If you are looking for a Class D security license online course in Florida, there is one thing to understand before paying a training school: Florida does allow the required Class D training to be completed online, but the initial course cannot simply be a self-paced library of recorded videos.

Florida requires the online training to be delivered live through a licensed security school, with a licensed instructor participating with students in real time. Choosing the wrong course can leave you with training that does not satisfy the licensing requirement.

This guide explains how to get a Florida Class D security license, who qualifies, how online training works, what the 40-hour course includes, current state fees, fingerprinting, the application process, renewal requirements, and what happens once you are ready to work as a licensed security officer.

What is Florida Class D License?

A Florida Class D license is the state license required to work as an unarmed security officer. Class “D” Security Officer License Requirements, applicants generally must be at least 18, have legal authorization to work in the United States, complete 40 hours of approved security officer training, submit fingerprints and a background check, and apply through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The course may be completed online, but initial online training must be delivered live by an approved school and instructor.

You may also hear the license called a Florida guard card, security guard license, security officer license, D license, or Florida security D license. The official name used by FDACS is the Class “D” Security Officer License.

Can You Really Take a Class D Security License Online Course in Florida?

Yes, but “online” does not mean completely self-paced.

Florida law specifically permits online instruction for an initial Class D security officer license. However, Section 493.6132 requires the course to be conducted live by a licensed school or training facility with a physical location in Florida. Florida Administrative Code Rule 5N-1.140 further requires licensed Class “DI” instructors to participate with students in real time.

In practical terms, a compliant online Class D security license Florida course works more like a scheduled Zoom classroom than Netflix.

You log in at set times, the instructor teaches live, attendance is monitored, your identity is verified, and the system tracks participation.

The current rule also requires online programs to use safeguards including:

identity verification using government-issued photo ID;
digital attendance records;
one-device login restrictions;
participation checks during instruction;
secure online delivery;
randomized online test questions; and
access for FDACS investigators to audit the class.

The rule does allow a licensed school to use recorded instruction for up to 10 hours of missed online classroom time under specified conditions. That exception does not turn the initial 40-hour program into a self-paced course.

Three Things to Check Before Paying for an Online Class D Course

First, confirm that the training provider holds a Class “DS” Security Officer School or Training Facility License. Any school providing the required training to applicants for Class D licensure must be appropriately licensed by FDACS.

Second, ask whether your class is delivered live by a licensed Class “DI” instructor.

Third, use the official Florida security license lookup before paying. FDACS provides a Search for a Licensee tool that can verify security officers, instructors, agencies, and security schools.

So if you see an advertisement for a “Class D security license online course Florida free” or a fully self-paced certification, do not judge it by the price alone. A free or discounted course is not automatically invalid, but it still has to satisfy Florida’s licensing rules.

Who Can Apply for a Florida Class D Security License?

The basic eligibility requirements are straightforward.

Requirement	What Florida Requires
Minimum age	18 years old
Immigration/work status	U.S. citizen, legal resident alien, or authorized to work in the U.S.
Training	Minimum 40 hours from an FDACS-licensed school or qualifying alternative
Background check	Fingerprints and criminal-history review
Application	Complete FDACS Class D security officer license application

FDACS confirms the age, work-authorization and 40-hour training requirements on its official Class D licensing page.

If You Served in the Military

Do not automatically pay for 40 hours of training before checking whether your military education qualifies.

FDACS recognizes relevant military training or education completed while serving in the United States Armed Forces as a possible alternative to the standard training requirement under Rule 5N-1.119. Applicants must provide proof of the relevant military training or education.

The state also recognizes certain current or completed law-enforcement and correctional-officer training as alternatives.

Can You Get a Class D License With a Criminal Record?

Possibly, depending on the record.

This is an area where generic answers online can be misleading. A felony or other criminal history does not have one universal waiting period for every circumstance.

Under Rule 5N-1.114, offenses directly related to Chapter 493 licensing can include offenses involving violence, theft, dishonesty, fraud, stalking, certain drug felonies, offenses against minors and similar conduct.

For directly related offenses, the current rule provides different disqualifying periods depending on the disposition. For example, a directly related felony conviction generally requires restoration of civil rights and 10 years from final release from supervision; adjudication withheld on a directly related felony carries a shorter period. First-degree misdemeanors are treated differently again.

Do not guess based on the date of arrest alone. The relevant date can be the date of final release from supervision, and the exact disposition matters.

Anyone concerned about their own criminal history should disclose it accurately and confirm eligibility directly with the FDACS Division of Licensing or qualified legal counsel. False or incomplete answers can create a separate licensing problem.

What Does the 40-Hour Florida Security Guard Training Cover?

Florida requires 40 hours of professional security officer training. The curriculum is established through the Security Officer Training Curriculum Guide and Rule 5N-1.140.

The curriculum covers subjects such as Florida security law, the authority and limitations of a private security officer, emergency procedures, access control, patrol responsibilities, report writing, communication and other core responsibilities of unarmed security work.

One point worth correcting from older Class D guides: Florida no longer requires the security course to be completed as separate “Course A” and “Course B” programs. Rulemaking in 2018 eliminated the old two-part structure.

Under the current rule, the curriculum consists of 40 hours of instruction. Testing must total at least two hours and contain 170 questions, with 128 correct answers required to pass.

After successful completion, the licensed school generates the Certificate of Security Officer Training, Form FDACS-16103. For training completed on or after July 19, 2023, FDACS directs applicants to look up and print their training certificate for submission with the license application.

Online or In Person: Which Is Better?

A compliant Florida Class D security license online course is useful if you work full time, live far from a Florida security school, or need an evening schedule.

Current providers offer formats such as five full weekdays or multiple evening sessions. For example, NITA currently advertises live instructor-led options covering five days or ten evening sessions.

In-person security guard classes in Florida can make more sense if you learn better through face-to-face discussion or want easier interaction during scenario-based instruction.

Legally, the important question is not online versus physical classroom. It is whether the Florida security school, instructor and delivery method comply with FDACS requirements.

How to Get a Security License in Florida: Step by Step

How to Apply: How to Apply for a Class “D” Security Officer License

1. Choose an FDACS-Licensed Class DS School

Before enrolling in any security officer courses, verify the provider through the FDACS license lookup.

Searching “Class D security license near me” may show dozens of companies, but appearing in Google results is not proof of state licensing.

2. Complete the Required 40 Hours and Testing

Attend all required training, participate in the live sessions if your course is online, and complete the required testing.

A legitimate Class D security license training program should make its DS school license and instructor credentials easy to verify.

3. Obtain Your FDACS-16103 Training Certificate

After successful completion, the school reports your training and generates your official Certificate of Security Officer Training.

Keep a copy. You will need proof of training when you submit your security license application.

4. Complete Electronic Fingerprinting

Applicants undergo fingerprint-based criminal-history screening.

FDACS recommends submitting your application within 90 days of your fingerprint scan. Waiting longer can create problems if fingerprints need to be resubmitted and may result in additional cost.

5. Apply to the Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Licensing

You can apply for your Florida security license online, in person at an FDACS regional office, or by mail.

The online application walks applicants through the license information, photo, training documents, supporting documents, fingerprints and payment.

The official mail application is Form FDACS-16007.

The Class D credential is a state of Florida security officer license. If you are searching for a “security license Miami,” “security D license Miami” or “Miami-Dade security license,” the underlying Class D license still comes from FDACS rather than a separate Miami-Dade Class D licensing system.

6. Begin Working When You Are Legally Eligible

This is an important detail for anyone who needs to start earning quickly.

The current FDACS online Class D application states that an applicant may begin work as an unarmed security officer upon submission of a complete application. It also states that if FDACS later determines the application is incomplete, the applicant and employer receive a Notice of Errors or Omissions and employment must stop until the problem is resolved.

That is more precise than assuming everyone automatically receives a separate temporary Class D card.

A Class D officer must work for or own an appropriately licensed Class B security agency or qualifying branch office.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Class D License?

The part you control is usually the training.

A full-time Florida security guard training schedule can complete the required 40 hours in roughly one working week. Evening programs may take around two weeks. Current live-online schools offer both formats.

Fingerprinting can normally be completed separately around the same period, after which the applicant submits the license application.

FDACS does not publish a guaranteed “your license will arrive in exactly X days” processing promise on its current Class D requirements page, so be cautious with training schools that present an exact processing time as guaranteed.

More importantly, a qualified applicant with an employer may be able to begin unarmed work once a complete application has been submitted, rather than waiting for the permanent card to arrive.

How Much Does a Florida Class D License Cost?

There are two separate costs to think about: training and state licensing.

Current live Class D training examples vary by provider. NITA lists a $125 live-online program, while another current Florida security course lists tuition around $195, illustrating why it is reasonable to budget roughly $100–$200 for training rather than assuming one statewide tuition price.

For the state application, the official FDACS Class D application lists:

State fee	Amount
Class D license fee	$45.00
Fingerprint processing	$42.00
Fingerprint retention	$10.75
Total FDACS fees	$97.75

A fingerprint provider may also charge its own service or Live Scan fee depending on where you are fingerprinted.

So a realistic starting budget for obtaining a security guard license in Florida is commonly around $200–$300, depending mainly on training tuition and fingerprint-provider charges.

Fees last verified against FDACS materials: September 1, 2026. The official application currently lists $97.75 in required state fees.

Applicants should recheck FDACS before paying because state fees can change.

How to Check a Florida Security License

After applying—or before paying a training school—you can perform a security license check in Florida through FDACS.

The state’s Search for a Licensee system lets users check individuals who are licensed or have applied as security officers, instructors and managers. It also provides searches for security agencies and schools.

This makes the same official tool useful for:

checking your Class D application or license status;
performing a Florida security license lookup;
confirming that a prospective training school has the required credentials; and
verifying a security officer or instructor.

Do not rely only on a screenshot of a license sent by a school or recruiter when the state database is available.

How Long Is a Florida Class D License Valid?

A Class D license is valid for two years.

FDACS’ current renewal schedule lists a $45 Class D renewal fee plus a $16.75 fingerprint-retention fee, for a standard total of $61.75 before any applicable convenience or late charges.

Unlike the armed Class G license, a standard Class D license does not carry an annual firearms requalification requirement.

If the license expires, timing matters.

Florida law does not allow normal renewal once the license has been expired for three months or more; at that point a new application is required. If a Class D license has been invalid for one year or more, the applicant must complete the 40-hour training again before relicensure.

Do not wait until the card has expired to think about renewal.

Class D vs. Class G Security License in Florida

A Class D security officer license is the basic Florida credential for unarmed security work.

A Class G Statewide Firearm License is the additional credential required when a qualifying security professional needs to carry a firearm while performing regulated duties. A Class G does not replace the underlying security license.

The initial Class G course requires 28 hours of classroom and range instruction, and Class G holders must complete four hours of firearms requalification each year.

Holding only a Class D does not authorize an officer to work an armed post. Florida Statute 493.6115 requires an eligible security licensee who bears a firearm in regulated duties to also hold a Class G license.

If you are researching how to get an armed security license in Florida, finish the Class D process first or make sure you otherwise hold the underlying qualifying license, then review the separate Class G requirements.

After You’re Licensed: What Security Work Actually Looks Like

Passing the 40-hour course makes you legally eligible for the Class D credential. It does not make every security assignment identical.

Licensed officers in South Florida may work:

access-control and gatehouse posts;
residential communities and HOAs;
construction sites;
hospitals and healthcare facilities;
hotels;
retail and commercial properties;
mobile patrol assignments; or
events and special details.

Those jobs can involve nights, weekends, holidays, long periods of observation, detailed report writing, customer interaction and responding calmly when other people are not calm.

That is why the state-required 40 hours should be viewed as the licensing floor, not the end of professional training.

At Almond Tree Security, every officer holds the appropriate Florida license, and the company states that officers complete 40 hours of field training alongside an experienced officer plus annual de-escalation training.

For someone comparing security officer careers in South Florida, that post-license training is worth asking employers about. A newly licensed officer should know who will supervise the first assignments, what site-specific training is provided and what happens when a situation exceeds the officer’s experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the Florida Class D course entirely online?

Yes. Florida permits an initial Class D course to be delivered online, but the instruction must be live and comply with the state’s online-training requirements. A normal self-paced prerecorded course does not satisfy the initial live-online requirement.

What is a Class D security license?

It is Florida’s license for individuals performing unarmed security officer services. FDACS regulates Class D licenses under Chapter 493, Florida Statutes.

How much does a Class D security license cost in Florida?

The current FDACS application lists $97.75 in state license and fingerprint-related fees. Training tuition is separate and commonly brings the total starting cost to roughly $200–$300 depending on the school and fingerprint provider.

How long does it take to get a Class D license?

The required training can often be completed in about one week full-time or roughly two weeks through an evening schedule. State processing times vary, but FDACS currently states that a qualifying applicant may begin unarmed employment after submitting a complete application.

Can I work while my Florida security license application is being processed?

Potentially, yes. Current FDACS Class D application instructions say you may begin working as an unarmed security officer after submitting a complete application. If FDACS determines the application is incomplete, employment must stop until the deficiencies are corrected.

Does military training count toward the 40-hour Class D course?

Relevant training or education received during service in the U.S. Armed Forces may satisfy the training requirement when properly documented under Florida’s military-training credit rules.

How long is a Florida Class D security license valid?

Two years. If it remains expired for one year or more, completing the 40-hour training again is required when applying for relicensure.

Do I need a Class G license to work armed?

Yes. A Class D license covers unarmed security work. Carrying a firearm while performing regulated security duties requires the appropriate underlying license plus a valid Class G Statewide Firearm License.

Now Hiring Licensed Security Officers in South Florida

Getting your Florida security guard license is only the first part of the process. The next step is finding an agency that will put you on a post where you can develop real experience.

Almond Tree Security Services is a Homestead-based Florida Class B security agency serving Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties. The company operates under Florida Security Agency License B 3500420 and is certified by the State of Florida as a Veteran Preference company.

Licensed and newly licensed applicants can view security officer careers in South Florida or apply now through Almond Tree’s careers and application pages.

If you are still completing your Class D security training, you can apply before your permanent license arrives and tell the recruiting team where you are in the licensing process. That gives both sides time to determine what assignments may fit once you are legally eligible to work.

Last verified: September 1, 2026

Important: Almond Tree Security Services is not affiliated with FDACS and does not provide Class D licensing courses. This guide is informational and does not replace guidance from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or legal advice. Licensing requirements, fees and administrative rules can change; applicants should verify current requirements directly with FDACS before applying.