Becoming A Life Insurance Agent: Florida Requirements

If you're thinking about becoming a life insurance agent in Florida, you'll need to obtain a Florida insurance license. The process involves several steps, including completing pre-licensing education, submitting an application, undergoing a fingerprint and background check, and passing the relevant Florida insurance license exam.

Florida has specific requirements for individuals seeking to obtain a life insurance license. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, residents of Florida, and have a Social Security Number. The pre-licensing education involves completing a certain number of state-approved education credit hours, which vary depending on the license type.

The application process includes submitting the necessary documents and paying the associated fees, such as the application fee and license ID fee. The fingerprinting and background check are crucial to ensure candidates meet the state's eligibility criteria.

Finally, individuals must pass the Florida insurance license exam, which covers both general and state-specific knowledge in the field of life insurance.

Overall, becoming a life insurance agent in Florida requires dedication and a commitment to fulfilling the necessary requirements.

Complete a pre-licensing course

To become a life insurance agent in Florida, you must complete a pre-licensing course. This is a mandatory step to gaining your license and will equip you with the knowledge and tools to prepare for your licensing exam.

Florida requires 40 hours of pre-license education for life insurance, including courses on annuities and variable contracts. Three of the required 40 hours must focus on ethics. The Florida Health & Life (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts) Study Manual is published by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) in Florida.

Pre-license courses are self-paced and include study materials such as practice exams and flashcards. They are designed to enhance your understanding of the material and make you feel more confident on exam day.

The cost of pre-licensing courses varies. For example, the 60-hour Health and Life (Including Annuities and Variable Contracts) Agent Pre-Licensing Online Course is $139 for the basic course and $189 for the essential course. The 40-hour Florida Life (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts) Agent License Course is offered by Kaplan University, and prices for their online courses start at $149.

Over 81% of readers use Kaplan’s online courses, which come with a 93% pass rate, when preparing for their insurance license exams.

Pass the state exam

Passing the state exam is a crucial step in becoming a life insurance agent in Florida. Here's a detailed guide to help you prepare for and pass the exam:

Understand the Exam Structure:

The Florida life insurance exam consists of 85 scored questions, covering two sections: general and state-specific knowledge. The general section focuses on basic life insurance product knowledge, while the state-specific section covers insurance concepts, terms, rules, regulations, and practices specific to Florida.

Study Materials and Courses:

To increase your chances of passing the exam, it is highly recommended to enroll in a pre-license education course. These courses provide specific industry knowledge that will be tested during the exam. Kaplan's online courses are a popular choice, with an impressive 93% pass rate. The courses include features such as online exam simulations, live online training, printable study guides, and end-of-chapter reviews.

Study Tips:

Allocate sufficient time for studying, ideally one to two weeks, to thoroughly cover the material at least twice. Focus on memorizing the content rather than relying on critical thinking or common sense. Create a consistent pre-test routine and practice with sample questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format. Get plenty of rest before the exam to reduce test anxiety.

Scheduling the Exam:

You can schedule your Florida life insurance exam by calling PearsonVUE at 1-888-274-2020 or visiting their website. The exam fee is $44, and you will need to present a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport. The exam must be taken at a physical Pearson Vue examination center.

Exam Day:

Arrive at the examination center at least 30 minutes early to get settled and accustomed to the environment. You will be provided with a dry erase sheet of paper and an erasable marker to make notes during the exam. The exam is administered on a desktop computer, and you will receive your results immediately upon completion, marked as "PASS" or "FAIL," along with a diagnostic breakdown of your performance.

Retaking the Exam:

In case you don't pass the exam on your first attempt, don't panic. Florida allows up to five examination attempts during a one-year period. You can review your exam results and schedule a re-take by contacting PearsonVue. There is a 24-hour waiting period before you can schedule another exam, and each attempt costs $44.

Register for fingerprinting

To register for fingerprinting, you must go to the IdentoGO website or call (850) 413-3140. You will need to register and pay for fingerprinting to obtain your insurance license. The cost of fingerprinting services is $48.05 plus the local Florida county sales tax to cover the costs of a fingerprint-based, criminal history record check.

Once you have registered, you will need to go to the nearest IdentoGo location to electronically submit your fingerprints. After submitting your fingerprints, the system will electronically send them to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE will then electronically submit the results of your fingerprint-based, criminal history check to the Florida Department of Financial Services.

You must complete a fingerprint-based background check before you can take your insurance license exam. This process can be done either electronically or by mail through IdentoGO. The background check will confirm that you meet the federal and state regulations regarding insurance agents.

Submit the application

To submit your application for a life insurance license in Florida, you must first complete the pre-licensing education. The number of hours of education required varies depending on the type of insurance license you are seeking. For a life insurance license, Florida requires 40 hours of pre-license education, including courses on annuities and variable contracts. Three of the required 40 hours must focus on ethics.

Once you have completed the required education, you can submit your application for a Florida life insurance license. The application must be completed online through the state's MyProfile account system. There is an application fee of $50, plus a $5 license ID charge, for a total of $55. If you have completed the pre-licensing education for multiple lines of authority, you will need to submit a separate application and pay the filing fees for each one.

In addition to the application form and fee, you will need to share information about yourself on the application. The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) will review your application and background check. If approved, your license will be issued. If there are any issues with your background check, the state may reach out with questions.

You will receive a notification about your application status in your Florida MyProfile account. If you need to provide any additional information, you will also be notified in that account. You can also use your Florida MyProfile account to print your license once it has been approved.

Pass the background check

To pass the background check stage of becoming a life insurance agent in Florida, you must complete a fingerprint-based background check. This is an essential step in the process and will cost $48.05 (plus local Florida sales tax) through IdentoGO or $45.80 (plus tax) through MorphoTrust USA.

You must register for LiveScan and go to the nearest IdentoGo location to electronically submit your fingerprints. Alternatively, you can make a reservation with MorphoTrust by calling 800-528-1358.

The background check will be carried out by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), who will then submit the results to the Florida Department of Financial Services.

The background check will confirm that you meet the federal and state regulations regarding insurance agents. If you have committed certain felonies, such as embezzlement, money laundering, or counterfeiting, you may be barred from licensure. Other misdemeanors may mean that you have to wait for a disqualifying period to pass before you can apply.

The review process time varies depending on the application. You will be notified by email and through your Florida MyProfile account when your application has been processed.

Frequently asked questions