FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Bodyguarding is also referred to as Executive Protection ,
or Close Protection or Executive Security in Florida.

In other parts of the country they are referred to as "Protection Agents",
but Florida Statutes prohibit the use of the term "agent(s)",
as it is reserved for official governmental or constabulary use.

Who Can Do Bodyguarding in Florida?

Under the laws of the State of Florida, those who do bodyguarding
(or executive protection as it is often now referred to)
must be State of Florida Licensed Private Investigators
(Class C or CC Licensed).

Bodyguarding or "Executive Protection is any plain clothes personal protection
activity, which  may or may not includes the carrying of a concealed firearm.

Additionally, any Private Investigator who carries a firearm while bodyguarding
 or doing executive protection must carry their firearm concealed at all times,
and must also hold a "G" Statewide Firearms License.

I am a limo driver, can I do bodyguarding or be a "security driver" with a CCW?

No, any person doing bodyguarding with only a CCW (Carry Concealed Weapons)
permit is in violation of state law and subject to arrest and/or fine.


I am a martial artist. Can I do unarmed bodyguarding?

Not unless you are a Licensed Private Investigator.


Can I do armed bodyguarding with a CCW?

Absolutely not. Both you and your client could be arrested and/or fined.

Can Security Guards  do Plain Clothes Bodyguarding in Florida?

Yes and No and Sometimes.  Security guards (Class D License holders)
do not do bodyguarding per se.   They can however do plain clothes
security only when there are special circumstances
that make such dress necessary and only for limited special assignments.
 Limited is defined by the Division of Licensing as a few days and 3 days
is given as their case example.

Additionally, if that limited plain clothes assignment requires the carrying
of a firearm, the firearm must be carried concealed,
 and the D-Licensed Security Guard must also hold a G Statewide Firearms License.

Must I do bodyguarding through a Private Investigative Agency ?

No. An individual may do bodyguarding if he or she is employed directly
by the principal as his W-2 employee. You cannot 1099 sub-contract.
 Since there is no agency involved, the liability is directly on the
 client and his personal liability insurance.

That person employed as a bodyguard must
hold a C or CC Private Investigators License if his duties are to be
performed in plain clothes. He/she must have a G Statewide
Firearms License if he/she is to carry, and he/she must carry their firearm concealed
at all times.  This individual can only work for one such principal.
They may not move around from one  principal to another.
To do so would be in effect acting as an agency, which is illegal in Florida.

Can I be employed as a security guard without going through a Security Agency?

Yes, but only if you are employed by only one employer. To work
as a security guard for two or more employers would make you
in effect an illegal unlicensed agency, which is against the law.

 You must wear some sort of identifying "security uniform"
for your employer.  

If you are to carry a firearm in performance
of your duties, you must have a G Statewide Firearms License
and must carry in accordance with those guidelines.

Again the liability falls to the employer and his liability insurance.

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What is Private Investigation in Florida?

"Private Investigation" is bodyguarding  / executive protection, and / or
conducting investigations by a person or persons
for the purpose of obtaining information with reference
to any of the following matters:

(a) Crime or wrongs done or threatened against the United States
or any state or territory of the United States,
when operating under express written authority
of the governmental official responsible for
authorizing such investigation.

(b) The identity, habits, conduct, movements, whereabouts,
affiliations, associations, transactions, reputation, or
character of any society, person, or group of persons.

(c) The credibility of witnesses or other persons.

(d) The whereabouts of missing persons,
owners of unclaimed property or escheated property,
or heirs to estates.

(e) The location or recovery of lost or stolen property.

(f) The causes and origin of, or responsibility for, fires, libels,
slanders, losses, accidents, damage, or injuries to real or personal property.

(g) The business of securing evidence to be used before
investigating committees or boards of award or arbitration
or in the trial of civil or criminal cases and the preparation.