Florida 70-20 Adjuster License Explained: Who Needs It and Why

If you live outside Florida and want to use Florida as your designated home state for insurance adjusting, you may have heard about the Florida 70-20 adjuster license.

The 70-20 is a Non-Resident Designated Home State (DHS) Adjuster license. It is designed for certain people who do not have a resident adjuster license in their home state and need a state to serve as their designated home state for adjusting purposes.

Unlike the Florida resident 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster license, the 70-20 is specifically a non-resident license. Both are associated with all-lines adjusting, but they serve different licensing situations.

Understanding the difference is important before enrolling in a Florida 70-20 adjuster licensing course or beginning the application process.

In this guide, we'll explain:

• What the Florida 70-20 license is
• How the 70-20 compares with the 6-20
• Who typically needs a 70-20
• Florida 70-20 license requirements
• Education and exam options
• Advantages and disadvantages of each license
• What happens if your licensing situation changes

Important: Florida licensing requirements can change. Always verify your individual eligibility and current requirements with the Florida Department of Financial Services (FLDFS) before applying.

What Is the Florida 70-20 Adjuster License?

The 70-20 Designated Home State Adjuster license is a Florida license available to certain non-residents who need Florida to serve as their designated home state for insurance adjusting.

FLDFS identifies the 70-20 as an All-Lines – Designated Home State adjuster license. It is intended for certain applicants who do not have an appropriate resident adjuster license in their home state.

The 70-20 is not simply another name for the 6-20.

How the 70-20 License Compares to the 6-20 All-Lines License

One of the most common questions is: What is the difference between 6-20 and 70-20 adjuster licenses in Florida?

The biggest difference is residency and licensing status, not necessarily the basic scope of adjusting.

A Florida 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster is a resident license. Florida residents seeking an all-lines adjuster license generally look at the 6-20.

The 70-20, on the other hand, is a non-resident Designated Home State license. It exists for specific non-resident applicants who don't have a resident adjuster license available to use as their home-state license.

6-20 vs. 70-20 at a Glance

What About the 7-20?

It is also important not to confuse the 70-20 with Florida's 7-20 Non-Resident All-Lines Adjuster license.

The 7-20 is generally used by an adjuster who already has an eligible resident adjuster license in another state. Florida's reciprocity rules can allow certain non-resident applicants to qualify without taking the Florida examination.

The 70-20 is different. Florida's reciprocity rules specifically distinguish the 70-20 DHS license from the standard 7-20 non-resident license.

Who Typically Chooses a 70-20 License?

The 70-20 is not intended for every out-of-state adjuster. It is primarily useful in situations where an individual needs a designated home state but does not have an appropriate resident adjuster license in another state.

1. Residents of States That Do Not License Adjusters

This is one of the clearest examples.

Suppose you live in a state that does not issue resident insurance adjuster licenses. You want to work as an independent or company adjuster in multiple states.

Because your home state doesn't issue the license you need, Florida may be available as your designated home state if you satisfy Florida's requirements.

2. Company Adjusters in Certain States

Florida also identifies company adjusters who live in a state that licenses only independent adjusters as potential 70-20 applicants.

In this situation, the adjuster may use Florida as the designated home state for licensing purposes.

3. Adjusters Building a Multi-State Career

A DHS license can be useful for an adjuster whose career involves working across multiple states.

Potential career areas include:

• Catastrophe adjusting
• Independent adjusting
• Property claims
• Auto claims
• Commercial claims
• Claims inspection
• Multi-state adjusting assignments

However, holding a Florida 70-20 does not automatically authorize you to adjust claims in every state. Other states may have their own licensing, registration, appointment, or reciprocity requirements.

Eligibility and Application Requirements for 70-20

Florida's 70-20 requirements are more specific than simply being an out-of-state resident.

An applicant must generally:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a non-resident of Florida.
• Meet Florida's citizenship or legal-authority requirements.
• Not hold a valid resident adjuster license in another state.
• Not hold a valid designated home state adjuster license in another state.
• Live in a state that does not offer a resident adjuster license, or meet Florida's requirements for certain company adjusters.
• Meet the applicable education, designation, or examination requirement.
• Complete the Florida application process.
• Submit fingerprints as required.

These requirements are important because not every out-of-state adjuster qualifies for a 70-20.

Designation or Examination

Applicants can qualify through an eligible Florida-approved adjuster designation.

One option recognized by Florida is the Accredited Claims Adjuster (ACA) designation through an accredited postsecondary institution in Florida. The ACA designation course is the same for the 6-20, 7-20 and
70-20. Read more about OLT's ACA desigation course, 40 hr All Lines Accredited Claims Adjuster Designation Course

Alternatively, an applicant who does not have an eligible designation may need to take and pass the Florida all-lines adjuster state examination.

70-20 Adjuster Licensing Course Options in Florida

If you're researching a Florida 70-20 adjuster licensing course, pay close attention to what the course actually provides.

The goal isn't simply to take a generic insurance class. You need an education or designation pathway that satisfies Florida's current licensing requirements for your particular situation.

One option is an approved Accredited Claims Adjuster (ACA) designation course.

OLT offers a 40-hour Accredited Claims Adjuster designation course online and in a self-paced format. The course is designed to provide the education necessary for the ACA designation pathway associated with Florida adjuster licensing. Read more about OLT's ACA desigation course, 40 hr All Lines Accredited Claims Adjuster Designation Course

Depending on the student's eligibility and licensing circumstances, a qualifying designation can provide an alternative to taking the Florida state examination.

Important: Completing a course does not automatically issue an insurance adjuster license. Applicants must still satisfy Florida's other licensing requirements.

Exam Details and Training Strategies for the 70-20 License

There is not a completely separate "70-20 specialty exam" that focuses on a narrow type of adjusting.

When an applicant must test, Florida's 70-20 requirements refer to the Florida all-lines adjuster state examination. Applicants who qualify through an approved designation may be exempt
from the examination. OLT offers a 40-hour Accredited Claims Adjuster designation course that will exempt you from the state exam. Read more about OLT's ACA desigation course,
40 hr All Lines Accredited Claims Adjuster Designation Course

How to Prepare for the Exam

1. Learn Florida insurance laws and regulations.
2. Understand property and casualty insurance fundamentals.
3. Study claims handling and adjusting principles.
4. Review policy terminology and coverage concepts.
5. Use practice questions to identify weak areas.
6. Review missed questions rather than simply repeating tests.
7. Schedule the examination only after you consistently perform well on practice material.

For students who qualify for a designation-based exemption, a structured designation course can provide another route toward meeting the education requirement.

Pros and Cons of Choosing 70-20 vs. 6-20

Advantages of the 70-20

Designed for Qualifying Non-Residents

The 70-20 gives certain non-Florida residents a way to establish Florida as their designated home state.

All-Lines Adjusting

The license is an all-lines adjuster license rather than a narrow specialty license.

Potential Exam Exemption

Eligible applicants who complete a qualifying designation may be able to satisfy the examination requirement without taking the Florida state exam. OLT offers a 40 hr All Lines Accredited Claims Adjuster Designation Course that will exempt you from the state exam.

A DHS license can be valuable for adjusters pursuing assignments across state lines, subject to each state's requirements.

Disadvantages of the 70-20

• It is not available to everyone. Applicants must meet Florida's specific DHS eligibility requirements.
• It is not the Florida resident license. If you become a Florida resident, your licensing situation changes.
• Florida CE requirements apply. 70-20 DHS licensees must meet Florida's applicable continuing education requirements.
• Other states may have additional requirements. A Florida DHS license does not eliminate licensing requirements imposed by other states.

Advantages of the 6-20

The 6-20 Resident All-Lines Adjuster license is the natural starting point for someone who lives in Florida and wants to work as an all-lines adjuster.

It can support career opportunities involving:

• Insurance company adjusting
• Independent adjusting
• Catastrophe claims
• Property claims
• Auto claims
• Commercial claims
• Other all-lines claims work

If you're a Florida resident, the 6-20 is generally the license you should investigate rather than the 70-20.

Florida 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster License: Requirements, Exam, and Career Paths

Upgrade or Transition Options Between 70-20 and 6-20

One of the most important things to understand is that the 70-20 is not simply a "lower" version of the 6-20.

They serve different licensing circumstances.

If you currently hold a 70-20 and later become a Florida resident, you should not assume that your 70-20 simply converts automatically into a 6-20.

Florida has specific rules governing license transfers and first-time applicants. Your individual circumstances can determine which requirements apply.

This is why it's important to review your situation with the Florida Department of Financial Services before changing residency or applying for another adjuster license.

What If You Already Have a 6-20?

If you already have a valid Florida 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster license, you generally don't need a 70-20 simply because you want to work as an adjuster outside Florida.

The 70-20 is intended for qualifying non-residents who need Florida as their designated home state.

In other words, the 70-20 isn't normally an "upgrade" from the 6-20.

Florida 70-20 License FAQs

Do I need a 70-20 license if I already hold a 6-20?

Generally, no. The Florida 6-20 is a resident All-Lines Adjuster license, while the 70-20 is a non-resident Designated Home State license. Someone who already holds a valid Florida 6-20 would not normally need a 70-20 simply to work as an adjuster.

Is the 70-20 license more specialized than the 6-20?

No. The 70-20 is not a specialty adjuster license. Both licenses are associated with all-lines adjusting. The primary distinction is residency and designated-home-state status.

What are the main exam differences between 6-20 and 70-20?

The key difference is generally the licensing pathway rather than a completely separate specialty examination. Eligible applicants may satisfy the examination requirement through an approved designation, while other applicants may need to take the Florida all-lines adjuster examination.

Can I take a 70-20 licensing course online?

Yes. Florida-approved education and designation programs may be available online. OnLine Training's 40-hour ACA designation course, for example, is offered online in a self-paced format.

Before enrolling, verify that the course is currently approved and that it applies to your specific licensing situation.

How long does it take to get approved for a 70-20 license?

There is no single guaranteed processing time for every applicant. Approval can depend on application completeness, fingerprint processing, verification of education or examination requirements, background information, and whether Florida DFS requests additional documentation.

Final Thoughts: Is the Florida 70-20 Right for You?

The Florida 70-20 Designated Home State Adjuster license can be an important option for qualifying non-resident adjusters, but it is not the right license for everyone.

The simplest way to think about the three major all-lines adjuster licenses is:

• 6-20: Florida resident All-Lines Adjuster
• 7-20: Non-resident All-Lines Adjuster for eligible applicants who have a resident adjuster license in another state
• 70-20: Non-resident Designated Home State All-Lines Adjuster for qualifying applicants who need Florida to serve as their designated home state

If you live in Florida, the 6-20 is generally the license to investigate.

If you live outside Florida, your existing home-state licensing situation will help determine whether the 7-20 or 70-20 is appropriate.