Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Licensing

For assistance, call 850-245-5665 or visit https://www.fdacs.gov/Divisions-Offices/Licensing

What is the purpose of the division?

The Division of Licensing administers Florida's concealed weapon licensing program and oversees Florida's private investigative, private security, and recovery services industries. The division's regulatory oversight of those services includes licensing, enforcing compliance standards, and ensuring public protection from unethical business practices and unlicensed activity.

How is the division organized?

The division has four bureaus.
  • Bureau of License Issuance receives and examines license applications to ensure compliance with state law and verifies the applicants' eligibility prior to issuing a license or registration. The bureau contacts former employers and educational facilities and examines the applicant's criminal history. The bureau's nine regional offices offer walk-in service to individuals renewing any of the division's licenses, and appointment service to individuals applying for a new license.
  • Bureau of Regulation and Enforcement oversees the division's oversight and enforcement actions and legal matters, examines information to ensure continued eligibility for licensure, reviews state and federal laws, and recommends disciplinary action based on investigations and inspections conducted by the Regulatory Investigations Section of the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement.
  • Bureau of Support Services manages all information systems of the division. The responsibilities of the bureau include processing licensing applications, related documents, and correspondence in the electronic document management system, mailing licensing correspondence, cropping photographs, scanning fingerprint cards, printing licenses and forms inventory.
  • Bureau of External Services and Quality Assurance manages all external relationships including the tax collector partnership, Private Investigative, Recovery and Security Council, and the public inquiry center. The bureau also manages records requests, executive correspondence and records management. The bureau's quality control unit oversees process management and audits application processing functions.

What are the licensing fees for obtaining a concealed weapon license?

Fees vary for each of the licenses. Currently, total fees for an initial concealed weapon license ranges from $0 for recently retired law enforcement officers and active judges to $300 for consular officers. The division's fee schedule presents the full range of fees.

How many licensees are registered with the division?

As of April 30, 2023, the division has a total of issued 2,890,879 issued licenses amongst 26 different types, including: 797 recovery agents, 7,317 private investigators, 149,061 security officers, and 2,677,967 concealed weapon or firearms. The division's website provides statistical reports on license issuance activities.

How many investigations did the division conduct last year?

From July 1, 2022, to May 12, 2023, the division performed 2,713 compliance investigations on security, private investigative, and recovery licenses. These investigations were either based on complaints or initiated by the department. The division took administrative action on 4,204 licenses, such as fines imposed, license suspension, or license revocation.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2023-24
Fund Salary Rate/ Position General Revenue Trust Funds
SALARY RATE
13,270,216
POSITIONS
302.00
SALARIES AND BENEFITS
FROM DIVISION OF LICENSING TRUST FUND
20,593,856
OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES
FROM DIVISION OF LICENSING TRUST FUND
1,896,577
EXPENSES
FROM DIVISION OF LICENSING TRUST FUND
4,681,781
OPERATING CAPITAL OUTLAY
FROM DIVISION OF LICENSING TRUST FUND
349,130
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
CONTRACTED SERVICES
FROM DIVISION OF LICENSING TRUST FUND
13,930,177
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
RISK MANAGEMENT INSURANCE
FROM DIVISION OF LICENSING TRUST FUND
79,217
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
TRANSFER TO DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES - HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES PURCHASED PER STATEWIDE CONTRACT
FROM DIVISION OF LICENSING TRUST FUND
97,179
TOTAL
0
41,627,917

Updates

Permitless Carry. The 2023 Florida Legislature enacted Ch. 2023-18, Laws of Florida, which allows for the permitless carry of a concealed weapon if an individual satisfies the licensing criteria under s. 790.06(2)(a)-(f) and (i)-(n), (3), and (10), Florida Statutes, including being 21 years of age or older, not being found guilty of a crime relating to controlled substance within the last 3 years, and being currently under an injunction related to domestic or repeat violence.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Websites of Interest
Concealed Weapon License FAQ
Concealed Weapon License Reciprocity

Performance Information


Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Chapters 493, 776, 790.01, and s. 790.06, Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Division of Licensing, 850-245-5665
Website