In Florida, anyone who performs the services of a security officer needs a Class "D" Security Officer License. It is issued by the Division of Licensing of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) under Chapter 493 of the Florida Statutes. Here is the whole process, in order.
Step 1: Check that you are eligible
Under F.S. 493.6106, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident alien, or have work authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (non-citizens applying for a Class D submit proof of current employment authorization or permanent resident status)
- Be of good moral character, with no disqualifying criminal history
- Meet the statute's mental health and substance abuse conditions (for example, no drug conviction under Chapter 893 in the 3 years before you apply, unless you show you are not currently abusing and completed a rehabilitation course)
The application asks you to list all criminal convictions, findings of guilt, and guilty or no contest pleas, even where adjudication was withheld. Answer every question completely: the application is signed under oath, and missing information can hold up processing.
Step 2: Complete the 40-hour course
F.S. 493.6303 requires proof of at least 40 hours of professional training at a school or training facility licensed by FDACS (a Class "DS" school). The training can be in person, or live online through the school's secure website as long as the instructor verifies your identity, attendance, and completion. The school reports your completion to FDACS electronically and gives you a copy of your results. If you finished your course on or after July 19, 2023, FDACS asks you to look up and print your training certificate and include it with your application.
Some people are exempt from the 40 hours, including currently employed Florida-certified law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers, graduates of a Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission certification program, and veterans with relevant military training under Rule 5N-1.119. Check the FDACS Class D page for the exact documents each exception needs.
Course prices are set by each school and vary, so compare a few licensed schools before you pay.
Step 3: Get your fingerprints taken
Every applicant must submit a full set of fingerprints. FDACS accepts electronic fingerprint scans from:
- Your local sheriff's office or police department (call first; FDACS lists the cost as approximately $35)
- An FDACS regional office ($42)
- A private livescan service provider (prices vary)
Keep the receipt with your Transaction Control Number. If the provider does not collect payment, you pay online through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Civil Applicant Payment System within 30 days of the scan. FDACS recommends submitting your application within 90 days of your scan so any fingerprint problem can be fixed without paying again.
Step 4: Apply and pay
You can apply online through the FDACS new license application website, in person by appointment at a regional office, or by mail to the Division of Licensing in Tallahassee. You will need a passport-type color photo taken within the last 6 months, your training certificate, and your fingerprint receipt.
The fees on the FDACS new license fee schedule are:
- License fee: $45
- Fingerprint processing fee: $42
- Fingerprint retention fee: $10.75
- Total: $97.75
There is no separate application fee for a Class D.
Step 5: Start work once your application is complete
This is the rule most new guards do not know. Under F.S. 493.6105(8), once you submit a complete application, you may begin working as an unarmed security officer for a licensed agency while FDACS processes it. Two catches:
- If FDACS finds your application incomplete, it sends a Notice of Errors or Omissions, and your employment must stop until the problems are fixed.
- If your application is denied, your employer must end your security employment immediately.
This does not apply to armed work. Carrying a firearm requires a separate Class "G" license.
After you are licensed
Your Class D is valid for two years. FDACS mails a renewal notice at least 90 days before it expires, and you must notify the Division in writing within 10 days of any change of address. You can confirm your license is active with the FDACS licensee search.
tessura is not affiliated with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
How tessura helps
tessura's credential wallet is free for guards, always. Add your Class D and tessura can check it against the state's public records, store it, and email you renewal reminders at 60, 30, and 7 days before it expires.