As the New Year approaches, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) wants to remind those working or operating in the alarm security industry that a long-anticipated change is coming to its application process.
The passage of AB 830 in 2021 mandates that all alarm-industry applications must be submitted online. The bill went into effect on July 1, 2022, with a six-month grace period allowed by BSIS. That will expire after Dec. 31 of this year.
As of Jan. 1, 2023, BSIS alarm applicants must visit https://www.bsis.ca.gov/licenses.shtml and proceed to “Click Here to Apply Now” to begin the online application process. This will take applicants to the BreEZe system. The use of a desktop computer is recommended.
Although you can still submit mail applications until the end of this year, both initial applicants and renewals are encouraged to apply online. Anyone with questions is asked to email the bureau at bsis@dca.ca.gov. To see an estimated timeframe of processing times, visit https://www.bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/app_processing_timeframes.shtml.
The BSIS started licensing private detectives in 1915. In addition to tracking down and apprehending criminals, the early private security industry performed many other duties now associated with federal and state law enforcement: guarding interstate railroad and stagecoach shipments, investigating crimes and providing security advice to banks and other businesses that were frequent targets of outlaws. Much of this work diminished when federal and local agencies improved their law enforcement capabilities shortly after the turn of the 20th century.
BSIS has since grown to license security guards, private patrol operators, alarm companies and employees, locksmiths companies and employees, repossession agencies and agents, proprietary private security employers and employees, training facilities, training instructors, baton permits, and firearms permits. For more information about BSIS, check the license, or file a complaint, visit www.bsis.ca.gov.
