Can an employer ask about my record before offering the job?

Generally no, most covered employers must wait until after a conditional job offer under the Fair Chance Act.

Does BSIS deny every applicant with a record?

No, BSIS reviews the nature, recency, and relevance of convictions rather than issuing an automatic denial for any record.

Can I appeal a BSIS denial?

Yes, denial notices generally explain an appeal or hearing process with a deadline to respond.

Where do I check my guard card application status?

The BSIS website provides license lookup and applicant status tools.

Discrimination, safety & civil rights

Background Checks, Criminal History and Guard Card Denials

Updated 2026-08-04 · 9 min read · Sacramento, CA dispatch

PPO #122730

Short answer

California's Fair Chance Act limits when employers can ask about criminal history, while BSIS separately reviews criminal records when deciding whether to issue, deny, or revoke a guard card, and denied applicants generally have an appeal pathway.

Two separate processes

The Fair Chance Act generally restricts employers with five or more employees from asking about criminal history before a conditional job offer and requires an individualized assessment before withdrawing an offer based on a conviction.

Separately, the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) reviews criminal history as part of licensing a guard card applicant, since certain convictions can be disqualifying under state law.

An applicant can face a Fair Chance Act issue with an employer and a BSIS licensing issue at the same time, and each has its own process.

Fair Chance Act vs. BSIS review

Aspect	Fair Chance Act	BSIS licensing review
Who applies it	Employers	State licensing agency
When history is considered	After conditional offer	During license application
Appeal pathway	Written notice and response period	BSIS denial notice and administrative appeal

If a guard card is denied

Read the denial notice carefully for the cited reason and deadline
Gather documentation of rehabilitation, if applicable
Respond within the stated appeal window
Consider consulting a licensed attorney familiar with BSIS proceedings

Research and education only

This page is provided by Summit Force Security Group for research and education purposes only. Summit Force Security Group is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal representation.

For a denial or appeal specific to your case, consult a licensed California attorney or contact BSIS directly.

Official sources & local data

We link to the agencies rather than reprinting them, so you always land on the current version. Summit Force is not affiliated with or endorsed by any agency listed here.

The services this applies to

Where we cover this

Questions we get every week

Background Checks, Criminal History and Guard Card Denials — the follow-ups

Can an employer ask about my record before offering the job?: Generally no, most covered employers must wait until after a conditional job offer under the Fair Chance Act.
Does BSIS deny every applicant with a record?: No, BSIS reviews the nature, recency, and relevance of convictions rather than issuing an automatic denial for any record.
Can I appeal a BSIS denial?: Yes, denial notices generally explain an appeal or hearing process with a deadline to respond.
Where do I check my guard card application status?: The BSIS website provides license lookup and applicant status tools.

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Research only — not legal advice

Summit Force Security Group (PPO #122730) is a licensed private patrol operator, not a law firm. Nothing on these pages is legal advice.
We do not represent anyone in any legal, administrative, or employment matter, and reading this library creates no attorney-client relationship.
As a courtesy we summarize publicly available statutes, agency guidance, and well-known court decisions, and we link to the official source so you can read the primary text yourself.
Laws change and courts reinterpret them. Verify the current text at the official source and consult a licensed California attorney or the relevant agency about your own situation.
Nothing here implies endorsement or affiliation with BSIS, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Labor Commissioner, the Civil Rights Department, Cal/OSHA, the State Bar, or any court.