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Security guard training in Florida

3 security guard programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

3 schools offer these security guard programs, and Florida has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Security guards protect property from illegal activity. Most states require a license, which usually means being 18 or older, passing a background check and completing training; most guards learn the job in a few weeks. Armed guards need weapons training and usually a separate license.1

In Florida, 2 of the 3 programs take students without a high school diploma and 1 asks for a diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 3 programs here are armed security and firearms course (1 program), security guard license course (1 program) and security program or diploma (1 program).

See the 3 programs

How much does security guard training cost in Florida?

$153 to $2,995

is what the 3 programs with a price cost if you pay yourself

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not enough data
2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later
Not reported
None of the 3 programs report it
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
None of the 3 programs report it
Length
Not enough data
3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Florida may also offer security guard training. How these figures are made

Is there free security guard training in Florida?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 3 security guard programs in Florida approved for WIOA funding

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Kind of program
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3 programs

  • Armed security and firearms courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Security G License (Course #: CJD 8808)

    Hillsborough Community College

    Tampa

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Hillsborough Community College, TampaArmed security and firearms course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$158
    School website, Security G License (Course #: CJD 8808) at Hillsborough Community College
    More details about Security G License (Course #: CJD 8808) at Hillsborough Community College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    1 week, 32 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    57
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $158
    School website, Security G License (Course #: CJD 8808) at Hillsborough Community College

  • Security guard license courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Basic Security Guard* - WTP Only

    MIAMI DADE COLLEGE (Various Campuses)

    Miami

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    MIAMI DADE COLLEGE (Various Campuses), MiamiSecurity guard license course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$153
    More details about Basic Security Guard* - WTP Only at MIAMI DADE COLLEGE (Various Campuses)
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    1 week, 42 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    38
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $153

  • Security program or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Security Fundamentals

    The University Of West Florida-Un

    Pensacola

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    The University Of West Florida-Un, PensacolaSecurity program or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,995
    School website, Security Fundamentals at The University Of West Florida-Un
    More details about Security Fundamentals at The University Of West Florida-Un
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 25 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $500
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,995
    School website, Security Fundamentals at The University Of West Florida-Un

How to pay for security guard training in Florida

WIOA funding can pay for security guard training in Florida

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for security guard training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for security guard training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Security guard training in Tampa, Miami, Pensacola and other Florida cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above.

Other training in Florida

How security guard training compares with the rest of public safety: First responder training in Florida

Where the Florida security guard program numbers come from

Which Florida security guard programs are on this list?

These are the security guard programs Florida approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Florida offers.

How the prices and results of Florida security guard programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about security guard training in Florida

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List