General Requirements
Major Lines licenses include:
- Accident, Health or Sickness
- Life
- Property, Casualty or Personal Lines
- Variable Life and Variable Annuity
Massachusetts General Lines Licensed Agents must take 60 Credit Hours of Approved Continuing Education before their initial renewal date and 45 Credit Hours each subsequent compliance period prior to their Expiration Date. The expiration date occurs on the agent’s birth date – every 3 years. Of the 45 credit hours required, at least 3 must be done in the category of Ethics Training. The remaining requirements are “non-license type specific”: Agents can take courses in any topic as long as they are approved by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance.
Producers licensed in multiple major lines (Property, Casualty, and Life, for example) are only required to meet the same requirements as agents with single lines of licensing. In other words: you only must take 45 credit hours of CE, regardless of the number of lines of licensing you hold. You should check your CE Transcript to be certain of your renewal and CE requirement dates (review dates).
Agents must complete their CE Requirements prior to their license expiration date to be eligible to renew their license. Licenses can be renewed online through NIPR.com or Sircon.com. The renewal fee is $225 per application, and applicants renewing for Property, Casualty, and/or Personal Lines are charged an additional $75 lead paint surcharge fee. For example, agents licensed in Life only are required to pay a renewal fee of $225, and an agent licensed in Property and Casualty and Life or Health would pay a renewal fee of $225 plus the $75 lead paint surcharge fee ($300 total). Massachusetts also charges an additional $0.50 per credit hour “filing fee” that must be collected by the CE provider and remitted when credits are filed.
Licenses are eligible for renewal when 1) all CE Requirements have been completed and 2) when the licensee is within 90 days of their license expiration date.
Massachusetts CE Requirements are “Non-License Type Specific.” Producers can take courses in any subject matter as long as:
- They are approved by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance
- At least 3 of credit hours are approved for Ethics credit
Continuing Education Requirements must be completed every 3 years, on or before the anniversary of the agent’s date of licensure.
Special Training Requirements
There are special training requirements for Massachusetts insurance agents who sell certain products. These courses count towards your CE Requirements.
Flood Insurance
Massachusetts insurance agents who sell flood insurance must complete a one-time 3-hour Flood Training Course.
Annuity Training
Any Massachusetts insurance agent who sells, solicits, or negotiates an annuity product must complete a one-time 4-Hour Annuity Suitability course prior to selling.
Long Term Care
A Massachusetts insurance agent may not sell, solicit or negotiate a Long-Term Care policy unless the individual is licensed as an insurance producer for Health, Accident, or Sickness and has completed an initial 8 Hour Long Term Care training course. Agents must also complete ongoing training consisting of a 4 Hour Long Term Care training course every 24 months following.
CE Exemptions
There are limited exemptions from CE Requirements for some Massachusetts insurance agents.
Exemptions: Producers licensed prior to April 4, 1983, who have remained continuously licensed in the same line of authority are exempt from CE requirements.
Course Repeat Restrictions
Agents will not receive credit for the same course repeated within 3 years of the prior completion date.
Carryover Credits
Credits earned in excess of the 45 credit requirement may carry over to the next renewal period. Carryover credits may not exceed 45 credit hours. Ethics credits will carry over as general CE credits.
Late Renewal and Reinstatements
There is no grace period for license renewals. Massachusetts agents have up to 1 year to renew their license late for a fee of $225 plus the $225 late renewal fee ($450 total). After 1 year, agents must go through the re-application process.
Massachusetts Insurance Agent Continuing Education & Renewal Requirements Summary
| Renewal Term | Every 36 Months |
| Renewal Date | Last Day of Birth Month – Every 3 Years |
| CE Requirements | 60 Credits for First Renewal – 45 Credits Each Renewal Afterwards. (3 in Ethics Required for both) |
| Course Requirements | Non-License Type Specific (Courses May Be Taken in Any Approved Subject Matter) |
| Special Training | Flood – 1 Time Prior to Selling Annuities – One-time Annuity Training Course Long Term Care – Must be a Health, Accident, or Sickness producer; 8 Hour Initial, 4 Hours Every 24 Months Following |
| Exemptions | Producers licensed prior to April 4, 1983, who have remained continuously licensed in the same line of authority |
| Renewal Fee | $225 + $0.50 per credit hour filing fee = ($247.50 total renewal fees) |
| Renewal Site | NIPR or Sircon |
| Missed Renewal | Late renewal up to 1 year |
| Late Renewal, Reinstatement, Fees | $225 renewal fee + $225 late fee After 1 Year – Relicense and pay associated Fees |
| Carryover Credits | Up to 45 credits may carry over to next compliance period |
| Course Repeat Restrictions | No credits for courses repeated within 3 years of previous completion date |
California Division of Insurance Contact Information
Main Switchboard: 617-521-7794
Fax: 617-753-6830
Email: producerupdate.mailbox@mass.gov
Massachusetts Division of Insurance
1 Federal Street
Suite 700
Boston, MA 02110
