Bureau of Security and Investigative Services

What Bureau of Security and Investigative Services does

The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) is a California state regulatory bureau operating under the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), headquartered at 2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 270, Sacramento, with a mailing address in West Sacramento. The Bureau licenses and regulates five distinct verticals: Alarm, Locksmith, Private Investigator, Private Security Services, and Repossession industries, issuing individual registrations (security guards, alarm agents, locksmith employees, proprietary security officers, repossession employees), company licenses (Alarm Company Operators, Locksmith Companies, Private Investigators, Private Patrol Operators, Proprietary Private Security Employers, Repossession Agencies), qualified manager certificates, and training facility/instructor certifications for baton and firearms instruction. Its mission, as stated, is to protect and serve the public and consumers through effective regulatory oversight of the professions within its jurisdiction.

BSIS operates primarily through the DCA BreEZe Online Services platform for electronic license applications, renewals, and credit card payments (Discover, MasterCard, Visa), with in-person, mail, and fax channels available. Criminal history background checks are conducted via the California DOJ and FBI Live Scan electronic fingerprinting system ($49 for standard license types, $87 for firearms permits), with hard card processing available for out-of-state applicants. The Bureau has contracted PSI Services LLC to administer the $69 16pf personality assessment required for armed security guard firearms permits, and consults with POST on school security guard training curriculum. Reciprocity agreements exist with Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Oregon for private investigators.

Revenue is generated through licensing and regulatory fees (initial applications, renewals, delinquent renewals, replacements, exam fees, and assessment fees) under the California Department of Consumer Affairs; no revenue figures are publicly disclosed. The Bureau is led by Bureau Chief Lynne Jensen, under Agency Secretary Rohit Chopra and DCA Acting Director Christine Lally, with Governor Gavin Newsom overseeing the broader state government. Distribution occurs via BreEZe (self-serve), a physical front counter, mail/fax, the DCA Consumer Information Center phone line, and PSI testing centers. Recent strategic activity centers on regulatory amendments, including fee changes effective October 1, 2025, a new proposed rulemaking in February 2026, Power to Arrest training updates approved in 2023, and AB 2138 implementation in 2021.

Name

Bureau of Security and Investigative Services

Legal name

Bureau of Security and Investigative Services

Website

https://bsis.ca.gov

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bureau of Security and Investigative Services is a California state regulatory bureau under the Department of Consumer Affairs that licenses and regulates the alarm, locksmith, private investigator, private security services, and repossession industries through applications, renewals, and background checks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Licensing and Regulatory Services

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150), Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities (922)

SIC

Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)

akta.pro primary industry

Licensing & Permitting Authorities (General) (BPAIAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Health, Safety & Building Code Regulators (Inspections) (BPAIAOAG)

Keywords

• Security guard licensing
• Private investigator licensing
• Alarm company regulation
• Locksmith company licensing
• Repossession agency licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Licensing and Regulatory Fees: BSIS generates revenue through licensing fees from regulated industries including alarm companies, locksmiths, private investigators, private security services, and repossession agencies. Fees include initial applications, renewals, delinquent renewals, replacements, and exam fees. The Bureau is funded through these regulatory fees under the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
2. Firearms Permit Fees: Fees for firearms permits include initial applications ($110), renewal applications ($126 including DOJ FQA fee), and replacement permits ($25). Assessment fees of $69 are collected by PSI Services LLC for the 16pf personality assessment required for armed security guards.
3. Training Facility and Instructor Certification: Certification fees for baton training facilities ($770 initial, $605 renewal) and firearms training facilities ($880 initial), plus training instructor certifications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) licenses and regulates the Alarm, Locksmith, Private Investigator, Private Security Services, and Repossession Industries in California. Its core offerings include individual professional registrations (security guards, alarm agents, locksmith employees, proprietary security officers, repossession agency employees), company-level licenses (alarm operators, locksmith companies, private investigators, private patrol operators, repossession agencies), qualified manager certificates, firearms and baton permits, and certification of training facilities and instructors. The Bureau's mission is to protect and serve the public and consumers through effective regulatory oversight of these professions.

Product overview

The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) is a California state regulatory agency that does not offer a unified product or platform in the traditional sense. Instead, it provides a comprehensive suite of licensing and registration services for the Alarm, Locksmith, Private Investigator, Private Security Services, and Repossession Industries. The primary service offering is the BreEZe Online Services portal for license applications and renewals. The licensing portfolio includes individual registrations (Security Guard, Firearms Permit, Baton Permit, Alarm Agent, Locksmith Employee, Proprietary Security Officer, Repossession Agency Employee), company licenses (Alarm Company Operator, Locksmith Company, Private Investigator, Private Patrol Operator, Proprietary Security Employer, Repossession Agency), qualified manager certificates for various industry roles, and training facility/instructor certifications for baton and firearms instruction. All services are processed through the BreEZe platform with processing times varying by license type.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Security Guard Registration Registration service for individuals seeking to work as security guards in California, including initial applications, biennial renewals, delinquent renewals, replacement guard cards, and incident reporting. Required for any individual performing security guard duties in California.
• Firearms Permit Permit for security personnel to carry exposed firearms while on duty. Requires passing the 16pf personality assessment administered by PSI Services LLC. Includes initial application, renewal, replacement, and add-calendar/add-qualifying-license provisions.
• Baton Permit Permit for security personnel authorized to carry batons while on duty in California. Available to individuals who complete required baton training at a BSIS-certified baton training facility.
• Alarm Agent Registration Registration for individual alarm company employees (alarm agents) working in the California alarm industry under a licensed Alarm Company Operator.
• Alarm Company Operator License (with Qualified Manager Certificate) License for alarm companies (sole ownership, partnership, corporation, or LLC) including branch office certificates and Alarm Company Operator Qualified Manager certification. Required to legally operate an alarm business in California.
• Locksmith Employee Registration Registration for individual locksmith employees working for licensed locksmith companies providing locksmith services in California.
• Locksmith Company License License for locksmith companies (including branch offices) operating in California. Required to legally offer locksmith services including mobile service vehicles.
• Private Investigator License (with Qualified Manager Certificate) License for private investigators and investigative agencies (sole ownership, partnership, corporation, or LLC) operating in California, including branch office certificates and Private Investigator Qualified Manager certification. Includes an Enhanced Photo ID Card. Reciprocity is recognized with Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Oregon.
• Private Patrol Operator License (with Qualified Manager Certificate) License for companies providing contracted private security patrol services to persons and property in California, including Private Patrol Operator Qualified Manager certification and pocket card issuance. Required for any company offering contract security guard/patrol services.
• Proprietary Private Security Employer Registration Registration for companies that employ security officers (Proprietary Security Employers) solely for internal/proprietary security purposes rather than contracted patrol services.
• Proprietary Private Security Officer Registration Registration for individual security officers (Proprietary Security Officers) working for a single Proprietary Private Security Employer. Required for PSOs performing internal security duties for their non-security employer.
• Repossession Agency Employee Registration Registration for individual employees of licensed repossession agencies performing collateral recovery services in California. Includes re-registration, renewal, and delinquent renewal processing.
• Repossession Agency License (with Qualified Manager Certificate) License for repossession agencies performing collateral recovery services in California, including Repossession Agency Qualified Manager certification. First renewal cycle is one year; subsequent cycles are two years. Subjects agencies and employees to violent act reporting requirements and badge/patch approval.
• Baton Training Facility and Instructor Certification Certification for baton training facilities (initial and biennial renewal) and for individual instructors teaching baton training to security personnel in California. Required for any facility or instructor providing regulated baton training.
• Firearms Training Facility and Instructor Certification Certification for firearms training facilities (initial and biennial renewal) and for individual instructors teaching firearms training to security personnel in California. Required for any facility or instructor providing regulated firearms training.

Quantifiable outcome

• Provides public protection through licensing and regulation of security and investigative professionals

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)coreOthersBSIS operates under the California Department of Consumer Affairs, which provides administrative oversight, shared services including BreEZe licensing platform, cashiering, and consumer information center support. DCA leadership includes Agency Secretary Rohit Chopra and Acting Director Christine Lally.
• California Department of Justice (DOJ)coreOthersDOJ conducts criminal history background checks for all BSIS license applicants through Live Scan electronic fingerprinting system and hard card fingerprint submissions. DOJ fingerprint fees are $32 per applicant.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)coreOthersFBI conducts federal criminal history background checks for BSIS license applicants as part of the comprehensive background investigation process. FBI fingerprint fees are $17 per applicant.
• Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST)minorOthersBSIS consults with POST in developing training curriculum for school security guards. POST-certified instructors are recommended for teaching the required 24-hour school security guard training course per BPC section 7583.45.
• PSI Services LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationBSIS has contracted with PSI Services LLC to administer the 16pf (Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire) firearms assessment for security guard applicants seeking to carry exposed firearms. PSI operates testing centers throughout California where applicants take the $69 assessment.
• Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)minorOthersBSIS-certified training facilities may be required to register with BPPE if students use state/federal financial aid or if total training charges exceed $2,500 per BPC section 7583.45.
• Attorney General's Office - CaliforniacoreOthersThe Attorney General's website provides the Live Scan site locator (oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations) enabling applicants to find nearest Live Scan operators for electronic fingerprint submission.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST): Oregon's state agency that licenses and regulates private security, alarm, private investigators, locksmiths, and related professions — the closest mandate overlap to BSIS, covering nearly all of the same industries in a different state.
• New York State Department of State — Division of Licensing Services: New York's state-level licensing authority that issues private investigator and watch, guard, and patrol agency licenses — comparable function and structure to BSIS, though covering a different state.
• Pennsylvania Department of State — Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs: Pennsylvania's central licensing authority that issues private investigator and other security-related professional licenses — comparable state-level professional licensing model.
• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation: Illinois's state agency that licenses private detectives, security services, and alarm contractors — directly comparable in mandate and structure to BSIS, covering overlapping security professions.
• Washington State Department of Licensing — Business and Professions Division: Washington's state-level licensing body that administers private security guard and investigator licenses — analogous state regulatory function covering overlapping professions.
• Texas Department of Public Safety — Regulatory Services Division: Texas state regulator that licenses private security, alarm companies, and locksmiths — a structurally analogous state-level licensing authority for security professions, though on a larger geographic scale.
• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services — Division of Licensing: Florida's state regulator that issues licenses for private investigators, private security, and repossession-related professions — directly comparable mandate to BSIS's regulated industries.
• Nevada Private Investigator's Licensing Board: Nevada's specialized state licensing board for private investigators, with a narrower but directly comparable licensing and regulatory mandate to BSIS's PI regulation.

Broad incumbents

• California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA): BSIS's parent agency that oversees ~30 boards and bureaus covering dozens of licensed professions — a broader incumbent that provides shared services (BreEZe, cashiering, consumer information) under which BSIS operates.

Others

• California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST): Adjacent California state agency that sets training standards for sworn peace officers; BSIS consults with POST on school security guard training curriculum — a sibling regulator rather than a direct competitor, providing related public safety workforce oversight.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=ilwRLhZLtAc&feature=youtu.be&t=259
• Facebookfacebook.com/BSISofCA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bureau-of-security-and-investigative-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Bureau of Security and Investigative Services