Florida lets veterans count military training toward a security license. The rule that makes it work is Rule 5N-1.119 of the Florida Administrative Code, "Credit for Relevant Military Training and Education," which FDACS adopted under F.S. 493.61035. Most licensing guides never mention it. Here is what it covers and what it does not.
Class D: a year of military law enforcement meets the 40-hour requirement
A Class D applicant normally needs proof of 40 hours of training at an FDACS-licensed school (F.S. 493.6303). Under Rule 5N-1.119(4), you meet that requirement if you served not less than one year on active duty as a military policeman, as a security police officer, or in other military law enforcement duty.
The Class D application (FDACS form 16007) asks the question directly: are you requesting credit for relevant military training or education under Rule 5N-1.119? If you answer yes, include your DD 214. FDACS also considers other official records that show the training and the hours spent on it: Joint Services Transcripts, training certificates, job evaluation reports, or a commanding officer's letter (Rule 5N-1.119(1)).
If your service does not fully match, FDACS must tell you in writing, before denying the license, where your military training overlaps the requirement, where the gaps are, and which programs can help you close them (Rule 5N-1.119(3)).
Everything else about the Class D stays the same. You must be at least 18, pass the background check, submit fingerprints, and pay the fees ($97.75 on the FDACS new license fee schedule). Once your complete application is in, you can work unarmed for a licensed agency while FDACS processes it (F.S. 493.6105(8)).
Class G: military police who separated in the last 12 months
For the Class G statewide firearm license the credit is narrower. Under Rule 5N-1.119(9), you meet the training requirement if you were discharged within the last 12 months from serving as a military police officer and completed one of these courses:
- Army Military Police Course (MOS 31B or 31O)
- Army Resettlement or Corrections Specialist Course (MOS 31E)
- USMC Military Police Course (MOS 5811, 5803 or 5800)
- Air Force Security Specialist Course (3P)
- Navy Master-at-Arms (MA)
The Class G application (FDACS form 16008) lists this as an accepted alternative to the 28 hours of range and classroom training. The rest of the Class G still applies: you need a Class D alongside it, you must not be barred from possessing a firearm, you need the health certificate, and you must complete the 4-hour firearms requalification every year. You can apply at 18; carrying concealed on duty requires 21.
Fees: what is waived and what is not
- Renewal fees. F.S. 493.6113(7) waives renewal fees for active-duty service members and their spouses, for licensees who served on active duty within the 2 years before the license expires, and for surviving spouses of members who died on active duty in that window. The statute sets conditions for each group, and the waiver has to be requested in the format FDACS prescribes.
- Initial fees. F.S. 493.6107(6) waives the initial application fee for veterans, service members and their spouses, but only for certain license classes: C, CC, DI, E, EE, K, M, MA, MB, MR and RI. Class D and Class G are not on that list. The current Class D application form still has a footnote describing a fee waiver for veterans who apply within 24 months of discharge, so ask FDACS before counting on it.
If you later want to teach, the security instructor (Class DI) and firearms instructor (Class K) licenses are both on the initial-fee waiver list.
How tessura helps
tessura is free for guards, always. Add your Class D, and your Class G if you carry, to the credential wallet, and you get reminders at 60, 30 and 7 days before each one expires. For a Class G, the yearly 4-hour requalification matters just as much: miss it in the first year and the license is suspended until you retake the full 28-hour course.
tessura is not affiliated with FDACS, the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs or any government agency. Rules change, so confirm anything you rely on with FDACS.