Get Your Florida Auto Insurance License: A Guide

If you're looking to get an auto insurance license in Florida, there are a few key steps you need to follow. First, you'll need to complete a pre-licensing education course, which will give you the necessary education credits to qualify for the license. This course can be taken online or in a classroom setting, and it will cover various topics such as federal and state regulations, insurance types, and more. Once you've completed the course, you can submit your license application through Florida's MyProfile account system, along with the associated fees. The next step is to complete a fingerprinting and background check process, which is required for all licensing applicants in the state. After that, you'll be ready to take the Florida Insurance License Exam, which will test your knowledge of the material. It's important to note that you'll need to pass this exam to obtain your license, and there is a maximum of five attempts allowed per year. Once you've passed the exam and your application has been reviewed and approved, you'll officially be a qualified insurance agent in Florida!

Complete a pre-licensing course

To obtain a Florida auto insurance license, you must complete a pre-licensing course. This course can be taken online or in person, and it covers various topics related to insurance, including federal and state regulations, legal concepts of insurance contracts, life and health insurance, annuities, health and accident insurance, and disability and medical reimbursement. The course is typically 60 hours long and must be completed within four years of your application date.

When choosing a pre-licensing course, you have the option to take the course by itself or select a package that includes additional study materials, such as a study manual and practice exams. These packages can enhance your understanding of the material and better prepare you for the state exam.

The Florida Insurance Licensing Association, for example, offers a state-approved pre-licensing course that qualifies you to sit for the state exam. Their course is taught in compliance with Florida state requirements and covers all the necessary topics.

Another option is XCEL, which is the nation's leading online insurance license school. XCEL provides high-quality Florida insurance license courses and industry expertise. Their courses are approved by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and offer flexible learning formats to suit your needs.

After completing your chosen pre-licensing course, you will be one step closer to obtaining your Florida auto insurance license.

Meet the eligibility criteria

To be eligible for an insurance license in Florida, there are several criteria you must meet. These prerequisites are generally always required, but specific licenses may have additional eligibility requirements.

Firstly, you must be at least 18 years of age. Secondly, you need to be a resident of the state of Florida. This means having a permanent or temporary residence in Florida and spending at least 31 consecutive days per calendar year in the state. Thirdly, you must be a United States citizen or a legal alien with work authorization from the US Immigration and Naturalization Services. It is important to note that you should not possess a resident license from any other state.

Furthermore, there are certain restrictions on who can obtain an insurance license in Florida. If you are an employee of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or a state service office, as referred to in Section 626.833 of the Florida Statutes, you are not eligible. Additionally, if you are a funeral director, direct disposer, or an employee or representative of a funeral establishment, you are not eligible to obtain a 2-15 Health & Life (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts) Agent License.

To summarise, make sure you meet the following criteria to be eligible for an insurance license in Florida:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a resident of Florida
• Be a US citizen or a legal alien with work authorization
• Do not possess a resident license from another state
• Do not have employment restrictions as outlined in the Florida Statutes
• Are not a funeral director or associated with a funeral establishment

Submit your application

Once you've completed the required education, it's time to submit your application for a Florida insurance license. The application fee is $50, and there is an additional License ID fee of $5, bringing the total cost to $55. You can complete and submit your application on Florida's Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services webpage.

However, it's important to note that if you've completed prelicensing education for multiple lines of authority, you will need to submit a separate application and pay the filing fees for each one.

Florida's MyProfile system will be your central platform for all license-related actions, even after you receive your license. This is where you will complete most other actions regarding your continuing education (CE) and appointments.

It's also worth mentioning that the fingerprinting fees are not included in the application filing cost and must be paid directly to the service provider.

Complete fingerprinting and a background check

To get an auto insurance license in Florida, you must complete fingerprinting and a background check. This is a mandatory requirement for almost all licenses, registrations, and certifications.

There are two methods for submitting fingerprints: LiveScan, which is submitted electronically, and Fingerprint Cards, which are submitted by mail. The LiveScan method is much faster.

For Florida Resident applicants, register for LiveScan and go to the nearest IdentoGo location to submit your fingerprints electronically. Out-of-State applicants can enter their zip code on the registration site to find the nearest LiveScan location. If there isn't a location nearby, you can submit fingerprint cards by mail.

The fingerprinting is $50.75, plus local Florida county sales tax. You must register and pay for fingerprinting by visiting the IdentoGO by Idemia website. After payment is made to 'Idemia', submit your fingerprints electronically via LiveScan. A list of LiveScan locations will be presented to you following registration.

Once you have submitted your fingerprints, they will be sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The results of your fingerprint-based criminal history check will then be submitted to the Florida Department of Financial Services.

If your first fingerprint submission is returned as illegible, IdentoGO by Idemia will need you to provide another LiveScan submission at no additional charge if it is submitted within 90 days of the first submission. If both fingerprint results are illegible, you are not required to submit new fingerprints. The Bureau of Licensing will submit a name check request to the FBI, which can take up to 45 days for processing.

By submitting fingerprints, you are consenting to the collection and retention of your fingerprints to complete a criminal history background check as part of the application, employment, and/or licensing process. The fingerprints will be searched against the database maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the central repository of criminal history records maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

As an applicant who is subject to a national fingerprint-based criminal history record check, you have certain rights, including the ability to challenge the accuracy of the information in the report by contacting the FBI.

Pass the relevant exam

Passing the relevant exam is a crucial step in obtaining your auto insurance license in Florida. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you prepare for and pass the exam:

Know the Exam Requirements:

Before you begin preparing for the exam, it's important to understand the requirements. In Florida, you need to complete a state-approved prelicensing course before registering for the state licensing exam. The prelicensing course will provide you with the necessary knowledge and information to pass the exam.

Choose a Reputable Education Provider:

Enroll in a pre-license education course offered by a reputable insurance education company. This will significantly increase your chances of passing the exam on your first attempt. Reputable companies, such as ExamFX and Larson Educational Services, offer comprehensive study materials and practice exams to help you prepare.

Understand the Exam Format:

The Florida insurance licensing exam is a timed, proctored, multiple-choice test. It will be administered on a computer at a designated testing center, and you will need to achieve a passing score of 70% or higher. The number of questions on the exam can vary, but it typically ranges from 50 to 180 questions, depending on the license type.

Study Effectively:

Give yourself ample time to study and prepare for the exam. Create a solid study plan and stick to it. Review the course materials, practice with sample questions, and consider taking a practice exam to familiarize yourself with the test format. Organize your study space, use visual aids like flow charts and diagrams, and eliminate distractions to stay focused.

Know What to Bring on Exam Day:

On the day of the exam, remember to bring a current and valid government-issued ID that matches the name on your exam registration. The ID must include your photograph and signature. Additionally, you may want to bring a translation dictionary if you are an "English as a second language" test-taker.

Manage Your Time During the Exam:

During the exam, read the questions carefully and allocate your time effectively. For multiple-choice questions, predict your answer before looking at the choices, and then eliminate any options you are sure are incorrect. If you encounter a difficult question, don't spend too much time on it; skip it and come back to it later.

Stay Calm and Confident:

It's natural to feel nervous before the exam. To help manage test anxiety, establish a consistent pre-test routine, practice relaxation techniques, and get plenty of sleep the night before. Remember that you have prepared thoroughly, and trust in your abilities.

By following these instructions and tips, you will be well on your way to passing the relevant exam and obtaining your auto insurance license in Florida.

Frequently asked questions