FS 626.7351
- You must be a bona fide resident of Florida, or, be a resident of a state which has a common border with Florida (Alabama or Georgia) and be employed by an agent or agency located in Florida.
- You will be employed by, supervised by, spend all business time for, and be domiciled in the office of one agent.
- You are not seeking the license for the purpose of writing “controlled business” (more than 50% of income is from business for your or your family’s interests or other organizations in which you are associated or interested).
- You are qualified by knowledge, experience or instruction through one of the following:
a. Successfully completed a Department of Insurance approved course within 2 years immediately preceding the date of application – 100-hour classroom course.
b. Successfully complete an approved correspondence course approved by the Department of Insurance.
c. Obtained a 4-year degree with at least 6 semester hours of college credit in Property and Casualty insurance at an accredited institution of higher learning.
d. Have at least 6 months experience in “all-lines” insurance duties as a full time employee of an agency or company within 2 years immediately preceding the date of application without the education requirement.
It is important to understand that the term “all-lines” refers to all of the lines of insurance that you will be licensed to handle by the issuance of this license. Those lines of insurance as outlined by the Department of Insurance include:
Marine
Health
Casualty
Property
Surety Bonds
Having had experience means the person applying for the license has performed all of the tasks relating to the types of insurance listed. Those tasks include:
Incidental taking of applications
Quoting premiums
Receiving payments
Handling declarations pages
If you’re planning to sit for the exam based on experience our advice is to gain the experience by way of spending time with someone in the agency who does that specific task. For example, to gain the proper health insurance experience, sit with the health insurance specialist in the agency when a client is being interviewed. Then, next time have the health specialist show you how to quote the policy and complete the application with the client. When the policy arrives from the company, review it with the health specialist and be present when the policy is delivered to the client. By doing these tasks on an “incidental” basis you’ll have gained the required experience and will be able to honestly complete the application for exam.
The exam (and fee) is waived if proof of obtaining one of the following designations is submitted with the license application: Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR), Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI), Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Certified Professional Service Representative (CPSR), Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR), Certified Customer Service Representative (CCSR), Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Registered Customer Service Representative (RCSR).
A copy of the licensing procedures established by the Florida Department of Insurance can be found at the DFS website, www.fldfs.com or by calling the Bureau of Agent and Agency Licensing at 850-413-3137, ext 1101. Applications can be printed from the website. There will be additional information that may be required, such as fingerprint cards. The application instructions will advise you as to the handling of these items.
If you have moved to Florida from another state and were licensed in that state it is important to note that you will still have to meet the qualifications outlined above. Florida does not extend reciprocity to any other state insurance licensing procedures.
How Can FAIA Assist You
In Obtaining This License?
You’re in luck! Here at FAIA we offer several options to help you obtain your Customer Representative (4-40) license. We offer classes 4 times a year where you can receive your Certified Customer Service Representative (CCSR) professional designation. By going to class and passing the final test you qualify to apply for the license without having to take the state test.
In addition to offering the CCSR designation program on the road, FAIA also offers you access to the Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR) program. By taking the On-Line class offered through our web site you can obtain your ACSR professional designation, which allows you to by-pass the state exam.
We also have a 9 part Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI) program being offered in 2004 that could qualify you for the 4-40.
All of our Education programs are listed at www.faia.com. Get all the details about registration there, in the Education section.
If you choose not to use one of the designation programs we can supply you with everything you will need to help you pass the Customer Representative exam. We write, publish and sell the Florida General Lines Agent and Customer Representative Study Manual. In addition, study materials, such as flash cards and test simulator software, are also available from FAIA. Here is a brief description and cost:
Florida General Lines Agent & Customer Representative Study Manual: This is the complete study information guide. All of the information contained in this manual is covered in a 100-hour licensing class. The state insurance test is developed from the information contained in this manual. It is available in printed form or on a CD-ROM. The cost is as follows:
Book - $35
CD - $30
Book & CD - $50
Florida Licensing Exam Simulator: This software program enhances your study of insurance by offering you simulation of the state licensing exam. It’s interactive capability allows you to use it over and over again to perfect your knowledge of insurance.
Licensing Exam Simulator Software - $39.95
Florida Exam Flash Cards: The flash cards can be used as a study aid when you don’t have access to your computer. You can take them with you anywhere you go. There are 221 questions relating to information contained in the study guide. The format is multiple choice with the correct answer on the back of each card. With the flash cards you can study anywhere, anytime.
Exam Flash Cards - $35
These items can be purchased from our web site, www.faia.com, or by calling FAIA at 850-893-4155, ext 351. |
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