To work as an unarmed security officer in Florida, you need a Class D license from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Getting one means completing 40 hours of approved training, meeting the eligibility rules in Chapter 493 of the Florida Statutes, passing a state and FBI background check, and paying a $42 fingerprint processing fee. There is no separate application fee for the initial license.
What the License Lets You Do
Florida defines a security officer as anyone who, for pay, guards people or property, prevents theft or shoplifting, or protects valuables such as cash, bonds, or documents. Armored car personnel and prisoner transport staff are covered by the same definition.1Florida Senate. Florida Code 493.6101 – Definitions
In practice, Class D holders patrol commercial and residential properties, monitor surveillance systems, control crowds at events, work retail loss prevention, and serve as personal bodyguards. The common thread is protecting people or property without a firearm.
If your job requires a firearm, the Class D alone is not enough. Florida law prohibits any Class D licensee from carrying a firearm unless they also hold a Class G license, which requires being at least 21 and completing separate firearms training.2Online Sunshine. Florida Code 493.6115 – Weapons and Firearms
Who Qualifies
Florida Statute 493.6106 sets the baseline. You must be at least 18, and you must be a U.S. citizen, a permanent legal resident, or hold valid work authorization from the Department of Homeland Security. You need a Social Security number, which FDACS collects for identification under Florida Statutes 493.6105 and 119.071.3Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Application for Class D Security Officer License
Beyond those basics, the statute requires good moral character (evaluated through your criminal history), mental competency, and no active substance abuse problem. You are disqualified if you have been adjudicated incapacitated without judicial restoration of capacity, or diagnosed with an incapacitating mental illness without clearance from a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. You are also disqualified if you habitually use alcohol to the point of impairment, or if you have been committed for controlled substance abuse or convicted of a drug offense within the three years before applying, unless you have completed rehabilitation.4Florida Statutes. Florida Code 493.6106 – License Requirements; Posting
Criminal History Waiting Periods
This is where most denials happen. Florida Statute 493.6118 sets waiting periods that FDACS cannot waive:5Online Sunshine. Florida Code 493.6118 – Grounds for Disciplinary Action
- Felony conviction: your civil rights must be restored, and at least 10 years must have passed since your final release from supervision, including probation or parole.
- Felony with adjudication withheld (after a guilty or no contest plea): a three-year wait from final release from supervision.
- Any prior conviction under Chapter 493 itself: ineligible for five years.
These rules apply regardless of when the offense occurred. A no contest plea creates a presumption of guilt for licensing purposes, though you can present mitigating circumstances.
The 40-Hour Training Requirement
Before you apply, you must complete at least 40 hours of professional training at a school licensed by FDACS. The school itself holds a Class DS license, and the person teaching the course holds a Class DI license.6Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Class D Security Officer License Requirements
Course content covers the legal authority of security officers, emergency procedures, report writing, and observation techniques. Costs vary. Some community colleges offer the course for around $120; private schools may charge more. Once you finish, the school issues a training certificate that you submit with your application.
Waivers for Veterans and Law Enforcement
You can skip the 40-hour course if your background already covers the ground:
- Active law enforcement or corrections officers certified by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission can submit a copy of a valid ID from their employing agency.
- Graduates of a training program approved by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission for certification as a law enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer can submit the certificate of completion.
- Military veterans can submit proof of relevant training or education received during service in the U.S. Armed Forces, under Rule 5N-1.119(4) of the Florida Administrative Code.
Applying and Getting Fingerprinted
Once you have your training certificate, apply online through the FDACS licensing portal, or download the paper application and mail it to the Division of Licensing in Tallahassee. The application asks for your full legal name, current address, and Social Security number; proof of citizenship, residency, or work authorization; a recent passport-style color photograph; and your training certificate or waiver documentation.
Electronic fingerprinting is a separate step. You visit an approved Livescan provider, who transmits your prints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI for a national background check.7Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Registered Livescan Submitters
The state’s fingerprint processing fee is $42, and that is the only fee FDACS charges for the initial Class D application.8Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. License Fee Schedule The Livescan vendor typically adds its own service fee, so ask about the total when you book. Processing times depend on application volume, and you can track status through the FDACS online portal.
Renewing the License
The Class D license is valid for two years. FDACS mails a renewal notice to your last known address about 95 days before expiration, so keep your address current with the department. Renewal costs $45 on time and $90 late. If your license lapses more than six months past the renewal date, you cannot simply renew. You have to start over, including new fingerprints and a fresh background check. Florida does not require continuing education for Class D renewal.9Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Renewing Your Private Security License
Penalties for Working Without a License
Florida treats unlicensed security work seriously. A first offense is a first-degree misdemeanor, carrying up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. A second or subsequent offense is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, and FDACS can also pursue a civil penalty of up to $10,000. Anyone convicted of violating Chapter 493 is barred from any license under the chapter for five years.10Florida Senate. Florida Code 493.6120 – Violations; Penalty
There is one narrow exception. If your license recently expired, a 90-day grace period suspends the unlicensed activity penalty. It exists for administrative gaps, not as cover: your employer still cannot legally deploy you without a current license.