uHUMbullshitcCHOO!!!
I've run club security in California and yes, you do, technically, need a guard card. And I would HIGHLY suggest having it at the club opening as I'm sure the cops will be all over the place.
If you work in a city I would suggest going (this may be hard to handle. please sit down) to the police department. It's either be friendly with cops kiss-assand play along, or be friendly with gangsters and play their games
.
Have you done your live scan? If yes, bring a copy of this to the police department with you. Ask to talk to a sgt. or someone in charge of the clubs area in the city. Explain to him that you are the head of security and your guard card situation.
Or, if you have a felony and are afraid of getting caught, i would caution you. If you put your hands on someone in the club, and the cop runs your name (which they are likely to do the first chance they get), you're well and truly fucked; and so is your boss.
***BTW: as a nightclub bouncer you're going to need to operate "between the law". Cops know this. They will let you dance that line as long as you are up front and play ball with 'em. I know it sounds hard to do, but trust me: it's better them than the Mexican mafia.