The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' (DOACS) Division of Licensing is responsible for licensing and regulating the private security industry in the state of Florida. A security officer or guard is an individual or business that provides security services. A security license is required to serve as a bodyguard, transport prisoners, guard property, guard armored vehicles, work in a position to prevent theft, or seek the return of stolen valuables.

Meet the basic requirements. You must be at least 18 years old. You must be a citizen or legal resident alien of the U.S., or have been granted authority to work in the U.S. You also must provide a current residence address (P.O. Box addresses are not acceptable).

Complete a minimum of 40 hours of professional training with a security officer school or a training facility that is licensed by the DOACS. You have the option of completing all 40 hours before submitting your application, or you may complete 24 hours and then complete the remaining 16 within 180 days of the date you submitted your application to the Division of Licensing. To sign up for a training course, you can visit floridasecuritylicense.com.

Apply for the security license at doacs.state.fl.us. Click on the “Licensing, Permits, and Registrations” link on the left side of the page. Scroll down and click on the “Security Officers” link. Click the “Application Instructions” link, and then the “’D’ Security Officer” link.

Complete and submit your application. The address you should send your application to will be specified on the form. You also must submit proof of training, a photograph, a fingerprint card (details are provided on the application), a $45 license fee and a $42 fingerprint card processing fee made payable to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Upon successful completion and submission of your application, you may begin work as an unarmed security officer.