If you are starting your claims career in Florida, you will see two license types come up again and again: the 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster license and the 3-20 Public Adjuster license. Understanding how these licenses are different will help you choose the right path and avoid wasting time or money on a license you do not actually need.
Do I Need a 3-20 License to Work as a New 6-20 ACA Adjuster?
No. You do not need a 3-20 license to start work as a new 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster in Florida. The 6-20 license is the standard license used by company (staff) adjusters and independent or catastrophe adjusters who handle claims for insurance carriers or independent adjusting (IA) firms.
If your goal is to work inside an insurance company, for a third-party administrator, or on catastrophe deployments for IA firms, the 6-20 is the correct license to focus on first.
What Is the Main Difference Between the 6-20 and 3-20 Licenses?
The 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster license authorizes you to investigate, evaluate, and settle claims on behalf of insurers or independent adjusting companies, not for individual policyholders. In other words, you are working for the insurance side of the claim, even if you technically work for an IA firm instead of directly for a carrier.
The 3-20 Public Adjuster license is different because it is designed for adjusters who represent policyholders (the insured) against insurance companies. Public adjusters work only for the claimant and cannot use the 3-20 license to work for insurers or IA firms.
When Should I Think About Getting My 3-20 License?
You should only consider the 3-20 license if you want to switch from working for insurance companies to representing policyholders as a public adjuster. That is a different role, with a different business model and a different relationship with the client.
For most new adjusters, the best first step is to earn the 6-20 license, gain on-the-job experience, and then decide later if the public adjuster path fits your skills and long-term goals.
Is the 3-20 License Something New Adjusters Get Right Away?
No. Florida treats the 3-20 as a more advanced license for people who already understand claims and want to advocate directly for policyholders. It is not typical for someone with no adjusting experience to start with the 3-20.
Most people begin with the 6-20, work in staff or independent roles, and only pursue the 3-20 after they have real-world claims experience and a clear interest in public adjusting.
What Experience Do I Need Before I Can Get a 3-20 Public Adjuster License?
To qualify for the 3-20 Public Adjuster license, you must first hold a 6-20 or equivalent all-lines adjuster license and be appointed in an adjuster role for a minimum period. Current guidance explains that you must train under a licensed public adjuster or work as an appointed staff or independent adjuster for at least six months before you can sit for the 3-20 exam.
Many adjusters prefer to gain 1–2 years of experience before applying for a public adjuster apprentice appointment or moving fully into the 3-20 route. This extra time helps them build stronger technical skills, understand policy language, and learn how claims are handled from the carrier’s perspective.
If I Only Want to Do Staff, Independent, or CAT Work, Do I Ever Need the 3-20?
No. If your long-term goal is to work as a staff adjuster, independent adjuster, or catastrophe (CAT) adjuster for insurance companies or IA firms, the 6-20 license is all you need. The 6-20 covers all standard lines of insurance and is the primary license used for those roles.
The 3-20 license only becomes necessary if you specifically want to act as a public adjuster and represent policyholders in their claims against insurers. If you never plan to step into that advocacy role, you never have to add the 3-20.
How Should I Explain This to New ACA Students?
For new ACA students, a simple way to explain it is this: the 6-20 license is the correct starting point for almost every adjuster career in Florida, including staff, field, independent, and CAT work. They can earn it efficiently through a state-approved 40-hour Accredited Claims Adjuster (ACA) designation course that provides a built-in state exam waiver for eligible students.
The 3-20 license is an optional, later step for those who decide they want to become public adjusters and advocate directly for policyholders. When they are ready to explore that path, they can review Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) guidelines and advanced training programs focused on public adjusting.