If you’re planning to get your Florida 6-20 Resident or 70-20 Designated Home State (DHS) Adjuster License, you may have already realized there is more than one approved way to qualify.
One of the most common options is earning a Florida-approved adjuster designation.
But once you see that Florida accepts multiple designations, the next question comes fast: Should you get a designation? And if so, which one should you choose?
There are multiple designations available for Florida adjuster applicants, and each of those designations satisfies state requirements and offers an exam-exempt path to the same Florida adjuster license(s). This article was written to help you understand whether a designation is the best path for you and how to choose the right one for your goals.
At AdjusterPro, we want you to understand the licensing path clearly, whether you choose to move forward with training or not. This article is here to help you compare Florida-approved designation options at a high level, understand what they all have in common, and think through how to choose the one that makes the most sense for you. (FLDFS)
| By the end of this article, you’ll know whether pursuing a Florida-approved designation makes sense for your license goals, what to look for when comparing approved options, and what steps come next once you choose one. |
Table of Contents
- What Is a Florida-Approved Adjuster Designation?
- Florida-Approved Designations for the 6-20 License
- What All Approved Designations Have in Common
- How to Choose the Right Florida Adjuster Designation for You
- What to Do After You Choose a Designation
- The Right Designation Is the One That Fits You
What Is a Florida-Approved Adjuster Designation?
For those pursuing the 6-20 Resident or 70-20 DHS Adjuster License, a Florida-approved adjuster designation is a state-recognized exam-exempt qualification path for adjuster applicants.In plain English, that means if you earn one of the approved designations, you do not have to sit for the Florida state adjuster exam in person to qualify for the 6-20 or 70-20 license. (FLDFS)
The most important thing all approved designations have in common is that they lead to the same Florida license(s). They do not offer or qualify you for different adjuster licenses or differing lines of authority. They are basically a certification that the state accepts in lieu of alternate testing and education methods, which says you are qualified to apply for your adjuster license.
Note: You still have to complete the rest of the licensing process, but the designation satisfies the pre-licensing and exam requirements. (FLDFS)
Want to read more about designations as such? Check out: What is a Florida Adjuster Designation?
Florida-Approved Designations for the 6-20 License
Florida’s professional designations page currently lists the following approved designations for all-lines (company and independent) adjuster applicants, as stated by the Florida Department of Financial Services.
All-lines (Company and Independent) adjuster applicants who hold any of the following designations are not required to sit for the state adjuster examination:
- 2021 Training, LLC (PIC) – Professional in Claims – 972-767-7699
- Associate in Claims (AIC) from the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters
- Accredited Insurance Claims Specialist (AICS) from Encore Claim Services
- Certified Adjuster (CA) from the All-Lines Training Provider (AdjusterPro)
- Certified All-Lines Adjuster (CALA) from Kaplan Financial Education
- Certified Claims Adjuster (CCA) from the AE21 Incorporated Provider
- Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) from the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters
- Claims Adjuster Certified Professional (CACP) from WebCE, Inc.
- Registered Claims Adjuster (RCA) – from the American Insurance College
- Professional Claims Adjuster (PCA) from the Professional Career Institute
- Professional Property Insurance Adjuster (PPIA) from the HurriClaim Training Academy – 304-725-2617
- Universal Claims Certification (UCC) from Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)*
What All Approved Designations Have in Common
This is where many people overcomplicate things.
All Florida-approved designations on that list work the same way for licensing. They satisfy your education requirements and allow you to skip taking a separate exam for the 6-20 or 70-20 licenses. You will need to complete the course itself and pass the included exam(s), but once you’ve done that, you are able to apply for your license.
Florida doesn’t rank one designation as better than another for this purpose. If it’s on the approved list and you meet the requirements, it can be used to get the same all-lines adjuster license.
So when you are deciding which designation is right for you, the key question isn’t whether Florida accepts it. The key question is does that designation and/or provider fit your personal learning style and education needs.
How to Choose the Right Florida Adjuster Designation for You
First, make sure a designation is the right path.
You should only pursue getting a designation if you are a resident of Florida looking to obtain a 6-20 license, or a resident of a non-licensing state that wants to get a Florida 70-20 DHS license. (Getting a 6-20 license is also the first step in becoming a public adjuster in Florida, so technically, most designations are a starting point for the 3-20 license as well.)
Other Florida licenses, like the 7-20 nonresident adjuster or the 4-40 customer representative licenses have different qualifications and requirements, so the designations listed in this article should not be pursued in those cases.
Next, make sure obtaining a designation will work for you personally. The designation courses above are offered online, which is an education style that may not work for everyone. You must be able to work independently and without in-person instructor guidance. Some of these programs do have access time limits (although AdjusterPro’s do not), so understanding how much time you can devote to your program and how much flexibility the provider offers is important.
Finally, consider the providers themselves and what tools, resources, and support they offer. While each designation offers the same path to licensing, the methods and courses that will get you there are different.
- What tools are available within the platform to help you learn and retain information?
- How long do you have access to your course?
- Do they have resources and support to help guide you through issues or questions?
- Are there any additional fees or courses that will pop up later if you need more access or additional support?
Florida tells you what designations count. You have to decide what designation will work best for you.
What to Do After You Choose a Designation
Choosing a designation is not the last step.
Once you complete a Florida-approved designation, you still need to complete the rest of the licensing process for your chosen Florida adjuster license.
That process includes applying for the license, paying the required fees, completing a fingerprint background check, and providing proof of your designation.
Florida’s professional designations page also says applicants must provide a copy of the original letter from the accrediting entity certifying designation status. Each of the providers likely has a process for helping you with this. (FLDFS)
So the designation replaces the need to take the state exam, but it is separate from the license itself. You must still apply for the license and complete the remaining licensing steps. (FLDFS)
The Right Designation Is the One That Fits You
The most helpful way to think about Florida-approved adjuster designations is this:
Each is an approved path to the same 6-20 Resident or 70-20 DHS Florida Adjuster License. Florida approves them for the same core licensing topics and purpose: helping eligible all-lines company and independent adjuster applicants qualify without taking the state adjuster exam. (FLDFS)
That means the “right” designation is one that:
- Has been approved by the state
- Fits your residency and license goals
- Has tools, resources, and support to meet your personal needs
- Comes from a provider or institution you’re comfortable choosing
If your next question is “Which provider or approved designation should I choose?”, we recommend comparing the various providers listed on the FLDFS Page to compare which course best suits your needs and learning styles.
Ready to buy a course and get licensed? Before you invest in a course, check out “Which Adjuster License Should I Get First?” to make sure you are starting off with the right license.
