Introduction
Getting your Florida insurance license isn't complicated — but it does require following a specific sequence of steps managed by the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services. Skip a step or misunderstand the requirements, and you'll lose time and money.
This guide covers everything from choosing the right license type to sitting for the Pearson VUE exam and completing your application — so you can move through each step with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Florida offers three main Life & Health license types: 2-15, 2-14, and 2-40 — choose based on what you plan to sell
- Prelicensing education ranges from 30–60 hours depending on your license type — all state-approved courses required before sitting for the exam
- Pass the Pearson VUE exam with a 70% or higher score to qualify for licensure
- Exam fee: $44 — all exams must be taken in person at a Pearson VUE testing center
- After passing, submit your fingerprints through IdentoGO and apply through the DFS MyProfile portal or NIPR
- Maintain your license with 24 hours of CE every two years, which drops to 20 hours after six years of licensure
Types of Florida Insurance Licenses
Florida's Department of Financial Services (DFS) issues several license types. For Life and Health agents, the three primary options are:
| License | Official Name | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| 2-15 | Health & Life (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts) | Life insurance, health insurance, fixed and variable annuities, HMO authority |
| 2-14 | Life (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts) | Life insurance, fixed and variable annuities — no health insurance |
| 2-40 | Health Agent | Health insurance, loss due to sickness or accidental bodily injury — no life or annuity products |
The 2-15 is the license most career-focused agents pursue. It bundles life, health, and annuity authority into one credential — including variable contract authority, which is required to sell variable annuities and is shared only by the 2-14.
If your focus is Property & Casualty rather than Life and Health, Florida offers separate tracks: the 2-20 General Lines, 20-44 Personal Lines, and 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster licenses. Each has its own pre-licensing hour and exam requirements distinct from those covered here.
Florida Insurance License Eligibility Requirements
Before applying, make sure you meet the basic eligibility requirements. All resident applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a Florida resident (you cannot hold a resident license in another state simultaneously)
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal alien with work authorization
- Provide identifying information including your Social Security Number as required by the DFS/NIPR application
Nonresident Applicants
The rules differ if you're already licensed in another state. Florida Statute 626.221 provides an exam exemption for nonresident applicants who hold a comparable license in a reciprocal home state. Before applying, confirm your home state's reciprocity status directly with the Florida DFS.
Step 1 — Complete Your Florida Prelicensing Education
Florida requires all unlicensed resident applicants to complete a DFS-approved prelicensing course before sitting for the state exam. Required hours vary by license type:
| License | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| 2-14 Life (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts) | 30 hours |
| 2-40 Health | 40 hours |
| 2-15 Health & Life (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts) | 60 hours |
| 20-44 Personal Lines | 60 hours |
| 2-20 General Lines (Property & Casualty) | 200 hours |
All hour totals include 3 hours of ethics.
Course Format and Completion Requirements
Approved courses are available in two formats:
- Online (self-study): Self-paced progression through structured modules, with provider assessments at each quarter of the course
- In-person classroom: Instructor-led sessions following the same approved curriculum
All students must use the Florida Study Manual required under F.A.C. Rule 69B-227.260. To receive your Certificate of Completion, you must score 70% or higher on the final course examination. The certificate is valid for 4 years; you must pass the state licensing exam within that window. Approved providers electronically report completions to the DFS Bureau of Licensing, so no manual certificate submission is required.
Prelicensing Exemptions
Two professional designations may exempt you from the prelicensing education requirement:
- CLU® (Chartered Life Underwriter) — exemption for Life & Health applicants
- CPCU® (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) — exemption for Property & Casualty and All-Lines Adjuster applicants
To qualify, you must have been active in the insurance business within the past four years and provide an original letter from the credentialing body.
Step 2 — Pass the Florida State Insurance Licensing Exam
The state licensing exam is administered exclusively by Pearson VUE. As of 2024, remote (online proctored) exams are no longer available — all exams must be taken in person at a Pearson VUE testing center.
Schedule your exam:
- Online at pearsonvue.com/fl/insurance
- By phone: 888-274-2020
- Advance registration required — at least one business day before your exam date; no on-site registration
Exam Details by License Type
| Exam | Pearson Code | Scored Questions | Time Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-15 Health & Life | InsFL-LHA05 | 150 (+ 15 unscored pretest*) | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| 2-14 Life | InsFL-Life01 | 85 | 2 hours |
| 2-40 Health | InsFL-Health02 | 85 | 2 hours |
*Pretest questions are distributed randomly throughout the exam and do not affect your score.
Scoring, Validity, and Retakes
- Passing score: 70% or higher (all exam types)
- Results: Provided immediately upon completion at the testing center
- Score validity: 12 months — complete your full license application within this window or retake the exam
- Attempt limit: Florida caps applicants at 5 attempts for the same exam type within any 12-month period. Once you reach that limit, you must wait for earlier attempts to fall outside the rolling 12-month window before scheduling again
- Exam fee: $44 per attempt
Exam Day Checklist
- Arrive 30 minutes early
- Bring one valid, government-issued photo ID with a signature (unexpired)
- Leave personal items outside the testing room — no phones, watches, or calculators
- Request an approved word-for-word translation dictionary in advance if English is not your first language
Step 3 — Get Fingerprinted and Submit Your License Application
Electronic Fingerprinting
Florida requires electronic fingerprinting for all unlicensed applicants as part of a criminal background check. This is handled through IdentoGO:
- Schedule online at fl.state.identogo.com
- Or call 844-321-2124
- Results are submitted electronically to the DFS — you don't need to forward anything separately
- Fingerprinting fees are paid directly to IdentoGO; verify the current fee before scheduling
License Application Submission
After passing the state exam, submit your application through one of two portals:
- DFS MyProfile / DICE: dice.fldfs.com
- NIPR: nipr.com
The application fee is paid at submission. Your total out-of-pocket cost to get licensed includes:
- Prelicensing course fee (varies by provider)
- $44 Pearson VUE exam fee
- Fingerprinting fee (paid to IdentoGO)
- DFS/NIPR application fee
Verify current fingerprinting and application fees directly with IdentoGO, DFS, or NIPR before paying, as fees are subject to change.
Once your application is approved, you'll receive an email notification and can print your license from your MyProfile account. You must apply within 12 months of passing the exam. Miss that window and you'll need to retake the exam before reapplying.
Continuing Education Requirements to Maintain Your Florida License
Licensed Florida insurance producers must complete continuing education (CE) on a two-year cycle, as established under Florida Statute 626.2815:
| Licensee Status | Total CE Required (Every 2 Years) | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed less than 6 years | 24 hours | 4-hour update course + 20 elective hours |
| Licensed 6 or more years | 20 hours | 4-hour update course + 16 elective hours |
| Customer representatives (not licensed as life/health agents) | 10 hours | 4-hour update course + 6 elective hours |
| Title agents | 10 hours | Including at least 3 hours in title-specific ethics, rules, or compliance |
Nonresident licensees may satisfy Florida's CE requirements by complying with their home state's requirements — but only if Florida has a reciprocity agreement with that state. Without reciprocity, Florida's full CE requirements apply regardless of what the licensee has completed elsewhere. Nonresidents should verify their home state's standing with Florida before assuming compliance carries over.
Elective hours can be completed through Florida-approved providers in a variety of formats, including online self-study. The mandatory 4-hour update course, however, must cover current Florida laws and regulations and cannot be substituted with general electives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Florida life & variable annuities exam license you for?
The 2-14 Life (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts) license authorizes you to sell life insurance policies, fixed annuities, variable annuities, and variable life contracts. It does not include authority to sell health insurance — for that, you'd need the 2-15 or 2-40.
What are the licensing requirements for selling variable annuities in Florida?
You need either a 2-14 or 2-15 Florida insurance license (both include variable contract authority), which requires completing the prelicensing course, passing the Pearson VUE exam, and submitting a completed application. In addition, selling variable annuity products typically requires FINRA securities registration — most commonly a Series 6 or Series 7 — depending on your firm and role.
How many times can you take the 2-15 exam in Florida?
Florida limits applicants to 5 attempts for the same exam type within a 12-month period. After hitting that limit, you must wait until prior attempts age out of the 12-month window before you can reschedule.
How long does it take to get a Florida insurance license?
Most candidates complete the full process in 4–8 weeks. The timeline generally breaks down as:
- Prelicensing course (60 hours): 2–4 weeks, depending on your pace
- State exam: Typically scheduled within days of finishing the course
- Application review: Additional processing time after submission
What is the passing score for the Florida insurance licensing exam?
A minimum score of 70% is required on all Florida insurance licensing exams. Results are displayed immediately at the Pearson VUE testing center, and a passing result is valid for 12 months from the test date.
Do I need to retake the exam if I move to Florida from another state?
Possibly. New Florida residents with an active license in a reciprocal home state may qualify for an exam exemption under Florida Statute 626.221 — though this typically covers the state exam, not the prelicensing course. Holding a CLU® designation may provide additional exemptions. Check with the Florida DFS to confirm your specific eligibility before proceeding.
