Florida Class D 40-Hour Curriculum Cheat Sheet

Curriculum + Examination Rules

Not published of exam
Rule 5N-1.140 FDACS-P-01878 Exam Mechanics Subject Counts

Legal Authority + Limits

Not published of exam
Chapter 493 Private-Citizen Limits Reasonable Force Retail Detention

Conduct + Communications

Not published of exam
Officer Role Professional Conduct De-escalation Client Relations

Observation + Protection

Not published of exam
Incident Reports Access Control Patrols Physical Security

Emergency + Medical Response

Not published of exam
Emergency Plans Fire Safety HazMat Awareness First Aid

Threats + Special Issues

Not published of exam
Terrorism Awareness Event Security Workplace Violence Weapons Awareness

Quick Facts

Curriculum 40 hours
Administration Licensed school
Format Approved examination(s)
Question total 170
Testing floor Not less than 2 hours
Passing mark 128 correct
True/false cap 50% per subject
Subject areas 18
Training certificate FDACS-16103
Certificate timing Within 3 business days
Current fees $97.75 total
Domain weights Not published

Training Certificate vs License EX

FDACS-16103

Proves training
School issues form
Supports application

Class D license

FDACS credential
Authorizes unarmed work
$45 license fee
Training proof is not licensure

Rule Mechanics EX

Required curriculum 40 hours
Exam administration Licensed school
Permitted format One or multiple examinations
Combined total 170 questions
Minimum testing Not less than two hours
Passing requirement 128 correct
True/false limit Maximum 50% each subject
Certificate Form FDACS-16103
Certificate deadline Within three business days
Retake procedure Ask licensed school

One vs Multiple Examinations EX

One examination

School-administered option
Still totals 170

Multiple examinations

School-administered option
Combined total 170
Statewide totals stay identical

Official Subject Counts EX

Legal Aspects 26 questions
Officer Role 9 questions
Officer Conduct 13 questions
Communications 9 questions
Observation + Reporting 17 questions
Access Control 4 questions
Patrols 4 questions
Safeguarding Information 4 questions
Physical Security 4 questions
Interviewing 4 questions
Emergency Preparedness 6 questions
Safety Awareness 11 questions
Medical Emergencies 19 questions
Terrorism 11 questions
Event Security 4 questions
Communications Systems 4 questions
Special Issues 17 questions
Weapons 4 questions

Application + Fees EX

Minimum age 18 years
Training proof Required with application
Class D license $45
Fingerprint processing $42
Fingerprint retention $10.75
Current fee total $97.75
Training tuition Separate provider cost
Certificate vs license Different documents

Class D vs Class G LE

Class D

Unarmed duties
Forty-hour training
No firearm authority

Class G

Firearm add-on
Separate training
Duty authorization needed
Class D remains unarmed

Detention + Force Scan LE

Authority is unclear → Observe and report ( Avoid detention )
Retail probable cause exists → Use reasonable detention ( Call police immediately )
Person cooperates → Use verbal direction ( No force needed )
Resistance begins → Reassess necessity ( Stay proportional )
Threat ends → Stop force ( Never punish )
Lawful arrest completed → Transfer to police ( No unnecessary delay )

Authority Boundaries LE

Class D Unarmed security duties
Police powers Not granted
Primary mission Observe and report
Citizen arrest Common-law limits
After lawful arrest Police without unnecessary delay
Search authority Consent or narrow authority
Miranda warnings Police interrogation rule
Traffic citations Law-enforcement function

Reasonable vs Excessive Force LE

Reasonable force

Lawful purpose
Necessary amount
Proportional response

Excessive force

Beyond necessity
Punitive response
Creates liability
Need ends force ends

Detention + Force LE

Retail detention basis Probable cause
Detention manner Must be reasonable
Detention duration Must be reasonable
Police notification Call immediately
Nondeadly force Imminent unlawful force
Deadly force Imminent extreme harm
Force amount Necessary and proportional
Punitive force Never justified
False imprisonment Detention without authority
Stand Your Ground Not firearm authorization

De-escalate vs Disengage PR

De-escalate

Dialogue remains safe
Offer clear choices
Use calm tone

Disengage

Immediate danger
Create distance
Call police
Safety controls communication time

Conduct + Communication PR

Professional standard Calm firm respectful
Post orders Site-specific duties
Client Contracts security services
Customer Receives on-post service
Active listening Attend paraphrase clarify
De-escalation Distance tone choices limits
Media request Refer designated spokesperson
Confidentiality Share only when authorized
Bias Apply rules consistently

Six Report Questions OB

Who, What, When, Where, Why, How
People involved Events observed Time and place Reasons and sequence

Interview vs Interrogation OB

Interview

Gather information
Open questions
Build rapport

Interrogation

Accusatory approach
Presumes guilt
Generally police function
Gather facts without coercion

Observation + Reporting OB

Observation cycle Perceive recognize recall
Common barriers Fatigue lighting distance bias
Six interrogatives Who what when where why how
Report voice Factual objective specific
Direct statements Quote exact words
Handwritten correction Single line and initials
Crime scene Isolate and protect
Evidence handling Avoid movement contamination
Chain of custody Document every handler
Court testimony Firsthand facts only

OPSEC Cycle OB

Identify, analyze, assess, protect
Critical information Threats and vulnerabilities Risk assessment Apply countermeasures

Fact vs Opinion OB

Fact

Observed action
Exact quote
Specific time

Opinion

Assumed motive
Unsupported label
Emotional conclusion
Describe observations precisely

Protective Operations OB

Access question Verify current authorization
Visitor control Identify verify log
Patrol purpose Observe deter detect report
Patrol patterns Vary route and timing
Key control Log issue and return
OPSEC Protect critical information
CCTV Deters records monitors
Locks Delay unauthorized entry
Interview Non-accusatory information gathering
Leading questions Can taint recall

PASS Extinguisher EM

Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
Pull pin Aim at base Squeeze handle Sweep sidewise

Emergency Scene Scan EM

Hazard appears → Check scene safety ( Avoid second victim )
Life threat exists → Call emergency services ( Give exact location )
Evacuation is ordered → Follow emergency plan ( Use assembly point )
Small fire is safe → Use trained response ( Keep escape route )
HazMat is suspected → Isolate and notify ( Do not clean )
Scene stabilizes → Document actions ( Preserve evidence )

Emergency + Safety EM

First priority Protect life
Response basis Emergency action plan
Fire discovery Alarm call evacuate
Extinguisher use Small safe trained only
PASS Pull aim squeeze sweep
Bomb threat Record exact details
Suspicious package Do not touch
HazMat role Recognize isolate notify
Safe positioning Uphill upwind when practical
Evacuation Routes assembly accountability

Medical Response EM

Scene safety Before patient contact
Medical scope Basic trained actions
Unresponsive adult Call EMS start CPR
AED Follow voice prompts
Severe bleeding Firm direct pressure
Shock Warm monitor call EMS
Spinal concern Avoid unnecessary movement
Universal precautions Treat blood as hazardous
Bloodborne risks HBV HCV HIV
Good Samaritan Good-faith civil protection

Run Hide Fight TH

Escape, shelter, resist only last
Run when safe Hide when trapped Fight last resort

Threat Response Scan TH

Suspicious behavior appears → Record specific facts ( Avoid profiling )
Package seems suspicious → Do not touch ( Create distance )
Threat becomes immediate → Protect life ( Call police )
Escape route is safe → Run ( Leave belongings )
Escape is impossible → Hide ( Silence devices )
Life remains endangered → Fight last ( Only last resort )

Threats + Special Issues TH

Suspicious activity Report behavior not identity
CBRNE Chemical biological radiological nuclear explosive
Active shooter Run hide fight
Police arrival Hands visible follow directions
Workplace violence Recognize report protect life
Crowd density Escalating safety risk
Traffic direction Private-property role
Radio traffic Brief clear professional
Class D weapons Awareness only
Duty firearm Requires Class G

Common Traps

Examination vs examinations

One or multiple allowed ≠ Combined total stays 170

Testing floor vs limit

Two hours minimum ≠ School may allow longer

True/false cap scope

Applies each subject ≠ Not overall pool

Question counts vs weights

Counts are official ≠ Domain percentages unpublished

Certificate vs license

School issues certificate ≠ FDACS issues license

Class D vs firearm

Class D is unarmed ≠ Class G is separate

Observe vs police powers

Private-citizen authority ≠ No general police powers

Interview vs interrogation

Use non-coercive questions ≠ Avoid forced confession

Body language vs proof

Cues are not conclusive ≠ Record observable facts

Provider policy vs statewide

School controls scheduling ≠ No universal retake rule

Last Minute

1. Curriculum = 40 hours
2. Approved examination(s) total 170
3. Testing = at least 2 hours
4. Passing = 128 correct
5. True/false = 50% maximum each subject
6. Form FDACS-16103 within 3 business days
7. Current fees total $97.75
8. All domain weights = Not published
9. Legal Aspects = 26 questions
10. Medical Emergencies = 19 questions
11. Observation and Special Issues = 17 each
12. Class D means unarmed
13. Observe and report first
14. Force stays necessary and proportional
15. Reports answer six interrogatives
16. Life safety outranks property

Florida Security Guard

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