You will apply for a Florida Security Guard License with an application:
Class D Security Officer License Application.
The steps to becoming a Security Guard in Florida is similar to a lot of other states: you need to meet basic requirements such as age, language proficiency, and other usual security licensing requirements of this nature.
Furthermore, to get a Security Guard license in Florida, you need to take a government approved FL Security Guard licensing course:
This is a 40hr hour security training course.
In Florida, the government body that controls a FL Security Guard's license is called the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
So, it is the FDACS that will have to approve your FL Security Guard licensing course. The FDACS will accept the 40hr security training course if it is taught by an FDACS authorized security academy.
Just make sure your 40hr course is taught by an FDACS licensed school.
Once you submit the proof of your ability to meet the requirements to the FDACS, you will get your Florida Security Guard license.
Florida Security Guard License Requirements
Age: You must be 18yo or older.
Criminal Record: You cannot have a criminal record of any kind. However, you are given the ability to challenge the records check outcome. The records check will be performed on you through the FDACS. You will just have to authorize them to perform a check on you via the FL security application.
Mental Illness: You cannot be suffering from mental illness or have substance abuse problems. Information on this is available in the FL application.
Fingerprints: You need to submit fingerprinting in your FL application.
Passport Photo: You need to submit a passport photo in your FL application.
U.S. Citizen: You need to be an American citizen or be legally allowed to work in Florida. You will have to submit a copy of US or Florida government ID in the application.
English: You must be able to speak and write in English.
Florida Approved Security License Course: You need to take a Florida approved 40hr security licensing course. You will need to search for an FDACS licensed security training provider.
Specialized FL Security Guard: There are multiple specialized FL security fields you can enter, such as armed security. These fields require FDACS approved education.
Fee: You will have to pay a small licensing fee, around $100USD.
Application: You can apply online or via mail.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Division of Licensing
P.O. Box 5767
Tallahassee, FL 32314-5767
Florida Security Training Equivalent
You are able to possibly avoid needing to take the required 40hr security training if you have equivalent experience the FDACS deems as acceptable. Information on what experienced is needed is available in the FL Security Guard license application.
What Does a Florida Security Guard Do?
Florida Security Guards Patrol Vacant Locations
Florida Security Guards will do foot patrols of locations for a set number of times per shift.
A common task for a Florida Security Guard will be checking mechanical rooms for any unusual signs or potential health and safety issues.
Florida Security Guards watch for hazards and fill out hazard reports (Florida Guards write a lot of reports).
Guards in Florida document and report maintenance issues to supervisors.
Many Florida security sites require Guards to monitor fire extinguishers to ensure that they are not overdue for inspection (official reviews are done by maintenance personnel).
Florida Security Guards write a lot, including filling in logs as their shifts progresses with what activities are being done at what times. Florida Guards will have their own security notebooks and will constantly note all unusual sightings, occurrences, and incidents.
Florida Security Guards will respond to alarms and act accordingly as per the Emergency Response plan set in place by supervisors. This may include,
Evacuation of the security site.
Checking alarm system on the way out for information about where the problem is occurring.
Contacting supervisors.
Responding to incidents and completing all reports as necessary.
Florida Security Guards Protect Sites with Customers
If a Florida Security Guard is working in a team environment, they will usually meet for a pre-shift briefing at a set location. Once the meeting has been completed the Florida Security Guards will go directly to their designated sites.
In Florida security site locations with customers, Guards will do a lot of patrolling. This can be in a building or outside in places such as parking lots.
Florida Security Guards are usually responsible for site cleanliness when there are no designated cleaning staff. This means as a Florida Security Guard, expect to be cleaning a lot of trash.
Monitoring CCTV cameras will be a big part of a Florida Security Guard’s job. This will be on a continuous basis with follow ups on issues seen.
When it comes to security sites in the service industry, Florida Security Guards will have to assist customers in various non-security ways. This can be giving them directions or carrying items for them. Furthermore, Florida Security Guards will often be expected to be friendly, outgoing, and talkative with customers in their security sites.
A constant security issue for Florida security sites with customers will be smoking, alcohol consumption, and narcotics. Florida Security Guards will often be making sure people aren’t smoking in non-smoking areas, consuming alcohol, or narcotics. For the latter, a Florida Security Guard will usually report the issue to local police.
If the Florida security site is a residence, responding to noise complaints will be a big part of the job.
Of course, catching shoplifters will be a constant for a Florida Security Guard in a site with customers.
Florida Security Guards Work at Security Gates
Florida Security Guards will patrol parking areas to make sure vehicles are registered at that security site.
Every person entering through the security gate will produce valid photo ID to the Florida Security Guard. The Guard will determine if the individual may pass.
During medical emergencies, the Florida Security Guard will direct traffic to allow easy access for Florida EMS vehicles.
Florida Security Guards Deal with Medical Issues
Emergencies at a Florida security site can happen at any time, day or night. On going communication will be key for all Florida Security Guards involved to get through the emergency with the best possible outcome.
Florida EMS/ ambulances will often be called by Florida Security Guards.
The Florida Security Guard that places the 911 call will relay info regarding who, what, where, why, and when.
Florida Security Supervisors will usually take lead on these incidents and direct other Florida Guards to specific tasks to perform during the emergency.
Florida Security Guards will always remain calm and professional. Furthermore, they will assist however they can.
About the Author
Peter Sandru is an Instructor & Co-Founder of NDIL with over 15 years working in security. Peter has spent more than a decade conducting security operations throughout the world, primarily for corporations, law firms, and government agencies. Peter has assisted in the creation of numerous security training programs in various capacities.