Private Security
Officer Program (5500)
This program prepares students for certification
and state licensure as private security officers in a wide range
of security related fields to include commercial and industrial
property protection, retail property theft prevention and recovery,
prisoner transportation to and from medical treatment, bank and
armored car guards, and bodyguards in the State of Florida.
Officers have two licensure options. To become a state licensed
unarmed security officer, the student must successfully pass a
state background check, pay the appropriate state licensing fees,
and complete the Unarmed Private Security Initial and Renewal
Courses of instruction anytime within a two year period. Successful
officers will also receive two workforce credit certificates.
For successful program completion and to become a licensed armed
security officer, the student is required, at a minimum, to complete
the Unarmed Private Security Officer Initial Course as a prerequisite
to completion of the Armed Security Officer qualification course.
In order for the student to retain both the Unarmed and Armed
Security license, the successful officer must then complete the
Unarmed Private Security Officer Renewal course anytime within
two years of the initial license. Successful officers with program
completion will receive three workforce credit certificates.
Expected Job Growth: Employment
is expected to grow faster than the average as concern about crime
and terrorism continue to increase the need for security. Demand
will also grow as private security firms increasingly perform
duties which were formerly handled by police officers and marshals.
Starting Salary:
$19,000
Graduates of this program who pass a state background check and
pay the fees will be licensed as Armed Security Officers. Students
also have the option to become licensed as an Unarmed Security
Officer. To maintain licensure, students must take a renewal course
within two years of initial licensure.
Selected Entry Prerequisites (Unarmed License
Applicant):
- Must be, upon date of program entry, 18 years
of age.
- Must be U.S. citizen or legal resident alien
with work permit from United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS).
- Must submit fingerprint card for proof of
good moral character.
- Must not have disqualifying criminal history.
- Must not have disqualifying history of mental
illness, or alcohol or controlled substance abuse.
- Must have current residence address in Florida
and five year residence history.
- Must have five year prior employment history
and/or military service record (if applicable).
- Must have signed employer's approval statement
for hire (to be completed on last day of training)
- Must sign a personal inquiry waiver and notarization
statement to allow the state to conduct an investigation of
the applicant's background statements to include any criminal
history, school records, employment history, financial records
and any history of controlled substance abuse, alcohol abuse,
or mental incapacity.
Selected Additional Entry Prerequisites (Armed
License Applicant):
- Must meet all prerequisites of the Unarmed
License Applicant listed above with exceptions that follow.
- Upon date of program entry be 21 years of
age.
- Must have health certificate signed by an
examining physician stating that the person has no physical
impairments to preclude performing duties in an armed capacity.
Application
- Applicants provide proof of an earned high
school diploma or equivalency degree.
- All applicants must complete College-Student
Membership Contract.
- All applicants must satisfactorily complete
a legible pre-test English Language Reading Comprehension and
Written Report Exercise, administered during the first hour
of each course.
Professional Courses
SCY 0501 Private Security Officer Unarmed Level 1 (24/1)
SCY 0502 Private Security Officer Unarmed Level 2 (16/.5)
SCY 0503 Private Security Officer Armed Level 1 (28/1)
Total Credit Hours: 68 contact hours/2.5
workforce credits
Estimated tuition is $135 (for Florida residents as of 7/04).
