Florida’s security industry is regulated by the Division of Licensing (DOL). The DOL requires that security officers be licensed before they can provide private security services within the industry. To become an unarmed security officer, state law requires that applicants must first complete the 40-hour security D license course. Students that successfully complete our Fort Lauderdale security training program will be eligible to apply for the Florida security license by submitting their security application, the security course certificate, a passport photo, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) background check, and a fee of $45 to the State of Florida. Private security workers must be employed by a licensed security agency or internal security department to provide services as a licensed security officer in Florida.

In order to provide armed security services, the State requires that workers acquire both the Security Class D License and the Statewide Firearms Class G license. Armed security officers must complete 28 hours of classroom instruction, which includes a written test and firearms range qualification firearms training by a licensed Class K firearms instructor. After passing this course, students are issued a G course firearms certificate. The State Fee for the Statewide Firearms license is $112, and the armed G license is valid for 2 years. A concealed firearms license (CCW) is NOT valid for working armed security as the CCW is for personal carry only. STG Fort Lauderdale, firearms training courses for armed security officers, also provide a concealed carry certificate upon completion of armed security training. Once certified, armed security officers can carry the firearm they qualified with. The State of Florida allows armed security officers to carry a 9mm, .45 cal., .40 cal., .380 semi-automatic pistol, 357 and or .38 caliber revolver while on duty. Armed security and investigators must complete a firearms 4-hour recertification annually.