Florida Insurance Agency License: Requirements and Fees

Let's set the stage

Florida does agency licensing differently from most states, and in some ways it is easier. Section 626.112(7)(a), Florida Statutes, says no individual, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity may act as an insurance agency unless it holds an agency license under 626.172 for each place of business. The penalty for skipping it is an administrative fine of up to $10,000 (626.112(7)(c)).

Florida agency license at a glance

Who must hold a Florida agency license

Here's the thing: Florida has a clean exemption, and it tells you exactly when you need the license. The statute exempts an agency "owned and operated by a single licensed agent conducting business in his or her individual name and not employing or otherwise using the services of or appointing other licensees." The moment you use an entity name, hire another licensed agent or appoint one, you need the agency license. Nonresident agencies are covered too. The DFS FAQ answers "Yes" when asked whether an agency licensed in another state that transacts insurance in Florida must be licensed in Florida.

Branches that share the agency's name and FEIN do not need their own license, as long as each has a designated agent in charge and is reported within 30 days after it starts doing business (626.112(7)(b)).

The agent in charge

Florida calls the responsible person the agent in charge; NIPR calls it the DRLP, and exactly one goes on a NIPR application. The agent in charge must be licensed and appointed in a qualifying line, such as Health and Life (2-18 or 8-18), Life (2-16 or 8-16), Health (2-40 or 8-40) or General Lines (2-20 or 9-20). A limited lines license does not qualify. If a location transacts two or more lines, the agent in charge must be licensed in at least two of them (626.0428(4)(a)).

Let's be real about the risk. If no agent in charge is designated for 90 days, the agency license expires automatically on day 91 (626.0428(4)(f)). The agent in charge is also accountable for violations by the people they supervise. When yours leaves, replace them and report it within 30 days.

How to apply, step by step

1. Create an Agency MyProfile account with DFS using the agency's FEIN, or file through NIPR. After a NIPR filing, set up MyProfile anyway to track deficiencies.
2. List every owner, partner, officer, director and managing LLC member, with at least one marked as owner or officer (626.172(2)(a)).
3. Give the agency name, principal street address (no P.O. boxes), email, registered agent, every branch address and the agent in charge for each location.
4. Fingerprint each listed owner, officer or director who is not a licensed and appointed Florida agent. Prints are paid directly to the vendor.
5. Check your name. DFS may reject names that mislead the public, imply you are an insurer or a government entity, or contain "Medicare" or "Medicaid."
6. Have an officer or director listed on the application sign it, and display the license at each location once issued (626.172(4)).

Florida agency license fees

All Florida application fees are nonrefundable under 626.171(5).

Renewal: there isn't one

The DFS FAQ is blunt: "Agency licenses are perpetual as long as there is an agent-in-charge effectively designated." No renewal fee, and no continuing education for the agency. Your individual agents still renew and complete CE on their own licenses.

Bond and E&O

DFS Form 21-05, the DFS opening an agency page and NIPR's Florida pages state no bond, E&O or capital requirement for a general insurance agency license. The E&O and bond rules in the DFS FAQ apply to title agencies only. Carriers may still ask for E&O; see do agencies need E&O.

What we could not verify

We could not find the agency fee for an application filed directly in DFS MyProfile; the DFS fee page lists only a generic $50 license application fee. We also did not verify Sunbiz registration or fictitious name rules, and no DFS phone number appeared on the pages we used. Email [email protected] to confirm.

After the license

A licensed Florida agency still needs carrier contracts before it can earn a dollar. We are a licensed agency in Draper, Utah, and we contract agencies across the country. Start at agency contracting with ESI, check what agency licenses cost in other states, or compare states on our agency license hub.

Updated October 13, 2026 by the Everything Senior Insurance Data Desk.