If you want to own an independent property and casualty agency in Florida, the 2-20 General Lines license is where it starts. The process is straightforward, but the details matter. This guide summarizes the requirements published by the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) and Chapter 626 of the Florida Statutes. Always confirm current rules with DFS before you apply.
What the 2-20 license covers
The 2-20 General Lines agent license authorizes you to transact property, casualty, surety and marine insurance, along with certain health coverages, as a general lines agent. In practice it is the license that lets you write homeowners, auto, umbrella, commercial package, general liability and similar lines. It is the license most independent P&C agency owners hold.
Step 1: Meet a prelicensing requirement
Under section 626.732, Florida Statutes, you must satisfy one of several qualification routes within the four years before you apply. The most common is:
- 200 hours of approved coursework, including 3 hours of ethics, followed by the state exam.
Other routes include one year of full-time responsible property and casualty duties, or one year as a licensed customer representative or personal lines agent plus 40 hours of coursework. Certain candidates are exempt from the exam, such as those holding a CPCU designation or an insurance degree that meets the statute, and people transferring a qualifying out-of-state resident license within 90 days of moving to Florida. Military service members, veterans and spouses may be exempt from the coursework requirement.
Step 2: Apply to DFS and get fingerprinted
Applications are filed with DFS. As of the DFS fee schedule, expect:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application | $50 plus $5 license ID fee |
| State examination | $44 |
| Fingerprinting | $52.50 |
| Resident appointment (paid by the appointing entity) | $60 |
Prelicensing course tuition is separate and varies by provider.
Step 3: Pass the state exam
Once DFS confirms eligibility, you schedule and take the 2-20 exam. Most candidates find that working through practice questions, especially on policy provisions and Florida insurance law, matters as much as the course hours.
Step 4: Get appointed
A Florida license is not enough on its own. Under section 626.112, you must be appointed by an insurer or employer to transact business. Independent agency owners typically hold appointments with each carrier they represent. A license that goes 48 months without an appointment expires.
Step 5: Stay compliant with continuing education
Section 626.2815 requires continuing education every two years. For most general lines agents that means 24 hours, made up of a 4-hour license-specific update course and 20 elective hours. Agents licensed six years or more need 20 hours in total. CE is due by the end of your birth month in your compliance period.
Adding life and health
Many agency owners also hold the 2-15 Life (including Variable Annuities) and Health license so they can round out client households. The standard route is 60 hours of combined life and health coursework, including ethics, and Florida also offers separate life-only and health-only licenses with their own course requirements.
Licensed in another state?
Florida issues nonresident licenses to agents who hold a valid license in their home state, generally through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). The lines you can hold in Florida are limited to those your home state grants. The reverse is also true: if you plan to write business in other states, you will need nonresident licenses there.
From license to agency
Getting licensed is the first milestone. Owning an agency adds carrier appointments, technology, compliance and marketing. If you are weighing how to get there, read captive vs. independent paths or explore the Insurance Warehouses franchise opportunity, which is open to licensed property and casualty or life professionals.
Sources: Florida Statutes sections 626.112, 626.2815, 626.732, 626.741; Florida DFS licensing and fee pages.
