Becoming a public adjuster in Florida involves more than passing an exam. Before you can obtain a Florida 3-20 All-Lines Public Adjuster license, you generally need to first qualify for a Florida 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster license and complete at least six months under a qualifying adjuster appointment.
That makes Florida’s process a little different from public adjuster licensing in many other states.
In general, the path to becoming a resident Florida public adjuster looks like this:
Get your 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster license → Complete six months under a qualifying appointment → Pass the 3-20 Florida public adjuster exam → Meet the bonding requirements → Apply for your 3-20 Public Adjuster license
Below, we’ll walk through each step and explain some of the Florida license numbers and requirements that can make the process confusing.
Florida 3-20 Public Adjuster License Requirements at a Glance
Before getting into the individual steps, it helps to understand the three Florida license and appointment numbers you’ll see throughout the process.
| License or Appointment | What It Is | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster | Florida resident all-lines adjuster license | You generally need to hold this license before qualifying for a 3-20 license |
| 31-20 Public Adjuster Apprentice | Public adjuster apprentice appointment | One way to complete the required six months of qualifying appointed experience |
| 3-20 All-Lines Public Adjuster | Florida resident public adjuster license | Allows you to work as a licensed public adjuster in Florida |
A public adjuster represents policyholders, not insurance companies. Public adjusters help insured individuals or businesses with property insurance claims and are compensated for representing the policyholder’s interests.
If that’s the career path you want to pursue, here’s how Florida’s licensing process works.
Step 1: Get Your Florida 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster License
Before becoming a Florida public adjuster, you’ll generally need to qualify for a Florida 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster license.
There are multiple ways to qualify for the 6-20 license. One option is completing an approved Florida adjuster licensing course that provides an exemption from the state adjuster examination.
Once you meet the appropriate qualification requirements, you’ll apply for the 6-20 license through Florida’s licensing system and complete any other state requirements, including fingerprinting.
Your 6-20 license is important because it establishes the underlying adjuster license you’ll need before moving forward on the public adjuster path.
Looking for training? You can find our licensing and continuing education options on our Florida Public Adjuster Courses page.
Step 2: Complete Six Months Under a Qualifying Adjuster Appointment
Getting your 6-20 license isn’t enough by itself to immediately become a 3-20 public adjuster.
Florida requires applicants to have been licensed as an all-lines adjuster and continuously appointed for the previous six months in a qualifying adjuster role before becoming eligible for the 3-20 license.
There are several ways you may meet this requirement.
You can be appointed as a:
- Public adjuster apprentice
- Independent adjuster
- Company employee adjuster
This distinction is important. You’ll sometimes hear that Florida requires everyone to “apprentice for six months” before becoming a public adjuster. That’s not quite the whole story.
A 31-20 Public Adjuster Apprentice appointment is one route, but qualifying experience as an appointed independent adjuster or company employee adjuster may also satisfy Florida’s six-month appointment requirement.
What Is a Florida 31-20 Public Adjuster Apprentice Appointment?
If you’re specifically pursuing the public adjusting route, you may obtain a 31-20 Public Adjuster Apprentice appointment.
To qualify for this appointment, you must already hold a Florida 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster license. You’ll then work under the supervision of a licensed and appointed public adjuster or public adjusting firm.
Florida also requires a public adjuster apprentice to maintain a $50,000 surety bond.
An apprentice cannot simply obtain the appointment and operate independently. Florida law places requirements and limitations on apprentice activities and supervision, so make sure you understand the current rules before beginning work.
Always check with the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) for current requirements governing public adjuster apprentices and appointments.
Step 3: Complete the Six-Month Appointment Period
Whichever qualifying route you use, pay close attention to the word continuous.
Florida requires the qualifying appointment to have been held continuously during the six months immediately preceding your application for the public adjuster license.
Simply possessing a 6-20 license for six months isn’t the same thing as maintaining a qualifying appointment for six months.
If you’re unsure whether your particular employment or appointment history satisfies the requirement, verify your eligibility directly with Florida DFS before applying for the 3-20 license.
Step 4: Obtain Your Florida Public Adjuster Bond
Florida public adjusters must meet the state’s bonding requirement.
Applicants for a 3-20 Public Adjuster license must file a $50,000 surety bond with the Florida Department of Financial Services.
Keep in mind that a surety bond is not the same thing as paying the state $50,000. The $50,000 is the amount of the surety bond required by Florida. The amount you actually pay is the bond premium. Current advertised rates can start around $200–$500 per year for qualified applicants, although your actual cost may be higher depending on the surety company, your credit, and other underwriting factors.
The bond must remain in effect as required by Florida law to maintain your public adjuster license.
Step 5: Apply for Your Florida 3-20 Public Adjuster License
Once you’ve satisfied Florida’s licensing requirements and passed your exam, you can apply for the 3-20 All-Lines Public Adjuster license through Florida’s MyProfile system. You’ll complete the application, answer the required questions, and pay the applicable licensing fees. You can also use MyProfile to track your application and see if DFS identifies any outstanding requirements.
Before submitting your application, make sure you’ve completed all applicable requirements, including:
- Holding the appropriate Florida all-lines adjuster license
- Completing the required period under a qualifying appointment
- Passing the required public adjuster examination
- Meeting Florida’s bonding requirements
- Completing fingerprinting or other application requirements, if applicable
- Paying the applicable state fees
Florida DFS makes the final determination regarding whether an applicant qualifies for a license. Requirements and fees can change, so always review the current DFS licensing information before submitting your application.
Step 6: Pass the Florida Public Adjuster Exam
You can not register to take the 3-20 public adjuster exam until after you’ve satisfied all of the above requirements.
Applicants submit the application, complete fingerprints, and then, once approved, receive authorization through MyProfile to schedule the public adjuster exam.
Remember, this is the 3-20 public adjuster exam. It is separate from any course examination or exam exemption you may have used when obtaining your 6-20 license.
Before scheduling your exam, review the current candidate information and exam requirements provided by Florida and its approved testing provider, PearsonVUE. Exam fees, scheduling procedures, testing policies, and exam content can change, so it’s best to verify these details directly with the state or testing provider.
Preparing specifically for the public adjuster exam is important. Public adjusters have different duties, responsibilities, and regulatory requirements than independent adjusters who work on behalf of insurance companies.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Public Adjuster in Florida?
For most new applicants, six months is the minimum qualifying appointment period, not necessarily the total amount of time the entire licensing process will take.
You’ll first need to qualify for and obtain your 6-20 license. If you’re using a Florida partner like AdjusterPro, the course takes roughly 40 hours, plus any review or prep time you add before taking the final exam online. After passing, you’ll submit your application and wait to receive approval from the state (although Florida has one of the fastest processing times in the country and usually only takes a few days)
You then need to maintain a qualifying appointment continuously for at least six months before becoming eligible for the 3-20 license.
You’ll also need time to prepare for and pass the public adjuster exam and complete the remaining application, bonding, and licensing requirements.
For that reason, someone starting from scratch should expect the entire process to take more than six months.
Florida Public Adjuster Continuing Education Requirements
Getting licensed isn’t the end of your education requirements.
Florida 3-20 public adjusters generally have a 24-hour biennial continuing education requirement, which includes a 4-hour Law and Ethics Update course for public adjusters plus eligible elective credit. The number of elective hours required may be reduced based on how long you’ve been licensed.
It’s especially important for public adjusters to pay attention to course approval.
Not every continuing education course available to Florida independent or staff adjusters will necessarily count toward a public adjuster’s CE requirement. Taking a course that isn’t approved for your license could mean you don’t receive the credit you need.
To make it easier, we’ve gathered our applicable licensing and continuing education options in one place.
View Florida Public Adjuster Courses →
Before enrolling in any CE course, verify that it is approved for the credit you need.
What If I Don’t Live in Florida?
The process described above is primarily for applicants pursuing Florida’s resident 3-20 All-Lines Public Adjuster license.
Florida has separate requirements for nonresident public adjusters, and reciprocity or licensing eligibility can depend on your home state and the license you currently hold.
If you’re not a Florida resident, don’t assume the resident 3-20 process applies to you. Check the current nonresident public adjuster requirements with Florida DFS before purchasing a course, scheduling an exam, or applying for a license.
Florida 3-20 Public Adjuster License FAQs
Do I need a 6-20 license before getting a Florida 3-20 license?
Generally, yes. Florida requires a resident public adjuster applicant to be licensed as an all-lines adjuster and meet additional appointment, examination, bonding, and application requirements before qualifying for the 3-20 Public Adjuster license.
Do I have to apprentice for six months to become a Florida public adjuster?
You need six continuous months under a qualifying adjuster appointment, but that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone must spend those six months as a public adjuster apprentice.
Florida recognizes qualifying appointments as a public adjuster apprentice, independent adjuster, or company employee adjuster.
What is a Florida 31-20 license?
The 31-20 is a Public Adjuster Apprentice appointment, rather than the full 3-20 Public Adjuster license. It allows a properly licensed all-lines adjuster to work as a public adjuster apprentice subject to Florida’s supervision and other requirements.
Do Florida public adjusters need a $50,000 bond?
Yes. Florida requires a $50,000 surety bond for a public adjuster license. A public adjuster apprentice pursuing the 31-20 appointment is also subject to a $50,000 bond requirement.
Can I become a Florida public adjuster in less than six months?
If you’re starting without previous qualifying appointed experience, you should not expect to obtain the 3-20 license in less than six months. Florida’s qualification requirements include six continuous months under an eligible adjuster appointment.
The overall process can take longer because you’ll also need to obtain your underlying license, prepare for and pass the public adjuster examination, obtain the required bond, and complete the application process.
How many continuing education hours do Florida public adjusters need?
Florida public adjusters generally have a 24-hour biennial CE requirement consisting of a 4-hour public adjuster Law and Ethics Update course and eligible elective hours. The elective requirement may be reduced for adjusters who have been licensed for a certain number of years.
Always check your individual CE requirements and transcript with Florida DFS rather than assuming every public adjuster owes the same number of elective hours.
Start Your Florida Public Adjuster Licensing Path
Florida’s public adjuster licensing process has several stages, but it’s easier to understand once you separate the different licenses and appointments.
For someone starting from scratch, the basic path is:
6-20 All-Lines Adjuster License → Qualifying Appointment → Six Continuous Months → Public Adjuster Exam → $50,000 Bond → 3-20 Public Adjuster License
And remember: Florida licensing rules can change. AdjusterPro provides education and licensing guidance, but the Florida Department of Financial Services is the authority on whether an individual applicant meets the state’s licensing requirements.
When you’re ready to start or need continuing education after you’re licensed, visit our Florida Public Adjuster Courses page to find your options in one place.
