How to get a security guard license in Florida

Florida licenses unarmed security guards individually. The credential is the Class D Security Officer License, issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Licensing.

Licensing agencyFlorida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Licensing official source
Credential for unarmed guardsClass D Security Officer License official source
Credential for armed guardsClass G Statewide Firearm License (held in addition to Class D) official source
Minimum age, unarmed18 (FDACS Class D requirements page) official source
Minimum age, armed21 for a Class D licensee carrying a concealed firearm with a Class G license (Fla. Stat. 493.6115(4)) official source
Training, unarmedMinimum 40 hours of professional training at a school or training facility licensed by FDACS (Fla. Stat. 493.6303(4)(a)); may be live online instruction official source
Training, armedClass G: at least 28 hours of range and classroom training taught by a Class K instructor (no more than 20 hours online; 8 hours in-person range training) (Fla. Stat. 493.6105(5)); then at least 4 hours of firearms requalification training in each year of the 2-year license (Fla. Stat. 493.6113(3)(b)) official source
Background checkYes: full set of fingerprints, fingerprint processing fee and retention fee (Fla. Stat. 493.6105(1)(j)) official source
State feeUSD 97.75 total (Class D new license: USD 42 fingerprint processing + USD 10.75 fingerprint retention + USD 45 license fee; no application fee (FDACS new license fee schedule; veterans' initial fee waived)); USD 164.75 total (Class G new license: USD 42 + USD 10.75 + USD 112 (USD 179.75 with a temporary Class G license)); USD 45 + USD 16.75 fingerprint retention (Class D renewal (FDACS renewal fee schedule); Class G renewal USD 112 + USD 16.75. The USD 15 on the schedule is the revised/duplicate license fee, not part of renewal) official source
Renewal2 years (Fla. Stat. 493.6113 refers to the 2-year term of the license; Florida Senate analysis states Class D is 2 years) official source
Working while the application is pendingYes: upon submission of a complete application a Class D applicant may start work for a licensed agency or branch office; employment must end at once if the application is denied (Fla. Stat. 493.6105(8)). Armed work needs the Class G; a temporary Class G may be issued case by case (493.6115(12)) official source

Official Florida application page

Checked against official Florida sources on Oct 18, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the licensing agency before you apply. This page lists only facts we could confirm on an official page.

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