Florida
The Florida Department of Insurance requires each person selling insurance in the state to hold a insurance producer license.
Getting Started:
This page contains a detailed roadmap to obtaining a license as an insurance agent. We will guide you through the entire procedure and will readily answer any queries you might have throughout this journey.
In Florida, everyone engaged in the sale of insurance is obligated to possess a valid insurance broker license. You get to decide the line of authority for your licensing, be it health insurance, life insurance, property and casualty insurance, or a blend of these categories.
Upon deciding the type of license required, you are all set to commence the process. There are five steps to secure your insurance license in Florida.
1. Prelicensing Course:
The State of Florida requires potential agents to complete an approved prelicensing education course for each line of authority before attempting the state exam. The specific hour requirements are as follows:
- 30 hours – Life & Variable Annuity
- 40 hours – Health
- 60 hours – Life, Health, & Variable Annuity
- 200 hours – General Lines Property & Casualty
- 60 hours – Personal Lines Property & Casualty
Once you’ve completed your prelicensing education course, a Certification Exam needs to be successfully passed, which signifies the fulfillment of the prelicensing education requisite by the State of Florida. The Certification Exam is not supervised. On achieving a score of 70% or more, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion (also referred as proof of prerequisite). Approved providers will directly send this proof to the Bureau of Licensing within 21 days from your successful passing date. In case you satisfy any other prerequisite, the proof must be presented to the Bureau of Licensing before you are allowed to sit for the exam.
The Certificate of Completion holds validity for a span of 4 years. Within this timeframe, it is mandatory to take and successfully pass the state exam.
2. Get Fingerprinted:
The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) enforces a policy that calls for fingerprint impressions from all applicants who are not yet licensed. This requirement can be fulfilled prior to the examination to prevent any delays in the issuance of your license. For fingerprint registration, location details, and payment, visit the DFS website or dial 1-800-528-1358.
Here is additional information regarding getting your fingerprint. Click here.
3. Pass The State of Florida Licensing Exam:
All Florida Insurance exams are multiple choice and require a 70% score to pass. All exams are administered on a computer at the testing center.
There is an additional fee to retake the exam if you fail. So it’s important to pass the test the first time you take it.
4. Apply for License
Once you’ve passed the exam, you can proceed to apply for your license thru the Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services of the State of Florida.
Apply for your license, remit the application fee, record your fingerprints, and proceed with a background check. Be sure to apply for your license within 12 months of passing the exam; failing to do so will necessitate retaking the exam.
5. Continuing Education Requirement:
All insurance agents and adjusters in Florida are required to complete Continuing Education (CE) for their license renewals. During the inaugural six years of licensure, agents and adjusters are mandated to complete a total of 24 hours of CE every 2 years. Following that, the CE requirement every 2 years drops to 20 hours, out of which 4 hours must be committed to law and ethics topics for every renewal cycle.
Title agents, customer representatives, and industrial fire agents have a different requirement of 10 hours of CE every 2 years, which includes a compulsory 4-hour Florida Law and Ethics Update.
At present, non-resident license holders must adhere to the continuing education stipulations laid down by their respective home states.
Staying updated on any modifications to Florida legislation concerning continuing education requirements is crucial. Pertinent information can be accessed through the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services.
Where do I take the state exam?
Exams are taken in-person at a Pearson VUE testing site in Florida. Effective 2/16/2024, remote state exams will no longer be offered.
The exam fee needs to be paid when booking the exam, using a credit or debit card. This fee must be paid at the time of reservation and will not be accepted at a testing center. You can schedule your state exam through Pearson VUE.
How should I prepare for my state exam?
Arrive at the examination center 30 minutes early to ensure ample time for the check-in procedure, carrying with you a valid government-issued ID.
The examination center does not permit any personal items, including bags, wallets, cell phones, calculators, electronic devices, and wristwatches, to be brought in. Furthermore, food, chewing gum, and tobacco products are also banned.
All such belongings must be left in your vehicle or stored in the designated storage space provided. However, you’re allowed to carry a beverage. During the examination, participants are not permitted to exit the room. There are no breaks allowed.
If you have any questions about the exam process, testing locations, or security measures, please contact Pearson VUE or the Florida Department of Insurance.
