Security licensing · Florida
Florida Class G license renewal: annual requalification and what a missed year costs
A Florida Class G statewide firearm license lasts two years, but the holder must complete four hours of firearms requalification every year of that term. A missed first year suspends the license until the 28-hour initial course is repeated.
What the Class G license is
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Licensing issues the Class G statewide firearm license under Chapter 493, Florida Statutes. It is an add-on, not a stand-alone card. Only Class C, CC, D, M, MA, and MB licensees may carry a firearm, and each one who does must also hold a Class G (§493.6115(2)). The unarmed side is in our Class D guide.
How to get a Class G license
An applicant must be at least 18 and a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. The initial course is 28 hours of classroom and range training taught by a Class K instructor, including 8 hours of in-person range training (FDACS Class G requirements; Rule 5N-1.132). The instructor issues a Certificate of Firearms Proficiency, which goes in with the application. FDACS can waive the course for certified law enforcement officers and holders of certain firearm certificates. The license fee is $112 (Rule 5N-1.116).
A Class G licensee may carry only the type and caliber of firearm for which he or she is qualified, and no more than two firearms at once. The statute lists several permitted calibers, such as .38, .380, 9mm, .40, and .45 ACP, in addition to any other firearm FDACS approves (§493.6115(6)).
Term and annual requalification
A Class G license is renewed every two years, but the holder must complete four hours of range and classroom training from a Class K instructor in each 12-month period, including the first. Proof is due each year by the month and day printed as the expiration date on the license (§493.6113(3)(b); Rule 5N-1.132(2)). What a miss costs:
| What happens | Result |
|---|---|
| Year 1 training done, proof not filed on time | Automatic suspension until proof is filed |
| No year 1 training | Automatic suspension. Repeat the 28-hour course to reinstate |
| No year 2 training | Repeat the 28-hour course before the license can be renewed |
Requalification is specific to each type and caliber carried. At a Class K instructor's discretion, one 4-hour class can cover up to two calibers if each gets its own course of fire (§493.6113(3)(b)). Qualifying on an additional type or caliber takes a 4-hour class specific to it, and each firearm needs its own certificate (Rule 5N-1.132(3)).
How to renew
- Notice. FDACS mails a renewal application about 95 days before expiration (FDACS). The statute puts the duty on the licensee to renew on or before expiration (§493.6113(2) and (3)).
- Online. The FDACS Class G renewal site asks for the mailed renewal notice, the requalification certificate (form FDACS-16005), and a passport-style photo from the last six months. Card payments add a 2.5% fee.
- Fees. Renewal is $112 plus a $16.75 fingerprint retention fee (Rule 5N-1.116). The rule also limits retention charges for people who hold more than one license, so an officer renewing both Class D and Class G may not pay it twice.
A renewal filed after expiration but within three months carries a late fee equal to the license fee, so $112. FDACS waives it on request if the delay came from wrong written information from the department. No license is renewed three months or more after expiration, and the holder files a new application (Rule 5N-1.116(4); §493.6113(5)). A renewal applicant may not do regulated work between expiration and renewal (§493.6113(6)).
Employer duties and penalties
- Discipline. Employing an unlicensed or improperly licensed person is grounds for discipline if the status was known or could have been learned by reasonable inquiry (§493.6118(1)(n)). Check licensure status with FDACS Search for a Licensee.
- Firearm discharge. When a Class G licensee discharges a firearm on duty, the licensee and the agency must send FDACS an explanation within five working days. FDACS may revoke or suspend both licenses for failure (§493.6115(9)).
- Unlicensed work. A first violation is a first-degree misdemeanor and later ones are third-degree felonies, but the provision does not apply within 90 days after a license expires (§493.6120(1)).
What to track for each armed officer
- The Class G and Class D expiration dates, which can differ.
- Two requalification deadlines per term, both on the license's expiration month and day.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Florida Class G license?
It is the FDACS statewide firearm license that lets a licensed security officer carry a firearm on duty.
How do I get a Class G security license in Florida?
Finish the 28-hour course with a Class K instructor, then send FDACS the application, the proficiency certificate, and the $112 fee. The Class G works only alongside a license such as Class D.
How long does a Florida Class G license last?
Two years, with a 4-hour requalification in each year.
What are Florida's armed security laws in brief?
Chapter 493 requires a Class G on top of the base license, limits an officer to the type and caliber of firearm he or she is qualified on, and requires annual training.
Rules change. This guide summarizes public sources and is not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Licensing before acting on them.