How Do I Become an Insurance Agent in Florida?

1. Complete Pre-Licensing Education

Before you can take the Florida state exam, you need to complete pre-licensing education. The required number of hours is based on the type of insurance license you're after. According to the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), the minimum course hours are:

• Life Insurance (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts): 30 hours
• Health Insurance: 40 hours
• Life & Health (Combined License): 60 hours
• General Lines (Property & Casualty): 200 hours
• Personal Lines (limited P&C for individuals/families): 60 hours

You can take your course online, in a classroom, or as self-study. Just make sure it’s a Florida-approved provider so you get a valid certificate of completion. Certificates are usually valid for up to four years.

For certain licenses, Florida also requires an official licensing manual that matches the state exam content. Some course providers include it; others sell it separately. Double-check what's included before you enroll.

2. Submit Your License Application

After completing your course, submit your license application through the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) MyProfile portal. Create an account, choose your license type (e.g., 2-15 Life & Health Agent, 2-20 General Lines Agent), and complete the form. You will also need to pay an application filing fee of $50 for most producer licenses in Florida.

Once your application is in, track your status via MyProfile. The state will notify you when your application is approved and you’re eligible to schedule your exam.

3. Get Fingerprinted

Florida requires a fingerprint-based background check for almost all insurance license applicants. Fingerprints are submitted electronically via IdentoGo, the state’s official vendor.

• Scheduling: Use the Florida DFS fingerprint portal (via IdentoGo) to book an appointment
• Fee: $49.50 + tax
• Process: A technician will take your prints during your LiveScan appointment. Results are automatically sent to DFS.

4. Pass the Licensing Exam

Once DFS approves your application and fingerprints, they’ll authorize you to take the exam. You’ll need to pass an exam for each line of authority in which you want to be licensed (though Florida offers combined exams, like a single exam for Life & Health together).

Here are a few key details about the Florida licensing exam process:

• Format: Computer-based, multiple-choice covering general insurance and Florida laws
• Scheduling: Online through Pearson VUE’s website
• Location: In-person only at test centers (no remote testing)
• Exam Fee: $44 per attempt
• Score Reporting: Your results will be sent to the Florida Department of Financial Services

If you pass, your score is valid for one year. You can take the exam up to five times in a year.

Exemptions

You may be exempt from the exam if you:

• Hold a qualifying designation (CLU, ChFC, FLMI, CPCU, etc.)
• Have a degree in insurance from an accredited institution
• Transfer a valid resident license from another state within 90 days of moving to Florida (must have held it for at least one continuous year)

5. Get Appointed

In Florida, getting your license is only step one. To start selling, you need to be “appointed” by an insurance company or agency. It’s how the state officially links you to a provider. The appointment fee is $60, and you must maintain at least one active appointment to keep your license valid. Go 48 months without one, and your license expires.

6. Meet Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

Congrats, you’re now a licensed Florida insurance agent! But your journey doesn’t end here. To maintain your license, you must meet ongoing CE requirements and keep your information current.

• New Agents (licensed <6 years): Complete 24 hours of CE every 2 years, including a 4-hour Law & Ethics Update specific to your license type.
• Deadline: Complete your CE credits by the end of your birth month in your reporting year.
• Carryover: You can roll over up to 24 extra CE hours to your next cycle.

The good news? Many CE courses are online and only take a few hours. It's a small time investment to stay sharp, stay compliant, and keep your income flowing.

What License Do I Need?

Florida offers multiple insurance license types depending on what you plan to sell.

• Life (2-14): Covers life insurance policies and annuities, including variable contracts
• Health (2-40): Covers health, disability income, long-term care, and supplemental plans
• Life & Health (2-15): Lets you sell both lines with one license (popular for agents serving individuals and families)
• General Lines (2-20): Covers personal and commercial Property & Casualty insurance, including auto, homeowners, renters, boat, workers’ comp, pets, and more
• Personal Lines (20-44): A more limited version of the General Lines license that’s only for individual customers (not businesses)
• Title (4-1): Specialty license for real estate title insurance, often used in closing transactions

Most insurance producers start with either Life & Health or General Lines — or both. These give you the broadest options and income potential. You can always add more licenses later.

How Much Does It Cost to Become an Insurance Agent in Florida?

Expect to invest around $300 to $600 (or more) per line of authority to get licensed in Florida. Your exact cost will depend on your chosen courses and whether you bundle multiple licenses. Below is a breakdown of typical expenses:

Cost to Become a Florida Insurance Agent

Cost Item	Estimated Cost
Pre-Licensing Courses	$50 – $200 (varies by course)
Exam Manual	~$50 to $70
License ID	$5
Exam Fee	$44 per exam attempt
Fingerprinting (Background)	~$50 (one-time)
Application Fee	$50 per license
Appointment Fee	$60

Courses, exam manuals, and materials may vary in price, and this list doesn’t include optional costs like exam prep textbooks, travel to exam sites, etc. Some bundled packages may also offer cost savings if you're pursuing multiple licenses at once.

Getting an Insurance Producer Job in Florida: Captive vs. Independent

As mentioned earlier, you need to get appointed to start selling insurance, but you have a choice in how you sell. Will you join a single insurance company as a captive agent? Or will you work as an independent agent with an agency/brokerage (like Envela) that partners with multiple carriers? Each path has its pros and cons depending on the freedom, support, and income potential you’re looking for. (Spoiler: Independent producers usually get more of all three.)

A captive agent:

• Works for one insurance company (e.g., State Farm, Allstate, GEICO).
• Can only sell that company’s policies.
• Has a more structured schedule, often a 9-to-5 office setting or specific hours, with production goals set by the company.
• Often earns a base salary plus commissions or bonuses. Commissions might be lower, and growth is capped by the company’s offerings.
• Benefits from company training and advertising but has a limited product range, making it harder to compete.

An independent agent:

• Contracts with an agency or brokerage that represents multiple insurance carriers. As an independent producer with Envela, you’d have access to 20+ top carriers.
• Can shop around different insurers to find more competitive pricing or coverage options.
• Typically works on commission only, but usually with higher commission rates and virtually unlimited earning potential.
• Has greater freedom to set hours and business strategy.
• Is often seen as more client-focused, since you can truly act in the client’s best interest by comparing options.

Many agents, both new and experienced, find the independent route more rewarding over time. It empowers you to grow your business on your terms while offering clients more value and choice.

What You’ll Need to Start Selling

You don’t need a fancy office on day one, but you do need the right tools to operate like a pro in the insurance business. Some of these may be provided if you’re a captive agent at a large company. If you’re an independent agent, consider them investments in your success.

• Reliable Computer: For quoting, CRM (customer relationship management), and client work
• High-Speed Internet: Quotes, communications, and electronic applications all require a stable broadband connection
• Business Phone Setup: Mobile, VoIP, or landline to stay reachable (and don’t forget to make your voicemail polished and professional!)
• Quoting + CRM Software: To compare carriers and track clients
• E-Signature Tools: For fast, remote applications
• Branded Email: Using a professional email address (ideally at a custom domain, like yourname@youragency.com) builds credibility
• Calendar + Scheduling App: Keeps you organized as you start getting busy with client calls, quotes, and follow-ups
• Secure Cloud Storage: Safely stores client documents and applications
• E&O Insurance: Protects you from liability claims

In addition to the essentials above, here are a few optional items that can help you level up your professional image:

• Business Cards & Printed Materials: Even in the digital age, a good business card is useful for local networking events or casual encounters.
• Website or Landing Page: Many independent producers invest in a simple website or landing page to market themselves and capture online leads.
• A Dedicated Workspace: Setting up a comfortable home office or co-working space can boost productivity. Make sure you have a quiet area for client calls — nobody wants to hear a blaring TV or barking dogs in the background!

By equipping yourself with the right tools and environment, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running as a new insurance agent.

Apply to Become an Insurance Producer with Envela

You could use your new license to clock in at a corporate desk job. Or you could take your mornings slow in St. Augustine, write quotes from your laptop, and still make your kid’s recital. That’s the kind of freedom Envela was built for.

Our “agency-in-a-box” setup empowers you to sell on your terms with instant commissions, marketing tools, on-demand training, and access to over 20 trusted carriers — including specialty options for Florida risks like coastal homes and flood zones. No quotas. No micromanagers. Just a gig-style insurance platform that puts you in the driver’s seat.

Envela gives you the tools to grow your business without giving up your life. If you’re ready to ditch the old-school desk job and sell insurance the modern way, apply now and let Envela power your next chapter.

FAQs

How long does it take to become an insurance agent in Florida?
Most people complete the process in 2–8 weeks. It depends on how quickly you complete education, fingerprinting, and the exam, and how fast the DFS processes your application.

How much does it cost to get licensed to sell insurance in Florida?
Around $300–$600 per license. This includes your course, exam, fingerprints, application, and appointment. Bundling licenses can raise your cost, but also expands your opportunities.

Can I work part-time as an insurance agent in Florida?
Absolutely. Many agents choose to start part-time, selling policies on the side to earn extra income, and then scale up to full-time as their client base grows. Envela’s platform is designed to support flexible, independent work, whether you're building a side hustle or a six-figure business.