FAQ's

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - California

The following is for both Life Agents and Property Casualty Agents...

How many CE hours do need each if my license was issued since January ‘92?

You need to complete a minimum of 25 approved credit hours for that license type for each of the first four 12 month periods, starting from the issuance date of the original license. If the licensee solicits individuals for the sale of Long Term Care (LTC) insurance, beginning with the 12-month period ending in 1994, 8 of each 25 hours must be in specially designated LTC course.

Thereafter, complete 30 approved credit hours for that license type during each two-year license period. If the licensee solicits individuals for the sale of LTC insurance, then 8 of each 30 hours must be in specially designated LTC courses.

 

What if my license was issued before January 1992?

Licensees renewing in 1993 need to complete 15 credit hours before renewal. For renewals in 1994, 1995 and thereafter, 30 credit hours need to be completed during each two-year license period. The credit hours must be for the license type held.

If the licensee solicits individuals for the sale of LTC insurance, then 4 hours of the 30 must be in specially designated LTC courses for all renewals in 1994 and 8 hours of the 30 must be in specially designated LTC courses for all renewals in 1995 and thereafter.

 

What if I hold two licenses, i.e. Property Casualty and Life Agent licenses?

Dual license holders need only satisfy the requirement per licensee.

The CE requirement goes to the individual, not to each license held. The CE requirement can be met by taking courses approved for either license type.

The before January 1992 requirements apply if a licensee has a license issued before January 1992 and earns a second license after January 1992.

 

The following are the most frequently asked questions regarding Pre-Licensees and Continuing Education Licensees...

 

How will I know when it’s time to renew my license?

The license expiration date is shown on the front of the license. The Department mails a renewal notice about ninety days before your expires.

If, for any reason, you do not receive a renewal notice, you may refer to the back of your license for instructions on renewing.

 

How do I inform the Department of my address change?

California Insurance Code Section 1729 states "every licensee and every applicant for a license shall immediately notify the Commissioner in writing of any change in his/her address". You may notify the Department of Insurance by completing address change form #447-7 and mailing it in, or you may submit a letter signed by you which address is to be changed. The Code Section applies to any change in address... residence, business or mail.

 

How do I know how many continuing education hours I will need to renew my license?

Thirty-hours (30) of continuing education are required per renewal term for licenses issued prior to 1/1/92; those licenses issued after 1/1/92 will need to complete twenty-five hours (25) per year for each of the first four years; thereafter, they will complete thirty-hours (30) hours for every two-year term.

 

How can I check to see if the Department of Insurance has received my continuing education hours and how many hours of credit I have accumulated?

Allow 45 days after the course completion date for the provider to submit the necessary information and for the Department to update your record. To check continuing education hours, call any of our public counters

Sacramento (916) 322-3555

San Fransisco (415) 904-6072

San Diego (619) 525-4154

You may also contact the Department of Insurance’s Interactive Voice Response System at (916) 322-3555 which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

After I complete my continuing education hours, do I need to send the Certificates to the Department of Insurance?

No, it is not necessary. It is the providers responsibility to submit the credits to the Department of Insurance. DO NOT send certificates, or copies of the certificates, even if your renewal form indicates you are deficient in hours. The certificate is for your records; the Department must enter the hours from the providers roster.

 

Will I still be able to continue transacting if my license expires and I haven’t received the renewed license yet?

If the renewal fee was received, and the continuing education hours were completed before the expiration date of the license, you may continue operating under the existing license for 60 days or until notified that the renewal application is deficient (Insurance Code Section 1720.

 

What if my renewal is late?

All renewal requirements must be met by the expiration date of your license or all current appointments, endorsements and/or employee/employer relationships will be cancelled. All relationships must be re-established by filing the appropriate forms and fees. A 50% penalty fee is required to late renewals of the license. There is no grace period. You have one year from the expiration date to late renew the license; after which time you must file a new application, appointment fees, pre-licensing certificates and pass the qualifying examination.

 

What if I want to be licensed as a non-resident in another state?

You should contact the other state for their license requirements.

A letter of certification from the California Department of Insurance is required when filing in another state as a non-resident. Indicate the state you need the certificate for, your name, license number and/or social security number, and the address where you would like the certificate mailed. The fee is $14.

Please allow 2-3 weeks for issuance of certificate.

 

I’m moving to another state. What do I need from the California Department of Insurance?

A "clearance letter" is required when you are moving to another state. This cancels your license in California. To obtain a clearance letter, you must submit a signed statement requesting clearance, return your original license (if lost, you must so state in the letter), namethe state you wish to become licensed in, provide your name, license number and/or social security number, and the address where the clearance letter is to be mailed. The licensee’s original signature is required. The fee is $19.

Please allow 2-3 weeks for issuance of the clearance letter.

 

How do I obtain a duplicate license?

Request for duplicate license must be signed by the licensee, stating name, license number and/or social security number, and any address change. The duplicate license fee is $19.

 

I’ve recently changed my name. How do I notify the Department of Insurance?

To change the name on your license, you need to send a form of documentation showing your new name (i.e., copy of social security card or driver’s license or marriage certificate) and a signed statement. You may request a duplicate license reflecting your new name; however, the duplicate license fee is $19.

 

How do I inform the Department of Insurance when I’ve changed to a different Insurance company?

The new insurance company must submit an action notice of appointment (447-54) and a fee of $19. The prior company(ies) may submit an action notice (447-54) and a fee of $19 to terminate appointment, or you may self terminate your appointment by completing the agent notice of termination (447-69) and submitting a fee of $19.

 

I have authority to act as a solicitor and would like to obtain authority to act as an agent or a broker; what is the procedure?

Your solicitor appointment must first be terminated either by you or by your employer. Employers should complete a solicitor action notice form number 417-31 and submit a fee of $19. To self terminate your appointment you may complete an agent action notice form number 417-32 and submit a fee of $19. After termination is effective, an action notice of appointment form number 447-54 and $19 is required from each company. A ten thousand dollar ($10,000) bond (form 417-5) must be filed with the Department of Insurance before broker authority is granted.

 

How do I add variable contract authority to my life license?

The U-4 status form reflecting your NASD registration and approval is required to add variable contract authority to your life license. Send a copy of the U-4 status form. Variable authority will be added. There is no fee... however, if you wish a duplicate license showing the variable authority, submit a signed request and $19 fee.

 

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