This post should help you cut through the maze of information available online and help you better understand the process of obtaining the correct training and license.
Becoming either an armed or unarmed security guard in Florida requires that you get a security guard license. Both have similar requirements, but becoming an armed security guard in Florida requires some additional training.
If you want to be an armed security guard, it is important to recognize that as an armed security guard in the state of Florida you are held responsible for protecting property from fire, vandalism, theft, or other illegal crimes and may even include acts of terrorism.
The License Process
The Florida State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing is responsible for regulating the private security industry and as such is responsible for issuing licenses.
Florida’s definition of a security guard is someone who is actively engaged in the provision of a variety of security services. Those services can cover a range of different activities and as such if you are engaged in the following activities you will require a license:
- Provision of bodyguard services
- Guards property
- Transports prisoners
- Guards armored cars
- Attempts to prevent theft, misappropriation or concealment of property or other valuables
- Seeks the return of such stolen valuables
Once you have obtained this license you are then able to work in a variety of security guard jobs in Florida including banks, rail terminals, air terminals, sea terminals, malls, freight companies, art galleries, museums, hospitals, universities, parks or in a sports stadium. As you can see there is a wide range of opportunities for suitably licensed security guards in Florida.
If you work in one of these positions it is expected that you are able to practice continual good judgment as well as follow directions. You are also expected to appear professional at all times with a great, professional attitude. You must also be able to interact with people and to be able to take charge when dangerous or emergency situations arise. You must be able to pass random drug tests the entire time that you are employed and you should generally have a Florida driver’s license that is valid in case you must ride along during armed vehicle transportation.
The requirements for obtaining a license as an unarmed security guard or an armed security guard are different and so we will go through each separately.
Unarmed Security Guard Requirements
In order to become an unarmed security guard in the state of Florida you must complete 40 hours of professional training after which you will receive a certificate. You will need this certificate to progress further in the application process. The training includes things such as basic first aid, containing fires, legal liabilities, crime prevention, accident prevention, as well as emergency procedures. It also teaches you how to write detailed reports, teaches self defense skills, observation skills and how to detain violators.
In order to obtain a license to work as an unarmed security guard in the state of Florida you must be at least eighteen years old without a criminal history. You must submit your fingerprints and be allowed to work in the U.S. You are also required to sign a waiver that allows the department to undergo complete background checks if needed. You should include the address where you took your training as well as the name of the facility, your social security number, as well as copies of the curriculum, the final exam, and the name of the instructors.
Therefore the basic requirements are:
- Must be over 18 years of age
- Must be a US citizen or have been granted authority to work in the US
- Proof that you have completed the necessary training
- Your SSN, a passport style photograph and fingerprint set to verify who you are
- Be willing to submit to a background check
- Pay the required licensing fees
The required fees for a D Class Security Officer license is $42 for the fingerprints and a $45 license fee for a total fee of $87. The yearly renewal fee is $45. You should also be aware that these fees are in addition to the cost of your training.
Armed Security Guard Requirements
To work as an armed security guard in the state of Florida means that you must complete 28 hours of training at a certified training facility within the state and complete the following training courses:
- Firearms Training
- Handgun Marksmanship Training
- Target Training
- Firearms Care Training
- Ammunition Training
- Accident prevention Training
- Training on the use of force
- Training on Legal Issue
- Civil Liability Training
If you are taking the certified training then you must also be fingerprinted. You must have a valid photo ID and complete a background check by the FBI. To be armed you also must be at least 21 years of age. After you have completed this training and the information is cleared by the appropriate authority then you can receive your license to become an armed security guard in the state of Florida.
Training Information
The security guard license process can be undertaken through private companies that offer the courses. These companies are located throughout the state and have courses each week on different days of the week. If your schedule conflicts with one course, there are generally other options available.
There are courses available for training with a baton. There are also courses that train you for proper handcuffing techniques, as well as first aid. It is important that you determine which courses might be required for your specific security officer line of work and if any new courses are required to help advance your career. Each year it is beneficial to take a refresher course on the previous training you have undertaken so that you can keep abreast of new laws, technologies, or techniques. Many training facilities will offer discounts for groupings of courses. For example, instead of just taking the firearms qualifications course, you could save money by bundling it with a Taser course, a terrorism awareness course, as well as a defensive tactics course, all of which can be taken around the same time frame but on different days of the week and at different times during those days. These should help reduce the training costs.
I have found a number of videos from security companies in Florida. Even though they are obviously trying to convince you to undertake your training with them they do give you an understanding of the training that is required and the sorts of generic services that companies can provide.
Useful Resources
- The licensing in the State of Florida is overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Both the armed and unarmed license application forms can be found here
