Alyssa Lane
The number of continuing education (CE) credit hours required for insurance agents to renew their licenses varies by state and license type. Most insurance agent licenses are valid for two years, but this can range from two to four years depending on the state. Generally, insurance agents must complete 24 hours of CE every two years, with some states requiring additional hours for specific licenses or designations. For example, in Georgia, resident licensees with less than 20 years of experience must complete 24 hours of CE, while those with more than 20 years of experience need only 20 hours. Insurance agents in New York need 15 credits to renew their licenses, while those in Texas and Washington must complete 24 hours of CE, including three hours of ethics credits. Online tools are available in most states to help insurance agents track their CE credits and ensure they meet the requirements for license renewal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Renewal period | 2 years (most states), 3-4 years (some states) |
| Number of CE hours | 24 hours (TX, WA), 15 hours (NY), 12 hours (GA with certain designations) |
| Ethics hours | 3 hours (TX, WA, GA), 2 hours (TX pre-2022) |
| Flood insurance instruction | 1 hour (NY), 3 hours (NY if selling flood insurance through NFIP) |
| Online courses | Allowed in many states |
| Self-study courses | Allowed in many states |
| Classroom training | Required in some states |
| Exam retakes | Unlimited in most states |
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What You'll Learn
Credit hours vary by state
The number of continuing education (CE) credit hours required for insurance agents varies across different states in the US. Generally, insurance agent licenses are up for renewal every two years, but some states have longer active periods of three or four years.
In Georgia, the number of CE hours varies depending on the type of license and years of experience. For instance, resident licensees with less than 20 years of service are required to complete 24 hours, with 3 of those in ethics, while resident licensees with more than 20 years need to complete 20 hours, including 3 hours of ethics. Those with designations such as CPCU, CLU, or FLMI are required to complete 12 hours, with 3 in ethics.
In New York, 15 credits of CE are needed to renew or relicense certain insurance licenses. For relicensing, credits from the previous licensing period can be used, and at least one hour of flood insurance instruction is required for licensees selling property or casualty insurance.
Texas requires 24 hours of CE for each license period, with 3 of those hours dedicated to ethics.
Washington also mandates a total of 24 CE credit hours for adjusters, including 3 hours of ethics credits.
While the specific requirements differ across states, many allow online and self-study courses, with some states mandating a few hours of classroom training. Most courses are related to the specific line of insurance for which an agent is licensed.
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Renewal periods differ by state
The renewal period for insurance agents' licenses differs from state to state. Most insurance agent licenses are valid for two years, but some states have licenses that are active for three or four years. For insurance adjusters, licenses are typically valid for two years, but there are also states where a license is not necessary.
The requirements for renewing a license also vary by state. For example, in Georgia, resident licensees with less than 20 years of service are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of ethics. On the other hand, resident licensees with more than 20 years of service need to finish 20 hours, with 3 hours dedicated to ethics. Additionally, certain designations, such as CPCU, CLU, and FLMI, require 12 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of ethics.
In New York, insurance license renewal or relicensing necessitates 15 credits of continuing education. This includes at least one hour of flood insurance instruction if the licensee sells property or casualty insurance. If the licensee sells flood insurance through the NFIP, three hours of enhanced flood insurance instruction are mandatory.
Texas mandates 24 hours of continuing education for each license period, including three hours of ethics. Washington state also requires 24 credit hours, with three of those dedicated to ethics.
It is important to note that the number of continuing education hours and the specific requirements may change over time, and insurance agents should refer to their state's official guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
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Ethics classes are mandatory
The number of Continuing Education (CE) hours required for insurance agents varies by state and license type. Generally, insurance agent licenses are up for renewal after two years, and most states require 24 hours of CE credits during this period. However, the specific requirements differ across states. For example, in Georgia, resident licensees with less than 20 years of service must complete 24 hours of CE, including 3 hours of ethics, while those with more than 20 years of service need to complete 20 hours, with 3 hours dedicated to ethics. In New York, 15 credits of CE are mandated for license renewal, including at least one hour of flood insurance instruction for property/casualty insurance licensees. Texas previously required 2 hours of ethics CE during each license period but has recently increased this requirement to 3 hours.
Ethics classes are a mandatory component of continuing education for insurance agents in many states. The number of hours dedicated to ethics classes ranges from 2 to 3 hours within the overall CE requirement. For instance, in Georgia, resident licensees must complete 3 hours of ethics classes, regardless of their years of service. Similarly, Washington requires 3 hours of ethics credits as part of the total 24 credit hours of CE for insurance adjusters.
The importance of ethics classes in the insurance industry is underscored by their mandatory inclusion in CE programs. These classes ensure that insurance professionals stay updated with ethical practices and maintain the highest standards of integrity in their work. The specific content covered in these ethics classes may include topics such as ethical decision-making frameworks, professional conduct, conflict of interest management, and industry-specific ethical dilemmas.
While the number of hours allocated to ethics classes may vary, their presence as a mandatory component in many states' CE requirements highlights the industry's recognition of the critical role ethics plays in insurance. By providing a dedicated focus on ethical practices, insurance agents can enhance their professional conduct, protect consumers' interests, and promote trust in the insurance industry.
In addition to ethics classes, insurance agents may also be required to take courses specific to their line of work. These could include subjects such as insurance law, regulatory changes, and flood insurance, depending on the state and the agent's area of specialization. It is important for insurance agents to stay informed about the specific CE requirements in their state and plan their continuing education accordingly.
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Flood insurance courses are required in some states
The number of continuing education (CE) credit hours required for insurance agents varies by state and the type of license held. Generally, insurance agents need to earn 24 hours of credit every two years, but this can range from 10 to 24 hours biennially, depending on the state and license type. Some states require a few hours of classroom training, while others allow online and self-study courses. Most of the courses are related to the specific line of insurance for which the agent is licensed.
Flood insurance courses are required in certain states for property and casualty or personal lines agents or adjusters. This requirement is typically a one-time course related to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and provides at least three hours of continuing education credit. States such as Kansas, Nebraska, New York, and Missouri have established these flood insurance training requirements for agents selling or servicing flood insurance under the NFIP. The failure to comply with these requirements may result in the agent's authority to write flood insurance through the NFIP being jeopardized.
The NFIP, established in 1968 and managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is a partnership between the federal government, the property and casualty insurance industry, states, local officials, lending institutions, and property owners. It provides insurance to mitigate the socio-economic impact of floods, which can cause significant damage even with just one inch of floodwater.
It is important for insurance agents to stay updated with the latest requirements and regulations in their respective states. They can refer to state insurance department websites or seek guidance from relevant organizations, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), to ensure they meet the necessary CE credit hours and specific course requirements, including those related to flood insurance.
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Credits can be earned online or in classrooms
The requirements for continuing education (CE) credits for insurance agents vary depending on the state and the type of license held. Generally, insurance agents need to earn around 24 hours of credit every two years, with at least half of these hours being completed in a classroom or "classroom equivalent" setting. However, this may differ based on the number of years of experience an agent has and the specific state they are licensed in. For example, in Georgia, resident licensees with less than 20 years of experience are required to complete 24 hours of CE, while those with more than 20 years of experience need only 20 hours.
Classroom courses that qualify for CE credits are typically offered by accredited colleges, universities, or law schools, or they may be part of a national designation certification program. Additionally, courses approved for classroom credit by a state bar association or state board of public accountancy are also acceptable. These courses often cover topics such as ethics, insurance law and regulatory changes, and specific types of insurance, such as flood insurance.
Online courses can also provide a convenient and flexible way for insurance agents to earn their CE credits. Many providers offer online platforms that allow agents to complete their courses remotely, at their own pace. These courses may also offer the advantage of unlimited exam retakes, ensuring that agents have multiple opportunities to pass their exams and earn their credits. Whether opting for online or classroom-based learning, it is essential for insurance agents to stay updated with the latest industry developments and continue enhancing their skills and knowledge.
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Frequently asked questions
24 hours of continuing education are required for each license period.
15 credit hours of instruction are required to renew or relicense certain insurance licenses.
Resident licensees with less than 20 years of service are required to complete 24 hours, 3 of which must be in ethics. Resident licensees with more than 20 years of service need to complete 20 hours, with 3 hours dedicated to ethics.
Individuals with these designations are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education, with 3 hours dedicated to ethics.
Most insurance agent licenses are up for renewal after two years, but there are states where licenses are active for up to three or four years.
