The Step-by-Step Path (Resident Track)

From eligibility to active 3-20. 10 steps, ~9-14 months, ~$1-2.5K out-of-pocket. Gotchas at each step.

What you'll learn

The 10 steps from "I'm thinking about it" to "active 3-20 in your own name" — in order, with the gotcha at each one.

1.3.1 The 10 steps

#	Step	Time	Cost (typical)
1	Confirm eligibility	1 day	$0
2	Complete pre-licensing course (or designation)	40 hrs / 2–4 weeks	$200–$500
3	Pass the 6-20 state exam	Test day	$44 (Pearson VUE)
4	Fingerprint + DFS application	2–6 weeks processing	~$50 (fingerprints) + DFS fees
5	Receive 6-20 license + adjusting firm appointment	Once approved	$0 (firm pays appointment)
6	Serve 6 consecutive months as PA apprentice	6 months minimum	Earned wages/splits
7	File the $50,000 surety bond	1 day	$250–$750/year (premium)
8	Pass the FL Public Adjuster state exam	Test day	$44
9	Apply for 3-20 + get appointed	2–6 weeks	DFS application fee
10	Maintain CE compliance + biennial renewal	Ongoing	$50–$300 / 2 yrs

Total: roughly 9–14 months start to active 3-20. Out-of-pocket: ~$1,000–$2,500 depending on bond pricing and course choice.

1.3.2 Step-by-step detail

Step 1 — Confirm eligibility

18 or older
US citizen or work-authorized alien
FL resident OR principal place of business in FL
No statutory disqualifiers (recent felony fraud convictions auto-disqualify)

Gotcha: If you have prior criminal history, get DFS to pre-rule on eligibility before paying for any course. Statute § 626.207 covers character/fitness disqualifiers.

Step 2 — Pre-licensing course (or exam-exempt designation)

Two paths:

40-hour pre-licensing course through a DFS-approved provider (AdjusterPro, WebCE, Kaplan, others)
Exam-exempt designation — earn one of the approved professional designations (e.g., Certified Adjuster Designation programs); skip the state exam in step 3

Most people pick the course path. Cheaper, faster, no designation prerequisites.

Gotcha: confirm the provider is DFS-approved before paying. Non-approved courses don't count.

Step 3 — Pass the 6-20 state exam

Pearson VUE testing centers
~100 questions, ~120 minutes
70% to pass
Most who study pass first try; retake fee applies if you fail

Gotcha: the exam is open-book on policy forms. Bring/access the materials Pearson VUE allows.

Step 4 — Fingerprints + DFS MyProfile application

Live-scan fingerprints at an approved provider (~$50)
Application via DFS MyProfile portal: myfloridacfo.com
Background check runs in the background

Gotcha: any unanswered question or missing document delays approval by weeks. Triple-check the application before submitting.

Step 5 — Receive 6-20 license + get appointed

License issues. Doesn't authorize work until you're appointed by an adjusting firm. Most firms handle the appointment paperwork once they hire you.

Gotcha: if you don't have an appointment, you're licensed but cannot work claims. Line up a firm before or during the application process.

Step 6 — Serve 6 consecutive months as PA apprentice

The supervising PA (a licensed 3-20) appoints you. You operate under their supervision on real claims.

Statutory minimum: 6 consecutive months. Gap in your apprenticeship and the clock can restart. Stay employed and stay appointed continuously.

Alternative qualifying paths (also satisfy the 6-month requirement):

6 months as a 6-20 independent or company adjuster, OR
6 months active as a 70-20 non-resident PA

Gotcha: apprenticeship is where the actual learning happens. The wrong firm — bad mentorship, no real claim exposure, abusive fee splits — burns 6 months you cannot get back. Choose carefully.

Step 7 — File the $50,000 surety bond

§ 626.865 requires a $50,000 surety bond on a DFS-provided form before the 3-20 issues.

Cost reality: the bond face value is $50,000, but you don't pay $50,000. You pay the annual premium to a surety bond company — typically $250–$750/year depending on credit. Bond runs while your license is active.

Gotcha: weak credit = higher premium or required collateral. Get bond pricing quotes early.

Step 8 — Pass the FL Public Adjuster state exam

Separate from the 6-20 exam.

Pearson VUE
~100–110 questions
120 minutes
70% to pass

Heavier on PA-specific statute (§ 626.854) and conduct rules. Study materials from your pre-licensing provider usually cover the PA exam separately.

Step 9 — Apply for 3-20 + get appointed

Application via DFS MyProfile
Surety bond on file
Appointment in your own name OR by a licensed public adjusting firm

Cannot hold simultaneously: 6-20 + 3-20. Activating 3-20 deactivates the 6-20.

Gotcha: if you plan to operate from your own home office, get an adjusting firm license (§ 626.112) at the same time — see Module 1.2.7.

Step 10 — Maintain CE + biennial renewal

24 hours biennially first 6 years (then 20 hours)
Includes 4-hour Law & Ethics Update
Due by end of birth-month every 2 years
Renewal via DFS MyProfile

Miss CE = license lapses. Reinstate = paperwork + fees + sometimes re-exam if lapsed too long.

1.3.3 Common detours

"Can I skip the apprenticeship?" Only by qualifying through 6 months of 6-20 independent/company adjuster work or 6 months active as a 70-20 non-resident PA. There's no way to skip the 6-month requirement entirely.

"Can I work for myself during the apprenticeship?" No. Apprentice = supervised. You operate under the supervising PA's appointment, not in your own name. Working independently before the 3-20 issues is unlicensed practice — § 626.8738 felony.

"My state has reciprocity — do I still need to test?" Reciprocity exists for some states. Check the DFS reciprocity list. Even with reciprocity, you'll typically need to pass a Florida-specific Law & Ethics module.

1.3.4 Action steps

Confirm eligibility today (5 min).
Pick pre-licensing course → register this week.
Set up DFS MyProfile account before you finish the course.
Identify 3 candidate firms for apprenticeship; have conversations during step 4.
Get surety bond quotes from 3+ providers (rates vary materially).

Next: 1.4 § 626.854 Deep Dive — PA Conduct Rules.

Educational. Not legal advice. Florida insurance law and DFS procedures change. 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.