Florida Life Insurance Exam: How Difficult Is It?

The Florida life insurance license exam is a pivotal step in becoming a licensed insurance agent in the state of Florida. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE, and candidates can register and book their examinations through the Pearson VUE website. The exam can be taken online or in person, and it covers both general and state-specific material. While the exam is not considered easy, with a passing score of 70%, there are several resources available to help candidates prepare. These include pre-license courses, study guides, and practice exams. It is recommended that candidates allocate around one to two weeks to prepare for the exam, as this will allow them to go through the material at least twice. In addition to the exam, there are several other requirements that must be met to obtain a Florida life insurance license, including completing a pre-licensing course, applying for the license, and submitting to a background check.

Exam structure and format

The Florida insurance license exam is administered by Pearson VUE, and you can register and book your exam through their website. The exam can be taken online or in person. The exam is made up of bullet-point questions, and it includes both general and state-specific material. The general questions test your federal insurance product and agent knowledge, while the state-specific questions cover Florida insurance regulations and laws that you need to know to operate as an insurance agent in the state.

Each exam contains 15 "pretest" questions that are randomly distributed throughout the exam and do not affect your final score. These questions are likely to look very different from the course materials and practice questions you have covered in your preparation.

The number of questions on the exam, the time limit, and the passing score will depend on the type of insurance license you are applying for. Here are the specifics for the different licenses:

2-15 Florida Health & Life (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts) Agent License exam

• Number of questions: 165 (150 scored, 15 pretest)
• Time limit: 2 hours and 45 minutes
• Passing score: 70% (105 correct answers)

2-14 Florida Life (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts) Agent License exam

• Number of questions: 100 (85 scored, 15 pretest)
• Time limit: 2 hours
• Passing score: 70% (60 correct answers)

2-40 Florida Health Agent License exam

• Number of questions: 100 (85 scored, 15 pretest)
• Time limit: 2 hours
• Passing score: 70% (60 correct answers)

General Lines (Property and Casualty) Agent exam

• Number of scorable questions: 160, plus 15 pretest questions
• Time limit: 3 hours
• Passing score: 70% (112 correct answers)

Registration and scheduling

Florida uses Pearson VUE to administer its insurance agent licensing. You can register and book all of your licensing examinations through the Pearson VUE website, by phone, or by visiting a physical test centre. Your test can be carried out online or in person.

The state exam fee is $44 for each attempt, and the exam can be scheduled at any time. It is recommended that you take the state exam 5-10 days after completing your course.

To change or cancel your testing appointment, you must contact Pearson VUE at least 48 hours in advance or forfeit the examination fee.

When registering, booking your exam, and/or applying for your license, it is important to use the same name that appears on the identification forms you plan to present at the time of your testing appointment.

You will need to bring one valid form of government-issued identification (e.g. driver's license, passport, military ID) which must contain your name and photograph. If the ID presented has an embedded signature that is not visible (microchip), or is difficult or impossible to read, the candidate must present another form of acceptable identification that contains a visible signature.

The confirmation number provided when the test reservation was made will also be required.

Passing score and requirements

To pass the Florida life insurance license exam, you need to achieve a score of 70% or above. This is calculated by dividing the number of questions you answered correctly by the total number of questions. The passing score is valid for one year from the date it was achieved. If you do not complete the licensing process within that time, you will need to retake the exam.

Each exam contains 15 "pretest" questions that do not count towards your final score. These are distributed randomly throughout the exam and may look very different from the course materials and practice questions you covered in your preparation.

The number of questions on the exam varies depending on the type of license you are applying for. The 2-15 Florida Health & Life (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts) Agent License exam consists of 165 questions, 150 of which are scored, and you need to answer 105 correctly to pass. The 2-14 Florida Life (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts) Agent License exam consists of 100 questions, 85 of which are scored, and you need to answer 60 correctly to pass. The 2-40 Florida Health Agent License exam also has 100 questions, 85 scored, and you need to answer 60 correctly to pass.

The time limit for the exams also varies depending on the license type. The 2-15 Health & Life Agent exam has a time limit of 2 hours and 45 minutes, while the 2-14 Life Agent and 2-40 Health Agent exams have a time limit of 2 hours.

In addition to passing the exam, there are several other requirements you must meet to obtain your Florida life insurance license. These include:

• Completing a pre-licensing course: You must take a 60-hour pre-licensing course that has been approved by the Department of Insurance. The course can be completed online or in person.
• Fingerprinting and background check: Florida requires electronic fingerprints to be taken for a criminal background check.
• Submitting an application: You need to submit a license application to the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) and pay the associated fees.
• Age and residency requirements: To be eligible for a Florida life insurance license, you must be a resident of Florida and at least 18 years old.

Preparation and study tips

The Florida life insurance license exam is a challenging test that requires thorough preparation. Here are some essential preparation and study tips to help you get ready for the exam:

• Complete a pre-licensing course: Although not mandatory in Florida, enrolling in a pre-licensing course can be highly beneficial. These courses help you become familiar with the extensive material you need to memorize. Reputable providers include Kaplan, ExamFX, and Larson Educational Services.
• Study the exam content outline: The Pearson VUE website provides a detailed content outline for the Florida life insurance exam. Use this outline as a checklist to ensure you thoroughly understand each topic.
• Allow sufficient study time: Ensure you dedicate enough time to prepare for the exam. It is recommended to allocate around one to two weeks to go through the material at least twice.
• Practice with study manuals and practice exams: Obtain a study manual from organizations such as the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors-Florida (NAIFA-Florida) or the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA). Additionally, practice exams are available from certain course providers, helping you familiarize yourself with the exam format.
• Follow a consistent study routine: Establish a structured study routine and stick to it. This helps you stay focused and ensures you cover all the necessary material.
• Take advantage of online resources: Many course providers offer online resources, such as exam simulations, live online training, printable study guides, and chapter reviews. These tools can enhance your understanding of the material.
• Control test anxiety: Test anxiety is common but can be managed through various strategies. Get plenty of sleep in the week leading up to the exam, and arrive early at the test center to familiarize yourself with the surroundings. Establishing a consistent pre-test routine when practicing at home can also help reduce anxiety.
• Review your progress: Regularly review your performance on practice exams and identify areas where you need improvement. This targeted approach will help you strengthen any knowledge gaps.
• Tailor your studying to the exam format: Remember that the exam consists of factual questions, not critical thinking or common-sense queries. Therefore, focus your studies on memorizing and understanding the content rather than applying concepts.
• Understand the exam structure: Familiarize yourself with the exam structure, including the number of questions, time limits, and passing score. This will help you pace yourself during the exam and ensure you complete all sections within the allotted time.

Post-exam steps and application

Once you have passed your Florida life insurance licensing exam, there are several steps you need to take to complete your application and obtain your license. Here is a detailed guide on the post-exam steps and application process:

• Complete a fingerprint and background check: Florida requires fingerprinting for all insurance license applicants. You can register and pay for fingerprinting on the DFS website or by calling (800) 528-1358. This step can be completed before or after your exam. The cost of fingerprinting is $48.55, and the results will be submitted electronically to the Florida Department of Financial Services.
• Submit your license application: You will need to submit your license application to the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS). On the application, you will provide personal information and include a fee of $55 payable to the DFS. You can access the application through the MyProfile page managed by the DFS Bureau of Licensing. Create an account if you don't already have one, selecting "Individual" as your account type and choosing the appropriate license type.
• Wait for application review and approval: After submitting your application, the Florida Department of Financial Services will review it. Once your application is approved, you will be notified via email and your MyProfile Account.
• Print your license: Upon approval, you can print your license from your MyProfile page.
• Maintain your license: To maintain your license, you must be aware of the continuing education requirements. Most insurance licenses in Florida require a certain number of credit hours of continuing education each licensing period. You can refer to the Florida Department of Financial Services website or consult providers like ExamFX for more information on maintaining your license.

The total cost of obtaining your Florida life insurance license includes the application fee, fingerprinting fee, and course tuition. For example, for the 2-15 Health & Life Insurance License, the total cost is $147.55 plus course tuition.

It is important to note that you can apply for your license up to 12 months after passing your exam. This allows you to attempt additional insurance line exams before submitting your licensing application.

Frequently asked questions