A Florida Class "D" Security Officer License is renewed every two years (F.S. 493.6113). Renewing on time is cheap and quick. Renewing late costs double the license fee, and waiting too long means starting over.
When the renewal notice arrives
The statute requires FDACS to mail a renewal notice at least 90 days before your license expires, and FDACS says it mails the renewal application about 95 days before. The notice goes to the last mailing address on file, which is one reason the law requires you to report an address change in writing within 10 days.
If the notice never arrives, you are still responsible for renewing on or before the expiration date.
How to renew
You have three options:
- Online: the FDACS Class D renewal website. Have your renewal notice, a digital passport-style color photo taken within the last 6 months, and a card or e-check. A 2.5% card convenience fee or a $0.50 e-check fee is added.
- In person: at an FDACS regional office.
- By mail: send the renewal form to the Division of Licensing, P.O. Box 5767, Tallahassee, FL 32314-5767.
Once you pay or submit online, the renewal cannot be finished at a regional office or tax collector office, so pick one path and stick with it.
What it costs
From the FDACS renewal fee schedule and Rule 5N-1.116:
- Renewal license fee: $45
- Renewal fingerprint retention fee: $16.75
- Total on time: $61.75
Is continuing training required?
Chapter 493's renewal section does not list any continuing training for a Class D renewal. The only annual training tied to renewal is the 4-hour firearms requalification for Class "G" licensees. If you also hold a Class G, that requirement is separate and it does affect your renewal.
If you are late
- Expiration day: you may not perform any regulated security work between the date your license expires and the date it is renewed (F.S. 493.6113(6)).
- Up to 3 months after expiration: you can still renew, but Rule 5N-1.116 adds a late fee equal to the license fee. For a Class D that is another $45, so $106.75 in total.
- 3 months or more after expiration: the license cannot be renewed. You must submit a new, complete application with the initial fees.
- Expired 1 year or more: you are treated as an initial applicant and must complete the 40-hour training course again before a license is issued (F.S. 493.6303(4)(b)).
FDACS will waive the late fee if you ask within 3 months of expiration and the delay was caused by relying on wrong written information from the department, or by the department's failure to give correct information.
Military fee waiver
F.S. 493.6113(7) requires FDACS to waive renewal fees for an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces or their spouse, for a member who served on active duty within the 2 years before the license expires (former members must have been honorably discharged), and for the surviving spouse of a member who died on active duty within those 2 years. You must apply for the waiver in the format FDACS prescribes, with supporting documents.
tessura is not affiliated with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
How tessura helps
A two-year date is easy to forget, and missing it keeps you off the schedule. tessura's free credential wallet stores your Class D, can check it against the state's public records when you add it, and emails renewal reminders at 60, 30, and 7 days before it expires. Guards never pay.