FLORIDA SECURITY GUARD (CLASS D)
EXAMINATION
120 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. In Florida, which license is generally required for a person to work as an
unarmed security officer?
A. Class G license
B. Class D license
C. Class C license
D. Class M license
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Class D license is Florida's basic license required to perform unarmed
security officer duties under Chapter 493, Florida Statutes.
2. Which state agency licenses and regulates security officers in Florida?
A. Florida Department of Law Enforcement
B. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing
C. Florida Highway Patrol
D. Florida Department of Health
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Division of Licensing within the Florida Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services administers private security licensing under Chapter 493.
3. What is the minimum age to obtain a Class D security officer license in Florida?
A. 16
B. 18
C. 21
D. 25
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for a Class D unarmed
security officer license.
,4. How many hours of classroom training are generally required before an
unarmed security officer applicant can obtain a Class D license?
A. 2 hours
B. 40 hours
C. 8 hours (with the remainder completed after licensure within a set period)
D. No training is required
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Florida law has historically required a minimum number of initial training
hours (commonly cited as 8 hours) before licensure, with additional on-the-job training
hours completed afterward within a required timeframe.
5. What is the general term of validity for a Class D security officer license before
renewal is required?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 5 years
D. It never expires
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Class D licenses are generally issued on a two-year cycle, after which
renewal and any required continuing education must be completed.
6. Which of the following would likely disqualify an applicant from obtaining a
Class D license?
A. A felony conviction within the disqualifying period set by statute
B. Being over the age of 40
C. Having a high school diploma
D. Living outside the county where they will work
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Chapter 493 disqualifies applicants with certain criminal convictions,
particularly felonies, within specified lookback periods.
,7. A security officer's Class D license must be:
A. Kept at home at all times
B. Carried while on duty and available for inspection
C. Only required for armed officers
D. Renewed every 10 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Licensed security officers are generally required to carry proof of licensure
while performing security duties.
8. What agency division specifically handles complaints and disciplinary actions
against licensed security officers?
A. Division of Licensing (Bureau of License Issuance and Enforcement)
B. Division of Consumer Services
C. Division of Motor Vehicles
D. Division of Corrections
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Division of Licensing, which issues security licenses under Chapter 493,
also handles complaints and enforcement actions.
9. Under Chapter 493, a security officer license may be revoked or suspended for
which of the following?
A. Taking an approved vacation
B. Fraud, misrepresentation, or violation of statutory conduct standards
C. Working more than one job
D. Wearing a uniform
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fraud, misrepresentation on an application, or violations of conduct
standards under Chapter 493 can result in license suspension or revocation.
, 10. Which of the following individuals is generally exempt from needing a Class D
license to perform security-related duties?
A. A private, uniformed guard hired by a business
B. An on-duty sworn law enforcement officer performing law enforcement duties
C. A contract security officer at a retail store
D. A security officer working at a special event
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sworn law enforcement officers acting within their official law enforcement
capacity are not required to hold a private security license.
11. What is the primary legal authority a security officer has that differs from an
ordinary private citizen?
A. The authority to carry a firearm at all times
B. In most cases, none; a security officer generally has the same legal authority as
any private citizen unless additional authority is granted
C. The automatic authority to make arrests like a police officer
D. The authority to search any person without consent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Unless specifically deputized or otherwise authorized, a private security
officer generally holds the same legal powers as any private citizen, including for
detention and use of force.
12. What is a 'citizen's arrest' as it applies to security officers in Florida?
A. An arrest made by a security officer using the same authority granted to any
private citizen under state law
B. An arrest that requires no probable cause
C. An arrest only law enforcement can perform
D. An arrest that cannot involve a felony
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Security officers who make an arrest generally do so under the citizen's
arrest authority available to any member of the public, subject to strict legal limitations.
EXAMINATION
120 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. In Florida, which license is generally required for a person to work as an
unarmed security officer?
A. Class G license
B. Class D license
C. Class C license
D. Class M license
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Class D license is Florida's basic license required to perform unarmed
security officer duties under Chapter 493, Florida Statutes.
2. Which state agency licenses and regulates security officers in Florida?
A. Florida Department of Law Enforcement
B. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing
C. Florida Highway Patrol
D. Florida Department of Health
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Division of Licensing within the Florida Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services administers private security licensing under Chapter 493.
3. What is the minimum age to obtain a Class D security officer license in Florida?
A. 16
B. 18
C. 21
D. 25
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for a Class D unarmed
security officer license.
,4. How many hours of classroom training are generally required before an
unarmed security officer applicant can obtain a Class D license?
A. 2 hours
B. 40 hours
C. 8 hours (with the remainder completed after licensure within a set period)
D. No training is required
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Florida law has historically required a minimum number of initial training
hours (commonly cited as 8 hours) before licensure, with additional on-the-job training
hours completed afterward within a required timeframe.
5. What is the general term of validity for a Class D security officer license before
renewal is required?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 5 years
D. It never expires
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Class D licenses are generally issued on a two-year cycle, after which
renewal and any required continuing education must be completed.
6. Which of the following would likely disqualify an applicant from obtaining a
Class D license?
A. A felony conviction within the disqualifying period set by statute
B. Being over the age of 40
C. Having a high school diploma
D. Living outside the county where they will work
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Chapter 493 disqualifies applicants with certain criminal convictions,
particularly felonies, within specified lookback periods.
,7. A security officer's Class D license must be:
A. Kept at home at all times
B. Carried while on duty and available for inspection
C. Only required for armed officers
D. Renewed every 10 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Licensed security officers are generally required to carry proof of licensure
while performing security duties.
8. What agency division specifically handles complaints and disciplinary actions
against licensed security officers?
A. Division of Licensing (Bureau of License Issuance and Enforcement)
B. Division of Consumer Services
C. Division of Motor Vehicles
D. Division of Corrections
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Division of Licensing, which issues security licenses under Chapter 493,
also handles complaints and enforcement actions.
9. Under Chapter 493, a security officer license may be revoked or suspended for
which of the following?
A. Taking an approved vacation
B. Fraud, misrepresentation, or violation of statutory conduct standards
C. Working more than one job
D. Wearing a uniform
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fraud, misrepresentation on an application, or violations of conduct
standards under Chapter 493 can result in license suspension or revocation.
, 10. Which of the following individuals is generally exempt from needing a Class D
license to perform security-related duties?
A. A private, uniformed guard hired by a business
B. An on-duty sworn law enforcement officer performing law enforcement duties
C. A contract security officer at a retail store
D. A security officer working at a special event
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sworn law enforcement officers acting within their official law enforcement
capacity are not required to hold a private security license.
11. What is the primary legal authority a security officer has that differs from an
ordinary private citizen?
A. The authority to carry a firearm at all times
B. In most cases, none; a security officer generally has the same legal authority as
any private citizen unless additional authority is granted
C. The automatic authority to make arrests like a police officer
D. The authority to search any person without consent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Unless specifically deputized or otherwise authorized, a private security
officer generally holds the same legal powers as any private citizen, including for
detention and use of force.
12. What is a 'citizen's arrest' as it applies to security officers in Florida?
A. An arrest made by a security officer using the same authority granted to any
private citizen under state law
B. An arrest that requires no probable cause
C. An arrest only law enforcement can perform
D. An arrest that cannot involve a felony
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Security officers who make an arrest generally do so under the citizen's
arrest authority available to any member of the public, subject to strict legal limitations.
