Florida Supreme Court Approved Insurance Law Certification
The Florida Bar will launch a new board certification program for insurance attorneys starting in 2027.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Insurance
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The Florida Supreme Court has officially approved a new board certification program for insurance law. This initiative will be implemented by The Florida Bar beginning on January 1, 2027.
Why it matters
The new certification aims to ensure that attorneys representing themselves as insurance specialists possess sufficient experience and training. This move aligns the state with Ohio and Texas, which are the only other jurisdictions offering similar specialized credentials.
Applicants must demonstrate five years of legal practice with at least 40% devoted to insurance and complete 50 hours of continuing legal education. Lawyers with 20 years of insurance law experience may qualify for exemptions from certain requirements.
The players
Florida Supreme Court
This is the highest judicial authority in the state of Florida that holds the power to regulate legal practice and attorney certifications.
The Florida Bar
This organization serves as the mandatory professional association for all attorneys licensed to practice law in the state of Florida.
The details
Attorneys seeking this certification must pass a board-devised examination to prove their competency in insurance matters. The Florida Bar is currently accepting applications for the committee that will oversee the design of this certification exam.
Timeline
The concept for the insurance certification plan began in 2018.
A formal proposal was drafted in 2024.
The Florida Supreme Court issued the final approval order on October 8, 2026.
Submissions for the exam committee are due by November 15, 2026.
The official insurance law certification program takes effect on January 1, 2027.
Market Dynamics
Florida's adoption of insurance law certification follows the established framework of specialized legal credentialing used in states like Ohio and Texas. This move marks a structural change in the state's legal industry by formalizing expertise standards for the insurance sector.
For policyholders and clients, this certification will eventually provide a reliable method to identify attorneys who meet high standards of specialized expertise. Consumers should expect this credential to become a key marker when selecting legal representation for insurance disputes.
The takeaway
This new certification process establishes a higher professional benchmark for attorneys handling complex insurance matters in Florida. Residents seeking legal counsel for insurance issues should verify if their attorney holds this new board-certified status once the program launches.
What happens next
The Florida Bar will appoint members to the insurance law certification exam committee following the November 15, 2026, deadline.
Further reading
Learn more about legal protections and policy standards in the Florida Insurance section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Insurance Journal.
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