Observation & Documentation (California)

Instructor: National Institute of Public Safety (National IPS)
Level: Beginner | Course Type: Online | Duration: 4 Hours Online
Certificate of Completion: Awarded Upon Completion
BSIS Licensed Training Provider ID#: ATG-2976

Course Description

This California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)-certified 4-hour Observation & Documentation course is designed to equip security professionals with the essential skills needed to effectively observe and document incidents. The course covers vital topics such as report writing, patrol techniques, asking appropriate questions, and identifying suspicious activity.

By the end of this fully online course, you will have a stronger understanding of how to document incidents accurately, ask the right questions in challenging situations, and observe suspicious activity with keen attention to detail—all while improving your report writing and overall communication skills.

What You’ll Learn

• How to write clear and accurate incident reports

• Effective patrol techniques to improve situational awareness

• How to ask appropriate questions during observations and investigations

• Techniques for identifying and documenting suspicious activity

• How to observe and document incidents in a manner that supports investigations

• The fundamentals of observational skills and proper documentation practices

Why This Course Matters

As a security professional, your ability to observe, document, and report incidents accurately is crucial in maintaining safety and supporting law enforcement when necessary. This course will help you refine your observation techniques and reporting skills, ensuring you can provide clear, reliable documentation and handle any situation with confidence and professionalism.

Bundling and Completing Your 32-Hour BSIS Continuing Education Requirement

This Observation & Documentation course counts as 4 hours toward the 32-hour continuing education requirement mandated by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) for licensed security officers.

To fully meet the 32-hour requirement, you need to complete this course plus seven additional 4-hour BSIS-approved courses.

You have two options:

• Take this course individually and then complete the other required courses separately.

• Enroll in the 32-hour continuing education bundle, which includes this course and seven other 4-hour courses in one convenient package.

Taking this course individually is a flexible option, but remember, it does not fulfill the entire 32-hour continuing education requirement on its own.

Course Requirements

• Students must be at least 18 years old.

• Students should have already completed the 8-hour BSIS Powers of Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course (online and in-person) required for licensure as a security officer in California, or have plans to complete it soon.

• This course can be paired with other 4-hour BSIS continued education courses to help meet the 32-hour continuing education requirement set by the state of California.

💰 Bundle & Save

Looking to meet the full 32-hour BSIS continuing education requirement?
This course is available individually or as part of National IPS’s discounted 32-hour BSIS Continuing Education Bundle, which includes:

✔️ 8 BSIS-approved 4-hour courses
✔️ 100% online and self-paced
✔️ Immediate certificate download after each course
✔️ Big savings vs. buying courses separately

👉 (Click Here to View The Discounted 32 Hour Continued Training Bundle)

🔑 Don’t Forget the Prerequisite!

Before taking this bundle, BSIS requires all new guards to complete the (For New Guards) 8-Hour Initial Security Officer Course (California): Powers to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force.
Complete it before or shortly after starting this bundle to stay on track with licensing requirements.

(Click Here to View The (For New Gaurds) 8-Hour Initial Security Officer Course (California)

Who This Course Is For

• Security professionals looking to improve their observation and documentation skills

• Employers seeking to train security staff on effective reporting and documentation practices

• Individuals interested in enhancing their ability to observe and document incidents accurately and effectively

✅ Enroll now to enhance your observation skills and reporting techniques, and become a more professional, confident, and capable security officer.

NOTE: A security guard registrant who is unable to provide their employing PPO the certificates of satisfactory completion of the security officer skills training shall complete 16 hours of the training within 30 days of the registrant’s employment date and shall complete the 16 remaining hours within six months of the registrant’s employment date.