Jane Dotson
The number of continuing education (CE) hours required for insurance agents to renew their licenses varies by state and license type. For example, in Texas, 24 hours of CE are required for all licenses issued or renewed after November 1, 2015, with 3 of those hours dedicated to ethics. In New York, 15 credits of CE are necessary for certain insurance licenses, and these credits must be accumulated during the licensing period. Georgia also mandates 24 hours of CE for resident licensees with less than 20 years of experience, while those with over 20 years need 20 hours, with both groups requiring 3 hours in ethics. While specific requirements differ, many states expect insurance agents to complete a certain number of CE hours biennially or before license renewal, with exemptions and extensions sometimes granted in particular circumstances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State | Texas |
| Number of hours | 24 hours |
| Number of hours for ethics | 3 hours |
| Extension | Possible under limited circumstances |
| Exemption | Possible under limited circumstances |
| State | New York |
| Number of credits | 15 credits |
| Number of hours for flood insurance instruction | 1 hour |
| State | Georgia |
| Number of hours for resident licensees with less than 20 years of service | 24 hours |
| Number of hours for resident licensees with more than 20 years of service | 20 hours |
| Number of hours for credit insurance only | 10 hours |
| Number of hours for limited subagent only | 10 hours |
| Number of hours for workers compensation adjuster only | 20 hours |
| Number of hours for certain designations | 12 hours |
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What You'll Learn
State-specific requirements
Texas
In Texas, insurance agents are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) for each license period. If a licensee fails to complete the required hours before their license expiration date, they are granted an additional 90 days to fulfil the deficient hours, with a fine of $50 per deficient hour. Exemptions and extensions are possible under specific circumstances, such as long-term illness or military service, but reasons related to business or workload are not accepted.
California
While the specific number of hours is unclear, California requires continuing education for insurance agents, with providers having 30 days to submit student rosters to the California Department of Insurance after course completion. Correspondence course providers can set their own policies for completion dates, and students receive credit based on the provider's set policies.
New York
In New York, 15 credits of continuing education (CE) are necessary to renew or relicense certain insurance licenses. These credits must be accumulated during the licensing period, which starts from the effective date of the license. Relicensing allows for the use of credits from the previous licensing period, along with any completed credits up to the relicensing application date.
Georgia
Georgia mandates that resident licensees complete a specific number of continuing education (CE) requirements biennially, on or before the last day of their birth month. The requirements differ based on the type of license and years of experience. For instance, resident licensees with less than 20 years of service need to complete 24 hours, with 3 hours dedicated to ethics, while those with over 20 years of service must finish 20 hours, including 3 hours of ethics.
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Credit accumulation
The number of continuing education (CE) credits or hours required for insurance agents to renew their licenses varies by state and license type. In some states, such as Texas, insurance agents must complete a specific number of CE hours for each license period to renew their licenses. For example, in Texas, agents must complete 24 hours of CE, including 3 hours of ethics, for licenses issued or renewed after November 1, 2015. If an agent fails to complete the required hours before the license expiration date, they are granted an additional 90 days to finish the deficient hours, paying a $50 fine per deficient hour.
In New York, insurance agents are required to earn 15 credits of CE to renew or relicense certain insurance licenses. These credits must be accumulated during the licensing period, which starts from the license's effective date. When relicensing, agents can use credits from the previous licensing period and any completed credits up until the relicensing application submission date.
Georgia also mandates a certain number of CE credits every two years (biennially) for resident licensees, depending on their license type and years of experience. For instance, resident licensees with less than 20 years of service must complete 24 hours, including 3 hours of ethics, while those with over 20 years of service need to finish 20 hours, with 3 hours in ethics. Additionally, individuals with specific professional designations, such as CPCU or CLU, are required to complete 12 hours of CE, including 3 hours of ethics.
It is worth noting that some states, like California, do not specify the number of CE hours required but provide resources for licensees to check their continuing education hours online. While the onus is on the education provider to submit credits to the California Department of Insurance, licensees must retain their certificates for at least five years.
Overall, while the specific requirements vary across states and license types, insurance agents must generally earn a certain number of CE credits or hours to renew or maintain their licenses. These credits or hours can be accumulated through approved courses, webinars, or self-directed studies, ensuring that insurance agents stay up to date with industry knowledge and ethical practices.
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Exemptions and extensions
While continuing education is a key part of maintaining an insurance license, there are certain exemptions and extensions available under specific circumstances. These vary from state to state and are dependent on factors such as the type of license, years of experience, and specific activities undertaken.
In Georgia, for instance, resident licensees with less than 20 years of service are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education biennially, with 3 of those hours dedicated to ethics. Those with more than 20 years of service need to complete 20 hours, with 3 hours of ethics. Exemptions and reductions are available for those with certain professional designations, such as CPCU, CLU, FLMI, CIC, etc., who are required to complete 12 hours, 3 of which must be in ethics. Additionally, individuals with non-active licenses provided in O.C.G.A. 33-23-4(f) and 33-23-18(e) are exempt from continuing education requirements.
Texas also offers exemptions and extensions for insurance agents. Those with 20 or more continuous years of licensure with no gaps exceeding 90 days may be eligible for an exemption. Extensions may be granted by the Education Coordinator for good cause. However, exemptions do not apply to certification training courses or product-specific training requirements. To request an exemption or extension, Texas requires the submission of TDI form FIN517, Application for Licensee Exemption or Extension form.
In addition to state-specific exemptions and extensions, it is worth noting that insurance producers licensed in one state may not need to take CE courses in other states, with the exception of Florida. This is due to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) continuing education reciprocity agreement (CER), which allows member states to recognize each other's CE courses.
While the number of continuing education hours and specific requirements vary across states, it is important to note that exemptions and extensions are typically granted under limited circumstances. Proper documentation and justification, such as long-term illness or military service, are crucial for an extension request to be considered.
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Course formats
The number of continuing education (CE) hours required for insurance agents varies by state and license type. For example, in Texas, 24 hours of CE are required for each license period for all licenses issued or renewed on or after November 1, 2015. In New York, 15 credits of CE are necessary to renew or relicense certain insurance licenses, while in Georgia, individuals with specific professional designations must complete 12 hours of CE, including 3 hours of ethics. Florida requires agents licensed for less than six years to complete 24 hours of CE every two years, while agents licensed for more than six years need 20 hours.
When it comes to course formats, there are a few different options available for insurance agents to complete their CE requirements:
- Classroom courses: These are traditional in-person courses that may be offered by accredited colleges, universities, or approved by state boards.
- Webinars: Online seminars that are often interactive and allow for real-time learning.
- Self-directed study: This can be done either online or through textbooks. This format usually requires passing a final exam to receive credit.
- Online courses: Many organizations, such as the Florida School of Insurance, offer online courses that are flexible and convenient for insurance agents to complete their CE requirements.
- Correspondence courses: These are courses where the education provider sets their own policies on completion dates, which could be based on postmark date, receipt date, or grading date.
It is important to note that some states, like Texas, do not certify or recommend specific courses. Instead, they provide a list of approved CE providers, and it is up to the individual to choose the appropriate courses for their license requirements. Insurance agents should always verify the approval status of the course for their specific license type and ensure that they meet all the necessary CE requirements for their state and license.
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Ethics hours
The number of continuing education (CE) hours required for insurance agents varies by state and license type. Here is a breakdown of the ethics hours requirements for a few states:
Texas
For licenses issued or renewed on or after November 1, 2015, insurance agents in Texas must complete 24 hours of CE, including 3 hours of ethics, to renew their license. If an agent does not complete the required hours before their license expiration date, they will have an additional 90 days to finish the deficient hours and pay a $50 fine per deficient hour. Exemptions and extensions for CE hours are possible under specific circumstances, such as long-term illness or military service.
Georgia
In Georgia, the number of CE hours required depends on the licensee's years of experience. Resident licensees with less than 20 years of service must complete 24 hours, including 3 hours in ethics. On the other hand, resident licensees with more than 20 years of service need to complete 20 hours, with 3 hours dedicated to ethics. Additionally, individuals with specific professional designations, such as CPCU, CLU, or CFP, are required to complete 12 hours of CE, including 3 hours of ethics.
New York
While the total number of CE hours is not specified, New York requires insurance licensees to complete courses, programs, or seminars that cover specific topics, including ethics. Licensees can choose from various course formats, such as classroom, webinar, or self-directed study.
California
Although the exact number of ethics hours is not mentioned, California insurance agents must complete continuing education hours to renew their licenses. The state emphasizes the importance of verifying credits and hours with the provider and the California Department of Insurance.
It is important to note that requirements may change over time, and insurance agents should refer to their state's official sources for the most up-to-date information regarding CE requirements and ethics hours.
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Frequently asked questions
For all licenses issued or renewed on and after November 1, 2015, 24 hours of continuing education are required for each license period.
Resident licensees with less than 20 years of service are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education biennially, on or before the last day of their birth month. 3 of these hours must be in ethics.
15 credits of continuing education are required to renew or relicense certain insurance licenses. These credits must be accumulated during the licensing period, which begins with the effective date of the license.
You can visit the License Status Inquiry Web page for online license status information. The provider has 30 days from the course completion date to submit the student roster to the California Department of Insurance.
Yes, in Texas, an insurance agent with 20 continuous years of licensure may qualify for an exemption from CE hours. Exemptions are also possible under very limited circumstances, such as long-term illness or military service.
