The Class D Security License is a state-regulated certification required to work legally as an unarmed security officer within the private security industry. This license authorizes individuals to perform security functions like patrol, access control, and observation for a licensed security agency. Obtaining this certification ensures a foundational understanding of the laws, procedures, and responsibilities associated with private security work. The process involves meeting personal standards, completing mandatory education, and navigating a formal submission procedure with the state regulatory body.
Meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements
Before beginning the application process, a prospective security officer must satisfy several prerequisites established by the state. Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years old to qualify for the unarmed Class D license. They must also possess the legal right to work within the United States, meaning they must be a citizen or a legal resident with valid work authorization documentation. The state mandates that all applicants must successfully pass a comprehensive criminal background screening to ensure suitability for the role. Individuals with disqualifying criminal histories, such as certain felony convictions or specific misdemeanors, are ineligible for licensure.
Complete the Required Training Course
The state requires applicants to complete a mandatory 40-hour training course delivered by a licensed security school approved by the state regulatory agency. This educational component is designed to equip officers with the necessary foundational knowledge before they enter the field. The curriculum covers subjects such as the legal powers and limitations of a security officer, emergency preparedness, and proper response to fire or medical crises. Students are also instructed on effective observation, report writing, patrol procedures, access control, and terrorism awareness. The training culminates in an end-of-course examination, which typically consists of a multi-question test, requiring a minimum passing score of 75%. Successful completion results in a certificate of training, which is required for the subsequent application process.
Navigating the Official Application Process
After successfully completing the mandatory training, applicants submit a formal application package to the state agency responsible for licensing, which is the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) in Florida. Applicants must obtain the correct application form, which can be accessed and submitted electronically through the department’s online portal or mailed in. The application requires proof of training completion, which is the certificate received from the licensed security school.
A necessary component of the application is the state-mandated electronic fingerprint submission, often referred to as LiveScan. Applicants must schedule an appointment with an approved fingerprint vendor to have their fingerprints captured and electronically routed to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI. This biometric submission is accompanied by a specific fee, which is separate from the licensing fee.
The application package must also include the required state fees, which generally include an application processing fee and a fingerprint processing fee, totaling approximately $97.75. Once the complete application, supporting documents, and fees are submitted, the FDACS begins the review and background check process. Processing times can vary, but generally take between 10 to 30 days, and the state may issue a temporary permit allowing the applicant to begin working while awaiting the final physical license card.
License Maintenance and Renewal
Once issued, the Class D license is typically valid for two years, and the security officer is responsible for timely renewal. The state regulatory body generally sends a renewal notice to the licensee’s address of record approximately 90 days before expiration. Renewal requires submitting a new application, paying the renewal fee (currently $45), and confirming continued eligibility. The renewal process may also require updated fingerprints or payment of a fingerprint retention fee, depending on state policy. While specific continuing education hours are not always required for the unarmed license, the officer must adhere to all state regulations to maintain the license’s validity. Allowing the license to lapse beyond the expiration date can result in late fees or, if expired for a prolonged period, may require the officer to reapply as a new applicant, including the full initial application process.