How to get a Florida life insurance license

What is the Florida 2-15 license?

The 2-15 license is Florida's Resident Health and Life agent license. It lets you represent an insurer for life insurance and annuity contracts, including variable contracts when the other requirements are met. It is the license most Florida life insurance agents hold.

What are the requirements?

The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) lists these requirements for a resident applicant. Read the DFS document for the current version, because rules and fees change.

• Be at least 18, a bona fide Florida resident, and a U.S. citizen or a noncitizen with U.S. work authorization. You may not hold a resident license in another state.
• Complete a 60-hour approved life and health pre-licensing course, within four years of applying. DFS also lists a 30-hour life course combined with a 40-hour health course as an alternative.
• Pass the Florida 2-15 exam.
• Complete a fingerprint background screening and submit the application and fee through the state's licensing system.

What does the Florida license cost in state fees?

DFS waives the application fee for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their spouses, and for honorably discharged veterans, with supporting documents. Once you have a license, an insurer must appoint you before it is valid. Florida lists a $60 resident appointment fee, paid through the state's eAppoint system by the appointing party. A license that stays unappointed for 48 months expires.

What do variable annuities require?

Variable annuities are securities. Selling them requires the state license, an appointment from the insurer, and a securities license issued through FINRA. Fixed annuities are covered by the insurance license. Most new agents start with life insurance and fixed products and add securities later if they need them.

What does continuing education look like?

DFS lists 24 continuing education hours, due every two years by the end of the licensee's birth month. The required topic mix is set by the state and your course provider, so check your requirement in your DFS account. Your requirement is generated in your DFS MyProfile account. Keep track of your due date. Missing it can mean a lapsed license, which affects your ability to be paid.

Can you sell in other states with a Florida license?

A Florida resident license is your base. For other states you apply for nonresident licenses through the NIPR, and each state charges its own fee and sets its own rules. Checkmate serves clients in all 50 states, and each agent holds an individual license for the state where they serve clients. Read our general license guide for how a second state works, or see the Texas and Georgia guides. The exam guide covers the Florida exam in detail.

About Checkmate and Florida

Checkmate Financial Group LLC is a licensed insurance agency domiciled in Florida, with its office at 5728 Major Blvd, Ste 702, Orlando, FL 32819. Our licensing page shows how to verify us. If you live in Florida and want to know what comes after the license, see the agent page.