National Course Portal
Florida insurance licensing7 min read

Florida 1-20 Surplus Lines Pre-Licensing Online Course Approved and Live

Florida 1-20 Surplus Lines candidates now have a DFS-approved 60-hour online course covering admitted vs. nonadmitted markets, diligent effort, FSLSO workflow, taxes and fees, ethics, and a 50-question final exam bank.

Quick answer

Yes. The National Course Portal Florida Surplus Lines 1-20 course is approved by Florida DFS as Course ID #138638 for Course Authority PL1-20 with 60 approved pre-licensing hours. Candidates must still satisfy all DFS licensing, application, fingerprinting, state exam, FSLSO registration, and appointment requirements before transacting surplus lines business.

Compliance Snapshot

DFS status
Approved on 05/22/2026
DFS Course ID
138638
Course Authority
PL1-20
Provider
National Course Portal, DFS Provider #374870
Approved hours
60
Launch tuition
$389.99
Course final
Closed-book, proctored, 50 questions, 60 minutes, 70% passing
Specialty
Surplus lines, FSLSO workflow, diligent effort, NRRA

What the Florida 1-20 Surplus Lines license covers

The Florida resident 1-20 Surplus Lines Agent license authorizes a producer to place coverage with eligible nonadmitted insurers when comparable coverage is not available in the admitted market. The license is required before transacting any surplus lines business in Florida.

Surplus lines is a specialty practice with strict procedural rules: a diligent effort to place with admitted carriers; written affidavit by the insured; disclosure that the policy is not protected by the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA); collection and remittance of surplus lines premium tax and FSLSO service fee; and recordkeeping that survives audit.

What changed on May 22, 2026

Florida DFS approved National Course Portal's Surplus Lines 1-20 course on 05/22/2026 as Course ID #138638 for Course Authority PL1-20 with 60 approved hours. Enrollment is open through the public course page.

The approved course includes sequential lesson release, identity verification, active seat-time enforcement, lesson-end validation, and a closed-book proctored 50-question final exam with a defined exam window.

  • DFS Provider #374870.
  • DFS Course ID #138638.
  • Course Authority PL1-20.
  • 60 approved hours.
  • Self-study online delivery.
  • English and Spanish instruction with full translation.

What the course covers

The course aligns with the Pearson VUE Florida Surplus Lines content outline. Topics include the admitted vs. nonadmitted market structure, the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (FSLSO) workflow, diligent effort and the export list, eligible surplus lines insurer (ESLI) requirements, alien insurer rules, surplus lines premium tax and FSLSO service fee, policy disclosure and the FIGA non-protection notice, the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act (NRRA), exempt commercial purchaser rules, and producer ethics in surplus lines transactions.

Real-world workflows are emphasized: completing the diligent effort documentation, stamping a surplus lines policy through FSLSO, calculating the correct tax and fees, and handling the consumer disclosure that the policy is not protected by FIGA.

Why surplus lines is a distinct license

Surplus lines authority is not automatically included with the 2-20 General Lines license. A surplus lines agent must hold the 1-20 designation specifically. The role bridges insurance brokerage and tax-collection responsibility, with state and federal reporting obligations that demand specialized training.

Because surplus lines policies are not protected by FIGA, the agent's role in disclosing the coverage's status and confirming the insurer's eligibility is critical. The course emphasizes the producer-side discipline that protects both the insured and the producer's license.

What the course does not replace

Course approval does not guarantee a state exam pass, a license issuance, background clearance, FSLSO registration, or carrier appointment. Candidates remain responsible for the Florida DFS application, fingerprinting, Pearson VUE exam scheduling, state fees, FSLSO setup, and broker appointments with eligible surplus lines insurers.

Employer Checklist

  1. 1Confirm the 1-20 Surplus Lines license matches your intended business model.
  2. 2Enroll through the public course page.
  3. 3Complete every lesson in order and satisfy active seat-time and validation prompts.
  4. 4Use practice exams to consolidate FSLSO workflow, tax calculations, and disclosure rules.
  5. 5Pass the closed-book proctored course final with at least 70%.
  6. 6Schedule and pass the Florida Surplus Lines state exam through Pearson VUE.
  7. 7Complete the DFS application, fingerprinting, fee, and appointment steps.
  8. 8Set up FSLSO registration and bonding before transacting business.

FAQ

Is the Florida 1-20 Surplus Lines course DFS-approved?

Yes. Florida DFS approved the course on 05/22/2026 as Course ID #138638 for Course Authority PL1-20 with 60 approved hours under DFS Provider #374870.

Do I need a 2-20 General Lines license to hold the 1-20 license?

Florida statute and DFS rule establish the eligibility prerequisites for the 1-20 license; candidates should verify the current DFS qualification requirements. The pre-licensing course alone does not establish underlying licensure.

What is FSLSO and why does the course cover it so heavily?

The Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (FSLSO) is the statutory entity that processes surplus lines stamping and tax collection. Every surplus lines transaction in Florida is processed through FSLSO. The course covers FSLSO workflow because agents transact daily with FSLSO and audit risk is real.

Are surplus lines policies protected by the Florida Guaranty Association?

No. The Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) does not protect policies placed with nonadmitted insurers. The agent must disclose this in writing to the insured before binding. The course covers the precise disclosure language.

Does the course discuss the NRRA?

Yes. The Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act (NRRA, federal Dodd-Frank Title V) is covered. NRRA establishes the insured's home state as the sole regulator and tax collector for surplus lines transactions.

Official Sources

This guide is general information for employer planning. It is not legal advice, and employers should confirm requirements with counsel, the regulator, or the requesting agency before relying on any course for a specific obligation.