We build LicensingPath™ by RegulatoryPath™ reports line by line from published agency pages, statutes and rules. Every Verified item carries a source cite and a checked date. Where published sources don't answer a point, the paid report keeps the sourced facts and labels that item “Unpublished, confirm with agency” or “Consult an attorney.” We do not draw a licensing conclusion.
LicensingPath™ by RegulatoryPath™ covers consumer installment licensing for every jurisdiction shown as live at checkout on regulatorypath.app (today: all 50 U.S. states and DC — 51 jurisdictions).
Research and filing preparation only. Not legal advice. Licensing determinations belong to the client's counsel.
The facts below come from our Florida Consumer Finance Act research. Each shows its Verified label and checked date of Oct 22, 2026. Fees, filing steps, bonds, liquid-asset alternatives, rate tables and bank-partner open points stay in the paid report.
Verified · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
A person may not engage in the business of making consumer finance loans, or run a branch of that business, without first getting an OFR license. A consumer finance loan is a loan of money, credit, goods or choses in action (including a line of credit) of $25,000 or less at interest above 18% a year. A loan made at a greater rate than ch. 516 allows is unenforceable in Florida, wherever it was made, and anyone who takes part in it in Florida is subject to ch. 516 (out-of-state exception for loans lawfully made under a similar consumer-finance law).
Whether any particular program needs that license is for the client's counsel. We do not make that call.
Agency · Verified · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
Florida Office of Financial Regulation, Division of Consumer Finance, 200 E. Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Statute · Verified · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
Florida Consumer Finance Act, ch. 516, F.S. (2026): definitions §516.01; license §§516.02, 516.03, 516.05; rates §516.031; discipline §516.07; examinations §516.11; records §516.12; annual report §516.38. Rules: ch. 69V-160, F.A.C. (application 69V-160.030; renewal .031; changes .032; financial responsibility .034; e-filing .036; liquid assets/bond .038; forms .039). Licensing timelines: §120.60, F.S.
Verified · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
Consumer Finance Company License (CF). Each location other than the main office needs a Consumer Finance Company Branch Office license (CB).
Verified · Last checked Oct 22, 2026
§516.02(4): ch. 516 “does not apply to any person who does business under, and as permitted by, any law of this state or of the United States relating to banks, savings banks, trust companies, building and loan associations, credit unions, or industrial loan and investment companies. A pawnbroker may not be licensed to transact business under this chapter.” OFR’s page also says the license does not apply to title loans or pawns; the 2026 statute text of §516.02(4) does not carry that sentence. OFR’s page describes ch. 516 licensing as reaching loans above 18% a year. Whether an applicant qualifies for an exemption under §516.02(4) is a question for counsel.
| Free (this page) | Paid LicensingPath™ Florida report |
|---|---|
| What ch. 516 regulates (sourced) | Application, license and renewal fee details |
| OFR + statute cites with checked dates | Liquid assets / bond alternatives, REAL System filing, timelines |
| License name as published | Rate and charge details; bank-partner open points |
| §516.02(4) carve-outs named (no applicant call) | Every item labeled Verified, "Unpublished, confirm with agency" or "Consult an attorney" |
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Is this legal advice?
No. Research and filing preparation only. Not legal advice. Licensing determinations belong to the client's counsel.
Which Florida agency is named in our verified research?
The Office of Financial Regulation, Division of Consumer Finance, verified against the agency's own source and last checked Oct 22, 2026.
What statute does our verified research cite?
Florida Consumer Finance Act, chapter 516, F.S., checked Oct 22, 2026.
Does the carve-out mean a non-bank installment lender is outside ch. 516?
We do not apply carve-outs to applicants. Whether an applicant qualifies for an exemption under §516.02(4) is a question for counsel.