The Florida Division of Agent and Agency Services is resuming its ability to begin processing insurance agent licenses despite the closure of testing centers around the state, under a directive from Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis.
This directive issued April 17 gives insurance agencies the ability to hire new agents who have completed all the other requirements to obtain a license but are unable to take the state exam because of the COVID-19 pandemic, DFS said in a statement. These individuals will be thoroughly vetted by the Division of Agent and Agency Services and if they meet the requirements to obtain a license, the Division would issue applicants a temporary license pending examination.
Applicants must pass both criminal and administrative background checks and must have completed state approved pre-licensing insurance education. The directive also provides additional consumer protections by requiring insurers to take full responsibility for the acts of these new licensees. Finally, those who are granted a temporary license pending examination will only be able to work when doing so under the direct supervision of a more seasoned agent.
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The directive suspends the examination requirements “in order to afford flexibility to applicants for insurance agent licensure who are otherwise qualified for issuance of a Florida insurance agent license, but impacted by the closure of authorized examination sites.” Issuance of a temporary license as provided by law shall be dependent upon applicants meeting all other requirements of the Florida Insurance Code.
“The licensing of insurance agents came to a complete standstill when a testing vendor shut their doors due to COVID-19,” Patronis said. “This has occurred during a time when insurance agencies are experiencing an uptick in demand. Since insurance is such an important part of Florida’s economy, we wanted to create a process where folks can start working while consumers are still protected.”
