Florida Insurance License Requirements Guide

To become a licensed insurance producer in Florida, you must be at least 18, complete state-mandated pre-licensing education, pass a Pearson VUE exam, submit fingerprints for a background check, and apply through the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) MyProfile portal. This process is governed by Florida Statutes Chapter 626.

Quick Answer: Becoming a Licensed Insurance Producer in Florida

The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), Division of Agent and Agency Services, Bureau of Licensing, issues and oversees all insurance producer licenses in the state. Florida Statutes Chapter 626 provides the authority for this licensing framework, covering general lines agents, life and health agents, and most other producer categories.

The process involves:

1. Confirming basic eligibility (age 18+, no disqualifying criminal history).
2. Completing required pre-licensing education for your chosen line of authority.
3. Scheduling and passing the Florida state licensing exam through Pearson VUE.
4. Submitting fingerprints for a background check.
5. Filing your license application through the DFS online portal (MyProfile).

Resident licenses are available to Florida residents. Non-residents from states with reciprocal agreements can apply without retaking the Florida exam in most cases, but they must still meet Florida's application requirements (Florida Statutes §626.221).

Eligibility and Pre-Licensing Education Requirements in Florida

Basic Eligibility

To qualify for a Florida insurance producer license, you must (Florida Statutes §626.221):

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a Florida resident if applying for a resident license.
• Have no disqualifying criminal history, which DFS reviews case-by-case.
• Consult DFS for citizenship and residency requirements.

Pre-Licensing Education Hours

Florida requires a state-approved pre-licensing course before you can take the exam. Required hours by line of authority are set under Florida Statutes §626.221 and administered through DFS-approved providers. Consult DFS for current pre-licensing hour requirements for each line of authority:

Approved Providers and Course Formats

DFS maintains a list of approved pre-licensing education providers on its website. Consult DFS at myfloridacfo.com for the current approved provider list. Courses are available in classroom, online self-study, and live webinar formats. You must complete the course through a DFS-approved provider. Completion certificates from non-approved providers will not satisfy the requirement.

Exemptions from Pre-Licensing Education

Certain applicants may qualify for an exemption from the pre-licensing education requirement under Florida Statutes §626.221(2)(b). These include:

• Attorneys licensed in Florida (for certain lines).
• Individuals holding specific professional designations (such as CLU, ChFC, or CPCU) recognized by DFS.
• Applicants who have previously held a Florida license in the same line of authority within a specified period.

If you believe you qualify for an exemption, submit documentation to DFS before scheduling your exam. Do not assume the exemption applies without confirmation.

The Florida Insurance License Examination and Application Process

Scheduling the Exam

Florida insurance licensing exams are administered by Pearson VUE (Florida Statutes §626.241). You can register at pearsonvue.com/florida-insurance or by calling Pearson VUE directly. Exams are available at Pearson VUE testing centers throughout Florida and, for some lines, via an online proctored format.

You must have your pre-licensing course completion certificate before you can register for the exam. Pearson VUE will verify your eligibility with DFS.

Exam Content and Passing Score

Each line of authority has its own exam content outline, available through Pearson VUE's candidate handbook for Florida insurance exams. Consult Pearson VUE for the current passing score for all Florida insurance licensing exams (Florida Statutes §626.241). Exams are multiple-choice and administered on computer at the testing center.

Bring to the exam:

• Two forms of valid ID, one of which must be government-issued with a photo and signature.
• Your Pearson VUE scheduling confirmation.

Prohibited items include phones, notes, study materials, and recording devices. Pearson VUE's candidate handbook has the full prohibited items list; consult it before your test date.

Submitting the License Application

After passing the exam, you apply through the DFS MyProfile portal at dice.fldfs.com. Submit promptly to avoid having to retest.

Required documentation includes:

• Proof of pre-licensing education completion (submitted electronically by your provider in most cases).
• Fingerprints submitted through a DFS-approved LiveScan vendor (Florida Administrative Code Rule 69B-211).
• Disclosure of any criminal history, regulatory actions, or financial judgments.
• Application fee payment.

Background Check Process

DFS conducts a criminal background check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the FBI using your fingerprints (Florida Administrative Code Rule 69B-211.042). Disqualifying offenses include felonies involving dishonesty, fraud, or breach of trust, as well as certain misdemeanors. DFS reviews applications with criminal history on a case-by-case basis. If you have a prior offense, you can request a pre-application determination from DFS before investing in education and exam fees.

Types of Insurance Producer Licenses Available in Florida

Florida Statutes Chapter 626 defines multiple lines of authority. Choosing the right one determines what products you can legally sell.

Major Lines of Authority

Life (2-14): Covers life insurance policies and fixed annuities and endowment contracts. It does not include variable products.

Health (2-40): Covers accident and health insurance, disability income, long-term care, and Medicare supplement products.

General Lines Property and Casualty (2-20): This is the broadest producer license. It covers fire, marine, casualty, surety, and all property and casualty lines for both personal and commercial clients.

Personal Lines (20-44): A narrower version of General Lines, limited to personal (non-commercial) property and casualty products like homeowners, personal auto, and watercraft. This license cannot be used for commercial accounts.

Variable Annuity and Variable Life (2-14 with variable endorsement): Requires both the base Life license and a FINRA Series 6 or Series 7 registration. DFS issues the state license; FINRA handles the securities registration separately.

Title (9-20): Covers title insurance. Separate pre-licensing and exam requirements apply.

Holding Multiple Lines

You can hold multiple lines of authority under a single license record in Florida. Many producers hold both Life and Health, or Life, Health, and Variable Annuity simultaneously. Each line requires its own pre-licensing education and exam unless an exemption applies. You apply for all desired lines in a single DFS application (Florida Statutes Chapter 626, Parts I through VIII).

Florida Insurance License Fees and Application Timelines

Fees are set under Florida Statutes §624.501. Consult DFS at myfloridacfo.com for the current fee schedule, as the legislature can adjust fees.

Consult the DFS fee schedule and Pearson VUE directly for current exam fees, as these are set by the vendor under contract and can change.

Processing Times

DFS does not publish a guaranteed processing timeline for new license applications. Consult DFS directly at (850) 413-3137 for current processing estimates. Delays typically result from incomplete applications or background check holds.

Temporary Licenses

Florida Statutes §626.311 provides for temporary licenses in limited circumstances. These may be issued when a licensed agent dies or becomes incapacitated, and a family member or business partner needs to keep the agency operating. Temporary licenses are not a standard pathway for new applicants. Consult DFS for eligibility criteria.

Maintaining and Renewing Your Florida Insurance License

Continuing Education Requirements

Florida producer licenses renew on a biennial (two-year) cycle tied to your license issue date (Florida Statutes §626.2815). You must complete continuing education (CE) per renewal period. Consult DFS for the required number of hours and specific mandates, including:

• Required hours of Florida law and ethics (mandatory for all licensees).
• Remaining hours in courses relevant to your line(s) of authority.
• Any additional line-specific mandates, such as flood insurance requirements for General Lines licensees.

CE Reporting and Deadlines

Approved CE providers report completions directly to DFS electronically. You can track your CE hours through the DFS MyProfile portal. Your renewal deadline is the last day of your birth month in the renewal year. Do not wait until the final week. If a provider is slow to report, you need time to resolve it before your deadline.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failing to complete CE or renew on time results in license expiration. A lapsed license means you cannot legally transact insurance. Florida Statutes §626.2815 provides for reinstatement procedures, but a lapsed license may also trigger a DFS investigation if you continued selling during the lapse period. Reinstatement typically requires completing outstanding CE, paying fees, and in some cases, reapplying entirely.

Administrative Updates

You are required to notify DFS of any change to your address, name, or contact information (Florida Statutes §626.551). Consult DFS for the specific timeframe for notification. Update your information through the MyProfile portal. Failure to keep your address current can result in missed renewal notices and an unintentional lapse.

Market Conduct and Ethics

DFS conducts market conduct examinations of agents and agencies. Violations of Florida's insurance code, including misrepresentation, churning, or unlicensed activity, can result in fines, suspension, or revocation under Florida Statutes Chapter 626, Part IX.

Next Steps: Resources and Contact Information for Florida Applicants

Florida Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Licensing

• Website: myfloridacfo.com (Division of Agent and Agency Services)
• Phone: (850) 413-3137
• Online Portal: MyProfile at dice.fldfs.com (applications, renewals, CE tracking, address changes)
• Email: Consult the DFS website contact directory for bureau-specific email routing.

Exam Scheduling

• Pearson VUE Florida Insurance: pearsonvue.com/florida-insurance
• Download the Florida Insurance Candidate Handbook from the Pearson VUE site before you register. It contains the content outline, exam rules, and current fee schedule.

Practical Tips

Complete your pre-licensing course through a DFS-approved provider before taking any other steps. The course completion triggers your eligibility to register for the Pearson VUE exam, and the exam score triggers your ability to submit the DFS application. These steps are sequential and cannot be reordered.

Schedule your fingerprinting appointment early. LiveScan vendors can have wait times, and your application remains incomplete until DFS receives your prints. Find approved vendors through the DFS website.

If you have any prior criminal history, regulatory action, or financial judgment, contact DFS before spending money on education. A pre-application review can save you significant time and cost if a disqualifying issue exists.