How to get a Florida Public Adjuster License

How do I get a public adjuster license in Florida?

Step 1: Meet the state’s requirements.

Regardless of your state residency, you must be at least 18 years old and a United States citizen or legal alien with proof of work authorization from the United States Immigration and Naturalization. You will also need to maintain a principal place of business directly in Florida. 

If you're a Florida resident, you must either be licensed and appointed as a public adjuster in Florida on a continual basis for the previous 6 months or be licensed as an all-lines adjuster and appointed on a continual basis for the previous 6 months as a public adjuster apprentice, independent adjuster, or company employee adjuster. 

If you're a non-resident, you must be licensed and appointed on a continual basis for 6 months in your state of residence. If the state you live in doesn't issue licenses to public adjusters, you need to be licensed and employed as a resident insurance adjuster on a continual basis for the last 6 months in that state. You will need proof that your residence license is verified through the National Association Insurance Commission to apply for your public adjuster license. If your license can't be verified, a Letter of Certification from your home state that verifies your license might be requested upon applying. The letter can't be dated earlier than 30 days from your date of application. 

Step 2: Purchase and file your surety bond.

You'll need to purchase a $50,000 Florida public adjuster bond and file it with the Florida Department of Financial Services. You can buy your Florida public adjuster bond online 24/7 for $500, delivered in minutes by email. 

Once you've received your official bond, mail it to the Department of Financial Services at the following address. 

Bureau of Licensing
Room 419
200 East Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0319

Step 3: Apply for your public adjuster license and review any required the fees.

You can apply for your public adjuster license online through the Florida Department of Financial Services Bureau of Licensing online portal. 

You'll also need to pay several application fees, which are all non-refundable. 

You can qualify for an application fee exemption if you or your spouse is a member of the United States Armed Forces or if you are a veteran who has separated from service within 24 months of applying for a license. If you're exempt, you'll need to provide one of the following documents.

• A copy of your military identification card. 
• Military dependent identification card 
• Military service card
• Military personnel file 
• Veteran record 
• Discharge paperwork 
• Separation document that indicates you are in good standing. 

Email this document to [email protected], and include your application ID in the subject line. You won't pay any fees until your license application has been approved.

Step 4: Submit your fingerprints.

You can either submit your fingerprints electronically using LiveScan or by mail using fingerprint cards. If you are a Florida resident or have a LiveScan near you, the Florida Department of Financial Services recommends you submit your fingerprints electronically for faster results. You'll pay the fingerprinting fee to your vendor. 

If you don't currently hold a public adjuster license, your fingerprint/criminal history results will be valid for 1 year. If you're seeking additional licenses and have previously submitted your fingerprints to Florida for licensing in the past 48 months, you won't be required to submit your fingerprints unless the department specifically requests you do so. 

Note that the Florida Department of Financial Services doesn't accept fingerprint results from other vendors or states. 

Step 5: Pass the Florida public adjuster exam.

When your application is approved, you'll be qualified to take the Florida public adjuster exam. You won't be able to get a public adjuster license unless you pass this exam, and there are no exceptions. An email will be sent to your online portal where you completed an application, and there you'll be able to schedule your exam. Your exam fee will be paid to your examination vendor.  A passing score is valid for 1 year from the date the score was earned, and there is a limit of 5 exam attempts in a 12 months period. 

Step 6: Maintain your license. 

Once you've completed the above steps and have your public adjuster license, you must complete several steps to maintain your license. As a public adjuster, you must be appointed in your own name or by a licensed public adjusting firm. If you aren't appointed within 48 months of getting your license, it will expire. 

You must complete 24 hours of continuing education that's due biennially at the end of your birth month. More continuing education information can be found on the Florida Department of Financial Services page.

Note that you can't hold more than one license at a time.