Obtaining Your Security Guard License in Florida

December 20, 2018 8:37 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Florida is one of the most densely populated states in the country. The picturesque beaches, mild temperatures, theme parks and retirement communities make Florida the perfect place for both visitors and residents alike. But all these people and places need to be protected. That’s where security guards come in. A security officer can provide around-the-clock security and protection, which helps deter crime and keep people and property safe. Their services are in demand now more than ever, with the ever-growing population.

Not just anyone can provide security guard services in Fort Myers, FL, though. All officers must go through intensive training to obtain a license to operate in the state. Let’s take a closer look at what it takes to obtain a security guard license in Florida.

Basic eligibility requirements

First, the aspiring security officer must meet a few basic requirements. Florida law requires all security guard applicants to be at least 18 years old and have the proper documentation to prove they’re eligible to work in the U.S. They must also have a relatively clean background history. An applicant won’t automatically be disqualified if they have a criminal history, but any felony convictions must have been resolved more than 10 years ago.

Training

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Licensing—the department responsible for issuing licenses—requires all applicants to complete 40 hours of training through a licensed security officer school. The training is divided into two separate parts. The first training is about 24 hours, while the second is typically 16 hours. Students must complete a competency exam before they can receive a certificate of completion. The training needs to be completed within 180 days of applying. Former or retired police officers can waive the training requirements as long as they supply a copy of their law enforcement identification with their application.

Application

Once the training is completed, applicants will fill out a Class “D” Security Officer License application from the agriculture department’s website. The application will cover everything from work history to military service, criminal history and more. The state requires all applicants to provide a passport-style color photograph with their application. The photo needs to be less than three months old and depict the applicant with their current hairstyle. The name and date of the individual should be neatly printed on the back of the photo. The application also requires a copy of all 10 fingerprints.

The final step is to pay a $45 fee for the license and a $42 fee for the fingerprint card before the completed application is mailed in. Once the certification is approved, they can begin to apply for jobs with a security guard service in Fort Myers, FL.

Additional training

Having a security guard license is just the first step. Many security guard services in Fort Myers, FL—including American Pride Security Services—require their officers to undergo additional training to ensure they are up to date on current security measures.

Many of the experienced officers at American Pride Security Services are military veterans. Plus, each of our highly-trained officers also specializes in guest relations. Call us today to discuss how we can address your specific security needs!

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