Selling Life Insurance In Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide

To sell life insurance in Georgia, you must be a licensed insurance agent. The process of becoming a licensed insurance agent in Georgia involves six steps:

1. Complete a pre-licensing education course: The amount of educational training required will depend on the insurance license type. For example, a credit insurance license requires minimal study (5 hours), while more comprehensive licenses, such as Life, Accident, and Sickness, require a 40-hour pre-licensing course.

2. Pass the relevant Georgia insurance license exam: The exam must be taken through Pearson VUE and requires a passing score of 70%. The exam fee is $63.

3. Complete a Citizenship Affidavit: This form attests to your United States citizenship or lawful presence within the country and must be submitted with your license application.

4. Submit your insurance license application: The application can be submitted online through the Sircon or NIPR websites. There is a filing fee of $100 and a processing fee of $20 for each license.

5. Complete a fingerprint and background check: All new insurance agent applicants must register with the state's approved vendor, Fieldprint, for a background investigation.

6. Application review: After submitting the application and fulfilling all requirements, the Georgia Commissioner of Insurance and Safety reviews the application and background check. The average turnaround time for this process is 14 business days.

How to get a life insurance license in Georgia

To sell life insurance in Georgia, you must be a licensed insurance agent. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get a life insurance license in Georgia.

Step 1: Complete a Pre-licensing Course

Before taking the Georgia life insurance licensing exam, it is important to acquire the knowledge needed to pass. In Georgia, you are required to complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education for life insurance. A pre-licensing course will provide you with the necessary information and tools to prepare for the exam. It is recommended to use a reputable provider, such as ExamFX or Kaplan, to ensure you have the best chance of passing.

Step 2: Take the Georgia Life Insurance Licensing Exam

The Georgia life insurance exam consists of 80 scored questions across five sections: Policy Riders, Provisions, Options, and Exclusions; Completing the Application, Underwriting, and Delivering the Policy; Taxes, Retirement, and Other Insurance Concepts; and State Laws, Rules, and Regulations. You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam, which is proctored and administered by Pearson VUE. The exam fee is $63, payable by credit card, debit card, or voucher.

Step 3: Complete a Citizenship Affidavit

The State of Georgia requires you to submit a notarized Citizenship Affidavit Form (GID-276-EN) to confirm your U.S. citizenship. This form must be included with your license application, and your application cannot be processed without it.

Step 4: Complete a Georgia Life Insurance License Application

Once you have passed the exam and completed the citizenship affidavit, you can apply for your Georgia life insurance license. The application must be submitted online via Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). The application fee is $100, plus a $20 processing fee. You must be at least 18 years old and attach your completed citizenship affidavit form and a copy of a valid identification document to your application.

Step 5: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check

In Georgia, you must apply for an insurance license before registering for a fingerprint-based background check with Fieldprint. The fee for this service is $51.50. After registering, you will receive an approval email, which you must take to the fingerprinting site. Your fingerprints will be electronically scanned, avoiding the need for ink.

Step 6: Wait for Your Application Results

After completing the above steps, the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner will review your application and background check. If there are any issues, they will contact you via email. If your application is approved, you will receive your license via email through Sircon or NIPR. The average processing time is 14 business days.

Additional Requirements

To maintain your life insurance license in Georgia, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years, with at least three of those hours focusing on ethics.

How to sell life insurance in Georgia

To sell life insurance in Georgia, you must be a licensed insurance agent. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to obtain your license and start selling life insurance in Georgia:

Step 1: Complete a Pre-Licensing Course

Firstly, you need to complete a pre-licensing course specific to the type of insurance you wish to sell. In the state of Georgia, you are required to take an approved 20-hour course for each line of authority you wish to be licensed for. For example, if you want to sell life insurance, you must complete the 20-hour pre-licensing course for the 'Life, Accident & Sickness (Health)' category. Alternatively, you can take a 40-hour course that covers both 'Life and Accident & Sickness'. These courses are self-paced and include study materials such as practice exams and flashcards.

Step 2: Pass the Georgia Life Insurance Licensing Exam

After completing your pre-licensing course, you must pass the Georgia Life Insurance Licensing Exam. This exam is administered by Pearson VUE and costs $63. The exam consists of 80 scored questions across five sections, and you will have 120 minutes to complete it. It is recommended that you take the exam as soon as possible after finishing your pre-licensing course while the information is still fresh in your mind.

Step 3: Complete a Citizenship Affidavit

The State of Georgia requires you to submit a notarized Citizenship Affidavit Form (GID-276-EN) to confirm your U.S. citizenship. This form must be included in your license application, and your application cannot be processed without it.

Step 4: Submit Your Insurance License Application

Once you have passed the licensing exam and completed your citizenship affidavit, you can apply for your Georgia life insurance license. The application must be submitted online via the Sircon or National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) websites. There is a $100 application fee and a $20 processing fee. Along with your application, you must attach your completed citizenship affidavit form and a copy of a valid identification document.

Step 5: Complete a Fingerprint and Background Check

As part of the licensing process, you will need to register with the state's approved vendor, Fieldprint, to complete a fingerprint-based background check. You will need to visit the Fieldprint website and register, after which you will receive a registration approval email that you must bring to the fingerprinting site. It is important to note that you cannot schedule a fingerprinting appointment until after your license application has been submitted. The fee for fingerprinting services is $51.50.

Step 6: Receive Your License

After completing all the above steps and submitting your license application, the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner will review your application and background check. If there are no issues, you will receive your license via email through Sircon's automated system or the NIPR's "Check Your Application or Transaction Status" tool. The average processing time is 14 business days.

Additional Considerations:

• To maintain your license in Georgia, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years, with at least three of those hours focusing on ethics.
• If you plan on selling advanced life insurance products, you will likely need to pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam and obtain relevant securities licenses (e.g., Series 6, 7, and 63).
• You will need to decide whether to work as a captive agent for a single company or run your independent business as an independent agent.

How to renew a life insurance license in Georgia

To renew a life insurance license in Georgia, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years, with at least three of those hours focusing on ethics. It is recommended to complete all continuing education credits 30 days before your license expires. The renewal fee is $100 per line of authority, plus a $5 processing fee. Late renewals will incur a $115 late fee.

• Complete Georgia Insurance License Continuing Education: You can choose to take a self-paced course online, attend an in-person class, or join a scheduled online webinar. The Georgia Insurance Continuing Education Courses cover various topics, including insurance policies, ethics, insurance law, and more.
• Apply for Georgia Insurance License Renewal: Log in to your account on Sircon or NIPR, which are the platforms you would have used when you initially applied for your license. NIPR charges a $5.60 processing fee, while Sircon charges $5. The Georgia Department of Insurance does not charge a processing fee, so it is recommended to renew your license through them more than 30 days before it expires.
• Pay the Georgia Insurance License Renewal Fee: The renewal fee is $100 per line of authority. You can pay via Sircon or NIPR using a credit card, electronic check, or your chosen online payment system.

By following these steps, your insurance license in Georgia will be renewed and valid for another two years.

How to cancel a life insurance license in Georgia

To cancel your life insurance license in Georgia, you need to complete the License Cancellation Form – State of Georgia. There is no fee required for this process.

How to Get a Life Insurance License in Georgia:

The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner requires you to complete a six-step process to become a life insurance agent in Georgia. These steps include taking the life insurance exam, applying for a license, and more. Here's a detailed breakdown of the process:

Step 1: Complete a Georgia Insurance Pre-license Course

Before taking the Georgia life insurance licensing exam, it's recommended to enroll in a pre-license education course. This course will provide you with the necessary knowledge to pass the exam and prepare you for your future role as a life insurance agent. Georgia requires 20 hours of pre-license education for life insurance. These courses are self-paced and often include study materials like practice exams and flashcards.

Step 2: Take the Georgia Life Insurance Licensing Exam

After completing your prep course and independent studying, you'll need to take the Georgia life insurance exam. Georgia uses Pearson VUE as its official testing service. The exam consists of 80 scored questions across five sections, and you'll have 120 minutes to complete it. The exam fee is $63, payable by credit card, debit card, or voucher.

Step 3: Complete a Citizenship Affidavit

The State of Georgia requires you to submit a notarized Citizenship Affidavit Form (GID-276-EN) to confirm your U.S. citizenship. This form must be included with your license application, and your application cannot be processed without it.

Step 4: Complete a Georgia Life Insurance License Application

Once you've passed the life insurance exam and completed your citizenship affidavit, you can apply for your Georgia life insurance license. The application fee is $100, plus a $20 processing fee. You must apply online via Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). Along with your application, you'll need to attach your completed citizenship affidavit form and a copy of a valid identification document.

The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner will issue a life insurance license to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have passed the licensing exam. It is recommended that you submit your completed license application within 12 months of passing the exam.

Step 5: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check

In Georgia, you must apply for an insurance license before registering for and undergoing a fingerprint-based background check through Fieldprint. The fee for this service is $51.50. After registering on the Fieldprint website, you'll receive a registration approval email that you need to bring to the fingerprinting site.

Step 6: Watch for Your Application Results

After completing the previous five steps, the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner will review your application and background check. If there are any issues, they will contact you via email. If your application is approved, you'll receive your license via email through Sircon's automated system or through NIPR's "Check Your Application or Transaction Status" tool. The average processing time is 14 business days.

Additional Information:

Once you obtain your Georgia life insurance license, there are a few more steps to consider:

• Obtain Relevant Securities Licenses: If you plan on selling advanced life insurance products, you'll likely need to pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam and obtain relevant securities licenses (e.g., Series 6, 7, and 63).
• Choose Your Means of Selling: Decide whether you prefer working as a captive agent for a single company or running your own business as an independent agent.
• Develop Your Marketing Approach: Adopt a marketing strategy that suits your business goals and stick to a specific niche to improve client conversions.
• Fulfill Your Certificate of Authority Requirements: To conduct insurance business in Georgia, obtain a Certificate of Authority (CA) Appointment directly from an insurance company. This certificate covers "all classes of insurance held in common by the agent and the insurer."
• Keep Your License Valid: In Georgia, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years to renew your license, with at least three of those hours focusing on ethics.

How to Cancel Your Life Insurance License:

To cancel your life insurance license in Georgia, simply complete the License Cancellation Form – State of Georgia, and email the completed form to . There is no fee required for this process.

How to transfer a life insurance license to Georgia

To transfer a life insurance license to Georgia from another state, you must:

• Request a letter of clearance from your current state
• Check and confirm your license is inactive in your current state
• Within 90 days of that date, apply via Sircon for your Georgia license. This must be done within that time period to be exempted from pre-licensing courses, exams, and fingerprinting

The process to obtain a life insurance license in Georgia is the same as the process to transfer a license from another state. The steps are as follows:

• Complete a Georgia Insurance Pre-license Course
• Take the Georgia Life Insurance Licensing Exam
• Complete a Citizenship Affidavit
• Complete a Georgia Life Insurance License Application
• Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check
• Watch for Your Application Results

Step 1: Complete a Georgia Insurance Pre-license Course

Before taking the Georgia life insurance licensing exam, it is important to acquire the knowledge necessary to pass the exam on your first attempt. Georgia requires 20 hours of pre-license education for life insurance. Pre-license education courses are self-paced and include study materials like practice exams and flashcards.

Step 2: Take the Georgia Life Insurance Licensing Exam

After completing a prep course and your own independent studying, you will need to take the Georgia life insurance exam. Georgia uses Pearson VUE as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams. The exam outline contains a total of 80 scored questions that include five sections:

• Policy Riders, Provisions, Options, and Exclusions
• Completing the Application, Underwriting, and Delivering the Policy
• Taxes, Retirement, and Other Insurance Concepts
• State Laws, Rules, and Regulations

You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam. The exam fee is $63, which must be paid at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher. The exam is proctored, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.

Step 3: Complete a Citizenship Affidavit

The State of Georgia requires you to submit a notarized Citizenship Affidavit Form (GID-276-EN) to vouch for your U.S. citizenship. You must include your notarized Citizenship Affidavit Form in your license application. Your application cannot be processed for approval without this form and its attachments.

Step 4: Complete a Georgia Life Insurance License Application

Once you pass the life insurance exam and complete your citizenship affidavit, you can apply for your Georgia life insurance license. The application fee is $100, plus a $20 processing fee. You must apply online via Sircon or the NIPR. Attach your completed citizenship affidavit form and a copy of a valid identification document to your online application.

The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner will issue a life insurance license to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have passed the proper licensing exam. You should submit your completed license application within 12 months of passing the exam.

Step 5: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check

In Georgia, you must apply for an insurance license before registering for and getting a fingerprint-based background check from Fieldprint. The fee for fingerprinting services is $51.50 to cover the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records. After registering at Fieldprint’s website, you will receive a registration approval email from the company. You need to take that registration approval message with you to the fingerprinting site for inspection before Fieldprint will take your fingerprints. Fieldprint will electronically scan your fingerprints, which avoids the need for inked fingerprint cards.

Step 6: Watch for Your Application Results

After completing the previous five steps, the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner will review your application and background check. If there is an issue with your application, a representative will contact you via email. If your application is approved, you will receive your license via email through Sircon’s automated system or you can check NIPR’s “Check Your Application or Transaction Status” tool.

Processing times may vary, but the average turnaround time is 14 business days. You can print your license from either the Sircon or the NIPR website.

Frequently asked questions