who need to complete their continuing training requirements.
VIEW SECURITY GUARD TRAINING OPTIONS →
Visit A & C Security Group
Address: 1605 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 850, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Phone: 877-714-8701
Business Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Walk-In Training Check-In: 10:00 AM–10:30 AM
Replacement registration cards are issued by BSIS. A & C Security Group is an independent training provider and is not the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.