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Insurance professionals with their Florida Public Adjuster License

How to get a Florida Public Adjuster License

This Florida public adjuster license guide is for informational purposes only. SuretyBonds.com does not regulate or manage licensing for public adjusters in Florida. Contact the Florida Department of Financial Services for the state's latest official public adjuster license requirements.

Hurricane season brings about a time of uncertainty regarding financial and physical safety. Unfortunately, those in Florida know firsthand that a powerful storm can cause catastrophic property damage. Once the hurricane is over, the process of damage assessment and clean-up begins. Public adjusters are invaluable allies when it’s time to assess the damage and rebuild.

The Florida Department of Financial Services defines a public adjuster as an individual hired to help process claims in the event of an insured loss or damage.  A public adjuster license is granted upon passing an exam and approval of an application. The licensing process varies depending on if you are an in-state or out-of-state Florida resident.

Public adjusters are not associated with any particular insurance company but rather are hired by insured individuals to help with all aspects of the claims process.

Unlike public adjusters, independent adjusters represent insurance companies and do not work on behalf of individual policyholders. Independent adjusters focus on the best interests of the company they represent rather than policyholders, which is why public adjusters are so important to the general public when disaster strikes.

You must complete the following steps to apply for your Florida public adjuster license. 

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. 

Review the following fees required to get your Florida public adjuster license.

Fee TypeAmount
Application Exemption$50.00
License Fee$5.00
Resident Appointment$60.00
State Exam$44.00
Fingerprint Submission$48.05
Continuing Education$250

How do I submit my Florida public insurance adjuster license application?

You'll submit your Florida public adjuster license application through the Department of Financial Services’ Bureau of Licensing online portal.

Once you've satisfied all requirements, the DFI will send your approval via email. You're free to print copies of your license as you wish.

What disqualifies me from getting a public adjuster license in Florida?

If you're an attorney at law who's licensed to practice in Florida, you don't have to get a public adjuster license in Florida., but you must be in good standing with The Florida Bar to be exempt. You won't be exempt from the state examination if you've applied for an adjuster license.

If you've committed a first degree or capital felony, or one that involves money laundering, embezzlement, or is directly related to financial business services, you're permanently banned from getting a public adjuster license in Florida. If you have a misdemeanor or felony that doesn't include those terms, there is a potential 7-15 year bar on your qualifying time to get licensed as a public adjuster, depending on the terms of your sentence and type of crime. 

Watch the video below to learn more about Florida Department of Financial Services public adjuster license requirements, how to get bonded, how to submit your application, and how to renew your bond.

Last Updated: August 18, 2023

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