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Featured: Laptop open to webinar screen - Texas Continuing Education Options

Texas Continuing Education Options

Posted on 10.24.22

In the Lone Star State, you need to renew your insurance license every two years. This must be done prior to your license expiration date, which 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 Texas continuing education requirements are completed. 

Your license will be inactivated if you fail to complete all this during the 90-day grace period after the expiration date. However, you still have up to 1 year to reapply for your expired license without retaking the licensing examination. To do so, you must still complete the required CE, pay the fine of $50 per deficient credit hour, and pay the fees for an original application fee, plus a penalty fee of one-half of the original application fee.

Those are some onerous outcomes for failing to complete your Texas Insurance License Continuing Education requirements. So, what are the options? This article covers the four ways to complete the CE requirements required to allow you to renew your license.

Callout 1: Texas flag - In the Lone Star State- 3 facts about Texas insurance license renewal

What Are the Texas Insurance 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.

Agents who sell flood insurance must 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.

Texas Online Text-Based Continuing Education Courses

With an online text-based course, course materials are like a textbook but much more interactive. The training is self-paced and delivered to your computer, tablet, and smartphone. You can select the courses you need, enroll, and start courses at any time.

You’ll review the course materials and complete chapter quizzes along with a final exam for each course. During the course, you can return to the training whenever it is convenient for your schedule. The course progress bar tells you exactly where you left off.

The course quizzes and exams are scored instantly. Plus, you can take them as many times as necessary to pass. Upon passing each class, a certificate is generated and available for printing or download. Credits earned are reported by BetterCE to the Texas Department of Insurance the same day each course is completed.

Callout 2: Texas online text-bases continuing education courses - 2 facts listed

Texas Webinar Continuing Education Courses

As noted earlier, for Texas Insurance Continuing Education, 12 hours must be classroom or classroom equivalent training. Better CE webinars are approved as classroom equivalent training.

Webinar courses are like traditional classroom courses. They are instructor-led and delivered live in real-time using video conferencing. You’ll need to be present at the webinar for the entire class to earn continuing education credits. Attendance is confirmed by requiring students to check in at random times throughout the webinar.

Students are not seen in video conferences, but they can interact and ask questions. Like online text-based courses, webinars are available to be taken on any computer, smartphone, or tablet with an Internet connection.

Certificates of course completion are generated shortly after course completion. Credits are reported to the Texas Department of Insurance the same day as completion.

Since webinars are live video conferences, they are offered at set times. They must be scheduled and attended on the dates and times offered. For more information on webinars, see our article 8 Benefits of Insurance Continuing Education Webinars. 

Callout 3: Texas webinar continuing education courses - 2 facts listed- blurred background

State and National Insurance Association Texas Continuing Education Credit

Up to four hours of Texas Self-Study CE credit can be earned by an agent who is an active member of a state or national insurance association or holds a national designation certification. 

Fulfilling the CE requirements involves reviewing educational materials provided by the association, which can count for up to two hours of credit. Attending educational presentations provided by the national designation sponsor or state or national insurance associations can receive up to four hours of credit. 

The licensee cannot claim more than four hours of credit under this section toward completing the licensee’s continuing education requirement for any reporting period. See more at State and National Insurance Association Credit.

Texas Insurance Continuing Education Exemptions

There is also an exemption from continuing education for those who have been continuously licensed for 20 years. To request an exemption or extension, you’ll need to submit form FIN517, Application for License Exemption or Extension. 

For further information on Texas insurance continuing education requirements, see our article How Do I Renew My Insurance License in Texas. Or, if your license has expired, see our article How to Reinstate Your Texas Insurance License. 

Sign Up for Continuing Education Now

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 equivalent. Up to 12 hours can be obtained through online text-based courses. 

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

Callout 4: Texas self-study CE credit quote from text

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, we’ve got you covered when you’re trying to complete your training quickly.

We’re Here to Help

We’re confident that the continuing education you need to renew your license is easily accessible through our website. If not, call our office, and we’ll happily assist you.  

At BetterCE, we provide more than the most convenient and affordable solution for insurance continuing education. Our agent support services are provided by experienced insurance licensing professionals who have helped thousands of agents easily navigate the renewal process.

Have a question or need assistance? Phone 1-888-501-7330 for our customer care team. We also respond to emails as well as via our Contact Form. On our contact page, you can also sign up for convenient license renewal reminders so that you never have to deal with an expired license.

Featured: Time expired on meter- How to Reinstate Your Texas Insurance License

How to Reinstate Your Texas Insurance License

Posted on 09.20.22

To keep a resident insurance license active in Texas, all major-lines licensed insurance agents are required to do 2 things, every 2 years: Complete the required continuing education of 24 credits and renew their insurance license. This must be done every 2 years, prior to the licensee’s expiration date. Specific renewal requirements can be viewed in our article: How Do I Renew My Insurance License in Texas

So what happens if you don’t complete your Texas renewal requirements in time and need to reinstate your Texas insurance license? This article covers the penalties and options available for keeping your Texas insurance license active if you failed to meet the renewal requirements prior to your license expiration date.  

Callout 1: Texas Insurance License Expiration and Reinstatement - 4 facts listed

Texas Insurance License Expiration and Reinstatement

Agents who do not complete their renewal requirements (CE and renewal app) prior to their license expiration date have up to 90 days to keep their license active. To do so, they must complete any outstanding CE requirements, and pay a fine of $50 for each credit hour they were deficient ($500 max). They must also submit their renewal application and fees ($50), along with a penalty of one-half of the original renewal application fee ($25). Again, this must be done within 90 days of the license expiration date. 

Agents who do not complete the renewal requirements within the 90 days following their license expiration date will have their license inactivated; however, they still have up to 1 year to reapply for their expired license without having to retake the licensing examination. To do so, they must still complete the required CE, pay the fine of $50 per deficient credit hour, submit and pay the fees for an original application fee, plus a penalty fee of one-half of the original application fee. 

Callout 2: Time expired on meter- after 1 year agents can reinstate their license with 3 conditions- listed

Agents who do not reinstate their Texas insurance license within 1 year can still reinstate their license but are required to retake and pass the licensing examination, pay original license fees, and complete unfinished CE from prior licensing period, or pay fines for not doing so.  The application can be found at NIPR Texas State Requirements or Sircon Renew or Reinstate Insurance License.

Exemptions From or Extensions to CE Requirements

Note that an agent can file for an exemption or 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. There is also an exemption from continuing education for those who have been continuously licensed for 20 years. To request an exemption or extension, you’ll need to submit this form: Texas Application for Continuing Education Exemption of Extension.

For further information on Texas insurance continuing education requirements, see our article How Do I Renew My Insurance License in Texas? 

Don’t Let Your Insurance License Expire – Sign Up for Continuing Education Now

Whether you’re able to renew on time, or, you’ll likely need to complete at least some of the continuing education requirements. We’ve got you covered with both online training and webinars.

Callout 3: CE requirements - exemptions or extensions - quote from text - blurred background

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. This is a relatively quick way to accomplish your CE requirements.

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 to webinars include no required reading and no quizzes or final exams.

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 equivalent. Up to 12 hours can be obtained through online courses. 

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

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, we’ve got you covered when you’re trying to complete your training quickly.

Callout 4: Person taking class on laptop- 12 hours of training must be in classroom setting or equivalent

We’re Here to Help 

We’re confident that the continuing education you need to renew or reinstate your license is easily accessible through our website. If not, call our office, and we’ll happily assist you.  

At BetterCE, we provide more than the most convenient and affordable solution for insurance continuing education. Our agent support services are provided by experienced insurance licensing professionals who have helped thousands of agents easily navigate the renewal process.

Have a question or need assistance? Phone 1-888-501-7330 for our customer care team. We also respond to emails as well as via our Contact Form. On our contact page, you can also sign up for convenient license renewal reminders so that you never have to deal with an expired license.

Featured-green sticky note on keyboard-How do I renew my insurance License in Texas

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:

  1. Complete the required continuing education.
  2. 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.  

Callout 1- quote from article- "In Texas, license expiration is the last day of your birth month"

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.  

Callout 2- hands on keyboard -Step#1- Complete the continuing education requirements

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.  

Callout 3- blurred keyboard and cup of coffee- Special training requirements - 3 bullet points

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.  

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 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.  

Callout 4- blurred white background- Other ways to earn Texas CE credit - 3 facts listed

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. 

We’re Here to Help

At BetterCE we provide more than the most convenient and affordable solution for insurance continuing education. Our agent support services are provided by experienced insurance licensing professionals who have helped thousands of agents easily navigate the insurance license renewal process. 

 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.

Featured-Time expiring on white clock background - Can I Still Renew My Insurance License After It Expires?

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.  

Callout 1- blurred background- Renewal Regulations-Every State Has Their Own

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.  

male holding credit card- Texas Insurance License Expired- 3 facts given

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.  

Callout 3- blurred side image-Ohio Insurance License Expired- 2 options listed for agents

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.  

Callout 4- California Insurance License Expired-3 bullet points: Georgia Insurance License Expired- 3 bullet points listed

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.

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. This is a relatively quick way to accomplish your CE requirements.

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.

We’re Here to Help 

At BetterCE we provide more than the most convenient and affordable solution for insurance continuing education. Our agent support services are provided by experienced insurance licensing professionals who have helped thousands of agents easily navigate the insurance license renewal process. 

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 so that you never have to deal with an expired license.

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