Becoming An Insurance Broker In Georgia: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you're looking to become an insurance broker in Georgia, you'll need to obtain a license. The process involves completing educational requirements and passing exams. The specific requirements depend on the type of insurance you want to sell, with licenses available for life, accident, health, property, and casualty insurance. You can sell insurance as an independent agent or on behalf of a consulting brokerage or insurance company.

Choose the type of insurance you want to sell

The type of insurance you want to sell will determine the kind of license you need to obtain. In Georgia, there are several types of insurance you can be licensed to sell, including credit, life, casualty, property, accident and sickness, and travel. Each type of insurance has specific requirements that must be met to obtain a license.

For example, if you want to sell life insurance, you will need to complete a 20-hour prelicensing course and pass the state licensing exam. On the other hand, if you want to sell property and casualty insurance, you will need to complete a 40-hour prelicensing course and pass the state licensing exam. It's important to note that some licenses may qualify you to sell more than one class of insurance. For instance, a "Life, Accident, and Sickness" license will enable you to sell both life and accident and sickness insurance.

When choosing the type of insurance you want to sell, it's important to consider your interests and expertise. Different types of insurance will require different levels of knowledge and understanding of the industry. It's also essential to review the licensing requirements for each type of insurance to ensure you meet the necessary qualifications and can complete any required prelicensing education or training.

Additionally, consider your career goals and the type of clients you want to work with. Some types of insurance may be more specialized and cater to specific needs, such as travel insurance or health insurance. By choosing the right type of insurance to sell, you can better position yourself in the market and provide valuable services to your clients.

In Georgia, the requirements for obtaining an insurance license vary depending on the category of insurance you wish to sell. It is important to carefully review the licensing requirements, qualifications, and fees associated with each type of insurance license before making a decision. This information can be found in the Georgia Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook, published by the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.

Review the licensing requirements

To become an insurance broker in Georgia, you must obtain a license. The requirements for licensure vary depending on the category or "class" of insurance you wish to sell. Here is a detailed overview of the licensing requirements:

Life, Accident, and Sickness Insurance License:

• Complete a 40-hour Life, Accident, and Sickness prelicensing course.
• Achieve a passing score on the Life, Accident, and Sickness examination.
• Complete and submit the Citizenship Affidavit, along with a copy of your acceptable ID.
• Apply online at NIPR or Sircon.
• Submit fingerprints electronically for a criminal background check.
• Note: The prelicensing course and examination can be waived if you hold a CLU or FLMI designation or if you are licensed for the same lines in your previous home state with an active license at the time of your move to Georgia.

Property and Casualty Insurance License:

• Complete a 40-hour Property and Casualty prelicensing course.
• Achieve a passing score on the Property and Casualty examination.
• Complete and submit the Citizenship Affidavit, along with a copy of your acceptable ID.
• Apply online at NIPR or Sircon.
• Submit fingerprints electronically for a criminal background check.
• Note: The prelicensing course and examination can be waived if you hold a CPCU designation or if you are licensed for the same lines in your previous home state with an active license at the time of your move to Georgia.

Travel, Travel Baggage, and Title Insurance License:

• Complete and submit the Citizenship Affidavit, along with a copy of your acceptable ID.
• Apply online at NIPR or Sircon.
• Submit fingerprints electronically for a criminal background check.
• Note: There is no prelicensing course or examination required for this license type.

Variable Products Insurance License:

• Complete an 8-hour Variable Product prelicensing course through a sponsoring company.
• Achieve a passing score on the Variable Products examination.
• Complete and submit the Citizenship Affidavit, along with a copy of your acceptable ID.
• Apply online at Sircon.
• Submit fingerprints electronically for a criminal background check.
• Note: The prelicensing course and examination can be waived if you are licensed for the same lines in your previous home state with an active license at the time of your move to Georgia.

General Requirements:

• Complete 5 hours of self-study, including a final exam proctored by a disinterested third party, if pursuing a credit insurance license.
• Register and pay the fee for the licensing exam ($63).
• Provide two forms of acceptable identification (one primary and one secondary) on the day of your exam.
• Submit a completed Citizenship Affidavit and copies of your identification documents when applying for your license.
• Apply for your license online at NIPR or Sircon.
• Register for fingerprinting and complete the criminal background check.

Complete pre-licensing education

To become an insurance broker in Georgia, you must complete 40 hours of state-approved training for each type of license you wish to obtain. For example, if you want to sell life, health, property, or casualty insurance, you will need to complete the required number of hours of pre-licensing education.

The Georgia Office of Insurance can help you find an approved education provider. If you already work for an insurance company, your employer might pay for the cost of the course. Additionally, if you are already licensed in another state, you may be exempt from taking the course for your Georgia license.

The pre-licensing education requirement in Georgia involves completing a state-approved course and receiving a certificate of completion. This requirement applies to every category or line of insurance that you wish to be licensed under. You can find a list of approved providers by using the online tool provided by the Georgia Office of Insurance.

It is important to note that each category of insurance you want to sell in Georgia will require a different license, and the requirements may vary slightly depending on the type of insurance. For example, a "Life, Accident, and Sickness" license will enable you to sell both life and accident and sickness insurance, while a Life Insurance license will only allow you to sell life insurance.

The pre-licensing course is an essential step in your journey towards becoming an insurance broker in Georgia. It will provide you with the necessary knowledge and preparation for the licensing exam. By choosing a reliable and state-approved course provider, you can ensure that you are on the right path to achieving your career goals in the insurance industry.

Take the licensing exam

To become an insurance broker in Georgia, you must pass a state licensing exam. Here is a step-by-step guide to taking the licensing exam:

• Complete the required prelicensing education: Before taking the state licensing exam, you must complete prelicensing education requirements. The specific requirements depend on the type of insurance license you are seeking. For example, to become a life, health, property, or casualty broker in Georgia, you must complete 40 hours of state-approved training. You can find a list of approved prelicensing education providers on the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner's website. Some licenses may require self-study, which involves completing a certain number of hours of study and taking a final exam proctored by a disinterested third party.
• Make a reservation to take the exam: Before registering for the exam, gather the necessary information, including your legal name, address, Social Security number, daytime telephone number, and payment method for the exam fee ($63). If you completed pre-licensing training, you will also need the school code or name of the school. You can make reservations on the Pearson VUE website.
• Gather the required documents for the exam: On the day of your exam, you must bring two forms of identification to the test center. One form must be a primary ID with your photograph and signature, such as a government-issued driver's license, U.S. Department of State driver's license, or passport. The other form can be a secondary ID with a valid signature, such as a Social Security card, debit or credit card, or any form of ID from the primary list.
• Take the exam: Arrive at the test center 30 minutes before the examination to check in with the administrator. You will have the opportunity to take a tutorial on the computer to familiarize yourself with the exam format. The time allotted for the exam depends on the type of license you are seeking. After completing the exam, you will receive your results immediately.
• Retake the exam if necessary: If you do not pass the exam on your first attempt, you will need to start the process again by reserving another exam date and paying the fee.
• Complete the Citizenship Affidavit: After passing the exam, you must complete the Citizenship Affidavit form and have it notarized. This form is required for your license application in Georgia.
• Apply for your license: Once you have passed the exam and completed the necessary documentation, you can apply for your license. You can apply online through the NIPR or Sircon websites. You will need to submit your notarized Citizenship Affidavit form, certificates of course completion (if applicable), and any other required documentation. There are separate fees for the license application and the license itself, typically totaling around $115.

Apply for your license

Once you have passed your state licensing exam, you are ready to apply for an insurance license. You can apply for your license online at NIPR or Sircon. Select "Apply for a New License" and follow the step-by-step instructions. From the list of options, select "Apply for a License", which will take you to the License Applications page. Select "New Insurance License" and continue to follow the instructions.

As part of your application, you will need to complete fingerprinting registration. Follow the steps to register for your fingerprinting appointment. A registration for an appointment will not be approved until after you have applied for your license.

Once you've submitted all the required materials, documentation, and information, the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner's Office will review your application. If there is an issue with your application, they will contact you via email. If your application is approved, your license will be emailed to you via Sircon's automated system. Processing times may vary, but the average turnaround time is 14 business days.

Agent licenses must be renewed every two years. If your request is denied, you will receive a Notice of Denial, and you will have the option to file a written petition to appeal the decision within 20 days of the issuance of the Notice of Denial.

Frequently asked questions