Florida Security Guard Exam
(Class D Unarmed Security Officer License)
Questions & Detailed Answers| Latest Update
Page 1
,Question 1
What state law governs the licensing of security officers in Florida?
Answer:
Security officers in Florida are licensed and regulated under Chapter 493 of
the Florida Statutes, titled "Private Investigative, Private Security, and
Repossession Services." This chapter is administered by the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of
Licensing, which issues licenses, sets training requirements, and enforces
disciplinary standards for the industry.
Question 2
What is a Class D license and who must hold one?
Answer:
A Class D license is the standard unarmed security officer license required
for anyone who performs security guard duties in Florida for compensation,
such as patrolling, monitoring alarms or cameras, controlling access, or
guarding property. Anyone acting as a security officer for a licensed security
agency, or as an in-house employee performing these duties, must hold a
valid Class D license unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
Question 3
What is a Class G license and how does it differ from a Class D license?
Answer:
A Class G license is the statewide firearm license that authorizes a security
officer to carry a weapon while performing duties. It is an add-on to, not a
replacement for, the Class D license — an officer must hold a valid Class D
license first and then obtain the Class G to legally carry a firearm on duty.
The Class G requires additional firearms training and a more extensive
background check.
Question 4
Page 2
,What are the minimum age and training requirements to obtain a Class
D license?
Answer:
An applicant must be at least 18 years old, be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
authorized to work in the U.S., pass a state and federal background check
(including fingerprinting), and complete a 40-hour training course approved
by the Division of Licensing before the license is issued (some hours may be
completed after hire under limited statutory allowances, but the full 40 hours
is the standard requirement).
Question 5
How long is a Class D license valid, and how is it renewed?
Answer:
A Class D license is valid for two years from the date of issuance. To renew,
the licensee must submit a renewal application and fee to the Division of
Licensing before the expiration date. Operating with an expired license is a
violation of Chapter 493 and can result in fines or denial of future licensure.
Question 6
Can a convicted felon obtain a Class D license?
Answer:
Generally, a person convicted of a felony is disqualified from holding a Class
D license unless their civil rights have been fully restored and a sufficient
period of time has passed. The Division of Licensing evaluates each
applicant's criminal history individually, and certain crimes (such as violent
offenses or crimes involving moral turpitude) create stronger presumptions
against licensure.
Question 7
What agency should a security officer contact to file a licensing
complaint or report misconduct by another licensee?
Answer:
Page 3
, Complaints regarding licensee misconduct, unlicensed activity, or violations
of Chapter 493 should be directed to the Florida Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing, which has statutory authority
to investigate and discipline licensees, including suspension or revocation of
a license.
Question 8
Is a security officer required to carry their license while on duty?
Answer:
Yes. A security officer must have their Class D license (or a valid temporary
license) in their possession while performing security duties and must be able
to present it upon request by a law enforcement officer or an authorized
representative of the Division of Licensing.
Question 9
What happens if a security officer works without a valid license?
Answer:
Working as a security officer without a valid, current Class D license is a
criminal violation of Chapter 493, F.S. It can result in criminal charges against
the individual and administrative penalties against the employing agency,
including fines and potential loss of the agency's license.
Question 10
Can a security officer's license be suspended or revoked, and for what
reasons?
Answer:
Yes. The Division of Licensing can suspend or revoke a Class D license for
reasons including committing a crime, using excessive force, impersonating a
law enforcement officer, fraud on the license application, gross negligence, or
repeated violations of Chapter 493 and its administrative rules.
Role, Authority & Limits of a Security Officer
Page 4
(Class D Unarmed Security Officer License)
Questions & Detailed Answers| Latest Update
Page 1
,Question 1
What state law governs the licensing of security officers in Florida?
Answer:
Security officers in Florida are licensed and regulated under Chapter 493 of
the Florida Statutes, titled "Private Investigative, Private Security, and
Repossession Services." This chapter is administered by the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of
Licensing, which issues licenses, sets training requirements, and enforces
disciplinary standards for the industry.
Question 2
What is a Class D license and who must hold one?
Answer:
A Class D license is the standard unarmed security officer license required
for anyone who performs security guard duties in Florida for compensation,
such as patrolling, monitoring alarms or cameras, controlling access, or
guarding property. Anyone acting as a security officer for a licensed security
agency, or as an in-house employee performing these duties, must hold a
valid Class D license unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
Question 3
What is a Class G license and how does it differ from a Class D license?
Answer:
A Class G license is the statewide firearm license that authorizes a security
officer to carry a weapon while performing duties. It is an add-on to, not a
replacement for, the Class D license — an officer must hold a valid Class D
license first and then obtain the Class G to legally carry a firearm on duty.
The Class G requires additional firearms training and a more extensive
background check.
Question 4
Page 2
,What are the minimum age and training requirements to obtain a Class
D license?
Answer:
An applicant must be at least 18 years old, be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
authorized to work in the U.S., pass a state and federal background check
(including fingerprinting), and complete a 40-hour training course approved
by the Division of Licensing before the license is issued (some hours may be
completed after hire under limited statutory allowances, but the full 40 hours
is the standard requirement).
Question 5
How long is a Class D license valid, and how is it renewed?
Answer:
A Class D license is valid for two years from the date of issuance. To renew,
the licensee must submit a renewal application and fee to the Division of
Licensing before the expiration date. Operating with an expired license is a
violation of Chapter 493 and can result in fines or denial of future licensure.
Question 6
Can a convicted felon obtain a Class D license?
Answer:
Generally, a person convicted of a felony is disqualified from holding a Class
D license unless their civil rights have been fully restored and a sufficient
period of time has passed. The Division of Licensing evaluates each
applicant's criminal history individually, and certain crimes (such as violent
offenses or crimes involving moral turpitude) create stronger presumptions
against licensure.
Question 7
What agency should a security officer contact to file a licensing
complaint or report misconduct by another licensee?
Answer:
Page 3
, Complaints regarding licensee misconduct, unlicensed activity, or violations
of Chapter 493 should be directed to the Florida Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing, which has statutory authority
to investigate and discipline licensees, including suspension or revocation of
a license.
Question 8
Is a security officer required to carry their license while on duty?
Answer:
Yes. A security officer must have their Class D license (or a valid temporary
license) in their possession while performing security duties and must be able
to present it upon request by a law enforcement officer or an authorized
representative of the Division of Licensing.
Question 9
What happens if a security officer works without a valid license?
Answer:
Working as a security officer without a valid, current Class D license is a
criminal violation of Chapter 493, F.S. It can result in criminal charges against
the individual and administrative penalties against the employing agency,
including fines and potential loss of the agency's license.
Question 10
Can a security officer's license be suspended or revoked, and for what
reasons?
Answer:
Yes. The Division of Licensing can suspend or revoke a Class D license for
reasons including committing a crime, using excessive force, impersonating a
law enforcement officer, fraud on the license application, gross negligence, or
repeated violations of Chapter 493 and its administrative rules.
Role, Authority & Limits of a Security Officer
Page 4
