Georgia Insurance Agent License Requirements and Process

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To become a licensed insurance agent in Georgia, you'll need to meet the state's requirements, which include passing a licensing exam and completing a pre-licensing education course.

The pre-licensing education course must be approved by the Georgia Insurance Department and cover topics such as insurance laws and regulations, insurance products, and ethics.

You'll need to complete a minimum of 20 hours of pre-licensing education before taking the licensing exam.

Getting Licensed

To get licensed as a Georgia insurance agent, you'll need to complete an approved pre-licensing course. This can be done in a Classroom, Online, or Self-Study format. The course requirement may vary depending on the type of license you're applying for.

Here are the specific course requirements for different types of licenses:

If you hold a specific designation, such as the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) or the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), you may be exempt from the pre-licensing course requirement for certain types of licenses.

General Requirements

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To get licensed, you'll need to meet the general requirements, which are pretty straightforward. You'll only need to meet the same requirements as agents with single lines of licensing, regardless of how many lines you're licensed in.

In Georgia, licensed insurance agents are required to complete 24 credits of continuing education every 2 years prior to their license expiration date. This is a must-do to keep your license active.

You'll need to complete 3 credits of Ethics Training as part of those 24 credits, but the remaining credits can be in any topic approved by the Georgia Department of Insurance. You can choose courses that interest you, as long as they're approved.

Here's a breakdown of the CE requirements:

To renew your license, you'll need to complete your CE requirements prior to your license expiration date. You can renew your license online through NIPR.com or Sircon.com, and the renewal fee is $105 for any number of major-lines licenses being renewed.

Decide Which Type You Need

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Getting licensed can be a bit overwhelming, but let's break it down step by step. Most new agents start by getting either a Property & Casualty (P&C) or a Life & Health (L&H) insurance license.

With a P&C license, you can sell products like auto and homeowners insurance. Most people start out by selling a single line of authority and gradually expand into new areas.

You can sell life insurance, annuities, and health insurance with a L&H license.

Training and Education

To become a licensed insurance agent in Georgia, you'll need to complete a pre-licensing education course. These courses are available in both online and classroom formats.

The Georgia Office of Insurance requires a minimum of 20 hours of pre-licensing education for life and health insurance, and 40 hours for property and casualty insurance. Some courses are also available for insurance adjusters, who require 20 hours of education.

You can choose from a variety of courses, including the Georgia Live Online Life & Health Insurance Pre-Licensing Virtual Class, and the Georgia Life & Health Insurance Prelicensing Online Course.

Here are the pre-licensing education hour requirements in Georgia:

After completing your pre-licensing course, you'll be eligible to take the insurance exam and apply for your license.

Exam and Registration

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To get your Georgia insurance agent license, you'll need to register for and pass the licensing exam. Pearson VUE administers the exam, and you should register 3-7 days in advance to secure your preferred test date and time.

The exam has two sections: national and state rules, and you must score 70% or higher on both to pass. The exam fee is $63 for each attempt, and you'll have a 2-week waiting period before you can retake the test if you fail.

You'll also need to fill out a citizenship affidavit and save it as a PDF, which you'll provide when you apply for your license. This affidavit is a required document for the licensing process.

Here's a quick rundown of the exam details:

If you're preparing for the exam, consider using a pre-licensing course like the one offered by America's Professor, which has a 90% success rate among students who use the course as intended. Their comprehensive online course includes video lessons, a hard copy textbook, and practice exams to help you prepare.

Consider reading: Public Adjuster Classes

Compliance and Regulation

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Compliance with regulatory requirements is a critical aspect of the insurance industry in Georgia, where specific rules and regulations govern the licensing and regulation of insurance agents.

To maintain compliance, insurance companies and agencies operating in Georgia must implement robust systems for tracking and verifying the licenses and credentials of their agents. This includes leveraging pre-built workflows that are fully configurable to automate license application processes.

In Georgia, the Georgia Department of Insurance oversees the licensing process and enforces compliance with state regulations. Insurance Sales Agents in Georgia are required to obtain and maintain a valid insurance license to operate within the state.

Agents licensed consecutively for more than 20 years are only required to take 20 hours of Continuing Education, 3 hours of which must be in Ethics. Exemptions and reductions in the CE requirements are granted on a case-by-case basis for illness or involvement in activities related to teaching, legislative and journalism projects involving insurance.

Background Checks

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To pass a background check for your insurance license, you'll need to provide fingerprints and agree to a review of your past. The fee for fingerprinting services is $53.

Gemalto is the approved fingerprinting vendor chosen by the state. You'll receive a fingerprinting card during your appointment, so make sure to hold on to it.

Prior misdemeanors or felonies may impact your ability to get your insurance license. Contact the Georgia Office of Insurance for more information on how this could affect you.

Compliance and Regulation

In Georgia, Insurance Sales Agents must obtain and maintain a valid insurance license to operate within the state.

The Georgia Department of Insurance oversees the licensing process and enforces compliance with state regulations.

Insurance companies and agencies operating in Georgia must implement robust systems for tracking and verifying the licenses and credentials of their agents.

To ensure compliance, insurance companies can leverage automated license tracking and primary source verification solutions like Certemy.

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Maintaining compliance with licensing regulations is a complex and time-consuming task for insurance companies.

Insurance Sales Agents are required to hold valid licenses in the states where they conduct business, and failure to comply can result in severe penalties and reputational damage.

In Georgia, Insurance Sales Agents are subject to specific regulatory requirements governing the licensing and regulation of insurance agents.

To ensure compliance, agents must meet certain educational and examination requirements, as well as complete continuing education to renew and maintain their license.

Exemptions from CE Requirements are granted on a case-by-case basis for illness or involvement in activities related to teaching, legislative and journalism projects involving insurance.

Agents who hold professional designations can reduce the amount of CE Credits they must complete, but must submit proof of their designations in advance of their license expiration date.

Flood

Flood insurance is a must-have for those living in high-risk areas. Georgia insurance agents who sell Flood Insurance must complete a 1-time, 3 hour Flood Training Course.

If you're an insurance agent in Georgia, make sure to prioritize this training to stay compliant.

If this caught your attention, see: Does Renters Insurance Cover Flood Damage

Long Term Care

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Long term care insurance requires specific training for agents in Georgia. To sell, solicit, or negotiate a Long-Term Care Partnership policy, agents must complete an initial 8 Hour Long Term Care training course.

Agents must also complete ongoing training, specifically a 4 Hour Long Term Care training course every compliance period following the initial course. This ensures they stay up-to-date on the latest information and regulations.

See what others are reading: Long Term Care Insurance Agent

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to get an insurance license in Georgia?

In Georgia, the cost to obtain an insurance license is a flat fee of $115, regardless of the license type. This fee covers the cost of licensure for Agent Life, Accident and Sickness, Agent Property Casualty, and Agent Variable Product licenses.

How much does a licensed insurance agent make in Georgia?

In Georgia, a licensed insurance agent's average annual salary is $68,387, with total pay estimated at $122,779. Discover the factors that influence insurance agent salaries in Georgia.

How hard is the Georgia insurance exam?

The Georgia insurance exam is challenging due to its complex state regulations, but with a strict study schedule, you can prepare effectively. Be prepared to tackle difficult material and put in the effort to make it memorable.

How long does it take to get an insurance license in Georgia?

In Georgia, it typically takes 14 business days to obtain an insurance license after submitting your online application. Get started on your insurance career today and learn more about the process.

Alberto Stehr

Senior Copy Editor

Alberto Stehr is a meticulous and detail-oriented copy editor with a passion for crafting clear and engaging content. With a keen eye for grammar, punctuation, and syntax, Alberto has honed his skills over years of experience in the field. Alberto's expertise spans a wide range of topics, from personal finance and retirement planning to education and technology.

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