How to Get a Florida Adjuster License

Hurricanes and other natural disasters can significantly increase the demand for Florida insurance adjusters.

To be an adjuster in Florida, you'll need to get a Florida adjuster license. Your route to getting your license will depend upon whether you are a Florida resident, and upon whether you are already licensed in another state.

Things You'll Need

• Around $100, minimum
• Resident: Requirements- to get the Florida adjuster license, you must be at least 18, a resident of Florida, a citizen or legal alien, willing to be fingerprinted, and you can not have a felony convic
• Non-resident requirements: to get the non-resident Florida adjuster license, you must be at least 18, a citizen or legal alien, willing to be fingerprinted, and you cannot have a felony conviction or

Instructions

1. Resident: First, complete the online Florida adjuster license application -- find a link in the References section. This will trigger the department of insurance to send you a packet that includes information on testing. The application will be good for six months. If you don't qualify or pass the exam within six months, you must pay to reapply. Once your adjuster application is completed, you will get an authorization notice that tells you your application is approved.

   Nonresident: First, complete the online Florida adjuster license application. If you have a license from a reciprocal state (find a link to the list of reciprocity states in the References section), this will trigger the Department of Insurance to send you a packet that includes fingerprinting sheets. The application will be good for six months. If you don't qualify or pass the exam within six months, you must pay to reapply.

2. Resident: To get your Florida adjuster license, you must go get fingerprinted. There is a link in References to fingerprinting locations. This will cost around $58.50.

   Nonresident: To get your Florida adjuster license, you must be fingerprinted. The Department of Insurance will send you fingerprint cards. Take these to your local police headquarters. They will charge you a fee to fingerprint you. Once fingerprinted, send the cards back in.

3. Resident: You will have to take the Florida Adjusters Examination. You can get the study manual from the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIFA), Post Office Box 12129, Tallahassee, Florida 32317-2129 [phone]. There are also adjusting courses you can take to get your certification, but these are not required.

   Nonresident: If you are not licensed in a reciprocating state, you will have to take the Florida Independent Adjusters Examination. You can get the study manual from the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIFA), Post Office Box 12129, Tallahassee, Florida 32317-2129 [phone]. There are also adjusting courses you can take to get your certification, but these are not required.

4. Resident and nonresident: Once you have studied for the Florida adjuster exam, you'll need to register and take it. Follow the link in References to Pearson Vue, the company that handles the testing. You can locate a test center and register through their website. The property and casualty insurance adjuster test is 45 questions long and takes an hour. If you pass the test, you'll be able to get your Florida adjuster license.

5. Resident: Once licensed, there is a continuing education requirement. You must keep your CEUs up to date to keep your Florida adjuster license.

   Nonresident: Once licensed, if you are licensed in a reciprocating state, you only have to stay licensed in that state and meet their CEU requirements. If you are not licensed in a reciprocating state, you will need to meet Florida's CEU requirements to keep your license.

Tips & Warnings

• Study hard for the exam. It's expensive to start the process over!

• Concealing information or misrepresenting yourself on your application is fraud.

• It's not enough to be licensed; education and experience are important to success as a Florida adjuster.

References

• Florida Department of Financial Services: Adjuster Application
• Florida Department of Financial Services: CEU FAQ
• Florida Department of Financial Services: Reciprocal States
• Pearson Vue Testing