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New Training Requirements

Person's hands typing on a laptop at a desk. Article title.

Why It’s Worth Keeping Your Insurance License Active — Even If You’re Not Practicing

Posted on 03.26.26

At BetterCE, we regularly hear from agents who earned their insurance license years ago but later transitioned into another career. One question comes up again and again:

“Is it really worth keeping my insurance license active if I’m not currently selling insurance?”

In most cases, the answer is yes. Maintaining your license through ongoing insurance continuing education is far easier—and far less expensive—than starting over later.

You’ve Already Invested Significant Time and Money

Earning an insurance license requires a serious investment of time, effort, and money. Most states require pre-licensing education, passing a state exam, application fees, and fingerprinting before a license is ever issued.  

Smiling woman sitting at a desk using a laptop. Three reasons to keep your insurance license active if not selling.

The True Cost of Getting Licensed

Between pre-licensing courses, exam fees, licensing applications, and study time, earning an insurance license can easily require dozens of hours and several hundred dollars. Allowing your license to lapse puts that entire investment at risk.

There’s a Good Chance You’ll Need It Again

Many former agents let their licenses expire, only to discover later that they need them again. This often happens when new career opportunities arise, when commission-splitting is required, or when licensing is needed for compliance or credibility.

In most states, agents have only a limited window to reinstate an expired license. After that, the full pre-licensing and exam process must be repeated.

An Insurance License Is a Valuable Professional Credential

Even if you’re not actively selling, keeping your insurance license active demonstrates discipline, regulatory knowledge, and professional credibility. Many employers value this credential in management, compliance, training, and consulting roles.  

Woman studying on a laptop with a notebook beside her. Three benefits of staying active with an insurance license vs. starting over.

Keeping Your License Active Is Easier Than Re-Licensing

Maintaining an active license usually requires completing periodic insurance continuing education and paying a renewal fee. Compared to re-licensing, this process is simple, affordable, and flexible.

Most insurance continuing education courses are available online, cost less than re-licensing, and can be completed on your own schedule.

Helpful Resources

  • State-Specific Insurance CE Packages
  • Find My State CE Requirements

Three reasons to choose BetterCE for continuing education.

A Smarter Way to Keep Your Insurance License Active With BetterCE

At BetterCE, we make insurance continuing education simple, affordable, and state-approved. Our online courses are designed for busy professionals who want to stay compliant without unnecessary exams, hassle, or wasted time.

Whether you’re actively selling insurance or simply keeping your license active for future opportunities, BetterCE helps you meet your CE requirements quickly and confidently.

Explore your state-approved courses in our Course Catalog and keep your insurance license active the easy way. Contact us today to complete your CE insurance credits.

Featured: Special bulletin pinned to cork board- Special Bulletin: New Training Requirements for California Life Insurance Agents

SPECIAL BULLETIN: New Training Requirements for California Life Insurance Agents

Posted on 08.01.24

September 1, 2025

The California Department of Insurance has adopted two (2) new training requirements for California Life Insurance Agents who sell certain products. These new requirements are a result of SB 263, recently passed by the California legislature. Both training requirements will become effective January 1, 2025, and apply to both resident and non-resident life agents who sell certain products. 

4-Hour Life Insurance Policy Training Course

Agents whose licenses were issued on or after 1-1-2024 and sell life insurance policies other than term life with no cash value shall be required to complete this new 4-hour training course prior January 1, 2025. Agents licensed on or after January 1, 2025  are required to take this training before soliciting or selling any non-term life insurance products. Per the California Department of Insurance, agents licensed prior to 1-1-2024 do not have to complete this requirement. This is a 1-time training requirement.   

Callout 1: Two new training requirements for California life insurance agents- 4 hour course; 2 hour course

2-Hour Variable Life Insurance Training

A life agent who sells variable life insurance policies will have to complete two hours of training before each license renewal period. This is in addition to the current 4-hour annuity training requirement that agents must complete every 2 years.

The department has issued 2 separate notices related to these new requirements.  The notice related to the 4-Hour Life Insurance Policies Training Course can be located here: CA 4-Hour DOI NOTICE.  The notice related to the 2-Hour Variable Policies Training Course can be located here: CA 2-Hour Variable Training DOI NOTICE

The 4-Hour Life Insurance Policies course has been developed and approved by the California Department of Insurance, and is available here: 4-Hour Life Insurance Policies Course

The 2-Hour Variable Training Course has been developed and is available here: CA 2-Hour Variable Training Course

 

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