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How to Keep Your Insurance License Active in North Carolina

Posted on 03.17.22

You worked your way through insurance license training, passed the exams, and have built a business. The last thing you want is to allow your insurance license to expire. So, make sure you’re keeping it active. This article covers all the steps you need to keep your insurance license active in North Carolina.

Unlike agents in most other states, Insurance agents licensed in North Carolina do not require a renewal application or pay renewal fees. However, they must complete 24 credits of continuing education every 2 years in order to keep their license active. Continuing education must be completed prior to agents’ CE Compliance Date, which is the last day of their birth month, every 2 years. There are only two steps required to keep your license active:

Complete the required continuing education.
Verify that you have the needed CE credits before the license expiration date.

Step #1: Complete the Required Continuing Education

The amount of CE you are required to take is based on the type(s) of licenses you hold, but almost all Major Lines Licensed agents are required to take 24 credit hours every two years. This includes all agents who are licensed to sell any of the major lines of insurance:

Life, accident, and health or sickness.
Property.
Casualty.
Personal lines.
Variable life and variable annuity products.
Medicare supplement / long-term care.

At least 3 of the 24 hours must be approved for ethics training. For the rest, you can take courses in any subject matter as long as they are approved by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, and unless you have any special training requirements which are covered below. Please note that regardless of the number of licenses you hold, you only need to take 24 credits total.

There are some special training requirements that need to be completed with your CE if you sell certain products. Property and casualty agents who sell flood insurance must complete 3 hours of flood insurance training prior to selling or soliciting flood insurance. They must then complete a 3- hour flood training course every other compliance period following. Agents who sell long-term care policies must hold an Accident and Health License, and a Medicare Supplement/Long Term Care Limited Lines License. They must then complete an initial 8-hour long-term care partnership training course and then complete a 4-hour long-term care training course every following compliance period (every 2 years).

CE credit can also be awarded for association membership and meeting attendance. Currently, the approved associations are:

Professional Insurance Agents (PIA).
NC Association of Health Underwriters (NCAHU).
National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).
Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC).
Surplus Lines Association (NCSLA).
Claims Adjuster Association.

Up to 4 credit hours can be recognized during the two-year renewal period. You can find out more at NCDOI FAQs on Association Membership.

Step #2: Verify that you have the needed CE credits before the license expiration date.

After completing your CE requirements, the last step you need to take is to verify that the credits appear in your continuing education transcript at this link Sircon CE Transcript.

North Carolina does not require a renewal fee or application. It only requires that all your CE credits be completed before the license expiration date. We recommend you check your profile at least 30 days before expiration to ensure they are all recorded correctly.

If you do not complete your CE requirements prior to your license expiration date, your license will be considered “expired.”. You then have up to 4 months to reactivate your license by completing all outstanding CE requirements and paying a reinstatement fee of $75. If this is not done within 4 months, then your license(s) will be canceled and you will need to undertake the pre-licensing process to become licensed again.

There are very limited exemptions to CE requirements for North Carolina Insurance Agents. Exemptions are granted only for active military duty, and medical hardships are considered on a case-by-case basis. Extensions for CE Requirements are considered on a case-by-case basis, and must be filed within 30 days of your CE Compliance Date, but no later than your CE Compliance Date. You can view these options here: CE extensions.

Now Is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education

Even with a full two years to accumulate your 24 hours of continuing education, there’s no reason to wait to get started. We’ve got you covered with all the courses you need. You can find the complete listing in our North Carolina Course Catalog.

The online training is self-paced and delivered to your computer, tablet, and smartphone. The quizzes and exams are scored instantly, and you can take them as many times as necessary to pass. Plus, you can return to the training whenever it is convenient. The course progress bar tells you exactly where you left off.

Our webinar courses are instructor-led and delivered live using video conferencing. You’re required to be in attendance for the entire class time, with check-ins at random times throughout the webinar to confirm your attendance. Students can interact and ask questions. The advantages of webinars include no required reading and no quizzes or final exams. You can view a listing of our webinars here: North Carolina Webinar Catalog.

Completions Reported the Same Day

Note that our office will report your continuing education course credits to the North Carolina Department of Insurance the same day you complete the training. So, if you’re in a rush to complete your continuing education, we’ve got you covered.

Summary of Steps to Keep Your License Active

Even though we’ve mapped it out above, it’s still a great deal to digest. Here’s a quick summary to get you started on the path to renewal.

Determine your license expiration date.
Determine your continuing education requirements.
Enroll in courses well in advance of your expiration date.
Complete your courses – we submit your credits the same day you complete them.
Verify that all courses are recorded in your CE transcript.

We’re confident that everything you need to keep your insurance license active in North Carolina is easily accessible through our website. If not, simply call our office, and we’ll happily assist you.

There’s no time to be lost if you’re near your renewal date. Sign up now for the most trusted and convenient solution for keeping your license active.

How to Keep Your Insurance License Active in Florida

Posted on 02.21.22

You made a substantial investment to earn your Florida insurance producer license. Not only that but it is now your livelihood. So, make sure you’re keeping it active. This article covers all the steps you need to keep your insurance license active in Florida.

Every two years you need to complete your continuing education requirements. This must be done prior to your license expiration date. Your license expiration is the last day of your birth month every two years, and the expiration year is determined by when you were first licensed. Most agents know their expiration year, but you can look it up here in case: FLORIDA AGENT LOOKUP. Now that you know your license expiration date, there are only two steps required to keep your license active:

1. Complete the required continuing education.
2. Verify that you have the needed CE credits prior to the license expiration date.

Step #1: Complete the Required Continuing Education

The amount of CE you are required to take is based on how long you have been actively licensed. Florida insurance agents licensed for less than 6 years are required to take 24 credits of CE. Those licensed for more than 6 years only have to take 20 credits of CE. This applies to all agents who are licensed to sell any of the “major lines” of insurance: life, health, general lines, and personal lines.

The type of CE you must take is based on your license type(s). Florida requires agents to take at least one, 4- credit- hour course approved for the topic of “Law and Ethics Update”. The Law and Ethics Update course taken must be approved specifically for at least one of your license types. Other than this requirement, the rest of your CE can be completed in any topic as long as they are approved by the Florida Department of Financial Services. And if you are multiple lines licensed, the total number of hours required is the same as if you are single lines licensed – you do not need to take more than either 20 or 24 credits, regardless of the number of licenses you hold.

Again, the easiest way to determine your CE requirements and license type, as well as locate other helpful information about your license is on the Florida Department of Financial Services Licensee Search, here: FL AGENT LOOKUP

Another important aspect is that Florida Agents cannot receive credits for courses repeated within a 24-month period. Our course catalog identifies those courses that are new to help you avoid taking a duplicate course.

While Florida does not grant any exemptions from CE requirements, some agents that have certain special training or designations can receive a reduction in the number of hours required. Agents with a degree in risk management, or who hold the designation of CPCU, or CLU are only required to complete 4 CE credits every 2 years. These 4 credits must be done in the Law and Ethics Update course specific to at least one of their license type(s). Agents need to file an application to receive the reduction.

Step #2: Verify that you have the needed CE credits prior to the license expiration date.

After completing your CE requirements, the last step you need to take is to verify that the credits appear in your My Profile Portal of the Florida Department of Financial Services Bureau of Licensing.

Florida does not require a renewal fee or application. It only requires that all your CE credits be completed prior to the license expiration date. We recommend you check your profile at least 30 days prior to expiration to make sure they are all recorded correctly.

If you don’t complete the required continuing education, you’ll receive a Preliminary Notice of Non-Compliance along with a Settlement Stipulation in your MyProfile account approximately 45 days from the expiration date. This notice will specify the actions required to become compliant. Please keep in mind that these notices are not sent by mail, or even e-mail, so it is important to check your MyProfile account occasionally: especially before and after your expiration date occurs.

Now Is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education

Completions Reported the Same Day

Note that our office will report your continuing education course credits to the Florida Department of Financial Services Bureau of Licensing the same day you complete the training. So, if you’re in a rush to complete your continuing education, we’ve got you covered.

Summary of Steps to Keep Your Florida Insurance License Active

Even though we’ve mapped it out above, it’s still a great deal to digest. Here’s a quick summary to get you started on the path to renewal.

Determine your license expiration date.
Determine your continuing education requirements.
Select and enroll in courses well in advance of your expiration date.
Complete your courses – we submit your credits the same day you complete them.
Verify all courses are recorded in your MyProfile account.

We’re certain that everything you need to keep your license active is easily accessible through our website. If not, simply call our office and we’ll happily assist you.

If you’re near your renewal date, there’s no time to be lost. Sign up now for the most trusted and convenient solution for keeping your license active.

What if I Don’t Complete My Florida Continuing Education on Time?

How to Keep Your Insurance License Active in New Jersey

Posted on 02.17.22

You made a substantial investment of time and money to earn your New Jersey insurance producer license. Now it has become your livelihood. So, make sure you’re keeping it active. This article covers all the steps you need to keep your insurance license active in New Jersey.

Every two years you need to renew your insurance license. This must be done prior to your license expiration date. Your license expiration is the last day of your birth month every two years. Your expiration year is determined by when you were first licensed. Most agents know their expiration year, but you can look it up here in case: New Jersey License Search.

Now that you know your license expiration date, there are only two steps required to keep your insurance license active in New Jersey:

Complete the required continuing education.
Submit the renewal application on time.

Step #1: Complete the Required Continuing Education

The amount of CE you are required to take is based on the type(s) of licenses you hold, but almost all agents are required to take 24 credit hours every two years. This includes all agents who are licensed to sell any of the major lines of insurance: life, accident, and health; property and casualty; variable life and annuity; and personal lines.

At least 3 of the 24 hours taken must be approved for ethics training. Aside from the ethics training requirement, courses can be taken in any subject matter as long as they are approved by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. Please note that regardless of the number of licenses you hold (property, casualty, life, health) you only need to take 24 credits total.

SPECIAL BULLETIN: New Training Requirements for New Jersey Insurance Agent

Special Training Requirements

There are special training requirements for agents who sell certain products such as flood insurance, long-term care, and annuities.

Agents who sell flood insurance need to complete a one-time three-hour continuing education course related to the National Flood Insurance Program. Those selling annuity products must complete a one-time four-hour annuity suitability course.

Long-term care sales require an initial eight-hour long-term care training course, and a four-hour refresher course must be done every renewal period following.

Step #2: Submit Your Renewal Application Prior to Expiration

After completing your CE requirements, the last step you need to take is to renew your New Jersey insurance license. This must be done on or prior to your license expiration date, but not more than 90 days in advance of your expiration date. You can access your renewal application and file it online at NJ Agent Renewal (NIPR) or NJ Agent Renewal (Sircon). The renewal fee is $150, plus a $5 processing fee. Any renewal submitted on paper rather than online will be charged an additional $20 processing fee.

What if You Didn’t Renew Your New Jersey Insurance License Prior to Expiration?

Renewal applications received more than 30 days beyond the license expiration date will be considered late and the license will be considered expired. Agents are prohibited from conducting insurance business with an expired license. However, agents have up to 1 year to reinstate their license by completing their continuing education, submitting a renewal application, and paying a late fee of $100 in addition to the renewal fee of $150. If you fail to renew within one year of the scheduled expiration date, your license will be canceled and you must re-qualify as a new applicant.

Now Is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education

Even with a full two years to accumulate your 24 hours of continuing education, there’s no reason to wait to get started. We’ve got you covered with all the courses you need. You can find the full listing at New Jersey Insurance Continuing Education Course Catalog.

Our webinar courses are instructor-led and delivered live using video conferencing. You’re required to be in attendance for the full class time, with check-ins at random times throughout the webinar to confirm your attendance. Students can interact and ask questions. The advantages of webinars include no required reading and no quizzes or final exams. You can view a listing of our webinars here: New Jersey Webinar Catalog

Completions Reported the Same Day

Note that our office will report your continuing education course credits to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance on the same day you complete the training. So, if you’re in a rush to complete your continuing education, we’ve got you covered.

Summary of Steps to Renew Your New Jersey Insurance License

Even though we’ve mapped it out above, it’s still a great deal to digest. Here’s a quick summary to get you started on the path to renewal.

Determine your license expiration date.
Determine your continuing education requirements.
Select and enroll in courses well in advance of your expiration date.
Complete your courses – we submit your credits to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance the same day you complete them.
Renew your license.

We’re certain that everything you need to keep your insurance license active in New Jersey is easily accessible through our website. If not, simply call our office and we’ll happily assist you.

If you’re near your renewal date, there’s no time to be lost. Sign up now for the most trusted and convenient solution for keeping your license active.

The Importance of Selecting the Right Provider for Your Insurance Continuing Education

Posted on 01.31.22

Many insurance agents don’t give a lot of thought to who they use for their insurance continuing education provider. It’s something they know they have to get done and they assume all CE providers are pretty much the same, so why not just pick the cheapest option available from a google search? As you will soon learn, there are a lot of reasons doing this can be a big mistake.

This is your professional license – it took a lot of time and effort to earn and you don’t want to jeopardize it because of something an inexperienced provider failed to do correctly.

Make Sure the Insurance Continuing Education Provider is Approved in Your State

Almost every agent knows they can’t just take any course and earn CE credits for doing so. To be eligible for CE credits, courses must be “approved” by the State Department of Insurance in which you hold your resident license. But it’s not only the courses that must be approved. The provider offering the course must also be approved by the state.

And if it’s a classroom or webinar course, the instructor must be approved as well. And not just anyone can be a provider or instructor. In order to gain approval, they must demonstrate they have the required industry experience, training, and skills to become certified to instruct others.

We make it easy for you to know every course we offer is fully approved by your state’s department of insurance. We list our provider approval number on every state catalog page. For most states, we link to the state database where you can verify our provider status. In the description of each course, we also list the specific course approval number. And you’ll see our approved instructors listed for each webinar we offer on the webinar description page.

Compliance Knowledge Really Matters!

Insurance compliance is super complex! It takes years of experience to understand the laws, rules, regulations, and processes relating to licensing insurance agents. There is a myriad of rules and regulations that CE providers must meet in order to offer their courses.

But there is also a multitude of differing training requirements that agents must meet to be compliant with their CE requirements…and these requirements change frequently. And don’t forget that completing your CE Requirements doesn’t ensure that your license stays active. Your credits still need to be filed, and you will also need to complete and submit your renewal application before your expiration date.

So, it is absolutely critical that the insurance continuing education provider you select: 1) understands the importance of compliance, 2) is experienced and knowledgeable with insurance compliance matters, and 3) stays informed and up to date with changing licensing requirements, laws, and regulations.

Take, for example, the process of selecting the right courses to take. While most states require agents to complete 24 credits of CE every 2 years, many states have special requirements for the type of courses that must be taken. The most common of these is the “ethics training requirement”: all but a few states require agents to complete 3 hours of ethics training as part of the 24 credits required. But many states also have “license-type specific training requirements”.

These states require agents to take a certain amount (or all) of their courses in subject matters that are approved specifically to their type of license. For example, agents licensed in Life insurance may have to take all or a certain minimum number of courses that are approved specifically for Life insurance agents. Multi-lines licensed agents (2 or more lines of Property, Casualty, or Life and Health) may be required to take a specific number of credits for each license they hold.

Read more in our blog: A Guide to Insurance Continuing Education (CE) 2024

To add to this, many states have “product-specific” training requirements that must be taken by agents. Agents who sell certain types of insurance products are required to undergo initial, and in many cases, ongoing training for these types of products. This is the case in many states for agents who sell or solicit annuities or long-term care products. Not only must agents take an initial training course on these products (4 or 8 hours, usually), they must also take ongoing, or refresher courses on these products every 2 years.

The same is true in many states for agents who sell or solicit flood or homeowners insurance. Still, other states have special training requirements in the areas of law or legislative updates. In Florida, for example, agents are to complete a minimum of 5 hours of “law and ethics” training every 2 years.

At BetterCE we fully understand the importance and complexity of compliance matters because we were founded and still overseen by former insurance regulators and compliance experts. We have a deep understanding of the specific requirements and processes involved because we have overseen state insurance licensing divisions. We have also been involved in the development of licensing statutes, rules, and regulations – at both the state and national level through our involvement with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

We know how important it is to stay on top of regulatory changes, so we’re active members of the two most involved associations dealing with insurance agent licensing concerns: the Securities and Insurance Licensing Association (SILA), and the Association of Insurance Compliance Specialists (AICP).

Filing Your CE Credits is a Huge Deal!

Imagine if you have paid for your courses and spent the time to complete them, but when you go to renew your license you find out that your credits haven’t been reported by your CE provider! Or even worse, you get a letter from your Department of Insurance that your license is no longer active because you didn’t complete your CE requirements. Almost all states charge late fees to have your license reinstated, and these fees can range anywhere from $15 to $500. And if you go beyond the allowable reinstatement period, you may even have to go back through the process of relicensing!

While filing CE credits may seem like a simple process, it is something that requires incredible organizational skills and attention to detail. This is especially true if your insurance continuing education provider operates in multiple states.

There is so much that can go wrong with reporting CE credits, that it is no surprise how frequently our office receives calls from frustrated agents who are seeking our help (or signing up to take replacement courses) in determining why their prior CE provider has not filed the credits they earned. The most common reason this occurs is that the CE provider didn’t gather the correct license information from the licensee, or the provider mistyped it when trying to submit the credits. In other cases, the CE provider may have slow internal processes, and they take days, or even weeks to submit student credits.

With BetterCE you can rest assured that your credits will be filed timely and accurately. We’ve invested in and developed multiple proprietary systems and processes for ensuring every credit earned is reported accurately and timely. We confirm your license information is accurate prior to submitting them and undertake several post-submission audits to verify the records were accepted and applied properly to the agent’s account with the state. In addition, we file your credits the same day as you complete each course and send you an email notifying you of such. The email also contains a link you can use to verify that your credits have been reported to the state.

The BetterCE Difference

We understand that completing coursework is just one of the steps required towards the ultimate goal: keeping your insurance license active. So, all of our products and services are designed, not only to help you learn but to keep you compliant. Our Complete Compliance Packages make course selection super easy, and you can rest assured they contain every course you need for your specific training requirements.

Our course catalog pages have all of the resources you need to easily manage your license: you can check your license status, view your CE requirements, access your CE transcript, and renew your license using the resources we provide. Your course dashboard shows you exactly how many credits you are enrolled for, and how many you’ve earned.

And when you’re done with each course, we submit your credits to your department of insurance the same day as you complete them. But we don’t stop there. For each credit submission we report, we send you an email notification that includes our Next Step Reminder – specific guidance and instructions on what additional steps need to be taken to complete the license renewal process.

How to Keep Your Insurance License Active in Indiana

Posted on 01.17.22

You made a considerable investment of time, money, and effort to earn your Indiana insurance license. It’s important that you protect this investment by keeping your license active. This article covers all the steps you need to take to keep your insurance license active in Indiana.

Every two years you need to renew your insurance license. This must be done prior to your license expiration date. Your license expiration is the last day of your birth month, and the year is determined by when you were first licensed. The Indiana Department of Insurance will send you a reminder 90 days from your expiration date, but if you want to be certain, you can look it up here: Indiana Agent Lookup

Now that you know your license expiration date, there are only two steps required to keep your license active:

Complete the required continuing education.
Submit the renewal application on time.

Step #1: Complete the Required Continuing Education

At least 3 of the 24 hours taken must be approved for ethics training. Aside from the ethics training requirement, courses can be taken in any subject matter as long as they are approved by the Indiana Department of Insurance. If you hold multiple licenses (property, casualty, life, health) you only need to take 24 credits total.

Special Training Requirements

There are special training requirements for agents who sell certain products such as flood insurance, long-term care, medicare products, and annuities.

Long-term care sales require an initial eight-hour long-term care training course, and a five-hour refresher course must be done every renewal period following. Long-term care partnership policy sales require an initial 15-hour training course that includes eight hours in long-term care and seven hours in long-term care partnership. Five hours of ongoing training must be done every two years.

Step #2: Submit Your Renewal Application Prior to Expiration

After completing your CE requirements, you can file your renewal application online at NIPR Indiana Agent Renewal or Sircon Indiana Agent Renewal. The renewal fee is $40, plus a $5 processing fee. Keep in mind that you can only renew when you are within the 90-day renewal window. Your application will not be available earlier than 90 days prior to your expiration date.

Continuing Education Exemptions and Extensions

If you have some special circumstances that you believe might prevent you from renewing your license or completing your CE requirements on time, you can request an exemption from the Indiana Department of Insurance. Exemptions are considered only for special circumstances, such as extended illness or military duty, and are decided on a case-by-case basis.

If you have reasons to believe you will not be able to complete your CE prior to your expiration date, you can request an extension of the time to complete your CE requirements. The extension can be up to 90 days but is usually granted for 30 days. Any requests for exemptions or extensions must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the license expiration date. See the request for CE extension form for more information.

What if You Didn’t Renew Your Indiana Insurance License Prior to Expiration

If you don’t renew your license prior to your expiration date, your license will go into inactive status and you can no longer do any insurance business activities. However, there are 2 options to have it reinstated, based on whether you completed your CE prior to your expiration date. In both cases, you have up to 12 months to reinstate your license, but the procedures for doing so are different.

If you completed your CE, but didn’t renew your Indiana insurance license prior to your expiration date, you can request reinstatement. You’ll need to submit the renewal application, pay the license renewal fee ($40), and pay a reinstatement penalty fee of three times the license renewal fee ($120), for a total fee of $160.

If your license expired and you did not complete the CE requirements, you’ll first need to complete the remaining CE requirements. Then you’ll need to register, pay for, and pass a special Laws and Regulation Assessment. The requirements for this are very specific, so please view them here: Reinstatement Requirements. Once all that’s done you will need to submit the license renewal fee and the reinstatement penalty fee ($40+$120=$160).

Unfortunately, if your license expired more than 12 months ago, you’ll need to start from the beginning with a new license application, pre-licensing education, and take the state exams.

None of this is pleasant or easy to do. The best thing is to complete your CE requirements well before license renewal.

Now Is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education

Even with a full two years to accumulate your 24 hours of continuing education, there’s no reason to wait to get started. We’ve got you covered with all the courses you need. You can find the full listing at Indiana Insurance Continuing Education Course Catalog.

Completions Reported the Same Day

Note that your continuing education course credits will be reported directly to the Indiana Department of Insurance on the same day you complete the training. So, if you’re in a rush to complete your continuing education, we’ve got you covered.

Summary of Steps to Renew Your Indiana Insurance License

Even though we’ve mapped it out above, it’s still a great deal to digest. Here’s a quick summary to get you started on the path to renewal.

Determine your license expiration date.
Determine your continuing education requirements.
Select and enroll in courses well in advance of your expiration date.
Complete your courses – we submit your credits to the Indiana Department of Insurance the same day you complete them.
Renew your license.

We’re certain that everything you need to keep your license active is easily accessible through our website. If not, simply call our office and we’ll happily assist you.

If you’re near your renewal date, there’s no time to be lost. Sign up now for the most trusted and convenient solution for keeping your license active.

How Do I Renew My Insurance License in Texas?

Posted on 12.27.21

As you are aware, every two years you need to renew your insurance license in Texas. License expiration is the last day of your birth month. If you don’t complete your continuing education hours in time, there’s a $50 fine per hour up to a maximum $500 fine. Plus, you won’t be able to renew until all continuing education is completed. This article covers the steps required to renew your insurance license in Texas in detail.

As you can tell, keeping your license active and avoiding fines are good motivators to get things completed in time.

There are only two steps required for renewal:

Complete the required continuing education.
Submit the renewal application on time.

License renewal needs to happen within 60 days before license expiration. Check your license to determine the renewal date and year. If it’s coming up soon, sign up now for coursework to complete the continuing education requirements.

Step #1: Complete the Continuing Education Requirements

Texas General Lines Licensed Agents must take 24 credit hours of approved continuing education every two years. At least two of the 24 hours must be approved for ethics training. And 12 hours must be classroom or classroom equivalent training. Our webinars are approved as classroom equivalent training. There are no restrictions on the course subject matter, except for the two hours of ethics training.

Special Training Requirements

Agents who sell flood insurance need to complete a one-time three-hour continuing education course related to the National Flood Insurance Program. Long-term care partnership policy sales require an initial eight-hour training course followed by a four-hour long-term care course every two years. Those selling annuity products must complete an initial annuity best interest four-hour course followed by eight hours of continuing education each renewal period.

Exemptions/Extensions

Those who have been continuously licensed in the State of Texas for 20 years qualify for an exemption from continuing education.

An agent can also file for an extension of time to complete continuing education due to illness, medical disability, active military duty in a combat theater, or other circumstances.

You can find the application at Continuing Education Exemption or Extension.

Other Ways to Earn Texas CE Credit

Up to four hours of CE credit can be earned by an agent who is an active member of a state or national insurance association. That requires reviewing educational materials, attending educational presentations, and can include both state and national associations. Note that these credits only apply as self-study credits. See more at State and National Insurance Association Credit.

Step #2: Submit Your Renewal Application Prior to Expiration

You can file your renewal application online at NIPR TX Agent Renewal or Sircon TX Agent Renewal. You’ll need to do this within the 60-day renewal window before the license expiration date.

Now is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education

Even with a full two years to accumulate your 24 hours of continuing education, there’s no reason to wait to get started. Wouldn’t it be nice to get it accomplished before the last minute?

We’ve got you covered with all the courses you need. You can find the full listing at Texas Insurance Continuing Education Course Catalog.

You’ll need to select at least 12 hours of training via webinars to satisfy the Texas requirement for courses taken in a classroom setting or classroom equivalent. Up to 12 hours can be obtained through online courses.

Our webinar courses are instructor-led and delivered live using video conferencing. You’re required to be in attendance for the full class time, with check-ins at random times throughout the webinar to confirm your attendance. Students can interact and ask questions. Advantages to webinars include no required reading and no quizzes or final exams.

Completion Reported the Same Day

Note that your continuing education course credits will be reported directly to the Texas Department of Insurance on the same day you complete the training. So, if you’re in a rush to complete your continuing education, we’ve got you covered.

Summary of Steps to Renew Your Texas Insurance License

Even though we’ve mapped it out above, it’s still a great deal to digest. Here’s a quick summary to get you started on the path to renewal.

Determine your license expiration date.
Determine your continuing education requirements.
Select and enroll in courses well in advance of your expiration date.
Complete your courses – we submit your credits to the Texas Department of Insurance the same day you complete them.
Renew your license.

We’re certain that everything you need to keep your license active is easily accessible through our website. If not, simply call our office and we’ll happily assist you.

If you’re near your renewal date, there’s no time to be lost. Sign up now for the most trusted and convenient solution for keeping your license active.

How to Reinstate Your Texas Insurance License

How to Get Insurance Continuing Education Quickly

Posted on 12.20.21

Ideally, you’ll start working on your continuing education requirements shortly after you complete your initial training and pass the license exam. Of course, not many of us are that farsighted or diligent, particularly when we have an insurance career to launch.

If you fall into this category, fear not; in this article, we provide the low down on how to get your insurance continuing education quickly — all in a step-by-step format.

Step #1 — Determine Your State’s Continuing Education Requirements.

In most states, 24 hours of continuing education is required every two years to renew your insurance producer license. There are a few exceptions. For example, Arizona requires 48 hours over four years. Iowa requires 36 hours over three years. Massachusetts requires 60 hours within the first three years of being licensed.

Not only that but several states require courses to be taken in certain topics, such as ethics training. And still, other states require a certain number of courses to be taken with specific delivery methods. For example, the Texas Department of Insurance requires agents to take 24 credit hours, but at least 12 of the hours must be done in the classroom or by courses approved as “classroom equivalent.”

We make it easy for you to know your specific CE and renewal requirements. Our License Management Pages provide a detailed listing of the requirements for almost all states along with links to everything you need to manage your insurance license. Agents can look up your license number and status, access your CE transcript, complete your license renewal application, or use a host of other resources we provide to make it easy to keep your license active.

Step #2 — Determine the Time Available to Complete the Coursework.

Now that you have found the continuing education requirements for your license, you’ll need to determine how much time you have available to complete the coursework. Look for your license expiration date and count down the days, weeks, and hopefully, months left before your continuing education needs to be completed.

Step #3 — Signup for Continuing Education.

After you’ve selected your state on our course catalog, you have two options for continuing education: online text-based courses and instructor-led webinar courses.

The online, text-based training is self-paced and delivered to your computer, tablet, and smartphone. The quizzes and exams are scored instantly, and you can take them as many times as necessary to pass. Plus, you can return to the training whenever it is convenient. The course progress bar takes you back to exactly where you left off.

Our webinar courses are instructor-led and delivered live using video conferencing. You’re required to be in attendance for the full class time, with check-ins at random times through the webinar to confirm your attendance. Students can interact and ask questions. Advantages to webinars include no required reading and no quizzes or final exams.

With our online, text-based courses, we also offer “complete compliance” packages that make your course selection super easy. These packages are designed by our compliance professionals and contain everything you need to meet your CE requirements with one simple selection, at one low price. We also offer individual courses so that you can pick and choose the type of training that best meets your learning needs. You can find further insight in our blog post Differences Between Webinar Courses and Traditional Online Text-Based Courses.

Step #4 — Set Aside Time for Study. Establish a Completion Schedule.

While it might be tempting to take a week or so off from work to devote to your continuing education, it’s probably best to determine how much time you can set aside for study during a normal week as well as on the weekend. Regular study will get the job done and help you better retain what you learn.

Once you’ve been able to determine how much time you have available over the course of a week, you can then build a schedule for completing all the required continuing education hours before your license expires. Don’t wait until the last minute to accomplish this work.

Step #5 — Complete Your Continuing Education.

Day-by-day and week-by-week is the steady way to complete all your continuing education requirements. Stick to the schedule you’ve planned, working on a regular basis to get everything accomplished. Our online text-based courses are perfect for this approach. You can spend minutes or hours on the training — pausing when needed and coming back to the exact spot you left off at any point in the future. Our insurance CE webinars provide the easiest way to “learn and earn.” You can earn your CE credits from the comfort of your own computer, smartphone, or tablet while learning about some of the most important and relevant topics facing the insurance industry.

Step #6 — Submit Your Renewal Application.

Once you’ve completed a course, we post the results to your state’s department of insurance the same day. So, you’ll be all set to apply for renewal. Once you’ve applied for renewal, make sure you set reminders for the next round of renewal training. We can help there, too. Find the compliance reminder button on our home page and sign up for our free email reminder service.

Now is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education.

The good news is that we’ve got you covered with all the courses you need in the format that best fits your available time and your preferred learning style, whether that’s online text-based courses or webinars.

We offer complete compliance packages to make course selection super easy. You can select all the courses you need with one click.

Have a question or need assistance? Phone 1-888-501-7330 for our customer care team. We also respond to email as well as via our Contact Form. On our contact page, you can also sign up for convenient license renewal reminders.

Can I Still Renew My Insurance License After It Expires?

Posted on 12.13.21

Unfortunately, the answer is…it depends. In most cases, you can, but it depends on what state you’re licensed in and, in almost all cases, you’ll have fines to pay. Not only that but you can’t work as an insurance agent with an expired license.

It’s best to complete the required continuing education and renew your license well before it expires. In this article, we touch on a few specific state examples. We then point you in the right direction for your state’s renewal process.

Renewal Regulations — Every State Has Their Own

Every state has its own insurance regulations including what’s required for renewal as well as what happens when your license is allowed to expire. We’ve dug a bit deeper into a few select states to give you an idea of what’s involved. If you live in a different state, you’ll need to check that state’s regulations. More on that next.

Texas Insurance License Expired

In Texas, if an agent doesn’t renew their license in time, there is a $25 late fee. In addition to this, agents must pay an additional fee of $50 for each credit hour of continuing education that has not been completed by their expiration date, up to a maximum of $500.

An agent can also file for an extension of time to complete continuing education due to illness, medical disability, active military duty in a combat theater, or other circumstances, but they must do so in advance of the license expiration date. For more information on renewing an insurance license in Texas, see our article How Do I Renew My Insurance License in Texas.

Ohio Insurance License Expired

Ohio insurance agents who do not renew their license by their expiration date have 2 options: 1) they can have their license reinstated within 30 days of their expiration date by paying a fine of $50; or 2) if they do not renew within the 30 day grace period, their license will be suspended and they have up to 1 year to pay a fine of $100 to have their license reinstated. In all cases, agents must fulfill their CE requirements prior to submitting the renewal/reinstatement application. After one year the individual will need to start the licensing process as a new agent.

There are exemptions for extenuating circumstances when the agent is unable to renew their license in time. These include long-term medical disability, military service, and other similar circumstances. To obtain the exemption, you must file a written request for an extension of the renewal date with the Ohio Department of Insurance. In almost all cases, agents who are granted an extension will still have to complete their CE requirements prior to having their license reinstated.

For more information on license renewal see our article How to Keep Your Insurance License Active in Ohio.

California Insurance License Expired

Insurance agents with California licenses have no grace period after the expiration date. Once the license expires, they are no longer eligible to transact insurance business. The license does remain eligible for renewal up to one year after the expiration date. During that time all required continuing education will need to be completed, and the renewal fee must be paid in addition to a penalty amounting to 50% of the renewal fees. You can find the full listing of fees at State of California Producer Licensing Fees.

You can find out more about renewing at How to Keep Your Insurance License Active in California.

Georgia Insurance License Expired

Producers in Georgia have a late renewal period of 15 days, during which time they are charged a late fee of $15 in addition to the renewal fees. After the 15-day period, agents can reinstate their license for up to 6 months for a late fee of $50. After 6 months and up to 1 year, agents must pay the late fee of $50 and be re-fingerprinted. If the agent waits beyond 1 year from their expiration date, their licenses are canceled and they must relicense. Of course, all CE requirements must be completed prior to reinstating. You can find out more about renewing your license at How to Keep Your Insurance License Active in Georgia.

Don’t Let This Happen to You

As you can see from the examples above, the renewal procedures for expired insurance licenses vary quite a bit across just those four states. If we haven’t covered your state, use our Course Catalog to get started determining the continuing education requirements, and follow the links to the state department of insurance to learn more about reactivating an expired license.

Sign Up for Continuing Education Now

Whatever the outcome of your review of renewal or reinstatement requirements, it’s likely that you’ll need to complete at least some if not all of your state’s continuing education requirements. We’ve got you covered with both online training and insurance CE webinars.

Our webinar courses are instructor-led and delivered live using video conferencing. You’re required to be in attendance for the full class time, with check-ins at random times through the webinar to confirm your attendance. Students can interact and ask questions. The advantages of webinars include no required reading and no quizzes or final exams.

Completion Reported the Same Day

Note that your continuing education course credits will be reported directly to the state’s department of insurance on the same day you complete the training. So, if you’re in a rush to complete your continuing education, we’ve got you covered.

Meeting Your Illinois Ethics Training Requirement

Posted on 11.25.21

Insurance license renewal requirements are straightforward in Illinois. Every two years you’re required to complete 24 hours of continuing education and then submit your renewal application. This must be done prior to your expiration date. Your expiration date is the last day of your birth month. This article covers the Illinois Ethics Training requirement necessary and the two different delivery methods.

But keep in mind, even if you complete your CE well in advance, your license cannot be renewed until you are within 90 days of your expiration date. You will receive a renewal notice from the Illinois Department of Insurance when you are within the 90-day renewal window.

How the Illinois Ethics Training Requirement Differs From Other States

Illinois differs from most other states’ CE requirements in regards to the Ethics Training Requirement. Of the 24 hours of continuing education that need to be completed, at least 3 hours of Ethics Training must be done in a classroom setting, or a setting approved as “Classroom Equivalent” by the Illinois Department of Insurance.

While you can complete your other 21 credits in any approved subject or delivery method (such as text-based courses), your Ethics Training must be done in a classroom setting, or delivery method approved as “Classroom Equivalent” by the Illinois Department of Insurance.

What’s the difference? A classroom delivery method is held in a true, traditional, classroom environment. As such, you must find a licensed provider who offers the ethics course in a classroom setting. You will then need to schedule the date and time, travel to the location, and be in attendance throughout the 3-hour session.

The instructor is present throughout the course, is available to take and respond to questions, and students are not allowed to leave. True classroom courses offer less flexibility for the availability of times and dates offered, and they also tend to be more expensive.

What Is a “Classroom Equivalent” Course?

A “Classroom Equivalent” course is one that is similar in most respects to a classroom course, but it is offered virtually through a zoom meeting or other webinar platform. The course is taught by a licensed instructor in a “live” setting, meaning it is real-time and not pre-recorded. Students can ask questions and attendance is taken at various times throughout the course. Classroom equivalent courses offer much more flexibility than traditional classroom courses.

Since they are offered virtually, students do not have to travel to the classroom location, and there are often many more options available for dates and times to attend these courses. There are no quizzes or exams that need to be passed either. And finally, classroom equivalent courses tend to be much less expensive than true classroom courses.

You can find a full listing of our Illinois-approved webinars, including those approved for Classroom Equivalent Ethics Training, at our Illinois Continuing Education Webinar Catalog. We also offer Complete Compliance Packages that include everything agents need to stay compliant – including the 3 Hour Classroom Equivalent Ethics Training Courses. The remaining 21 hours of continuing education can be completed with your choice of webinars or traditional online text-based courses.

Quick Look at Illinois Ethics Webinar Training

A recent webinar on Ethics and Unfair Insurance Practices is typical of the other webinars we offer. It’s taught by an instructor who is licensed and approved by the Illinois Department of Insurance, and who specializes in teaching insurance continuing education courses. She’s also a licensed insurance agent and a prior agency owner who brings her experience to the classroom. So, she has plenty of stories to tell that other agents can relate to, as well as brings the training to life.

The course provides a detailed (but always engaging and entertaining) analysis of the Unfair Trade and Claims Practices Models Acts, as developed and adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Participants learn critical skills for identifying and avoiding ethical mishaps and the importance of adhering to ethical thinking and behaviors.

Here’s a quick outline of the topics:

How the changing culture and access to information creates vulnerabilities for consumers.
How to go through the process of evaluating a situation, determining if there are ethical issues, reviewing the facts, evaluating the options and choosing an outcome that will satisfy all parties involved.
Recognizing questionable or unethical behavior.
Choosing how to proceed in difficult situations to obtain a positive outcome.

Now is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education

While the Illinois Department of Insurance will provide plenty of notice within the 90-day renewal period, don’t put yourself under the considerable pressure of trying to complete 24 hours of continuing education in just a few days. It’s much better to start now and steadily work your way through the needed courses.

We’ve got you covered with all the courses you need in the format that best fits your available time and your preferred learning style. You can find the full listing at Illinois Insurance Continuing Education Course Catalog.

We offer complete compliance packages to make course selection very easy. You can select all the courses you need with one click. We also offer individual courses so that you can pick and choose the type of training that best meets your learning needs.

Traditional Online Text-Based Courses

The training is self-paced and delivered to your computer, tablet, and smartphone. You must pass quizzes and final exams for each course, but they can be taken as many times as needed. Plus, you can return to the training whenever it is convenient. The course progress bar tells you exactly where you left off.

Webinar CE Courses

We also offer live webinars. This is where you’ll need to go for the required Illinois ethics training. You can find the current listing of approved webinars in our Illinois Webinar Catalog.

Plus, you also have the option of blending your learning through a combination of insurance CE webinars and online courses.

Same-Day Completion Reporting

Note that your continuing education course credits will be reported directly to the Illinois Department of Insurance on the same day you complete the training. So, if you’re in a rush to complete your continuing education, we’ve got you covered.

Summary Steps

Here’s a quick summary to get you started on the path to renewal.

Determine your license expiration date.
Determine your continuing education requirements.
Select and enroll in courses or webinars well in advance of your expiration date.
Complete your courses – we submit your credits to the Illinois Department of Insurance the same day you complete them.
Renew your license. We can help direct you through the entire process.

If you’re near your renewal date, there’s no time to be lost. Sign up now for the most trusted and convenient solution for keeping your license active.

How to Keep Your Insurance License Active in Louisiana

Posted on 11.05.21

It’s essential that you renew your insurance license in Louisiana. The first reason, of course, is that you need the license to remain an active agent. The second, and every bit as important, is to avoid wasting all the time, effort, and money you spent earning your license.

It’s not at all difficult to keep your Louisiana insurance license active. All it takes is two steps every two years:

Complete the required continuing education.
Submit the renewal application on time.

License renewal needs to happen within 90 days before license expiration. The expiration date is the last day of the agent’s birth month with the license number determining the renewal year. Licenses that end in an even number renew in even-numbered years. Licenses that end in an odd number renew in odd-numbered years. So, check your license to determine the renewal date and year. If it’s coming up soon, sign up now for coursework to complete the continuing education requirements.

Step #1: Complete the Continuing Education Requirements

Louisiana major lines licensed producers are required to take 24 credit hours of approved continuing education every two years. At least three hours must be in the category of ethics. The major lines include life, health and health, property, casualty, and personal lines.

Special Training Requirements

Insurance producers with the lines of property, casualty, or personal must include three hours of flood insurance training.

There are also requirements for long-term care insurance beginning with an eight-hour initial training requirement along with no less than four hours of continuing education every license renewal period.

It’s similar for annuity products. The initial training is four hours, but these four hours do not qualify as part of ongoing continuing education for renewing the license.

Exemptions/Waivers

There are three types of continuing education exemptions or waivers. The first is based on age for agents over 65 with a minimum of 15 years of experience eligible to request an exemption. The second is a military service waiver where the agent is prevented from completing continuing education due to their service. Finally, a medical waiver is available for those prevented from taking continuing education due to medical conditions.

Step #2: Submit Your Renewal Application Prior to Expiration

To renew your Louisiana insurance license, complete a renewal application online at the Louisiana Industry Access Portal. The option for renewal will appear 90 days before expiration. It’s best to register in advance for access to be ready in time for renewal. You may also file online renewals through the National Insurance Producer Registry.

Now is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education

Since you have two years to accumulate your 24 hours of continuing education there’s no real reason to hurry, right? Don’t take that risk.

We’ve got you covered with all the courses you need. You can find the full listing at Louisiana Insurance Continuing Education Course Catalog.

We offer complete compliance packages to make course selection extremely easy. You can select all the courses you need with one click. We also offer individual courses so that you can pick and choose the type of training that best meets your requirements.

The training is self-paced and delivered to your computer, tablet, and smartphone. The quizzes and exams are scored instantly, and you can take them as many times as necessary to pass. Plus, you can return to the training whenever it is convenient. The course progress bar tells you exactly where you left off.

Please note that Louisiana does not allow CE credits for courses with the same approval number to be repeated within a 24-month period. Return customers should review their transcript from the previous renewal window prior to selecting new courses to avoid any duplication.

Completion Reported the Same Day

Note that your continuing education course credits will be reported directly to the Louisiana Department of Insurance on the same day you complete the training. So, if you’re in a rush to complete your continuing education, we’ve got you covered.

Summary Steps

Even though we’ve mapped it out above, it’s a great deal to digest. Here’s a quick summary to get you started on the path to your Louisiana insurance license renewal.

Determine your license expiration date.
Determine your continuing education requirements.
Select and enroll in courses well in advance of your expiration date.
Complete your courses – we submit your credits to the Louisiana Department of Insurance the same day you complete them.
Renew your license.

We’re certain that everything you need to keep your license active is easily accessible through our website. If not, simply call our office and we’ll happily assist you.

If you’re near your renewal date, there’s no time to be lost. Sign up now for the most trusted and convenient solution for keeping your license active.

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Step #1: Complete the Required Continuing Education

Step #2: Verify that you have the needed CE credits before the license expiration date.

Now Is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education

Completions Reported the Same Day

Summary of Steps to Keep Your License Active

We’re Here to Help

Step #1: Complete the Required Continuing Education

Step #2: Verify that you have the needed CE credits prior to the license expiration date.

Now Is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education

Completions Reported the Same Day

Summary of Steps to Keep Your Florida Insurance License Active

We’re Here to Help

Step #1: Complete the Required Continuing Education

Special Training Requirements

Step #2: Submit Your Renewal Application Prior to Expiration

What if You Didn’t Renew Your New Jersey Insurance License Prior to Expiration?

Now Is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education

Completions Reported the Same Day

Summary of Steps to Renew Your New Jersey Insurance License

We’re Here to Help

Make Sure the Insurance Continuing Education Provider is Approved in Your State

Compliance Knowledge Really Matters!

Filing Your CE Credits is a Huge Deal!

The BetterCE Difference

Step #1: Complete the Required Continuing Education

Special Training Requirements

Step #2: Submit Your Renewal Application Prior to Expiration

Continuing Education Exemptions and Extensions

What if You Didn’t Renew Your Indiana Insurance License Prior to Expiration

Now Is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education

Completions Reported the Same Day

Summary of Steps to Renew Your Indiana Insurance License

We’re Here to Help

Step #1: Complete the Continuing Education Requirements

Special Training Requirements

Exemptions/Extensions

Other Ways to Earn Texas CE Credit

Step #2: Submit Your Renewal Application Prior to Expiration

Now is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education

Completion Reported the Same Day

Summary of Steps to Renew Your Texas Insurance License

We’re Here to Help

Step #1 — Determine Your State’s Continuing Education Requirements.

Step #2 — Determine the Time Available to Complete the Coursework.

Step #3 — Signup for Continuing Education.

Step #4 — Set Aside Time for Study. Establish a Completion Schedule.

Step #5 — Complete Your Continuing Education.

Step #6 — Submit Your Renewal Application.

Now is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education.

Renewal Regulations — Every State Has Their Own

Texas Insurance License Expired

Ohio Insurance License Expired

California Insurance License Expired

Georgia Insurance License Expired

Don’t Let This Happen to You

Sign Up for Continuing Education Now

Completion Reported the Same Day

We’re Here to Help

How the Illinois Ethics Training Requirement Differs From Other States

What Is a “Classroom Equivalent” Course?

Quick Look at Illinois Ethics Webinar Training

Now is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education

Traditional Online Text-Based Courses

Webinar CE Courses

Same-Day Completion Reporting

Summary Steps

We’re Here to Help

Step #1: Complete the Continuing Education Requirements

Special Training Requirements

Exemptions/Waivers

Step #2: Submit Your Renewal Application Prior to Expiration

Now is the Time to Start Your Continuing Education

Completion Reported the Same Day

Summary Steps

We’re Here to Help

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