Florida Adjuster License Types

6-20 (entry). 3-20 (the goal). 70-20 (non-resident). 0-70 (emergency). Apprentice. Adjusting firm. CE.

What you'll learn

The 5 adjuster license types Florida issues
Which one you need for which work
The apprentice framework
Adjusting firm licensing (separate from individual)
CE requirements that keep your license active

1.2.1 The 5 license types

License	Code	Who	Authorizes
All-Lines Resident Adjuster	6-20	FL residents (entry point)	Staff, independent, or PA apprentice work
Resident Public Adjuster	3-20	FL residents (or non-residents w/ FL principal place of business)	Independent public adjusting
Non-Resident Public Adjuster	70-20	Non-FL residents w/ active home-state PA license	Public adjusting in FL
Emergency Adjuster	0-70	Anyone, during declared emergencies	Surge claim handling, time-limited
Apprentice (under 6-20)	—	6-20 holders	Trainee status under licensed PA supervision

Key rule: you cannot simultaneously hold an active 6-20 (all-lines) and 3-20 (PA) license. Move from one to the other when you test up.

1.2.2 The 6-20 — All-Lines Resident Adjuster

Entry point for almost every FL resident pursuing PA work.

Authorizes:

Work as company (staff) adjuster
Work as independent adjuster
Work as PA apprentice under a licensed PA

Does not authorize: independent public adjusting in your own name.

Requirements:

18+, US citizen or work-authorized
Pre-licensing: 40-hour state-approved course OR exam-exempt designation (Certified Adjuster Designation programs)
Pass FL all-lines adjuster exam (Pearson VUE)
Fingerprinting + background check via DFS MyProfile portal
Application via DFS MyProfile
Appointment by an adjusting firm to actually work

1.2.3 The 3-20 — Resident Public Adjuster (the goal)

The license that lets you adjust claims for policyholders in your own name.

Eligibility:

18+, US citizen or work-authorized
FL resident, OR non-resident whose principal place of business is in FL
6 consecutive months appointed under one of:
- 6-20 as a PA apprentice, OR
- 6-20 as an independent or company adjuster, OR
- Active FL non-resident PA license (70-20)

Requirements to obtain:

Pass the FL Public Adjuster state exam
- ~100–110 questions
- 120 minutes
- 70% passing
- Pearson VUE
File a $50,000 surety bond on the DFS-provided form (§ 626.865)
Apply via DFS MyProfile
Get appointed — either in your own name or by a licensed public adjusting firm

Cannot hold simultaneously: 6-20 + 3-20. When you activate the 3-20, the 6-20 deactivates.

1.2.4 The 70-20 — Non-Resident Public Adjuster

For PAs whose principal place of business is outside Florida but want to work FL claims.

Requirements:

Active PA license in home state for prior 6–12 months (NAIC verification)
If home state doesn't license PAs: must hold home-state resident insurance adjuster license for the qualifying period
Pass FL PA exam OR demonstrate equivalent credentialing
File the $50,000 surety bond
Comply with FL's PA conduct rules under § 626.854 — same rules apply

1.2.5 The 0-70 — Emergency Adjuster License

Activated only during declared states of emergency (hurricanes, etc.).

Purpose: surge capacity. Carriers and IA firms staff up rapidly post-event.

Limits:

Time-limited (typically expires when the emergency declaration expires + a defined wind-down)
Limited scope — you handle claims under supervision of a licensed adjuster
Not a path to long-term licensure on its own

1.2.6 The PA Apprentice — § 626.8651

Apprentice = "in-training" status under a licensed PA's appointment.

How it works post-2021:

Apprentices are appointed under the 6-20 license framework
Operate under direct supervision and appointment of a licensed 3-20
Cannot independently negotiate or settle claims — every claim runs through the supervising PA
Mandatory minimum 6-month apprenticeship before testing up to 3-20

Practical reality: the apprenticeship is where the actual learning happens. Your supervising PA shapes how you work for the next 5+ years. Pick the right firm. We cover that decision in Module 1.3.

1.2.7 Adjusting Firm License — § 626.112

Required separately from individual adjuster licenses.

Triggers: any business location where adjusting work is performed.

That includes:

A traditional office
A home office where you regularly work claims
A law firm doing substantial property claim work outside the attorney's direct hands
A multi-PA practice operating under a brand name

Statutory exemption: very narrow. Most operating PAs need an adjusting firm license alongside their individual 3-20.

Common mistake: PA gets the 3-20, starts working from home, never registers an adjusting firm. DFS treats this as a violation. Get the firm license at the same time as your 3-20 — the application is straightforward.

1.2.8 Continuing Education — § 626.2815

Required to keep your license active.

When	Hours	Notes
First 6 years licensed	24 hours biennially	Due by end of birth-month
After 6 years licensed	20 hours biennially	Same biennial cycle
Every cycle	4-hour Law & Ethics Update (course authority CE 5-320)	Mandatory inside the 24/20

Recent change (July 2023): broader course catalogs now count toward PA elective credit. Check the DFS approved-courses list before paying for content.

Approved CE providers: AdjusterPro, WebCE, Kaplan, others on the DFS list. Costs typically $50–$300 per cycle.

Miss CE deadline = license lapse. Reinstatement is paperwork + fees + sometimes re-exam if lapsed too long. Calendar it.

1.2.9 Action steps

Confirm which license type matches your situation (resident → 6-20 first).
Read § 626.864 (license requirements) and § 626.865 (surety bond) directly.
Bookmark DFS MyProfile: myfloridacfo.com.
Set CE renewal calendar reminder the moment you activate any license.

Next: 1.3 The Step-by-Step Path (Resident Track) — the 10 steps in order.

Educational. Not legal advice. Florida insurance law changes frequently. SB 2A (Dec 16, 2022) and HB 837 (March 24, 2023) altered claim and attorney-fee rules; subsequent amendments may apply. Always verify current Florida Statutes and DFS guidance before relying on any specific rule.