Florida’s Adjuster CE Requirement Surprises Many
Failure to Comply Begins Stiff Penalties

Just as the first compliance requirement drew to a close in the Fall of 2005, two years after all Florida P&C adjusters learned of their new CE requirement, the Department of Financial Services, in the wake of the 2004 and 2005 storms, extended this compliance requirement, not once, but 3 times over an 18 month period.

This may have been good news for the hundreds of licensed adjusters who had paid little if any attention to the new law, but it was less than satisfying to the thousands who had worked diligently in 2004 and 2005 to ensure their own compliance with the new law, only to find those efforts were for nothing.  Fortunately for them, the DFS Education Section also granted a liberal interpretation of the “carry over” privilege, thus giving credit for 2004 and 2005 CE credits well on through years 2007 and 2008.

Yet despite the extensions, and despite all of the attention given to Florida Adjuster CE over the past five years, there are many whose procrastination or neglect for their own professional responsibilities continue to yield harsh realities. The realities are simple: Surrender your adjuster’s license or pay a $250.00 fine and secure all past due CE within a 60-day period. No excuses accepted. No further delays permitted. And, oh yes, “Don’t do it again!”

Lessons Learned Hard - Lessons Learned Best
Since 1989, Florida workers’ compensation adjusters have learned the hard way. It doesn’t matter the reason, and doesn’t matter if you’re one credit away or twenty-four, failure to comply with Florida’s Adjuster CE requirement is an unforgivable sin in the eyes of the regulators, and it will not be pardoned.

In today’s world there are likely only two excuses that may be accepted. One, you’ve were shipped out to Iraq last year and haven’t returned, or two, you passed away.  Sounds harsh?  Perhaps so, but it’s the law.

Fortunately, lessons learned hard are lessons learned best, and it only takes once.  Thereafter, once you’ve experienced the nightmare, you never forget again. Now Florida’s P&C and public adjusters are learning the lesson as they come to grips with this requirement.

Compliance Requirements End and Begin Again
The 2003 CE legislation became effective 7/1/2003, and the first series of compliance requirements would have ended 7/31/2005. Yet because of the extensions, compliance requirements that otherwise would have ended between 7/31/2005 and 12/31/2007 were passed over. Now, every month since January 2008, the Department’s Education Section is checking to see if adjusters have fulfilled their obligations; and as each month passes, adjusters are leaving one era and entering a new one.

Not surprisingly, more and more adjusters are beginning to check their transcripts on the Departments Agent/Adjuster Education Database, located at https://aalf.fldfs.com, to make sure their credits have posted. Unfortunately, too many don’t understand what they are looking at, nor do they understand how to read their compliance report or transcript.

The attached guide has been designed to assist you in navigating your way through your official Florida CE transcript and compliance report, and understanding the information contained therein. Click here:

Accessing and Understanding Your Florida Adjuster CE Transcript

For more information, contact the PCCP at (800) 820-4550.

James W. Greer, CPCU
President, Association of Property
& Casualty Claims Professionals (PCCP)