8.1 Resident Surplus Lines License (s. 626.927)

Agent licensing is only 10% of the outline, about four scored questions, but those questions are among the most predictable on the exam. This section covers the resident surplus lines license under s. 626.927 and DFS's published requirements for license type 1-20.

The Statutory Qualification: s. 626.927(1)

An individual may be licensed as a surplus lines agent if the individual:

1. is licensed as a general lines agent under the Insurance Code;
2. has either at least 1 year of experience working for a licensed surplus lines agent, or has completed 60 class hours in surplus and excess lines in a course approved by the department; and
3. passes a written examination on surplus lines given by the department.

The license authorizes placement solely of property, marine, casualty, or surety coverage originated by general lines agents with surplus lines insurers.

DFS Requirements for the 1-20 Resident License

DFS's published checklist adds the general eligibility rules. The applicant must:

• be a natural person at least 18 years old;
• be a Florida resident;
• be a U.S. citizen or a legal alien with work authorization;
• not hold a resident license in another state; and
• be licensed as a Florida resident general lines (2-20) agent.

Prerequisite options:

Agents moving from a non-reciprocal state must complete the course or experience path and pass the Florida exam. Prelicensing providers send proof of course completion to DFS automatically, generally within 20 days.

Military exemption: s. 626.927(6)

Prelicensure coursework is not required for a member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, or the spouse of a member or veteran. The applicant documents eligibility with a military ID, dependent ID, service record, personnel file, veteran record, or discharge or separation document showing good standing or honorable discharge. The exam is still required.

The Application and Exam Process

1. Exam: schedule through Pearson VUE ($44). The exam is subject to the same Part I rules as other license exams (s. 626.927(4)). A passing score is valid for 1 year, and a candidate may take the same exam no more than 5 times in 12 months.
2. Application: filed with DFS on its designated forms (s. 626.927(2)) through MyProfile. The candidate handbook lists a $50 application fee and a $5 license identification fee.
3. Fingerprints: required.
4. Fees in advance: license and appointment fees under s. 624.501 are paid to DFS in advance (s. 626.927(3)).
5. License issues: a license can issue only after the candidate has passed, applied, been approved, paid the fees, and been fingerprinted.

How Long the License Lasts: s. 626.927(3) and (5)

• The license and appointment continue in force until suspended, revoked, or otherwise terminated. There is no fixed license expiration date.
• The appointment is subject to biennial renewal under s. 626.381, in the agent's birth month every 24 months.
• Reappointment without re-examination: a previously licensed surplus lines agent may be appointed again without another written exam if the application for appointment is filed within 48 months after the prior appointment was canceled or expired.
• DFS may require a licensee to pass the exam again as a condition of reinstating or continuing a license or appointment.

After Licensing

• Self-appoint through DFS, paying the $150 appointment fee. Section 8.3 covers this.
• Register with the FSLSO. Membership is automatic under s. 626.921(2), and DFS directs new agents to complete FSLSO's new-agent registration in SLIP+.
• Keep the underlying general lines license in force. Loss of the general lines license, service representative license, or MGA license is a mandatory ground to discipline the surplus lines license (s. 626.935(1)(f)).

Scenarios

Scenario 1. Maria holds a Florida 2-20 license and has worked 14 months, full time, as an account manager for a licensed surplus lines agent. She meets the experience path and needs to pass the exam; the 60-hour course is not required.

Scenario 2. Devon completed the 60-hour course in 2021 and applies in 2026. The course was completed more than 4 years before the application, so under DFS's rule it no longer qualifies. He needs to retake the course or use the experience path.

Scenario 3. A Navy veteran with an honorable discharge holds a 2-20 license. She is exempt from the 60-hour course but must still pass the surplus lines exam.

Scenario 4. An agent's surplus lines appointment lapsed 30 months ago. She may be reappointed without re-examination because she is within 48 months, subject to DFS's authority to require an exam.