What Are the Pre-Licensing Education Requirements for a Florida Insurance License?

How Many Hours of Pre-Licensing Education Does Florida Require?

The number of required hours depends on which license type you pursue. Florida offers several resident insurance licenses, each with its own education requirement established under Florida Statute 626.221Statutes 2023 626.221 Laws.

For the Life, Health and Variable Annuity license (2-15), candidates must complete 60 hours of pre-licensing education. This combination license allows you to sell life insurance, health insurance, annuities, and variable products—making it one of the most versatile credentials for new agentsPre License How To Become An Insurance Agent With No Experience Resources. The coursework covers federal and state regulations, legal concepts, life and health insurance fundamentals, annuities, and disability coverage.

The General Lines Property and Casualty license (2-20) requires 200 hours of pre-licensing education. While this represents a significant time investment, this license offers the broadest authority in Florida, allowing you to sell property, casualty, surety, health, marine, and miscellaneous lines of insurance. Many successful agents find that a P&C careerPre License Is Becoming A Licensed Property And Casualty Insurance Agent Worth It Resources provides stable, recurring income through policy renewals.

Florida also offers specialized licenses with shorter education requirements. The Life only license (2-14) requires 40 hours, the Health only license (2-40) requires 40 hours, and the Personal Lines license (20-44) requires just 20 hours. Your choice should align with your career goals and the products you want to sell.

What Is the Format of the Florida Insurance Licensing Exam?

After completing your pre-licensing course, you'll take a state licensing exam administered by Pearson VUEFl Insurance Home.pearsonvue.com. The Florida Department of Financial Services sets the exam standards, and all exams require a minimum passing score of 70%.

The 2-15 Life, Health and Variable Annuity exam contains 165 questions—150 scored questions plus 15 unscored pretest questions—and allows 2 hours and 45 minutes for completion. The 2-20 General Lines exam is longer, featuring 175 questions (160 scored, 15 pretest) with a 3-hour time limit. Preparing strategically with proven study methodsPre License How To Study Insurance Licensing Exam Resources can significantly improve your chances of passing on the first attempt.

Florida no longer offers remote online proctored exams for insurance licensing. As of February 2024, all exams must be taken in-person at a designated Pearson VUE testing center. You can schedule your exam through the Pearson VUE website or by calling (888) 274-2020.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Florida Insurance License?

The fastest path to licensure typically takes 3 to 4 weeks for Life and Health (2-15) and 6 to 10 weeks for Property and Casualty (2-20). These timelines assume consistent study habits, immediate scheduling of your exam and fingerprints, and no background check complications.

Most candidates should plan for 4 to 8 weeks from starting their pre-licensing course to receiving their license. This realistic timeline accounts for the education requirement, exam scheduling, fingerprinting through IdentoGO, background check processing, and application review by the Florida DFS.

After passing your exam, you must apply for your license through the MyProfile systemDivision Agents Myfloridacfo.com on the Florida Department of Financial Services website. Your application must be submitted within 12 months of passing the exam, and your Certificate of Completion from your pre-licensing course remains valid for 4 years.

What Can Slow Down the Licensing Process in Florida?

• Limited exam availability: Testing slots fill quickly, especially at the end of each month—schedule your exam as soon as you complete your coursework
• Fingerprint delays: IdentoGO appointments may have limited availability in your area, so book early in your licensing journey
• Background check issues: Any criminal history or financial issues may require additional documentation and review time
• Name discrepancies: Using different name formats on your pre-licensing course, exam registration, and license application will cause delays
• Incomplete applications: Missing documents or incorrect fee payments will pause your application until resolved

How Does Florida Compare to Other States?

Florida's pre-licensing requirements are among the most substantial in the country. The 200-hour requirement for Property and Casualty is significantly higher than states like Texas (40 hours), Illinois (20 hours per line), or Arizona (which has no pre-licensing requirement). However, this comprehensive education means Florida agents enter the field well-prepared to serve clients and build successful careersPre License Tips Becoming A Successful Insurance Agent Resources.

Florida's 70% passing score requirement aligns with many states, though some states like California require only 60% for producer exams. The trade-off for Florida's rigorous requirements is that licensed agents are thoroughly prepared to navigate the state's unique insurance landscape, including its active hurricane season and flood insurance market.