Florida Surplus Lines Service Office - www.fslso.com

To become a licensed Florida resident surplus lines agent (1-20) or a Florida non-resident surplus lines agent (91-20), the Florida Department of Financial Services has several requirements:

  1. QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify for a Resident Surplus Lines license (1-20), the applicant (individual) must:
    • Be a natural person at least 18 years of age.
    • Be a United States citizen or legal alien who possesses a work authorization from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Services.
    • Be a bona fide resident of Florida.
    • Satisfy one of the educational requirements listed below:
      1. Successfully completing an approved 60-hour classroom course in surplus and excess lines insurance;
        (or)
      2. Having worked for a minimum of one year for a licensed and appointed Florida surplus lines insurance agent (Qualification and Verification Form).
    • Take and pass the Florida Surplus Lines exam.
    • Be licensed and Appointed as a Florida resident general lines insurance agent (Type & Class: 2-20);
      (or)
    • Be licensed and licensed as a Florida managing general agent (Type & Class: 00-60);
      (or)
    • Be licensed and appointed as a Florida service representative (Type & Class: 00-55).
    • Post a Fifty Thousand Dollar ($50,000) bond, using a Bond Form provided by the Department.
    • Take and pass the Florida surplus lines exam.

    To qualify for a Non-resident Surplus Lines agent license (91-20), the applicant (individual) must:
    • Be a natural person at least 18 years of age.
    • Be a United States citizen or legal alien who possesses a work authorization from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Services.
    • Be licensed as a resident surplus lines insurance agent in your home state.
    • Be licensed and appointed as a Florida non-resident general lines insurance agent (Type & Class: 9-20);
      (or)
    • Be licensed and appointed as a Florida managing general agent (Type & Class: 00-60);
      (or)
    • Be licensed and appointed as a Florida service representative (Type & Class: 00-55).
    • Satisfy one of the educational requirements listed below:
      • Successfully complete an approved 60-hour classroom course in surplus and excess lines insurance;
        (or)
      • Work for a minimum of one year for a licensed surplus lines insurance agent within the last four years.
    • Post a Fifty Thousand Dollar ($50,000) bond, using a Bond Form provided by the Department.
    • Take and pass the Florida Surplus Lines exam.

    The FSLSO provides an online pre-licensing course via its website at http://www.fslso.com/education/. A list of insurance schools which offer the course in a classroom setting is also found at this site.

  2. LICENSE APPLICATION AND APPOINTMENT:
    Application for the license shall be made through the Florida Department of Financial Services via their website at: https://aalf.fldfs.com/common/com_index.asp. The Application fee is $50.00, plus a $5 license card fee, and is paid in advance.

    When you complete your Internet application process, you will be able to view the status of the application through your "MyProfile" account on the Department's website (www.myfloridacfo.com/agents). All documents and information that you must submit to the Department to complete your application process will be listed in MyProfile. You will not be authorized to take an examination until all documents have been received and your eligibility is established.

    You will be required to submit fingerprints when applying for your license. For information concerning fingerprinting requirements for residents and non-residents, as well as a listing of approved Florida fingerprinting facilities and payment information, please visit:
    http://www.myfloridacfo/com/agents/licensure/agents-adjusters/fing_county.htm. Fingerprinting fees are $58.25. Non-residents will be mailed two fingerprint cards when their application for licensure is received. If your fingerprint results are on file with the Department and less than one year old, you will not be required to submit fingerprints again.

    When approved for the surplus lines examination, the Department will provide an Authorization Notice in your MyProfile messages with instructions for scheduling an examination, along with a username and password. MyProfile can be accessed at https://aalf.fldfs.com/common/com_index.asp.

  3. SELF-APPOINTMENT:
    After becoming licensed, surplus lines agents must appoint themselves. To complete this process:
    1. Log in to MyProfile account.
    2. Select the "Access eAppoint" link on the right.
    3. If you have never previously used eAppoint, you must first register by selecting "Register to become an appointing entity."
    4. Once steps 2 or 3 have been completed, select "New Appointment" in the eAppoint Workbench. Once "New Appointment" has been selected, follow the on-screen instructions to complete your self-appointment. There is a $150 self-appointment fee associated with this process.
    Please note: this appointment is valid for 2 years and will require renewal during your birth month two years after the intial appointment effective date to maintain this license. http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Agents/Licensure/Forms/docs/DFS-H2-75.pdf

  4. FSLSO MEMBERSHIP:
    Any individual, licensed as a surplus lines agent under §626.927 and §626.9272, Florida Statute, shall be deemed a member of the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (FSLSO), a not-for-profit, self-regulating association. Upon receiving your Florida Surplus Lines License, you will need to complete a New Agent Membership form by visiting: https://slip.fslso.com/ and selecting "Register".

NOTE: All general lines licensees are required to meet Florida's continuing education requirements.

You must maintain your qualifying license (general lines, managing general agent, or service representative) and at least one appointment with that license. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of your surplus lines license. You will have 30 days following the loss of all appointments under the qualifying license to obtain new appointments before the surplus lines license is cancelled. Once the surplus lines license is cancelled, you must re-qualify as a first-time applicant by completing all of the requirements listed above.

You cannot transact any class of insurance business for which you are not licensed and appointed.

For further information about these requirements, visit the Department's website at: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/agents or contact the Bureau of Licensing at (850) 413-3137.