Haris Ashley
Florida has various CE (Continuing Education) requirements for insurance agents and adjusters depending on their type of license, years of experience, and license renewal cycle. The number of CE hours required for insurance agents in Florida ranges from 10 to 24 hours every two years, with some licenses requiring specific ethics and law credits within this timeframe. Non-resident license holders may be exempt from Florida's CE requirements if their home state has reciprocity agreements or if they meet requirements in another non-resident state.
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What You'll Learn
CE requirements for insurance agents in Florida
The CE requirements for insurance agents in Florida vary depending on the type of license held, the number of years licensed, and the specific field of practice. Here is a detailed overview of the CE requirements:
CE Requirements by License Type:
- Life and Health Producers (2-14, 2-15, 2-16, 2-18): For producers licensed less than six years, Florida requires 24 hours of CE every two years, including a 4-hour Law and Ethics Update course. For producers licensed six years or more, the requirement is reduced to 20 hours of CE every two years, with the same 4-hour Law and Ethics Update course.
- Property and Casualty Producers (2-20): Similar to Life and Health producers, those licensed less than six years must complete 24 hours of CE every two years, with a 4-hour Law and Ethics Update course. For those licensed six years or more, the requirement is 20 hours of CE with the same Law and Ethics course.
- Title Agents: Title agents are required to complete a minimum of 10 CE hours, with at least 3 hours dedicated to ethics specifically related to title insurance and closing services.
- Customer Representatives and Industrial Fire Agents: These agents must complete 10 hours of CE every two years, with 5 hours dedicated to ethics and the remaining 5 hours as electives.
- Bail Bond Agents: Bail bond agents are required to complete 5 hours of ethics and 9 hours of elective credits in each biennial renewal cycle.
- Public Adjusters: Public adjusters must complete CE requirements specific to their license. For CE cycles ending on or after July 31, 2023, public adjusters can only satisfy elective credits through specific approved CE courses.
Experience-Based Requirements:
The number of CE hours required also depends on the number of years an insurance agent has been licensed:
- Less than 6 Years Licensed: 24 total CE hours every 2 years.
- 6 or More Years Licensed: 20 total CE hours every 2 years.
- 25 or More Years Licensed with CLU, CPCU, or Insurance-Specific B.S. Degree: The biennial requirement is further reduced to 10 total CE hours, including 5 hours of ethics and 5 hours of general electives.
License Exemption and Reciprocity:
Certain licenses are exempt from Florida's CE requirements, including limited line licenses such as dental representatives, motor vehicle physical damage agents, and crop hail agents. Additionally, non-resident producers or adjusters who meet CE requirements in their reciprocal state are also exempt. Florida recognizes reciprocity with other states, allowing non-resident licensees to use their home state's CE requirements to meet Florida's standards.
Course Format and Credit Options:
Florida offers flexibility in completing CE requirements, allowing courses to be taken online, in a classroom setting, via seminars, or through correspondence courses. Insurance agents can also earn credits by being part of a professional association or earning designations from institutions like the College of Financial Planning. Teaching a CE course also provides credits for the instructor.
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License types and CE requirements
Florida insurance licenses are perpetual, meaning they automatically renew as long as the continuing education (CE) requirements are completed on time. The specific CE requirements in Florida vary depending on the type of insurance license held and the amount of experience of the licensee.
For resident and non-resident producers licensed in Florida on or after 1 January 2024, a one-time 4-hour Annuity Best Interest Certification Training course must be completed before selling annuities in Florida. This requirement is reciprocated with other states.
Insurance agents licensed in Accident & Health or Sickness must complete 8 hours of initial Long-Term Care (LTC) Certification Training before selling, soliciting or negotiating LTC products. After this, they must complete 4 hours of ongoing LTC training within 24 months of the last LTC course.
Property/Casualty agents must complete a one-time 3-hour NFIP Flood Insurance Certification Training course before selling flood insurance policies.
If you are licensed to sell flood insurance, you must complete 3 CE hours of the training requirements established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program.
For Life and Health (2-14 Life and Variable Annuity, 2-15 Life, Health and Variable Annuity, 2-16 Life Only, 2-18 Life and Health) and/or Property and Casualty (2-20) and/or Adjusters licensed less than 6 years, Florida requires 24 hours of CE, including a state-approved and license-specific 4-hour Law and Ethics Update course every two-year license term.
For the same license types for those licensed 6 years or more, Florida requires 20 hours of CE, including a state-approved and license-specific 4-hour Law and Ethics Update course every two-year license term.
Bail bond agents must complete 5 hours of ethics, plus 9 hours of elective credits in each biennial renewal cycle.
Those with a license for over 6 years have their total CE hours reduced to 20 – 5 for ethics and law, and 15 elective CE units per two-year cycle. For those licensed for 25 years or more who are CLUs, CPCUs or have an insurance-specific B.S. degree, the biennial requirement drops to 10 total CE hours (5 ethics, 5 general elective).
Individuals holding a limited license in one of the following areas are exempt from Florida state requirements: dental representative, motor vehicle physical damage and mechanical breakdown agent, crop hail, and multiple peril crop agent.
Non-resident producers or adjusters who meet CE requirements in their reciprocal state are also exempt. A letter of certification must be provided, or the Florida Department must be able to locate the producer in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' database to prove compliance.
Florida allows a maximum of 24 excess CE credit hours to be carried over into the next reporting period. Excess Ethics hours will only be counted as general credits.
Florida allows courses to be taken online, in a traditional classroom setting, via a company seminar, or through a correspondence course.
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Exemptions from CE requirements
Florida has specific requirements for insurance agents to maintain their licenses through continuing education (CE). However, there are certain exemptions from these CE requirements outlined by the state. Here are the details:
- Limited Line Licenses: Individuals holding specific limited line licenses are exempt from Florida's CE requirements. These include licenses such as dental representatives, motor vehicle physical damage and mechanical breakdown agents, crop hail agents, and multiple peril crop agents.
- Government Entity Officials or Employees: Those who work for a government entity and whose job description mandates current knowledge of insurance issues are exempt. This exemption applies to individuals whose professional duties require them to stay up-to-date with insurance matters.
- Non-Resident Producers or Adjusters with Reciprocity: Non-resident producers or adjusters who meet CE requirements in their reciprocal state are also exempt from Florida's CE requirements. To prove compliance, a letter of certification is needed, or the Florida Department must verify the producer's status in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' database.
- License Examination Exemptions: Individuals seeking licensure as non-resident all-lines adjusters in Florida may be exempt from taking the state's licensing examination. If they have passed an equivalent adjuster examination in a state recognized under Florida's reciprocity agreements, they are not required to retake the exam.
- Experience-Based Reductions: Florida agents with 25 or more years of experience in their specific line of licensing and who hold certain designations or degrees (CPCU, CLU, or Risk Management Degree) may be eligible for a reduction in their CE requirements. A request for reduction must be submitted before the Agent's CE Due Date using the appropriate form.
- Extensions for Good Cause: The Florida Department of Financial Services allows for limited extensions on CE Due Dates for "good cause." Examples of good cause include disabling accidents, illnesses, or declared national emergencies. Extensions must be submitted in advance using the approved form and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- Non-Resident Designated Home State (DHS) Adjuster License: Non-resident DHS adjuster licenses are not subject to the same CE requirements as those holding a Florida DHS adjuster license. However, they may still need to complete specific requirements based on their state's reciprocity agreements with Florida.
It is important to note that while these exemptions exist, insurance agents in Florida are generally required to maintain their licenses through CE courses and must stay compliant with the state's regulations. The specific requirements may vary depending on the agent's license type, years of experience, and other factors.
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Online and in-person courses
Florida School of Insurance offers online courses to help you complete your CE requirements quickly and easily. The school provides personal attention, support, and guidance to students throughout the process. They offer pre-licensing packages, coaching, study aids, practice tests, and a unique approach to help students succeed. The school also provides reminders, full-year free access post-course completion, and job placement assistance.
The Florida School of Insurance also offers a one-time 4-hour Annuity Best Interest course for agents holding a life insurance line of authority, which will be mandatory from January 1, 2024. Additionally, they provide the required 8-hour initial Long-Term Care (LTC) Certification Training and the 4-hour ongoing LTC training within 24 months of the last LTC course.
The Florida Department of Financial Services has approved certain courses for insurance continuing education credit. These include a 24-hour program for producers of Life and Health and/or Property and Casualty and/or Adjusters licensed less than six years, and a 20-hour program for those licensed for six or more years. Both programs include a 4-hour Law and Ethics Update course.
For Title insurance agents, Florida School of Insurance offers courses approved for the line of title insurance, which must be completed every three years. These courses are entirely online and cost $35 for all the hours needed.
Additionally, ExamFX provides a list of approved CE courses for Florida insurance agents. They also offer webinars, online courses, and self-study courses to fulfill the required number of hours.
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CE credits and membership
Florida insurance licenses are perpetual, meaning they automatically renew as long as the continuing education requirements are completed on time. These requirements must be completed by the last day of the licensee's birth month every two years. For example, if an insurance agent's birthday is on the 15th of March, their CE credits must be completed by 31st March every two years.
The number of CE hours required depends on the number of years the licensee has been in the industry. Insurance agents and adjusters who have been licensed for less than 6 years are required to complete 24 total hours every 2 years. After being licensed for 6 years, the CE requirement reduces to 20 total hours every 2 years, including 5 hours for ethics and law, and 15 elective CE units. For those who have been licensed for 25 years or more and who are CLUs or CPCUs or have an insurance-specific B.S. degree, the biennial requirement drops to 10 total CE hours (5 ethics, 5 general elective).
There are also specific requirements for certain types of insurance licenses. For example, title agents must complete 10 CE hours, with at least 3 hours of ethics specific to title insurance and closing services. Property/Casualty agents must complete a one-time 3-hour NFIP Flood Insurance Certification Training course before selling flood insurance policies. If an agent is licensed to sell long-term care insurance (LTCI), they must complete an 8-hour initial certification course and 4 CE hours specific to LTCI every renewal period.
CE credits can be earned through various methods, including online courses, traditional classroom settings, company seminars, correspondence courses, webinars, and self-study courses. Additionally, up to two credits per year can be earned through membership in a professional association that reports to the state for credit. Credits can also be obtained by earning designations from institutions like the College of Financial Planning.
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Frequently asked questions
Insurance agents in Florida need to complete 24 CE hours every 2 years if they have been licensed for less than 6 years. After 6 years, this reduces to 20 hours every 2 years.
Yes, there are some exceptions. Title, customer representative, and industrial fire agents must complete 10 hours every 2 years.
Yes, there is a required 4-hour Law and Ethics Update course that must be completed. This course must be specific to the license type held.
Yes, it is important to note that CE courses must be completed by the last day of the licensee's birth month every 2 years. Failure to complete the requirements by the deadline may result in the cancellation of the license.
Yes, certain limited line license holders are exempt from Florida state requirements, including dental representatives, motor vehicle physical damage and mechanical breakdown agents, crop hail agents, and multiple peril crop agents. Additionally, officials or employees of a government entity whose job requires knowledge of insurance issues are also exempt.
