Armed Security Guard / Florida
2026 data Florida board official source

Florida Armed Security Guard License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides security services with authorization to carry a firearm.

What the Florida data shows for Armed Security Guards

To practice as an armed security guard in Florida, the state licensing board requires 53 documented education or training hours, no mandatory state exam. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Florida's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Security Guard Training".

The initial price tag is $165, and renewal costs $101 every 2 years. Maintaining the license requires 8 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Not typically reciprocal.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
64/100
Armed Security Guard · Florida

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B
53 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$165
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C
$51/yr
$101 every 2 years
Continuing Education B+
4.0 hrs/yr
8 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Education / Training Hours
Security Guard Training
53 hours
Exam Requirement
Not Required
Initial License Fee
$165
Renewal Fee
$101
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Armed Security Guard All Florida licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Florida licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Armed Security Guard in Florida? ▼
Florida requires 53 education/training hours, and an initial fee of $165. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Armed Security Guard in Florida? ▼
Certification as an armed security guard in Florida means clearing the state's checklist: 53 hours of education. The Florida licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Armed Security Guard license to Florida from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for armed security guards: Not typically reciprocal. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Florida licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Florida require a background check for Armed Security Guard licensing? ▼
Florida does require a background check before issuing an armed security guard license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Armed Security Guard in Florida? ▼
To stay licensed as an armed security guard in Florida, plan on 8 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $101.

Related Guides

What to do with this armed security guard license

Armed Security Guard in Florida, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an armed security guard-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Florida's armed security guard requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Armed Security Guard in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state armed security guard license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Florida's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Florida overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Florida licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.