Accredited Florida Executive Protection Training
Pacific West Academy provides a pathway to an elite Florida executive protection career that AI can’t replace. Pacific West Academy reports a 70%+ job placement rate. Per ZipRecruiter (July 2026), US executive protection pay averages $93,552 a year**. Our programs emphasize close protection training, VIP protection, and professional readiness for high-level security careers. Lodging assistance is available upon request.
Accredited Florida bodyguard school · GI Bill® & Sallie Mae® approved · Industry hiring partners · Structured admissions-based program
Contact us today for more information about our training programs or to ask us any questions you may have about Pacific West Academy.
Lodging Assistance Available on Request
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YOUR CAREER
Florida Executive Security Training & Programs
39-Day Certified Executive Security Specialist Program
Our flagship Florida Certified Executive Security Specialist (CESS) program is the industry standard for bodyguard training and close protection training. Beyond the tactical curriculum, our difference lies in using elite Florida bodyguard classes and executive protection courses to prepare students for high-stakes Florida security careers.
12-Day Comprehensive Security Training
Looking for the most practical Florida VIP protection course? The 12-day CST program provides core competencies acting as the definitive prerequisite for advanced Florida bodyguard certification. Master the skills required for elite executive security training roles through hands-on, real-world scenarios.
Success Stories from Our
Florida Bodyguard School Graduates
Don’t take it from us, watch success stories from recent graduates of our Florida executive protection courses and hear for yourself.
Tyler Paul
Eric Gifford
Jamon Cleary
Tony Howell
Esteban Ferrera
Mike Brown
Brandon Williams
Camillo Love
David Beach
Franzel Arive
ACCREDITED
PWA Is Approved by
ACCREDITED
Industry Hiring Partners
AFFILIATED
PWA Is Associated with
PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION
Instruction Led by Active Close Protection Training Experts
Pacific West Academy instructors are active professionals with real-world operational experience. Our bodyguard courses are delivered by former Special Forces and CIA instructors who have planned and executed high-stakes protective operations. This ensures students master Florida close protection training courses through sound judgment and elite vip protection training.
All instructors are vetted, credentialed, and aligned with Pacific West Academy’s instructional standards to ensure consistent, high-quality training.
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Named Best Executive Protection School by EP Wired for 2026
Named Best Executive Protection School for 2026 by EP Wired, Pacific West Academy, an Advanced Security Concepts Pacific West Academy is proud to be recognized as the Best Executive Protection School by EP Wired for 2026. Supported by more than 1,000 alumni, this recognition reflects our commitment to serious executive protection training, bodyguard training, and career-focused close protection courses built for today’s high-end security industry. Our strong professional relationships help keep training relevant, practical, and aligned with real-world protective assignments.
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
MMA legend, Bas Rutten
Pacific West Academy would like to give thanks to an MMA legend, Bas Rutten @basruttenmma. Bas stopped by the academy yesterday and held an instructor development clinic with our Pacific West Academy Combatives cadre where we had the opportunity to share tactics and ideas in regards to combatives application in a close protection environment.
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Knockout Lights
In an effort to bring our students the most relevant and up-to-date training, Pacific West Academy is proud to team up with Mike @KnockOutLights for an exchange of ideas and training.
We continually establish professional relationships and train with some of the best in the industry.
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
ASIS International
Pacific West Academy would like to announce to our past and future students that we have partnered with ASIS International and become part of their Preferred CPE Provider program.
Our Programs will now count as continuing professional education (CPE) credits toward ASIS recertification. The Certified Executive Security Specialist (CESS) program will count as a massive 348 CPE credits. This course alone will act as all the credit necessary to re-certify under any of the ASIS certifications.
We are happy to provide continuing education to security professionals and newcomers to the security industry alike.
PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
UFC Fighter Chris “Taco” Padilla
Pacific West Academy is proud to bring UFC fighter Chris “Taco” Padilla into the student training experience through hands-on combatives workshops.
Chris launched his first workshop with CESS 80 and now works with PWA students in every course, helping them develop real-world awareness around distance, timing, pressure, control, and physical confrontation.
These workshops are designed to strengthen the practical foundation our students need as they prepare for careers in executive protection, close protection, and the professional security industry.
What Our Alumni Say
OUR DIFFERENCE
Why choose our Florida Executive Protection Training?
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Train in realistic environments designed to build elite Florida close protection training capability for high-level protective services roles.
Qualified Instructors
Learn from professionals with real-world experience teaching practical methods for professional Florida bodyguard training and protecting high-profile VIP clients.
Accredited
ACCET-accredited. BPPE and CalVet approved. GI Bill® accepted, and Sallie Mae® approved. Recognized by EP Wired as a top executive protection training school.
Affordable
A 10-week Florida executive protection certification course with a 70%+ job placement rate and lodging assistance available for students.
YOUR FUTURE
Begin Your Florida Security Career
Send PWA your information and we’ll contact you about how we can help you take aim at a career in the EP security industry or hone your existing skill set.
Ready to move forward?