The Class “D” is Florida's unarmed security officer licence. The Class “G” is the statewide firearm licence that authorises you to carry a firearm on duty.
You need the Class D first. The Class G sits on top of it — it does not replace it. To work an armed post you hold both, and you keep the Class G current with 4 hours of requalification and a 48-round qualification every 12 months.
Side by side
| Class “D” | Class “G” | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Unarmed security officer licence | Statewide firearm licence |
| Lets you | Work as a security officer | Carry a firearm on duty |
| Order | First — prerequisite | Second — added on top |
| Training | Set by the state, taught by a licensed provider | 28 hours with a Class “K” instructor |
| Ongoing requirement | Renewal per FDACS | 4-hour requalification every 12 months |
| Taught by Alpha One? | No — partner company | Yes |
Why the order matters
The Class D is the prerequisite. You cannot skip it and go straight to armed work, and applying in the wrong order costs weeks — which, if you have already been offered an armed post, is weeks of pay.
The sequence:
- Class D — unarmed licence. Alpha One does not teach this. A separately licensed partner company handles it. Call us and we will tell you who to contact.
- Class G — the 28-hour armed course. This is us.
- Annual requalification — 4 hours and 48 rounds, every 12 months, for as long as you hold the licence.
Why we say plainly that we do not teach Class D
Because we are not licensed to. Providing Class D training in Florida requires credentials Frank does not hold, and a school that blurs that line is telling you something about how it handles the rest of your paperwork.
We work alongside a separately licensed company that does it properly. You complete the Class D with them, then come to us for everything armed.
Is the Class G worth it?
Financially, usually yes. Armed security in Miami pays materially more per hour than unarmed work, and Miami-Dade consistently lists hundreds of armed openings — many of which name the Class G as a requirement rather than a preference. See armed vs unarmed pay in Miami.
The trap nobody warns you about
The Class G is issued for a two-year term, but the requalification requirement runs every 12 months inside that term. Officers look at an unexpired card, assume they are fine, and are quietly out of compliance.
Missing the first-year requalification triggers automatic suspension. If that has already happened, see expired Class G.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Class D to get a Class G?
Yes. The unarmed Class D is the prerequisite for the armed Class G. They are steps in sequence, not alternatives.
Can I work armed with just a Class D?
No. The Class D is the unarmed licence. Working an armed post requires the Class G statewide firearm licence in addition, with a current annual qualification.
Does Alpha One teach the Class D course?
No. We are not licensed to provide Class D training, and we say so plainly. A separately licensed partner company handles it — call 305.458.8429 and we will point you to them.
How long does the whole process take?
It depends on the Class D provider's schedule, the 28-hour Class G course, and FDACS processing. Call us with your timeline and we will tell you realistically what it looks like rather than guessing optimistically.
Is a “security guard licence” the same as a Class G?
Same job, different word. Florida's official term is security officer — that is what appears on the licence and throughout Chapter 493 — but in everyday speech almost everyone says security guard. The unarmed licence is the Class "D"; the armed one is the Class "G". So if an employer told you they need a "guard with a G", they mean a Class D holder who also holds a Class G.
Is a concealed weapon licence the same as a Class G?
No, and this confuses people constantly. A CWL is a civilian licence for carrying a concealed firearm. A Class G is an occupational licence for carrying a firearm while working as a security officer. Neither substitutes for the other.