What are the steps to get a Florida insurance license?

There are four main steps: 1) Complete pre-licensing education (hours vary by license type), 2) Pass the state exam administered by Pearson VUE, 3) Get fingerprinted for a background check, and 4) Submit your application to the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) and pay the license fee.

What is a Florida 4-40 Customer Service Representative license?

The 4-40 license allows you to work with customers inside an office under the supervision of a 2-20 agent. There is no state exam requirement, making it the fastest way to get licensed. The 4-40 can later be converted to a 2-20 or 20-44 license. Compensation must be primarily salary-based.

What is a Florida 20-44 Personal Lines Agent license?

A 20-44 can sell all types of personal insurance (homes, autos, jewelry, personal umbrella policies) but not business insurance. The 20-44 can sell outside the office without direct supervision. The education requirement is 60 hours.

What is a Florida 2-15 Life, Health and Variable Annuities license?

The 2-15 license is for selling Life, Health, and Disability insurance and Annuities. A 2-15 agent is appointed directly by Life and Health insurers and may be the agent in charge of a Life and Health agency. The education requirement is 60 hours.

How do I become an insurance adjuster in Florida?

For the 6-20 All Lines Adjuster license, there is no education requirement if you take the state exam. Alternatively, any 2-20 agent can apply for an adjuster's license without taking another state exam.

Where do I take the Florida insurance license exam?

Florida insurance license exams are administered by Pearson VUE. You can register for your exam at pearsonvue.com/fl/insurance after completing your pre-licensing education requirement.

How long does fingerprinting take for a Florida insurance license?

Fingerprints are used for a criminal background check, which can take up to 10 days but is usually faster. If you have been fingerprinted for DFS within 12 months (48 months if adding an additional license), you will not have to do it again.

Getting a License

Q: What is a Florida 2-20 General Lines Agent license?

The 2-20 is the most comprehensive license for Property and Casualty insurance in Florida. It allows you to sell insurance on homes, autos, personal and business property, commercial buildings, liability, workers' compensation, and more. A 2-20 agent can own an agency, be the agent in charge, and supervise other agents. The education requirement is 200 hours.

Steps to Get Your License

Getting a Florida insurance license follows the same basic process regardless of which license you’re pursuing.

1. Pre-licensing education

If your license has an education requirement, you’ll complete a pre-licensing course. Education requirements vary by license—for example, the 2-20 requires 200 hours while the 20-44 and 2-15 require 60 hours. See our course catalog for available courses.

When you pass our course, we notify the state right away. The Department of Financial Services (DFS) lists requirements for each license at their licensing page .

Some applicants—particularly agents from other states—may qualify without a course based on experience. See the DFS qualifications page for details.

2. Pass the state exam

Most agent licenses (2-20, 20-44, 2-15, 2-14, and 2-40) require passing a state exam. A good pre-licensing course should prepare you well, but if you want extra preparation, we offer a 3-day exam prep course for Property & Casualty licenses.

Licenses without a state exam:

4-40 CSR — No exam required
6-20 Adjuster — No exam required if you already hold a 2-20 license

3. Fingerprinting

Insurance professionals handle money and sensitive information, so the state requires fingerprinting for a criminal background check. The check typically takes a few days but can take up to 10 days.

If you’ve been fingerprinted for DFS within the past 12 months (or 48 months if adding a license), you won’t need to do it again.

Schedule fingerprinting at the DFS fingerprinting page .

4. Complete your application

By now, DFS has your course certificate, exam score, and background check. Complete your license application and pay the fee at myfloridacfo.com .

5. Need help?

Questions about which license to get or what the requirements are? Call our Tampa office at 813-962-4297 or email info@andybeverly.com .

We’re also here after you graduate. If you run into a difficult situation in your career or aren’t sure what to do next, give us a call—we’re happy to help.

For additional resources, see our Links page.

Information on Common Insurance Licenses

General Lines Agent (2-20)

The most comprehensive Property & Casualty license. Sell insurance on homes, autos, personal and business property, commercial buildings, liability, workers’ compensation, and more. A 2-20 agent can supervise other agents and serve as the agent in charge of an agency.

Education requirement: 200 hours — available online

Alternative paths:

Agents from other states who have at least 1 year of all-lines experience (but lack license reciprocity) may qualify to skip the course. This path isn’t common, but it exists—check the DFS qualifications page for current requirements. If you qualify, our 3-day exam prep can help you prepare for the state exam.
Licensed 4-40 or 20-44 agents with 1 year of experience can convert to a 2-20 with a 40-hour conversion course.

Life, Health and Variable Annuities (2-15)

Sell life insurance, health and disability insurance, and annuities. Many 2-15 products work alongside retirement planning and investment services, making this license a natural complement to FINRA Series 6, 63, and 7 licenses. A 2-15 agent is appointed directly by insurers and may serve as agent in charge of a Life & Health agency.

Education requirement: 60 hours — available online

The state exam for this license is challenging—the study manual is over 600 pages. Plan for additional study time beyond the course.

Personal Lines Agent (20-44)

Sell personal insurance—homes, autos, jewelry, personal umbrella policies—but not commercial or business insurance. A 20-44 can work outside the office without direct supervision and may serve as agent in charge if appointed in at least two lines sold by that office.

Education requirement: 60 hours — available online

Customer Service Representative (4-40)

Work directly with customers on insurance matters inside the office, under the supervision of a 2-20 agent. The 4-40 is designed for service and inside-sales personnel. It’s an excellent way to get started quickly since there’s no state exam.

Education requirement: 40 hours — available online

Important limitations:

Must work inside the agency, under 2-20 supervision
Cannot work from home or at a branch without a 2-20 present
Compensation must be primarily salary-based (commissions allowed only in addition to salary)
Appointed by the supervising 2-20, not directly by insurers

When you’re ready to expand, you can convert to a 2-20 with our conversion course.

All Lines Adjuster (6-20)

Adjusters estimate the value of insured losses. Company adjusters work for insurers—visiting damaged properties, inspecting vehicles, or processing claims in an office. Independent adjusters contract with multiple insurers and are especially in demand after major events like hurricanes, floods, or wildfires.

Education requirement: None if you take the state exam

Alternative path: Any 2-20 agent can apply for a 6-20 license without an additional exam.