Agent and Adjuster General Licensing

1. What are the fees for obtaining a license?
   It depends on the type of license. Click here for the Fee list.
2. Do all licenses require a prelicensing course, prior to taking the examination or applying for a license?
   Not all licenses require a prelicensing course. Click here for a list of licenses and their requirement.
3. How do I find a prelicensing course?
   Click here to search for Prelicensing courses.
4. I've submitted paperwork the last time I applied. Do I need to resubmit the same paperwork?
   Any documentation sent to the department is retained in the applicants file. In some cases the documents may need to be resubmitted or new documents may be required.
5. Can I apply for a license if I have any prior criminal history?
   The department looks at all background information on a case-by-case basis. Grounds for discretionary denial of an applicant, due to a criminal record, are listed in Administrative Code 69B-211.042. To read more information on this topic, go to our page for applicants with prior criminal history by clicking here.
6. I've been approved for an examination but now I have a designation. What do I need to do?
   You will need to send the designation to the department. If your authorization for examination has not expired, you will need to call the department to get the application corrected for approval. If the authorization for examination has expired, you will need to reapply for the license.
7. Do all licenses need appointments?
   All licenses require an appointment with the exception of insurance agency licenses and registrations (20-05, 21-05, 90-05, and 91-05).
8. I've submitted fingerprints to the department for another license. Do I need to do it again?
   Fingerprint results are good for 12 months.
9. I've submitted fingerprints to another department (outside the Division of Agent & Agency Services). Are those fingerprints acceptable?
   No. We can not accept fingerprints outside of Agent and Agency Services.
10. Do I have to take an examination if I want to switch from one adjuster license to another?
    Possibly. If you have a valid company or independent adjuster license with Florida, you qualify for an equal or lesser company or independent adjuster license without examination. However, resident public adjuster licenses do require you to take the adjuster examination per Florida Statue 626.221. Nonresident public adjusters may be exempt from the examination, please review the adjuster reciprocal list. This list can be found by clicking on Licensing Information, then selecting General Licensing Information or click here to view the adjuster reciprocal list.
11. I have a bad credit score. Will this prevent me from getting a license?
    No. The department does not look at credit scores.
12. Do I have to renew my Florida license?
    No. A Florida license is perpetual, BUT it will expire if it goes for more than 48 months without an appointment.
13. When does my license expire?
    Licenses will expire if more than 48 months elapse without an appointment. Failure to complete continuing education may result in cancellation of appointment(s).
14. What do I have to do to get my license back if it expired?
    You must re-qualify as a first-time applicant.
15. How do I check the status of my application?
    The status of applications and licenses can be checked by going to www.myfloridacfo.com/agents and logging in to My Profile, click here.
16. How do I change my address?
    Go to www.myfloridacfo.com/agents and log in to My Profile and select Address Change, click here.
17. What is an exam only application?
    An exam only application is a way for individuals to attempt to pass a State Examination, but with out receiving the State’s approval for that license. Once an individual passes an examination, they can then request the state’s approval by applying for that license at My Profile.
18. If I submitted an exam only application but chose the wrong examination. Can I get a refund?
    No. Per Florida Statute 626.171(5), all fees are nonrefundable.
19. If I applied originally by exam only and pass, what do I do next?
    You must apply for a license. Log in to My Profile and choose either New Agent License or New Adjuster License. If you are approved by the state, Pearson VUE will mail you your license id card.
20. If I apply for the wrong license in general can I get a refund?
    No. Applications are not subject to refund, per Florida Statute 626.171(5).
21. What if I fail the examination or miss my appointment to take it?
    Three (3) days after you do either, you may apply for a reexamination. You will be charged $56 every time this is done.
22. What is an appointment?
    A formal work authorization made by an insurance company to the State. It authorizes the agent to write business for that insurance company.
23. What is the continuing education requirement? When is it due?
    The number of continuing education hours required depend on the license type you hold and number of years you've held it. Continuing education is due every 2 years, for most licenses types. You can check your continuing education requirement by going to www.myfloridacfo.com/agents and logging in to My Profile. Contact the department (850-413-3137) if you have questions regarding your requirement.
24. Where can I find the forms?
    All forms can be found at Agent & Agency Services web page or by clicking here.
25. To sell viaticals, what do I need to do?
    First, you must hold a life license. Then you must self appoint yourself for viatical. Click here for the eAppoint site. Please review our eAppoint FAQ’s for step-by-step assistance.
26. Is the test in Spanish?
    No. The test is currently only given in English only. If English is not your first language, you can receive a one-hour extension for the exam. Contact Pearson VUE (888-274-2020) for more information.
27. If I'm licensed in another state, can I use my license in Florida?
    No. You are required to have a license with Florida.
28. I am licensed as a nonresident of Florida. Do I need county appointments?
    You only need county appointments if you are physically coming to Florida to conduct business. The insurer must appoint you for every county where you will be transacting insurance, while in Florida. Contact the insurer for this.
29. I want to sell viaticals, where do I begin?
    You must first obtain a life license or greater, such as life and health. Once the license is obtained, you must do a self appointment for viatical. Please refer to our eAppoint FAQ’s for help with self appointing.
30. Can a life agent be an insurance agent and a part-time funeral director?
    No. Per Florida Statute 626.785, the agent can not be an insurance agent and a funeral director unless the only product being sold is for pre-need.
    
    However, per Florida Statute 626.785(1)(d), a life insurance agent that is not affiliated with a funeral establishment may obtain a preneed license with the Bureau of Funeral and Cemetery and may contract with a funeral establishment to sell a preneed contract, “…limited policies of insurance covering the expense of final disposition or burial of an insured in the amount of $12,500...”
31. Can an agent pay a fee to an unlicensed person for referrals of potential clients?
    Yes. As long as it complies with Florida Statute 626.112(8) which states “No insurance agent, insurance agency, or other person licensed under the Insurance Code may pay any fee or other consideration to an unlicensed person other than an insurance agency for the referral of prospective purchasers to an insurance agent which is in any way dependent upon whether the referral results in the purchase of an insurance product.”
    
    To summarize, it is OK to pay an unlicensed person for every referral. If you only pay that unlicensed person for referrals that result in the sale of an insurance product, it violates the law.
32. If a credit card company charges a 2% fee for payments of policies/premiums, can the agency charge the consumer that fee for reimbursement?
    Yes, but only to the extent of the fee that the credit card company charges to the agency. (This does not apply to bail bonds.)
33. Can an agent/agency charge a fee in addition to commission for servicing accounts.
    Answer: In specific circumstances, yes. Florida Statute 627.7295(5) permits an agent to charge a $10 per policy fee for PIP/PD policies only. The statute reads “A licensed general lines agent may charge a per-policy fee not to exceed $10 to cover the administrative costs of the agent associated with selling the motor vehicle insurance policy if the policy covers only personal injury protection coverage as provided by s. 627.736 and property damage liability coverage as provided by s. 627.7275 and if no other insurance is sold or issued in conjunction with or collateral to the policy. The fee is not considered part of the premium.”
    Florida Statute 626.593 applies to group health insurance coverage and states as follows: “No person licensed as an insurance agent may receive any fee or commission or any other thing of value in addition to the rates filed pursuant to chapter 627 for examining any group health insurance or any group health benefit plan for the purpose of giving or offering advice, counsel, recommendation, or information in respect to terms, conditions, benefits, coverage, or premium of any such policy or contract unless such compensation is based upon a written contract signed by the party to be charged and specifying or clearly defining the amount or extent of such compensation and informing the party to be charged that any commission received from an insurer will be rebated to the party in accordance with subsection (3). In addition, all compensation to be paid to the insurance agent must be disclosed in the contract.” Any other charge would be considered illegal dealings in premiums and would be a violation of Florida Statute 626.9541(1)(o) and 627.403.
    
    A consulting fee CAN NOT be charged where the fee is part of the consideration for insurance coverage, as that fee would be considered additional premium. HOWEVER, a consulting fee can be charged for services not related to placing the coverage if there is a SEPARATE consulting contract between the agent and the insured. If a consulting fee is charged, the insured must fully understand that he is entering into a separate contract and paying a separate consideration in advance of the performance or consulting service. The services rendered must be other than those normally provided by an insurance agent in connection with the solicitation or effectuation of the insurance coverage.
34. How long must I maintain records?
    Florida Statute 626.561(2) states “The licensee shall keep and make available to the department or office books, accounts, and records as will enable the department or office to determine whether such licensee is complying with the provisions of this code. Every licensee shall preserve books, accounts, and records pertaining to a premium payment for at least 3 years after payment; provided, however, the preservation of records by computer or photographic reproductions or records in photographic form shall constitute compliance with this requirement.” All other records shall be maintained in accordance with Florida Statute 626.748 which states: “Every agent transacting any insurance policy must maintain in his or her office, or have readily accessible by electronic or photographic means, such records of policies transacted by him or her as to enable the policyholders and department to obtain all necessary information, including daily reports, applications, change endorsements, or documents signed or initialed by the insured concerning such policies.” The 3-year requirement shall not apply to insurance binders when no policy is ultimately issued and no premium is collected.
    
    Viatical settlement Brokers must maintain records in accordance with Florida Statute 626.9922(2), which states “All accounts, books and records, documents, files, contracts, and other information relating to all transactions of viatical settlement contracts, life expectancies, or viatical settlement purchase agreements made before July 1, 2005, must be maintained by the licensee for a period of at least 3 years after the death of the insured and must be available to the office or department for inspection during reasonable business hours.”
    
    See the answer for title agencies on the Title Agents F.A.Q.

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