Get A Life Insurance License In Georgia: A Beginner's Guide

If you're looking to get a life insurance license in Georgia, there are a few steps you need to follow. First, you'll need to complete a pre-licensing course – the number of hours varies depending on the type of insurance you want to sell. Next, you'll need to pass the state licensing exam. After that, you'll need to get fingerprinted and apply for your license, which includes submitting a citizenship affidavit and paying the relevant fees. Once you've completed these steps, you'll be well on your way to becoming a licensed life insurance agent in Georgia!

Complete a pre-licensing course

To get a life insurance license in Georgia, you must complete a pre-licensing course. This is a mandatory requirement before you can take the state licensing exam.

The pre-licensing course will provide you with the knowledge and tools to prepare for the licensing exam. It covers specific industry knowledge that will be tested during the exam. The course is self-paced and includes study materials such as practice exams and flashcards.

Georgia requires 20 hours of pre-license education for life insurance. However, if you wish to be licensed for both Life and Accident & Sickness, you will need to complete a 40-hour course.

You can choose from various course providers, including online, live, or self-study options. The course quality and study materials are crucial factors in effectively completing your Georgia insurance licensing requirements.

Once you have completed your pre-licensing course, received your certificate of completion, and feel comfortable with the course content, you can move on to the next step of registering for the Georgia insurance licensing exam.

Pass the state licensing exam

To pass the state licensing exam for a life insurance license in Georgia, you must complete a prelicensing course. The prelicensing course requirement varies depending on the category of insurance you wish to sell. For example, Accident & Sickness and Personal Lines require 20 hours of prelicensing education, while Property and Casualty require 40 hours. After completing your required prelicensing course, you must register for and pass the state licensing exam. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE and costs $63. The 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. If you fail the exam, you must wait 24 hours before retaking it. If you fail the exam a second time, you must wait two weeks before attempting it again.

Get fingerprinted

After passing your state licensing exam, you are required to submit your fingerprints electronically for a criminal background check. This cannot be done until you have submitted a license application.

To get your fingerprints submitted, follow these steps:

• Complete the application process and submit your license application.
• Register for your fingerprinting appointment.
• A registration for a fingerprinting appointment will not be approved until after you have applied for your license.
• Once your application has been approved, you will be emailed your license via Sircon's automated system.
• The average turnaround time for approval is 14 business days.

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.

Apply for a Georgia Insurance License

Once you have passed your Georgia insurance licensing exam, you are ready to apply for a Georgia insurance license. The application process is straightforward, but there are a few things you need to do to ensure your application is complete and processed without delay. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Get Fingerprinted

Before applying for your license, you must submit to a fingerprint-based background check. This can be done electronically through Gemalto, a vendor selected by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The fingerprints are submitted for a criminal background check, and the results are valid for 30 days. The applicant is responsible for bearing all costs, which cover the comparison of prints against criminal history records.

Step 2: Complete the 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 3: Gather Required Documents

In addition to the Citizenship Affidavit, you will need to provide a copy of a valid identification document. The identification document must be government-issued, photo-bearing, and include a signature. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver's license, passport, military ID, or alien registration card.

Step 4: Apply Online

All applications for a Georgia insurance license can be submitted online through the Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) website. The application fee is $100, plus a $20 processing fee. When applying, select "Apply for a New License" and follow the step-by-step instructions. You will need to create an account and provide personal information such as your legal name, address, and Social Security number.

Step 5: Attach Required Documents

After submitting your application, you will need to attach any required documents, including your fingerprints, Citizenship Affidavit, and identification document. These documents must be uploaded directly to your application through the NIPR Warehouse or Sircon portal. Emailed or mailed documents will not be accepted.

Step 6: Watch for Your Application Results

Once you have completed the above steps, the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner will review your application and background check. If there are any issues with your application, you will be contacted via email. If your application is approved, you will receive your license via email through Sircon's automated system. The average processing time is 14 business days.

By following these steps, you will be well on your way to obtaining your Georgia insurance license. Remember to refer to the Georgia Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook for detailed information on licensing requirements, application procedures, and more.

Complete required CE credits

To get a life insurance license in Georgia, you must complete the required continuing education (CE) credits. These credits are necessary to renew your insurance license and ensure you stay up-to-date with the latest industry knowledge. The specific number of CE credits needed depends on your license type and years of experience. Here is a detailed breakdown of the CE requirements:

Biennial CE Requirements by License Type:

• Resident Licensees with less than 20 years of service: 24 hours, including 3 hours of ethics.
• Resident Licensees with more than 20 years of service: 20 hours, including 3 hours of ethics.
• Credit Insurance Only: 10 hours of self-study; no ethics requirement.
• Limited Subagent Only: 10 hours; no ethics requirement.
• Workers Compensation Adjuster Only: 20 hours of approved CE through the Workers Compensation Board; no ethics requirement.

Important CE Restrictions and Guidelines:

• CE requirements must be fulfilled every two years, on or before the last day of your birth month.
• You cannot receive credit for the same CE course taken multiple times within the same CE reporting period.
• Excess CE hours earned can be carried over to the next renewal period but are limited to 50% of the biennial CE requirement.
• Excess ethics credit hours can be carried over but cannot fulfill the ethics CE requirement for the subsequent renewal period. Ethics CE must be completed each time.

CE Exemptions:

Individuals holding specific professional designations, such as CPCU, CLU, FLMI, CIC, Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), ChFC, Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI), or Certified Financial Planner (CFP), are required to complete 12 hours of CE, including 3 hours of ethics. Additionally, those with a major BBA in Risk Management and Insurance from an accredited college fall under this category.

Furthermore, agents with a non-active license, as outlined in O.C.G.A 33-23-4(f) and 33-23-18(e), are exempt from CE requirements if they file for renewal biennially and on time. This exemption only applies during the period the license is non-active.

Frequently asked questions