Florida
Michael Yaworsky
Department of Financial Services Bureau of Licensing
200 East Gaines Street
Room 419
Tallahassee, Florida, 32399
Appointments & Terminations
Yes
Yes
Within 45 days of appointment effective date
Appointments must be submitted within 45 days of the appointment effective date, which is determined by the carrier and listed on the appointment form
Yes
$60
$60 additional per county and a $6 fee must be paid for every county in which a nonresident agent intends to physically transact insurance. Nonresident Adjusters do not pay a county fee.
No
No
Yes
Required. Date effective is the date supplied on transaction. Effective date must not precede effective date of appointee license. Effective date must not precede effective date of appointer license. Effective date must not be in the future.
Yes
Florida portal
Every 24 months during the appointee's birth month
$60 per appointment
Yes
Yes
Yes
Voluntary termination; death; request regulatory review
Yes
Required and is the date supplied on transaction. Must be 33 days old or less and precede the effective date of the appointment. Must not be in the future
Although Florida licenses are perpetual, operating without an appointment can cause your license to be placed inactive. Additionally, failure to complete CE can cause a license to go inactive, which in turn will cancel appointments If there is a contract between the producer and the carrier, and the contract states the notification can be via email, then email is permissible.
No fee
No
Email notices are permitted
Within the email body text
Licensing
Resident New License Insurance Producer: $50 (all lines except Title) Nonresident New License Insurance Producer: $50 (all lines except Title)
Florida licenses are perpetual and do not require renewal. However, if a producer doesn't complete required CE by the deadline (last day of the producer birth month every 2 years based on year of first state license issue), then the state will place the license into inactive status.
N/A
None, perpetual
No
Yes
Residence, Business, and Mailing
Agent, Managing General Agent, Third Party Administrator, Donor Annuity, Home Warranty Association, Life and Health Insurer, Motor Vehicle Service Agreement Company, Property/Casualty Insurer, Rating Organization, Risk Retention Group, Broker, Risk Purchasing Group, Public Adjuster, Adjuster, Service Representative, Manager, Miscellaneous, Designated Home State Adjuster
No
Included in Producer License Class. Insurers are not required to appoint Brokers per NAIC PLMA
While the Florida Department of Financial Services Bureau of Licensing said “Florida does not differentiate between brokers and producers,” the state allows agents to have an “unaffiliated” status if they are “self-appointed.” In this capacity, Florida recognizes that self-appointed agents are acting as independent insurance consultants – they can’t have an affiliation or appointment with any other agency or carrier. Further, they are forbidden from receiving any commissions or incentives from the carriers on products they negotiate during the period they are unaffiliated
Yes
Classroom / monitored self study
The provider submits proof of completion. The individual must submit transcript for college credit with application.
Course completion certificate is valid for 4 years
An individual who was or became qualified to sit for the agent's or adjuster's examination while he/she was employed by the Department or Office and who had responsible insurance duties as a full-time employee may take an examination if application for the examination is made within 4 years after employment termination. Individuals holding a limited license for travel, motor vehicle rental, credit, in-transit and storage personal property, or portable electronics are not subject to the pre-licensing education requirements.
Life agent license applicants must complete 1 of the following methods of prelicense education within 4 years before application: a. 30 hours of coursework in life insurance, annuities, and variable contracts, including 3 hours of ethics (courses must include instruction on unauthorized entities engaging in the business of insurance); b. 60 hours of approved coursework covering multiple areas of insurance, including life insurance, annuities, variable contracts, and 3 hours of ethics (courses must include instruction on unauthorized entities engaging in the business of insurance); c. an active ChFC, FMLI, or CLU designation; d. hold an active life insurance license in a reciprocal state; or e. at least 1 year of employment with the Department or Office, if: I. the employment was full time in life insurance regulatory matters; II. was not terminated for cause; and III. application for examination is made within 4 years after termination of this employment. Health agent license applicants must complete 1 of the following methods of pre-license education within 4 years before application: a. 40 hours of approved coursework in health insurance, including 3 hours of ethics (courses must include instruction on unauthorized entities engaging in the business of insurance and the Florida Nonprofit Multiple-Employer Welfare Arrangement Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as it relates to the provision of health insurance by employers to their employees and the regulation thereof); b. 60 hours of approved coursework covering multiple areas of insurance, including health insurance, and 3 hours of ethics (courses must include instruction on unauthorized entities engaging in the business of insurance); c. an active CLU, RHU, ChHC, REBC, CEBS, or HIA designation; d. hold an active health insurance license in a reciprocal state; or e. at least 1 year of employment with the Department or Office, if: I. the employment was full time in health insurance regulatory matters; II. was not terminated for cause; and III. application for examination is made within 4 years after termination of this employment. An applicant for a general lines agent's license may not be licensed unless, within the 4 years immediately before application, the applicant has: a. taught or successfully completed 200 hours of courses covering property, casualty, surety, health, and marine insurance, including 3 hours of ethics; b. completed at least 1 year as a full-time employee in all lines of property and casualty insurance, without the education requirement in (a) above; or c. completed 1 year as a licensed and appointed customer representative, service representative, or personal lines agent and 40 hours of Department-approved coursework covering property, casualty, surety, health, and marine insurance. An applicant for a personal lines agent license may not be licensed unless, within the 4 years immediately before application, the applicant has: a. taught or completed 60 hours of coursework in property, casualty, and inland marine insurance, including 3 hours of ethics; b. completed at least 6 months as a full-time employee in of property and casualty insurance sold to individuals or families for noncommercial purposes, without the education requirement in (a) above; or c. completed at least 6 months as a licensed and appointed customer representative, limited customer representative, or service representative in property and casualty insurance
Yes, for both Residents and Nonresidents
Florida applicants must be fingerprinted by MorphoTrust USA. To register and pay for fingerprinting, go to www.L1enrollment.com/FLInsurance. Additional information can be found on Florida's website at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/Agents. If you submitted fingerprints to Florida in the last 12 months, you're not required to submit fingerprints. If you currently hold a valid Florida license and submitted fingerprints within the last 48 months, you're not required to submit fingerprints.
One Year
Non-citizens must submit a copy of your work authorization documentation to agentlicensing@myfloridacfo.com
NIPR Gateway
After license application submission, please setup a MyProfile account at the state of Florida in order to monitor the status of the transaction. MyProfile account can be setup at: https://DICE.fldfs.com
None
No Renewals
Yes
Licensees and navigator registrants must notify the Department in writing within 30 days after a change in name, residence address, principal business street address, mailing address, contact telephone numbers (including business numbers), or e-mail address. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway or an be completed on FL MyProfile portal.
Licensees must mail or email the request to change your name, date of birth, or social security number. You must attach LEGIBLE supporting documentation (marriage certificate, articles of incorporation, driver's license, social security card, etc.) to one of the locations below.
- Florida Department of Financial Services
- Bureau of Agent and Agency Licensing
- 200 E. Gaines Street, Room 419
- Tallahassee, FL 32399-0319
- AgentLicensing@MyFloridaCFO.com
Failure to report a change will result in a maximum fine of $250 for the first offense. A fine of at least $500 will be imposed, or suspension or revocation of the license, for any subsequent offenses.
Agency
Optional
Yes
No
DRLP must have active appointment for at least one major LOA (life, health, general lines, life & variable annuities, personal lines).
License is perpetual as long as agent in charge is licensed.
Yes
Not required, but the agency can only transact business for the lines of authority their agents are licensed and appointed for.
License not required but branch must be registered
Licensees and navigator registrants must notify the Department in writing within 30 days after a change in name, residence address, principal business street address, mailing address, contact telephone numbers (including business numbers), or e-mail address. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway.
Adjuster
Yes
Yes
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CT, GA, HI, ID, IN, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, NC, NH, NM, NV, OK, OR, PR, RI, SC, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WY
CA, HI, NY,
All-Lines
Initial Licensing & Application Fee: $50 Independent Adjuster Appointment Fee: $60 No Renewal Fee
Yes
Public Adjuster Apprentice License
Licensing Fee: $50 Appointment Fee: $60
6 Months
6 Months minimum or 100 hours within 12 months to become licensed.
Perpetual. No renewal is required. The license will expire if no appointment has been held in 48 months.
A surety bond of $50,000 is required and one also go through an apprenticeship to become fully licensed or 12 months of equal experience.
All-Lines
Licensing Fee: $50 Appointment Fee: $60
Yes
Emergency licenses will last 180 days past their activation date. The individuals must be an accepted adjuster (independent or business) and pay all applicable fees. As of Aug. 2023, applications can be completed via the Florida portal via MyProfile: https://dice.fldfs.com/public/pb_index.aspx.
Yes
CT, DE, KY, LA, NV, NH, NM, NC, OK, RI, SC, TX, VT, WV, WY
Yes
An individual will need to apply for and obtain the 6-20/7-20(R and NR) All Lines Adjuster license and then obtain the appropriate appointment.
Yes
Continuing Education
24
2 years
Last day of birth month
Year of first license issuance
Yes
On the last day of the licensee's birth month, biennially.
Those licensed for 6 years must maintain 20 hours CE, 5 for ethics and 15 elective. Those licensed for 25 years or more, and those who are CLUs or CPCUs, or who have an insurance-specific bachelor of science degree must maintain 10 hours of CE per cycle, with 5 ethics and 5 elective.
Although the license is perpetual, Florida may issue a fine and terminate your carrier appointments and refuse to reinstate new appointments until you make up the CE and pay your fine.
Yes
Yes
Up to 24 hours
5 hours Florida law and ethics
3 hours of NFIP courses
8-hour initial certification, with 4 hours of LTC-specific training each renewal cycle thereafter
One-time, 4-hour course (in addition to any product-specific training the insurance carrier deems necessary)
Non-agent customer representatives and industrial fire license holders have 10 hours of CE (5 ethics, 5 elective) Bail bond agents must complete 5 hours ethics plus 9 hours electives Title agents must complete a minimum of 10 hours with 3 ethics (Florida doesn't recognize state reciprocity for nonresident title agent CE)
https://agentsync.io/blog/individual-producers/insurance-continuing-education-florida
Regulatory Updates
Florida Go-Live SLIP+
Update: Effective December 31, 2024, Florida will be retiring the legacy SLIP platform and moving everyone to the SLIP+ platform. Posted November 14, 2024, Florida announced starting November 18, 2024, all Surplus Lines Information Portal (SLIP) users will be redirected to SLIP+, which was launched in beta a month ago. You will use your existing SLIP credentials to log into SLIP+. Please use the link below for more information. [SLIP+ Update](https://createsend.com/t/r-DA109A4EBC79F0B52540EF23F30FEDED)
Florida Grants 60-Day CE Extension
Effective October 7, 2024, Florida has granted a 60-day continuing education extension to all licensees with continuing education due in the following months: October, November, and December 2024. Please see the attachment for more information.
Florida SLIP+ Beta Rollout Announcement
Posted October 8, 2024, Florida has announced the beta rollout of its upgraded system, SLIP+. Florida uses this system for filing surplus lines information and taxes in accordance with state law. Florida is encouraging customers to log into SLIP+ to familiarize themselves with its workflow before the legacy SLIP system is retired. Please use the link below for more information. [SLIP+ Newsletter](https://createsend.com/t/r-99B0C6E7E90321122540EF23F30FEDED) Update: All SLIP users will be redirected to SLIP+ effective November 18, 2024
Florida Branch Filling During State Of Emergency
Posted September 24, 2024, Florida declared a state of emergency due to Hurricane Helene. Florida also advised about branch filing requirements during a state of emergency regarding using a temporary location. The registrant should use its best efforts to provide written notification to the Division of Securities no later than five days after relocating. The notice should include the following information: Office address, entities involved, names of registered personnel, and telephone number. Please see the attachment for more information.
Surplus Lines Premium Tax Discounts
Effective September 10, 2024, Florida added the following for filing of Surplus Lines forms. Each surplus lines agent subject to paying the premium tax must provide discounts for certain policies with an effective date between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025, and must file information regarding these deductions on a quarterly basis.
Florida Implements New Rule Around Tax Identification Numbers And CE Renewal Date Display
Effective October 11, 2024, Florida will implement a new rule to decline individual applications if the Tax Identification Number begins with the number nine. Additionally, the Continuing Education Renewal Date will begin to display on the Producer Database for Florida license classes that require CE. Update: September 24, 2024, the Continuing Education Renewal Date displaying will be pushed back to a later date. At this time, no ETA.
Florida Change to Appointment Requirement in Order to Sell for Citizens Insurance Corp
Starting July 1, Florida insurance agents must have at least three appointments with authorized carriers before they can sell policies for the state-created Citizens Property Insurance Corp. See Section 14 of the attached bill for details.
Florida Issues Statement Regarding Online Proctored Exams
On February 15, 2024, Florida issued the following state regarding online proctored exams.
Florida Follow Up Message Relate to MyProfile Updates
On September 8, 2023, Florida issued a statement related to recent MyProfile updates.
Florida Announced Emergency Adjuster Application is Now Available on MyProfile Page
On August 29, 2023, Florida announced that the Emergency Adjuster Application is now available on the MyProfile page. See attachment for full details.
Florida New Exam Content Outline
Effective January 1, 2024, Florida and Pearson VUE are releasing new exam content outline. See attachment for full details.
Florida Has Announced Changes to MyProfile
Effective August 9, 2023 Florida strengthened the MyProfile log-in and account creation process. See attachment for full details.
Florida Changing Pre-License Education Requirement
Effective July 1, 2023, Florida is changing Pre-License Education Requirement for Residents to reduce the number of coursework hours to be completed in life insurance, annuities, and variable contracts from "40 hours" to "30 hours."
Florida Rule Changes for Residents and Nonresidents
Effective May 25, 2023, Florida made specific changes to their state statutes. See attachment for high level list of changes.
Florida Added Annuity Training Requirement
Effective January 1, 2023, Florida is adding an annuity training requirement for Residents. Specific training requirements apply to agents who transact annuity products. a. An agent must have adequate annuity product knowledge and comply with the insurer's standards for product training. Agents may rely on insurer-provided product-specific training standards and materials to comply with this paragraph. b. In addition to the insurer-provided product-specific training, agents must complete a one-time 4-hour training course. I. The training course is separate from the CE requirements in FL ST § 626.2815. The course may be eligible for CE credit if the course provider submits and receives approval from the Department. II. Agents who hold a life line of authority and who sell annuities must complete the course: (1) by 7/1/2024, if already licensed on 1/1/2024; or (2) prior to selling annuities, if the producer was licensed after 1/1/2024. III. The training must cover: (1) the types of annuities and various classifications; (2) identification of the parties to an annuity; (3) how product-specific annuity contract features affect consumers; (4) the application of income taxation of qualified and non-qualified annuities; (5) the primary uses of annuities; and (6) appropriate standard of conduct, sales practices, replacement, and disclosure requirements. IV. Additional topics may be offered in conjunction with the required topics. V. The training course may not cover: (1) marketing information; (2) sales techniques; or (3) specific information about a particular insurer's products. VI. An agent who has completed an annuity training course before 1/1/2024, must, by 7/1/2024, complete either: (1) a new 4-hour training course; or (2) an additional 1-hour training course on appropriate sales practices, replacement, and disclosure requirements. VII. Training may be completed by classroom or self-study methods. VIII. Satisfaction of substantially similar requirements in another state will satisfy FL ST § 627.4554(6). IX. Satisfaction of the training requirement components of a course with components substantially similar to FL ST § 627.4554(6) provisions will satisfy this statute's training requirements. X. An insurer must verify that an agent has completed training before allowing the agent to sell annuity products.
Florida Updates its Emergency Adjuster Ruling
Effective May 21, 2023, Florida updates its emergency adjuster ruling. See attached.
Florida Will Add Customer Service Representative License Class
Effective immediately, Florida offers the Customer Service Rep License Class.
Florida Issues State of Emergency for Hurricane Nicole
On November 14, 2022, the Governor of Florida issued a state of emergency for the entire state of Florida. Therefore, no insurer can cancel a personal or commercial residential property insurance policy covering damaged property from both Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole for up to 90 days.
Florida to Display Emergency Adjuster License Class on PDB
Effective October 19, 2022, Florida will display the Emergency Adjuster license class on the PDB.
Florida extending Continuing Education Dates Due to Hurricane
Several Continuing Education Compliance dates will be extended about 3 months due to the impact of Hurricane Ian.
Florida Emergency Adjuster License Update
Florida has activated their application for companies and adjusting firms to apply for emergency adjuster licenses due to Hurricane Ian. Direction to apply are included in the attachement.
Florida Updates Forgot Password Process
Previously the Forgot Password process had been turned off for maintenance. The process will now include an email to the email address on record with a verification code to be entered in the MyProfile section.
Florida To Add New Firm License Classes for PDB Display
Florida is now including Resident Insurance Adjuster Firm and Nonresident Insurance Adjuster Firm business entity license classes to be displayed on the PDB.
Florida Changes Fingerprint Requirements
Florida announces that a fingerprint fee is no longer required and the fingerprints must be processed in compliance with FL ST § 624.34. This will then be used to investigate if the applicant is qualified.
Florida Adjusts where Adjusting Firm Licenses can be Verified
In November 2021, Florida began adjusting firms. These licenses are yet to be displayed in the PDB.
Florida has Changed Payment Vendors for the Online Applications and eAppoint Systems
Florida has changed payment vendors for the online application and eAppoint systems. This will result in some payment screens changing in appearance and the option to enter an email to receive payment confirmation.
Surplus Lines Alert For Several Jurisdictions
Several states have released key information on Surplus Lines and can be found in the attached document.
FAQs
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How Do I Get an Insurance License in Florida?
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How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in Florida?
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How do I renew my insurance license in Florida?
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How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in Florida?
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How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in Florida?
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How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In Florida?