(1) A license granted under the provisions of this chapter shall be renewed biennially by the department, except for Class “A,” Class “B,” Class “AB,” Class “K,” Class “R,” and branch agency licenses, which shall be renewed every 3 years.

(2) At least 90 days before the expiration date of the license, the department shall mail a written notice to the last known mailing address of the licensee.

(3) Each licensee is responsible for renewing his or her license on or before its expiration by filing with the department an application for renewal accompanied by payment of the renewal fee and the fingerprint retention fee to cover the cost of ongoing retention in the statewide automated biometric identification system established in s. 943.05(2)(b). Upon the first renewal of a license issued under this chapter before January 1, 2017, the licensee shall submit a full set of fingerprints and fingerprint processing fees to cover the cost of entering the fingerprints into the statewide automated biometric identification system pursuant to s. 493.6108(4)(a) and the cost of enrollment in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s national retained print arrest notification program. Subsequent renewals may be completed without submission of a new set of fingerprints.

(a) Each Class “B” licensee shall additionally submit on a form prescribed by the department a certification of insurance that evidences that the licensee maintains coverage as required under s. 493.6110.

(b) Each Class “G” licensee shall additionally submit proof that he or she has received during each year of the license period a minimum of 4 hours of firearms requalification training taught by a Class “K” licensee and has complied with such other health and training requirements that the department shall adopt by rule. Proof of completion of firearms requalification training shall be submitted to the department upon completion of the training. A Class “G” licensee must successfully complete this requalification training for each type and caliber of firearm carried in the course of performing his or her regulated duties. If the licensee fails to complete the required 4 hours of annual training during the first year of the 2-year term of the license, the license shall be automatically suspended. The licensee must complete the minimum number of hours of range and classroom training required at the time of initial licensure and submit proof of completion of such training to the department before the license may be reinstated. If the licensee fails to complete the required 4 hours of annual training during the second year of the 2-year term of the license, the licensee must complete the minimum number of hours of range and classroom training required at the time of initial licensure and submit proof of completion of such training to the department before the license may be renewed. The department may waive the firearms training requirement if:

1. The applicant provides proof that he or she is currently certified as a law enforcement officer or correctional officer under the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission and has completed law enforcement firearms requalification training annually during the previous 2 years of the licensure period;

2. The applicant provides proof that he or she is currently certified as a federal law enforcement officer and has received law enforcement firearms training administered by a federal law enforcement agency annually during the previous 2 years of the licensure period; or

3. The applicant submits a valid firearm certificate among those specified in s. 493.6105(6)(a) and provides proof of having completed requalification training during the previous 2 years of the licensure period.

(c) Each Class “DS” or Class “RS” licensee shall additionally submit the current curriculum, examination, and list of instructors.

(d) Each Class “K” licensee shall additionally submit one of the certificates specified under s. 493.6105(6) as proof that he or she remains certified to provide firearms instruction.

(4) A licensee who fails to file a renewal application on or before its expiration must renew his or her license by fulfilling the applicable requirements of subsection (3) and by paying a late fee equal to the amount of the license fee.

(5) No license shall be renewed 3 months or more after its expiration date. The applicant shall submit a new, complete application and the respective fees.

(6) A renewal applicant shall not perform any activity regulated by this chapter between the date of expiration and the date of renewal of his or her license.

(7) The department shall waive the respective fees for a licensee who:

(a) Is an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces or the spouse of such member;

(b) Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the expiration date of the license. A licensee who is a former member of the United States Armed Forces who served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the application must have received an honorable discharge upon separation or discharge from the United States Armed Forces; or

(c) Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces who was serving on active duty at the time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the expiration date of the license.

A licensee seeking such waiver must apply in a format prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation.

History.—ss. 2, 11, ch. 90-364; s. 6, ch. 91-248; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 43, ch. 95-144; s. 531, ch. 97-103; s. 2, ch. 98-335; s. 7, ch. 2011-205; s. 15, ch. 2012-67; s. 3, ch. 2013-251; s. 3, ch. 2014-147; s. 7, ch. 2016-166; s. 15, ch. 2017-85; s. 13, ch. 2018-7.