General Requirements
Florida Major Lines Licensed Insurance Agents are required to meet continuing education requirements by their CE Due Date (end of the licensee’s birth month) after being licensed for 24 months, and every 2 years thereafter. There are no renewal requirements or renewal fees for Florida licensed agents. Agents only need to complete their CE Requirements every 2 years prior to their CE Due Date (the last day of their birth month) to keep their license active.
Major Lines licenses include:
| License Type | License Type Description |
|---|---|
| 214 | LIFE INCL VARIABLE ANNUITY |
| 215 | LIFE INCL VAR ANNUITY & HEALTH |
| 216 | LIFE |
| 218 | LIFE & HEALTH |
| 220 | GENERAL LINES (PROP & CAS) |
| 240 | HEALTH |
| 20-44 | PERSONAL LINES AGENT |
CE Requirements for Florida Major Lines Licensed Insurance Agents
Florida Major Lines Licensed Agents must complete either 20 or 24 Credits of Continuing Education every 2 years, based on their length of licensing. Agents licensed 6 or more years must complete 20 credits. Agents licensed less than 6 years must complete 24 credits. A minimum of 4 credits must be done in courses approved for “Florida Law Update” specific to at least one of your license types. The remaining credits (16 or 20) can be done in any subject matter as long as they are approved by the Florida Department of Financial Services.
- Agents Licensed 6 or More Years: 20 Total Credits/ 4 Credits must be in “Florida Law Update” specific to their line of licensing
- Agents Licensed Less Than 6 Years: 24 Total Credits / 4 Credits must be in “Florida Law Update” specific to their line of licensing
- Customer Service Representatives (4-40 and 4-42) : 10 Total Credits / 4 Credits must be in “Florida Law Update” approved for General Lines Agents (220)
You can view your specific requirements and basic license info on the Florida DIFS Agent Info Page, here: VIEW LICENSE INFO
Agents licensed in multiple lines (ex. Life and General Lines) are only required to meet the same requirements as agents with single lines of licensing. In other words: the maximum number of credits you are required to take is 24 credits, regardless of the number of licenses you hold.
Special Training Requirements
There are special training requirements for Florida insurance agents who sell certain products. These courses count towards your CE Requirements.
Flood Insurance
Florida insurance agents who sell Flood Insurance must complete a 1-time, 3-hour NFIP Flood Insurance Training Course prior to selling or soliciting flood insurance policies.
Long Term Care
Florida insurance agents may not sell, solicit or negotiate a Long-Term Care policy unless the individual has completed an initial 8 Hour Long Term Care training course. Agents must also complete ongoing training consisting of a 4 Hour Long Term Care training course every compliance period following.
Annuity Training
Effective January 1, 2024, any Florida life insurance agent who sells, solicits or negotiates an annuity product must complete a one-time, 4 Hour Best Interest Annuity Training Course prior to selling.
CE Exemptions and Reductions
Exemptions
Florida offers several limited exemptions from CE Requirements. These include:
- Individuals holding a “Limited Lines License” for which a licensing exam was not required.
- Individuals holding any of the following Limited Licenses: dental representative, motor vehicle physical damage and mechanical breakdown agent and crop hail and multiple peril crop agent.
- Individuals who are officials or employees of a government entity and whose job description requires them to stay current on insurance issues. Request for approval from the Florida Department of Financial Services is required.
Extensions
The Florida Department of Financial Services does allow for limited extensions from the CE Due Date. The reason for requesting an extension must meet the definition of good cause as shown in 69B-228.230(3). “Good cause” means an incident or occurrence which is beyond the control of the applicant and which prevents compliance. Examples include: Disabling accident, illness, or declared national emergency.
Extensions must be submitted using the approved form in advance of the agent’s CE Due Date and are considered on a case by case basis.
Reductions
Florida agents who have 25 years or more experience in their specific line of licensing and hold a CPCU, CLU or Risk Management Degree are eligible for a reduction in their CE Requirements. The request for reduction must be submitted in advance of the Agent’s CE Due Date, using this form: FL CE Reduction Request
Course Repeat Restrictions
Agents will not receive credit for any courses taken within the prior 2 years.
Carryover Credits
Up to 24 credits earned in excess of the minimum requirements will be carried forward to the next period.
Late Renewal and Reinstatements
There is no grace period allowed for Florida insurance agents who fail to complete their CE Requirements by their CE Due Date. Agents who do not complete their CE on time will have up to approximately 90 days to complete any outstanding CEs, sign a Stipulation Agreement with the Florida Department of Financial Services, and pay a fine of $250. The details of this will be sent to your My Profile account within 45 days of missing your CE Due Date. If you fail to complete the requirements of the Stipulation Agreement (complete CE and pay fine) within the time frames allowed (approximately 60 days from missed CE Due Date), all of your company appointments will be canceled, and you will be unable to transact insurance business.
Florida Insurance Agent Continuing Education & Renewal Requirements Summary
| Renewal Term | Every 2 Years |
| Renewal Date | Last Day of Birth Month – Every 2 Years |
| CE Requirements | Agents Licensed 6 or More Years: 20 Total Credits Agents Licensed Less Than 6 Years: 24 Total Credits |
| Course Requirements | A minimum of 4 credits must be done in a Florida Law and Ethics Update specific to at least one of their license types. The remaining requirements (16 or 20) are “Electives” and can be taken in any approved subject matter. |
| Special Training | Flood – 1 Time Prior to Selling. Long Term Care – 8 Hour Initial, 4 Hours Every Renewal Period Following |
| Exemptions | Non-resident agents. Certain Limited Lines Agents |
| Renewal Fee | None |
| Late Fees, Reinstatement, Fees | Up to 90 Days with $250 fine. After 90 Days, Appointments Cancelled |
| Carryover Credits | Up to 24 Credits |
| Course Repeat Restrictions | No Credits for Course Repeated Within 2 Years |
Florida Department of Insurance Contact Information
Website: https://myfloridacfo.com
Phone: 850-413-3140
Email: InsuranceCommissioner@floir.com
Bureau of Licensing
200 East Gaines St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0319
