FLORIDA SECURITY GUARD AGENCY LICENSE

The license. Class "B" Security Agency license (FDACS: Class "B" Private Security Agency License); valid for one location. Each branch office needs a Class "BB" branch license (Class "AB" if the company holds both a Class A and a Class B license). [19]

Who needs it. Any person or entity that, for consideration, advertises as providing or is engaged in the business of furnishing security services, armored car services, or transporting prisoners (including use of dogs and individuals for security services). Exemptions in s. 493.6102 include unarmed proprietary (in-house) security employed exclusively on the employer's premises, agencies serving solely and exclusively a U.S. government agency, on-duty/approved off-duty law enforcement officers, church-employed unarmed security officers, and (new 7/1/2026) unpaid volunteers providing armed security at places of worship. [19]

Local licensing. Licensing is exclusively state-level (FDACS Division of Licensing). s. 493.6107(5), F.S. (v-fs-ch493-senate): "Payment of any license fee provided for under this chapter authorizes the licensee to practice his or her profession anywhere in this state without obtaining any additional license, permit, registration, or identification card, any municipal or county ordinance or resolution to the contrary notwithstanding. Appointed county tax collectors may accept new applications only for Class D (R. 5N-1.150). School security guards supplied by a security agency must be approved by the sheriff of each county where assigned (s. 1006.12(4)(a)4.) - a sheriff approval layer for that service line, not a local agency license.

Your guards. Every individual performing security officer services must hold a Class "D" Security Officer license (40 hours of training at a licensed Class DS school; armed officers also need Class "G"); a Class D licensee must own or be employed by a Class B agency or branch. The agency must report each licensee's employment or termination to FDACS electronically within 15 calendar days (Employee Action Report / Licensing Information and Alert System). Class D applicants may begin work upon submitting a complete application. [19]

Role

Class "MB" Security Agency Manager. Alternatives: a Class "M" licensee, or a Class "D" licensee licensed for at least 2 years, may be designated manager instead (then no MB needed). A company holding both Class A and Class B licenses (or a Class AB branch) uses a Class "M" manager. [19]

Experience

Class MB: 2 years of lawfully gained, verifiable, full-time experience or training in security work or related fields; or 1 year security work plus up to 1 year of criminal-justice/criminology/law-enforcement-administration college coursework or law-enforcement training; or 1 year security work plus 1 year managerial/supervisory work. Military: 2 years of service in any capacity at pay grade E4 or above satisfies the MB requirement (partial credit for less), R. 5N-1.119(6). Class M must qualify as both MA and MB. [19]

Age & background

Every individual licensee (including the MB manager and each sole proprietor/partner/principal officer applicant) must be at least 18, of good moral character, not adjudicated incapacitated/involuntarily committed (unless restored), not a chronic alcohol abuser or recent controlled-substance offender (3-year look-back unless rehabilitated), and a U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or have USCIS authorization; full fingerprint-based FDLE/FBI background investigation. [19]

• At least one properly licensed manager must be designated for each agency and branch office location. [19]
• Manager must be assigned to and primarily operate from the agency or branch office for which he or she is designated (the 3-office exception applies only to private investigative agencies). [19]
• A licensed agency or branch may not begin regulated activity until a properly licensed manager has been designated and employed. [2]
• MB applicant must file a statement, on a department form, of the experience he or she believes qualifies him or her. [19]
• The Class MB license fee must be paid when the application is filed (unlike the Class B agency fee, which is paid on approval). [1]
• Upon submission of a complete application, an MB (or M) applicant may begin manager duties for a licensed agency while the application is processed. [19]
• An MB manager who carries a firearm must also hold a Class "G" statewide firearm license. [19]
• An owner, officer, partner, or manager of an agency at the time of activity that is the basis for revocation of the agency/branch license, who knew or should have known of it, has personal licenses suspended for 3 years. [19]
• Military credit: 2 years of military service in any capacity at pay grade E4 or above satisfies the Class MB experience requirement. [2]
• Non-citizen agency owner applicants must provide USCIS documentation that they are lawfully in the U.S. and authorized to own and operate the agency; an employment authorization card is not sufficient. [19]

Insurance

Commercial general liability insurance, combined single limit of at least $300,000 for death, bodily injury, property damage and personal injury, covering all licensed employees, written by an insurer lawfully engaged in Florida, naming the department (Division of Licensing) as additional insured for notices; filed on form DACS-16004 Certification of Insurance before issuance and at each renewal; cancellation automatically suspends the agency license. [19]

Branch offices

Each branch office of a Class B agency needs a separate Class BB license ($50 application + $125 license; 3-year term) and its own designated licensed manager; a company holding both A and B licenses uses Class AB branch licenses and needs a Class M manager there. The license is valid for only one location; location changes must be reported within 10 days. [19]

• Class B agency (initial): $50 application fee + $42 fingerprint processing fee for the sole proprietor and EACH partner/corporate officer; $450 license fee (3-year license) due only after the Division approves the application; revised/duplicate $10. [28]
• Class B: the sole proprietor and each partner or corporate officer must each submit the $50 application fee and $42 fingerprint processing fee; the $450 license fee is not due until the Division approves the application. [28]
• Fingerprint processing fee: $42 per individual applicant with an initial application. [20]
• Class BB branch office: $50 application + $125 license = $175 total (3-year license). [28]
• Class MB security agency manager (initial): $50 application + $42 fingerprint processing + $10.75 fingerprint retention + $75 license = $177.75; no exam fee. (* = application/license fee waived for eligible veterans.) [28]
• Class M manager (combined PI + security): $177.75 plus $70 exam fee paid to the testing contractor. [28]
• Rule fee amounts (controlling within the statutory caps): application fee $50 for all license types except D and G; Class B $450 triennial; branch $125; manager $75 biennial. [20]
• Statutory caps (rule-set fees must not exceed): Class B $450; Class BB/AB $125; Class MB $75; Class D $45; application fee not to exceed $60 (s. 493.6105(1)); revision/replacement not to exceed $30. [19]
• Class B renewal (every 3 years): $450 renewal license fee; no fingerprint retention fee; revised/duplicate $10. (Class BB renewal: $125.) [29]
• Class MB renewal (every 2 years): $75 renewal license fee + $16.75 renewal fingerprint retention fee; revised/duplicate $15. [29]
• Late renewal (within 3 months after expiration): additional late fee equal to the license fee. [20]
• Change in partner or corporate officer: $50 application fee + $42 fingerprint processing, filed within 5 working days on FDACS-16055. [13]
• License replacement/revision: $15 for laminated licenses, $10 for all others. [20]
• Exam fee (Class M/MA/C only): $70 under R. 5N-1.116(5)(b), paid to Everblue per FDACS pages (statutory cap $100, s. 493.6203(5)(c)). [20]
• Veterans: initial application and/or license fee waived for a veteran (s. 1.01, F.S.) applying for an individual license including Class M, MA or MB within 24 months after discharge (DD214 required). Not listed for the Class B agency license. [28]

1. Designate a licensed manager (Class MB, Class M, or a Class D licensee licensed 2+ years) for the agency and each branch; MB applicants file the manager application (form 16021) with experience statement, fees ($177.75) and fingerprints. [19]
2. Complete the Class B Private Security Agency License Application (form 16022, https://forms.fdacs.gov/16022.pdf) and file it at a Division of Licensing regional office or by mail to P.O. Box 5767, Tallahassee, FL 32314-5767. [22]
3. Each individual owner, partner, or principal corporate officer files a complete, verified application (name/aliases, DOB, SSN, criminal history statement, passport photo, mental-health/competency statements, full fingerprints and fees, personal inquiry waiver) with the $50 application fee; passive investors who do not direct operations need not apply. [19]
4. Agency portion of the application states the proposed agency name, Florida principal physical location, branch offices, and partners/principal officers; the agency must have at least one physical location in Florida. [19]
5. Maintain at least one physical location in Florida as the agency's primary office. [1]
6. File the Certification of Insurance (form DACS-16004) evidencing $300,000 CSL commercial general liability coverage before the license can issue. [20]
7. Obtain FDACS written authorization before operating under any fictitious name (and file the fictitious-name certificate under s. 865.09); FDACS advises calling for tentative name approval before filing with Sunbiz. [1]
8. Obtain prior written FDACS authorization for any fictitious name (and file under s. 865.09); FDACS advises calling for tentative name approval before filing with the Division of Corporations. [25]
9. Pay the Class B license fee when FDACS notifies that the application is approved. [2]
10. FDACS investigates (fingerprints/FDLE/FBI, mental competency inquiries); upon approval, pay the $450 Class B license fee; post the license and the FDACS consumer notice conspicuously at the licensed location. [28]
11. After licensure, post the license conspicuously at the licensed location and display the FDACS-prescribed regulatory notice; include the agency license number in print/directory advertising and in written bids. [1]
12. After licensure: include the agency license number in all print/directory advertising and written bids; issue ID cards to partners, officers and licensed employees; obtain local business tax receipts where offices are located. [19]

Renewal

Class B agency and BB branch licenses are valid 3 years and renew triennially (renewal fee $450 / $125, plus updated certification of insurance); MB manager licenses are valid 2 years. FDACS mails notice at least 90 days before expiration (agency page: approx. 95 days). Late renewal allowed up to 3 months after expiration with a late fee equal to the license fee; at 3 months or more, a new application is required; no regulated activity between expiration and renewal. Renewal payment may be made online but documents must be mailed. [19]

Disqualifiers & waivers

Felony conviction: deny/revoke unless civil rights restored AND 10 years since final release from supervision; felony with adjudication withheld: 3 years after final release. By rule (R. 5N-1.113), directly related first-degree misdemeanor conviction: 2 years since final release; adjudication withheld: 1 year. Lack of good moral character only on clear and convincing evidence. Conviction of any ch. 493 violation: ineligible 5 years. 1-year bar on reapplying for the same class after final denial/revocation. Outstanding administrative fines block approval and renewal; unpaid fines 30 days after final order automatically suspend agency and owner/officer licenses. Owner/officer/manager who knew or should have known of activity causing agency revocation: 3-year suspension. [19]

• 2026-07-01New exemption s. 493.6102(16): ch. 493 does not apply to any person who, on a voluntary basis and without compensation, provides armed security services on the premises of a church, mosque, synagogue, or other place of worship (s. 493.6201(4) reenacted to incorporate the reference). Paid security at places of worship still requires licensing (the existing s. 493.6102(13) church-employee exemption covers only unarmed employees). Ch. 2026-46, Laws of Fla. (CS/SB 52) [32]
• 2026-03-30 (upon becoming law; approved March 30, 2026)s. 493.6102(1) (law-enforcement officer exemption) reenacted without textual change to incorporate the amended s. 943.10 definition of 'officer', which now includes juvenile detention and juvenile probation officers - so those officers fall within the existing exemption when on duty or performing approved off-duty security. Ch. 2026-16, s. 12, Laws of Fla. (CS/CS/HB 1153) [33]
• 2026-05-15 (upon becoming law; certain other sections of the act effective 2026-10-01)School safety act amends s. 30.15(1)(k) (sheriff guardian program). Compared with the 2025 statute, the security-agency-relevant changes are: on request, the sheriff must establish (or contract for) guardian training 'to meet the demand' of private school, child care facility, public postsecondary institution and charter school employees or school security guards; public postsecondary institutions added to reporting lists; and new sentence that any additional sheriff training beyond the standardized curriculum is at no cost to a private school, child care facility, or security agency. The rule that the employing security agency pays all training and screening-related costs (capped at the sheriff's actual cost) was ALREADY in the 2025 statute (not new). s. 1006.12(4) text unchanged. Ch. 2026-80, s. 1, Laws of Fla. (CS/CS/HB 757); s. 30.15(1)(k), F.S. [36]
• 2025-03-10New Rule 5N-1.150: appointed county tax collectors may accept new license applications for Class D only; they may provide fingerprinting/photo services for applicants of all license types who applied online or by mail. Fla. Admin. Code R. 5N-1.150 [20]
• 2025-07-01Cross-reference corrections in the repossession definition (s. 493.6101(22)) and Class E experience (s. 493.6403); no effect on security agencies. Ch. 2025-155, ss. 52-53, Laws of Fla. (CS/CS/CS/SB 1662) [34]
• none yet (rule development stage)PENDING, NOT ENACTED: FDACS Division of Licensing rule development (Rule 5N-1.100) to define/clarify 'security services', 'guards' and 'access control' as used in s. 493.6101(18)-(19) (could affect who needs a Class B/D license, e.g., access-control staff). Workshops 3/27/2026 and 9/4/2026; the Feb. 2026 development notice was withdrawn 8/19/2026 and re-noticed 8/18/2026. No Notice of Proposed Rule found as of 2026-11-09, so nothing takes effect by 1/1/2027. Re-checked flrules.org rule page on 2026-11-09/10: latest notices are the 8/18/2026 development notice and 8/19/2026 withdrawal of the 2/3/2026 notice; no Notice of Proposed Rule. FAR Vol. 52 No. 160 (8/18/2026), notice 31262438 [21]
• n/aSearch of the Florida Senate statute-citation bill index for ch. 493 (sessions 2025, 2025A-C, 2026, 2026D-F, 2027 prefiles) found no other enacted bill amending ch. 493; HB 607 (2026) died and its passed companion SB 290 (ch. 2026-3) contains no ch. 493 text. No enacted change taking effect later in 2027 was found. flsenate.gov bill citator [35]

• Fla. Stat. ch. 493, Part I (ss. 493.6100-493.6132) — General Provisions (definitions, exemptions, applications, fees, insurance, renewal, discipline) [19]
• Fla. Stat. ch. 493, Part III (ss. 493.6301-493.631) — Private Security Services (Class B/BB/MB/D/DS/DI licenses, fees, manager experience, uniforms) [19]
• Fla. Stat. s. 493.6110 — Licensee's insurance [19]
• Fla. Stat. s. 493.6203(5) — Examination requirement - Class MA, M and C only (reaches a security business only via the Class M manager of a combined A+B agency / AB branch; not Class MB) [19]
• Fla. Stat. s. 30.15(1)(k) and s. 1006.12(4) — Sheriff guardian program training for school security guards; school districts/charter schools contracting with ch. 493 security agencies for Class D+G school security guards (service-line context, not an agency license) [38]
• Fla. Admin. Code ch. 5N-1 — Private Investigative, Security and Repossession Activities, Schools [20]
• Fla. Admin. Code R. 5N-1.116 (amended eff. 10/30/2024) — Insurance; Fees [20]
• Fla. Admin. Code R. 5N-1.119 — Credit for Relevant Military Training and Education [20]
• Fla. Admin. Code R. 5N-1.140(3) (rule amended eff. 11/28/2024) — Private Investigator Examination (Class M, MA, C): 100 questions, 75 correct to pass [20]
• Fla. Admin. Code R. 5N-1.142 — Reporting Requirements (employee hire/termination within 15 days; partner/officer changes within 5 working days) [20]
• Fla. Admin. Code R. 5N-1.113 / 5N-1.114 — Disciplinary guidelines; directly related criminal offenses [20]
• Fla. Admin. Code R. 5N-1.150 (new eff. 3/10/2025) — Services on Behalf of the Department by Appointed Tax Collector [20]

1. 2026 Florida Statutes, Chapter 493 - Private Investigative, Private Security, and Repossession Services (entire chapter) · retrieved 2026-11-09
2. Florida Administrative Code Chapter 5N-1 - Private Investigative, Security and Repossession Activities, Schools (full chapter) · retrieved 2026-11-09
3. Florida Administrative Register - 2026 rule development and workshop notices for Rule 5N-1.100 (definitions of security services / guards / access control) · retrieved 2026-11-09
4. FDACS - Private Security Licenses (program page and license classifications) · retrieved 2026-11-09
5. FDACS - Class "B" Private Security Agency License Requirements · retrieved 2026-11-09
6. FDACS - Class "BB" Private Security Agency Branch License Requirements · retrieved 2026-11-09
7. FDACS - Class "M," "MA" or "MB" Manager License Requirements · retrieved 2026-11-09
8. FDACS - Class "D" Security Officer License Requirements · retrieved 2026-11-09
9. FDACS - Renewing Your Private Security License · retrieved 2026-11-09
10. FDACS - Private Investigation, Recovery and Security Services FAQ · retrieved 2026-11-09
11. FDACS - Licensing Information and Alert System / Employee Action Report · retrieved 2026-11-09
12. FDACS - Examination Requirements for the Private Investigator/Private Investigator Manager and Firearms Instructor Licenses (Questions and Answers About the Examination) · retrieved 2026-11-09
13. FDACS - Chapter 493 New License Fee Schedule (PDF dated 2026-07-30) · retrieved 2026-11-09
14. FDACS - Chapter 493 Renewal License Fee Schedule (PDF dated 2019-07-31) · retrieved 2026-11-09
15. Laws of Florida ch. 2026-46 (CS/SB 52) - security services at places of worship · retrieved 2026-11-09
16. Laws of Florida ch. 2026-16 (CS/CS/HB 1153) - juvenile justice; reenacts s. 493.6102(1) (excerpt) · retrieved 2026-11-09
17. Laws of Florida ch. 2026-80 (CS/CS/HB 757) - school safety; school security guards employed by security agencies · retrieved 2026-11-09
18. Laws of Florida ch. 2025-155 (CS/CS/CS/SB 1662) - transportation; ss. 52-53 amend ss. 493.6101, 493.6403 (excerpt) · retrieved 2026-11-09
19. The 2026 Florida Statutes, Chapter 493 (entire chapter) - Florida Senate · retrieved 2026-11-09
20. Florida Administrative Code Chapter 5N-1 (full chapter, official flrules.org Word file) · retrieved 2026-11-09
21. Florida Administrative Register notices for Rule 5N-1.100 (2026 rule development: 'security services'/'guards'/'access control') · retrieved 2026-11-09
22. FDACS - Class "B" Private Security Agency License Requirements · retrieved 2026-11-09
23. FDACS - Class "BB" Private Security Agency Branch License Requirements · retrieved 2026-11-09
24. FDACS - Class "M," "MA" or "MB" Manager License Requirements · retrieved 2026-11-09
25. FDACS - Private Investigation, Recovery and Security Services FAQ · retrieved 2026-11-09
26. FDACS - Renewing Your Private Security License · retrieved 2026-11-09
27. FDACS - Class "D" Security Officer License Requirements · retrieved 2026-11-09
28. FDACS - Chapter 493 New License Fee Schedule (PDF dated 2026-07-30) · retrieved 2026-11-09
29. FDACS - Chapter 493 Renewal License Fee Schedule (PDF dated 2019-07-31) · retrieved 2026-11-09
30. FDACS - Examination Requirements for the Private Investigator/Private Investigator Manager and Firearms Instructor Licenses (Q&A PDF, modified 2026-01-09) · retrieved 2026-11-09
31. Everblue exam registration portal for FDACS Division of Licensing (course list) · retrieved 2026-11-09
32. Laws of Florida Ch. 2026-46 (CS/SB 52) - Security services at places of worship · retrieved 2026-11-09
33. Laws of Florida Ch. 2026-16 (CS/CS/HB 1153) - Juvenile justice (excerpt: s. 12 reenacting s. 493.6102(1)) · retrieved 2026-11-09
34. Laws of Florida Ch. 2025-155 (CS/CS/CS/SB 1662) - Transportation (excerpt: ss. 52-53 amending ss. 493.6101(22), 493.6403) · retrieved 2026-11-09
35. Florida Senate bill search by statute citation - bills citing chapter 493, sessions 2025 through 2027 · retrieved 2026-11-09
36. The 2026 Florida Statutes, s. 30.15 Sheriffs - powers, duties, obligations (incl. (1)(k) guardian program; school security guards employed by security agencies) - Florida Senate · retrieved 2026-11-09
37. The 2025 Florida Statutes, s. 30.15 (pre-ch. 2026-80 text, for comparison) - Florida Senate · retrieved 2026-11-09
38. The 2026 Florida Statutes, s. 1006.12 Safe-school officers (incl. (4) school security guard via ch. 493 security agency) - Florida Senate · retrieved 2026-11-09

Compiled from the primary government sources above, retrieved on the dates shown. This page is a research summary, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the issuing authority before you file.