Associations with employees who function as security guards must obtain a "Guard Card" for each such employee. Bus & Prof §7574.2. This requires a criminal background check through the Department of Justice and the payment of a fee. A private security officer is defined as an unarmed individual who is employed exclusively by any one employer whose primary duty is to provide security services for his or her employer and (1) wears a distinctive uniform and (2) is likely to interact with the public while performing his or her duties. Bus & Prof §7574.1.

If the association hires a security company, that company must ensure that its guards are properly licensed and the company itself must be licensed.

The license status for individual security guards can be checked online through the Department of Consumer Affairs. The license status for security companies can also be checked online.