Florida’s professional landscape is currently standing at its most significant crossroads in decades. As the 2026 Legislative Session gains momentum, two major bills—House Bill 607 and Senate Bill 1306—threaten to redefine what it means to be a licensed professional in the Sunshine State.

Whether you are a seasoned Real Estate Broker or a dedicated Insurance Agent, the updates coming out of Tallahassee this month will directly impact your career, your compliance requirements, and your competitive edge.

1. The Real Estate Shockwave: The End of Mandatory CE?

For decades, Florida Real Estate licensees have operated under the watchful eye of the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), which sets and enforces many of the standards for education and conduct.

However, HB 607 (filed in late 2025 and currently moving through committees) proposes a radical departure from this model by shifting authority away from multiple boards and commissions—including those tied to real estate—directly to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

The Proposed Changes (Effective July 1, 2026):

  • Elimination of Continuing Education (CE): HB 607 removes the statutory requirement for 14-hour continuing education for real estate brokers, broker associates, and sales associates as a condition of license renewal.
  • Shifting or Eliminating Board Authority: The bill restructures or eliminates various professional boards and transfers many of their powers to DBPR, changing how oversight and rulemaking are carried out.
  • Removing Post-Licensure Hurdles: The proposal strikes post-licensure education requirements from the statutes for real estate brokers and sales associates, simplifying the renewal pathway in law but not in practice for those who want to remain competitive.

What this means for you: While “no more school” might sound like a relief, it creates a massive void in professional standards and shared baseline knowledge across the industry.

In an era of AI integration, complex legal disclosures, and rapidly changing forms, the responsibility for staying competent will shift from the state to the individual, and professionals who continue to invest in high-level training will be the ones who preserve consumer trust and long-term career stability.

2. Insurance Licensing: The Fraud Crackdown

While Real Estate may be heading toward deregulation on the education side, the Insurance industry is moving in the opposite direction with tighter front-end screening and ongoing suitability checks.

Senate Bill 1306, filed on January 7, 2026, focuses on “Criminal Activity of Insurance Professionals” and aims to strengthen the state’s ability to screen out and remove bad actors from the insurance marketplace.

The Key Provisions of SB 1306:

  • Enhanced Fingerprinting: The bill requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to accept and process certain fingerprints, with applicants responsible for the cost of state and federal processing.
  • Inter-Agency Data Sharing: SB 1306 authorizes the FDLE and the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to exchange criminal history records to support licensing and disciplinary decisions.
  • Rigorous Background Checks: The OIR must review background check results and determine whether an applicant or licensee meets suitability standards, reinforcing that renewals are no longer “rubber-stamped.”

The takeaway: Florida is signaling that an Insurance license is a privilege tied to ongoing fitness, not a one-time credential. Compliance now includes continuous transparency, accurate disclosures, and a clean criminal and financial record throughout the life of a license.

3. The 2026 Insurance Summit: What’s Next?

Beyond the legislative changes, Insurance leaders are also confronting broader market trends and rate dynamics that affect every agent and agency in the state.

OIR Commissioner Mike Yaworsky has confirmed plans for a 2026 Insurance Summit, which is expected to spotlight Florida’s approved 6.9% average decrease in workers’ compensation rates for 2026 and the ongoing use of technology and AI in underwriting and risk assessment.

For licensees, “product knowledge” now includes understanding how data, automation, and AI models are changing rating, eligibility, and pricing—and how those changes translate into real savings or coverage trade-offs for clients.

4. How to Prepare for July 1, 2026

Transition periods are where the most successful professionals pull ahead, and July 1, 2026, is shaping up to be a major line in the sand for both real estate and insurance licensees.

Here is your 2026 action plan:

  1. Monitor HB 607: Track HB 607 through the committee process and official House and Senate pages so you know exactly which provisions pass and when they take effect.
  2. Audit Your Records: In light of SB 1306, verify that your applications, renewal filings, and background information are accurate and complete, and resolve any lingering issues before enhanced screening fully comes online.
  3. Upgrade Your Skillset: Whether continuing education remains mandatory or becomes optional, the market will continue to reward deep expertise in areas like AI ethics, fraud prevention, flood risk disclosures, and specialized insurance products.

At Oltraining.com, the commitment is to provide the high-level insights and training that legislation cannot replace, helping professionals navigate the shift from minimum compliance to durable excellence.

Regardless of what ultimately happens in Tallahassee, the standard of excellence remains the same: stay informed, stay licensed, and stay ahead of the changes that are reshaping Florida’s professional landscape.