To become an unarmed security guard in the state of Florida, you will first need to obtain your Class “D” Security Guard License.
Licensing is overseen by the The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing. Before you can apply, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a citizen or legal resident alien of the U.S. or have been granted authority to work in the U.S. by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Complete the required security guard training.
Training Needed To Become A Security Guard In FL
Before you can apply, you must first complete a minimum of 40 hours of professional training by a Security Officer School or Training Facility licensed by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The training may be obtained by one of the following methods:
- Successful completion of 40 hours of training before you submit your initial application, or
- Successful completion of 24 hours of training before you submit your initial application and successful completion of 16 hours of training within 180 days of the date your application was submitted to the Division of Licensing.
Florida Application Process
- Proof of training.
- A passport style photograph.
- A legible set of fingerprints on a fingerprint card provided by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
- Fees
License Fees/Cost
There is a $45 licensing fee, as well as a $42 fingerprint car processing fee. They can only be paid by money order, cashier’s check or a company check payable to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
More About The Employment Application Process
An application, which includes more detailed information about how to apply and what to include with your application, can be downloaded for free from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website.
Click here to get access to your application, and remember that for an unarmed security guard, you will be going for a Class “D” Security Officer License.
Salary for Security Guards Working In Schools, Hotels, Hospital & Privately Owned Companies
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The type of employer has an effect on security guards’ salaries. Security guards working at hospitals earned a median salary of $29,020, while security guards working in schools earned a salary of $27,980. Those working in local government earned $27,660, those working in hotels and motels earned $25,660, and those working for security service firms earned $22,170.
Average Annual Salary By State
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Different states reflect different salaries for security guards. As of May 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the mean annual salary of a security guard in Alaska as $37,020, in Florida as $23,000, in Hawaii as $26,240, in Nevada as $27,420, in New York as $28,280, and as $30,840 in Vermont.
Employment Outlook
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that security guard positions will grow rapidly over the next few years, close to 14 percent between 2008 and 2018. The main reasons for this growth are the continuing trend for increased security at all types of public events, and security guards taking over security roles formerly performed by local police officers
