Fla. Stat. 648.386
Qualifications for prelicensing and continuing education schools and instructors

(1)

DEFINITION OF “CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION”.—As used in this section, the term “classroom instruction” means a course designed to be presented to a group of students by a live instructor using lecture, video, webcast, or virtual or other audio-video presentation.

(2)

SCHOOLS AND CURRICULUM FOR PRELICENSING SCHOOLS.—In order to be considered for approval and certification as an approved limited surety agent and professional bail bond agent prelicensing school, such entity must:
Offer a minimum of two 120-hour classroom-instruction basic certification courses in the criminal justice system per calendar year unless a reduced number of course offerings per calendar year is warranted in accordance with rules promulgated by the department; or
Offer a department-approved correspondence course pursuant to department rules.
Submit a prelicensing course curriculum to the department for approval.If applicable, offer prelicensing classes which are taught by instructors approved by the department.

(a)1.

Offer a minimum of two 120-hour classroom-instruction basic certification courses in the criminal justice system per calendar year unless a reduced number of course offerings per calendar year is warranted in accordance with rules promulgated by the department; orOffer a department-approved correspondence course pursuant to department rules.
(a)1. Offer a minimum of two 120-hour classroom-instruction basic certification courses in the criminal justice system per calendar year unless a reduced number of course offerings per calendar year is warranted in accordance with rules promulgated by the department; or
2. Offer a department-approved correspondence course pursuant to department rules.

(b)

Submit a prelicensing course curriculum to the department for approval.

(c)

If applicable, offer prelicensing classes which are taught by instructors approved by the department.

(3)

SCHOOLS AND CURRICULUM FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION SCHOOLS.—In order to be considered for approval and certification as an approved limited surety agent and professional bail bond agent continuing education school, such entity must:Provide a minimum of three classroom-instruction continuing education classes per calendar year.Submit a course curriculum to the department for approval.Offer continuing education classes that comprise a minimum of 2 hours of approved classroom-instruction coursework and are taught by an approved supervising instructor or guest lecturer approved by the entity or the supervising instructor.

(a)

Provide a minimum of three classroom-instruction continuing education classes per calendar year.

(b)

Submit a course curriculum to the department for approval.

(c)

Offer continuing education classes that comprise a minimum of 2 hours of approved classroom-instruction coursework and are taught by an approved supervising instructor or guest lecturer approved by the entity or the supervising instructor.

(4)

GEOGRAPHIC REQUIREMENTS.—Any provider approved under this section by the department to offer prelicensing courses or continuing education courses shall be required to offer such courses in at least two geographic areas of the state until such time that the department determines that there are adequate providers statewide to provide these courses to applicants and licensees.

(5)

INSTRUCTOR’S DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS.—Each course must have a supervising instructor who is approved by the department. The supervising instructor shall be present at all classes. The supervising instructor is responsible for:
All course instructors.
All guest lecturers.
The course outlines and curriculum.
Certification of each attending limited surety agent or professional bail bond agent.
Completion of all required forms.
Assuring that the course is approved.

Either the entity or the supervising instructor may approve guest lecturers.

In order to obtain department approval as a supervising instructor, the following qualifications must be met:
During the past 15 years, the person must have had at least 10 years’ experience as a manager or officer of a managing general agent in this state as prescribed in s. 648.388;
During the past 15 years, the person must have had at least 10 years’ experience as a manager or officer of an insurance company authorized to and actively engaged in underwriting bail in this state, provided there is a showing that the manager’s or officer’s experience is directly related to the bail bond industry; or
The person has been a licensed bail bond agent in this state for at least 10 years.
In order to obtain department approval as an instructor or guest lecturer, the person must be qualified by education or experience in the specific area of instruction as prescribed by department rules.A person teaching any approved course of instruction or lecturing at any approved seminar and attending the entire course or seminar shall qualify for the same number of classroom hours as would be granted to a person taking and successfully completing such course, seminar, or program. Credit shall be limited to the number of hours actually taught unless a person attends the entire course or seminar.The department shall adopt rules necessary to carry out the duties conferred upon it under this section.

(a)

Each course must have a supervising instructor who is approved by the department. The supervising instructor shall be present at all classes. The supervising instructor is responsible for:All course instructors.All guest lecturers.The course outlines and curriculum.Certification of each attending limited surety agent or professional bail bond agent.Completion of all required forms.Assuring that the course is approved.

Either the entity or the supervising instructor may approve guest lecturers.

1. All course instructors.
2. All guest lecturers.
3. The course outlines and curriculum.
4. Certification of each attending limited surety agent or professional bail bond agent.
5. Completion of all required forms.
6. Assuring that the course is approved.

(b)

In order to obtain department approval as a supervising instructor, the following qualifications must be met:During the past 15 years, the person must have had at least 10 years’ experience as a manager or officer of a managing general agent in this state as prescribed in s. 648.388;During the past 15 years, the person must have had at least 10 years’ experience as a manager or officer of an insurance company authorized to and actively engaged in underwriting bail in this state, provided there is a showing that the manager’s or officer’s experience is directly related to the bail bond industry; orThe person has been a licensed bail bond agent in this state for at least 10 years.
1. During the past 15 years, the person must have had at least 10 years’ experience as a manager or officer of a managing general agent in this state as prescribed in s. 648.388;
2. During the past 15 years, the person must have had at least 10 years’ experience as a manager or officer of an insurance company authorized to and actively engaged in underwriting bail in this state, provided there is a showing that the manager’s or officer’s experience is directly related to the bail bond industry; or
3. The person has been a licensed bail bond agent in this state for at least 10 years.

(c)

In order to obtain department approval as an instructor or guest lecturer, the person must be qualified by education or experience in the specific area of instruction as prescribed by department rules.

(d)

A person teaching any approved course of instruction or lecturing at any approved seminar and attending the entire course or seminar shall qualify for the same number of classroom hours as would be granted to a person taking and successfully completing such course, seminar, or program. Credit shall be limited to the number of hours actually taught unless a person attends the entire course or seminar.

(e)

The department shall adopt rules necessary to carry out the duties conferred upon it under this section.

Source: Section 648.386 — Qualifications for prelicensing and continuing education schools and instructors, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0648.­386 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

648.24
Declaration of public policy 648.25
Definitions 648.26
Department of Financial Services 648.27
Licenses and appointments 648.29
Build-up funds posted by bail bond agent 648.30
Licensure and appointment required 648.31
Appointment taxes and fees 648.33
Bail bond rates 648.34
Bail bond agents 648.35
Professional bail bond agent 648.36
Bail bond agent’s records 648.38
Licensure examination for bail bond agents 648.39
Termination of appointment of managing general agents, bail bond agents, and bail bond agencies 648.40
Application for appointment of professional bail bond agents 648.42
Registration of bail bond agents 648.43
Power of attorney 648.44
Prohibitions 648.45
Actions against a licensee 648.46
Procedure for disciplinary action against licensees 648.48
Witnesses and evidence 648.49
Duration of suspension or revocation 648.50
Effect of suspension, revocation upon associated licenses and licensees 648.51
Surrender of license 648.52
Administrative fine 648.53
Probation 648.55
All bail bond agents of same agency 648.57
Penalty 648.58
Injunctive proceedings 648.279
Scope of license 648.285
Bond agency 648.295
Reporting and accounting of funds 648.315
Number of applications for licensure required 648.355
Limited surety agents and professional bail bond agents 648.365
Statistical reporting requirements 648.381
Reexamination 648.382
Appointment of bail bond agents and bail bond agencies 648.383
Renewal, continuation, reinstatement, and termination of appointment 648.384
Effect of expiration of appointment 648.385
Continuing education required 648.386
Qualifications for prelicensing and continuing education schools and instructors 648.387
Bail bond agent in charge 648.388
Insurer must appoint managing general agent 648.421
Notice of change of address or telephone number 648.441
Furnishing supplies to unlicensed bail bond agent prohibited 648.442
Collateral security 648.525
Civil assessment 648.571
Failure to return collateral 648.3875
Bail bond agent in charge 648.4425
Notice

Current through Fall 2025

§ 648.386. Qualifications for prelicensing & continuing education schools and instructors's source at flsenate​.gov