Staying licensed in Florida means staying educated. Every insurance producer, adjuster, and certain other license types must complete continuing education (CE) to maintain compliance with state law. This guide breaks down everything you need to know—from hours and deadlines to special training requirements and exemptions.
Why Florida Insurance CE Matters
Continuing education isn’t just a checkbox—it ensures that insurance professionals stay up to date on regulatory changes, ethics standards, and industry trends. Completion of your CE requirements is a condition for license continuation and appointment with insurance carriers. Failing to meet these requirements can jeopardize your ability to legally transact insurance business in Florida.
General CE Hours and Cycle
Florida uses a biennial (2-year) compliance cycle tied to each licensee’s birth month. Your CE must be completed by the last day of your birth month in the renewal cycle or you risk noncompliance.
How Many Hours Are Required?
It varies by licensee. In some cases licensees may require fewer hours than what is shown below. For this reason it’s essential you search your own MyProfile account with the Department of Financial Services to review your specific requirements.
- Producers and Adjusters licensed less than 6 years
Must complete 24 hours of CE per cycle, including a 4-hour Law and Ethics Update. - Producers and Adjusters licensed 6 years or more
Required to complete 20 hours, still including the 4-hour Law and Ethics Update. - Customer Representatives, Limited Reps, and Similar Limited Licenses
Generally have a 10-hour CE requirement, also including the 4-hour Law and Ethics Update course.
Breakdown of Required CE Components
1. Mandatory Law and Ethics Update
Every producer and adjuster must complete 4 hours of CE that specifically cover Florida insurance law and ethics. These topics include changes in statutes, disciplinary trends, ethics guidance, and other regulatory principles essential for compliance.
2. Elective Hours
After your Law and Ethics requirement, the remainder of your CE hours are “electives.” These can cover topics like:
- Product knowledge (property, casualty, life, health)
- Claims practices
- Fraud recognition
Specialized Training Requirements (the FISCE does not currently offer Annuity or LTC training courses.)
In addition to core CE, Florida has specific training mandates for certain product lines:
• Annuity Best Interest (ABI) Training
Insurance producers who sell annuities are required to complete a one-time 4-hour Best Interest Annuity training course before selling annuity products.
• Long-Term Care (LTC) Training
Before selling LTC policies, producers must complete an 8-hour initial training course, then 4 hours of LTC CE every cycle thereafter.
• Flood Insurance Training
A one-time 3-hour NFIP flood insurance course is required prior to marketing or selling flood insurance.
Rules on CE Credits, Repeats, and Carryover
- No repeating the same course within the same compliance period. Florida does not grant credit if the same course is taken again within 2 years.
- Carryover credits are allowed. If you earn more hours than needed, up to 24 hours of approved CE credit can carry forward to your next cycle under the state’s rules.
Exemptions and Reductions – log in to your DFS MyProfile account to determine specifics for your license.
Florida offers several exceptions you may qualify for:
- Limited licenses that do not require an exam may be exempt from CE.
- Seasoned professionals with credentials: If you’ve been licensed for 25+ years and hold designations such as CPCU, CLU, or a risk management/insurance degree, your elective hours may be reduced.
- Non-resident licensees may use CE completed in their home state if their state has reciprocity with Florida.
What Happens if You Miss Your Deadline?
Florida offers possible extensions only for “good cause.” The extension must be applied for directly with the DFS at least 30 days prior to your deadline. Contact the DFS directly for info regarding an extension.
Without timely completion, you may receive a Notice of Noncompliance and be required to complete outstanding hours plus any applicable fees or stipulations.
Tracking and Reporting CE
Approved providers report completed CE hours to the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS). However, it’s a best practice to track your own certificates and periodically check your status through your MyProfile account on the DFS website.
Final Tips for 2026 Compliance
- Start early—don’t wait for the last minute before your birth month deadline.
- Mix required updates with electives that interest you or support your niche.
- Save all certificates of completion, even if hours are reported electronically.
Staying compliant with Florida’s insurance CE requirements might seem complex, but with proper planning and a clear understanding of the rules, it becomes manageable. Make this the year you stay ahead on your CE and protect your license with confidence.