Insurance Continuing Education Options and State Requirements

Insurance continuing education is a must for professionals in the industry, and it's not just a one-time thing. Most states require insurance agents and brokers to complete a certain number of hours of continuing education (CE) every year to maintain their licenses.

Some states, like California, require insurance agents to complete 24 hours of CE every two years. Others, like Florida, require 30 hours every two years. It's essential to check with your state's insurance department to find out the specific requirements.

The good news is that there are many options for completing CE hours. Online courses are a popular choice, and many insurance companies offer them. Some states also allow agents to complete CE hours through self-study or classroom instruction.

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If you're licensed in Florida, you're required to complete continuing education (CE) courses to maintain your license. These requirements are mandated in every state.

Florida has specific CE requirements for each type of insurance license. For example, Life insurance producers need to complete 4 hours of Law and Ethics update and 20 hours of Elective credits.

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Here's a summary of CE requirements for various licenses:

Note that some licenses, like Funeral Prearrangement, have no CE requirements.

If you're planning to renew your insurance license, you'll need to meet the state's continuing education requirements. In Texas, for example, all licenses except Escrow officer licenses renewing on and after September 30, 2022, require 24 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of ethics.

For Texas license holders, at least half of the required hours must be classroom or "classroom equivalent." You can take courses from two topic groups: "General" and "Ethics." In Florida, on the other hand, license types such as Life, Health, and General Lines require 4 hours of Law and Ethics update and 20 hours of Elective credits.

Here's a breakdown of the state requirements for different license types:

In Texas, if you don't complete the required continuing education hours before your license expires, you'll have 90 days to complete the deficient number of hours and pay a fine of $50 per deficient hour. In Florida, license holders must complete the required hours to renew their license, and some license types have additional requirements, such as the 3 hours of Ethics, Rules or Compliance for Title (Resident & Non-Resident) license holders.

Florida requires a law and ethics update for various insurance licenses, including the General Lines - Life, Accident, Health, and HMO (LAH) license, which needs 24 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of ethics.

For license holders, 24 hours of continuing education is required for each license period, with 3 hours of ethics being a mandatory part of this requirement. The law and ethics update course covers significant legislative changes to the practice of insurance in Florida for late 2023 and early 2024.

To fulfill the entire law and ethics review required for license renewal, the Florida Law and Ethics Update course is available, which covers topics and cited references that have been legislated and put into law in the state.

The table below summarizes the continuing education requirements for license holders:

Any licensee may take courses from the "General" and "Ethics" topic groups, and at least half the hours must be classroom or "classroom equivalent."

In Florida, licensed agents must complete continuing education (CE) courses to stay current on insurance laws and issues. CE requirements vary by license type.

For instance, agents holding Life, Accident and Health Insurance licenses must complete 4 hours of Law and Ethics update (5-214) and 20 hours of Elective credits. Health agents have similar requirements, with 4 hours of Law and Ethics update (5-240) and 20 hours of Elective credits.

Here's a breakdown of CE requirements by license type:

Agents who have held a license for 25 years or more may be eligible for a reduction in CE hours. Some limited licenses, such as Motor vehicle physical damage and mechanical breakdowns agents, are exempt from CE requirements.

You can take all the online continuing education courses you want for one price with Total Access CE - Property & Casualty.

This means you'll have access to 50+ courses, giving you a wide range of options to choose from.

If you're looking for a hassle-free way to complete your continuing education, bundled courses are a great option. They offer everything you need to meet your state's requirements in one convenient package.

Our All-In-One CE Package is specifically designed to make your life easier. It provides a comprehensive solution for licensed agents who need to complete their continuing education.

You can choose from state-specific continuing education courses that are tailored to your needs. Whether you're a life, accident, and health insurance agent or need a refresher, we have you covered.

Bundled courses are ideal for those who don't know their state's specific requirements. They offer a simple and efficient way to complete your continuing education training.

Quick & easy courses are available for licensed agents who value their time. Our state-specific courses are designed to help you meet your state requirements quickly and efficiently.

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With Total Access, you can simplify your continuing education process.

Bundled courses are available, which include everything you need to complete your state's required CE training in one package. This is ideal for those who don't know their state's requirements.

You can access 50+ courses with Total Access CE - Property & Casualty, letting you take all the online continuing education courses you want for one price.

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Continuing education rules are located in the Texas Administrative Code and can be easily retrieved through the Texas Administrative Code Search Tool.

To locate specific rules, you can enter the Title Number, Chapter Number, and Rule Number at the search screen. For example, to locate §19.602, you would enter Title Number: 28, Chapter Number: 19, and Rule Number: 602.

The Texas Administrative Code covers various topics related to continuing education, including adjuster renewal and reexamination requirements, general provisions, definitions of terms used in the rule, and licensee CE requirements.

Here are some specific topics covered in the Texas Administrative Code:

In Florida, the continuing education class "Florida Life and/or Annuity Law and Ethics Update" covers significant legislative changes to the practice of insurance in Florida for late 2023 and the early parts of 2024.

Annuities are a crucial aspect of insurance, and continuing education is essential to stay up-to-date on the latest developments. As of January 1, 2024, insurance producers who sell annuities must complete an annuity best interest course.

The NAIC has updated its Model Regulation for annuity transactions, which mandates insurance producers offering annuities to take a suitability and best interest training course. This course meets the NAIC's education requirement, covering annuity suitability and best interest laws, types of annuities, contract structures, recordkeeping, and contract provisions.

Insurance producers can complete their elective credits toward license renewal with courses like the Florida Life, Health, and Annuity Elective Course 20 HR CE, which includes 20 hours of elective credits that will count towards your continuing education requirements. However, this course does not include the required four hours of laws and ethics education.

To fulfill the annuity best interest course requirement, insurance producers have two options: complete a one-hour annuity best interest course, which is only available until June 30, 2024, or complete the four-hour annuity best interest course. The four-hour course provides in-depth information on annuity suitability and best interest laws, types of annuities, and contract structures.

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Here's a summary of the annuity best interest course requirements:

Insurance producers who have taken an annuity course prior to January 1, 2024, must complete either a one-hour or four-hour annuity best interest course, while those who have not previously taken an annuity course must complete the four-hour course before selling annuity products.

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If you're a General Lines insurance producer in Florida, you'll need to complete your continuing education requirements for license renewal. You can do this with courses like the Florida Property and Casualty Elective Course 20 HR CE, which includes 20 hours of elective credits.

This course covers modern tools used in the insurance industry, including businessowner policies, employment practices liability, umbrella and excess liability, and professional liability contracts. It also explores personal lines inland marine contacts and toxic mold.

The course is designed to provide updated and interesting information on issues affecting general lines insurance producers. It's a great way to stay current on industry developments and requirements.

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Florida also offers a 20 Hour Property and Casualty Review course, which includes content divided into sections on homeowners insurance, automobile insurance, commercial insurance, worker's compensation insurance, and key federal regulations.

If you're looking for a shorter course, the Florida 16 Hour Property and Casualty Review is another option. This course covers similar topics, including homeowners insurance, automobile insurance, commercial insurance, and specialty insurances.

Here are some key features of these courses:

These courses are a great way to meet your continuing education requirements and stay up-to-date on industry developments.

Florida offers a variety of continuing education courses for health insurance producers.

Insurance producers can complete their elective credits toward license renewal with courses like the Florida 20 Hour Health Review, which covers topics such as medical plans, group health insurance, and the Medicare program.

The Florida 16 Hour Life and Health Review also offers elective credits, covering life insurance topics like policy provisions and taxation of life insurance, as well as health insurance topics.

This course begins with a general overview of insurance, making it a great option for producers who want to brush up on the basics.

The FL Health Elective Course 20 HR CE is another option, which includes 20 hours of elective credits and covers advanced health insurance basics, dental insurance, and taxation of health insurance and medical benefits.

To sell Long Term Care Insurance in Florida, you need to complete an initial 8 hour continuing education course approved by the State of Florida. This course is a mandatory requirement for licensed Health producers.

In Florida, you must complete four additional hours of Long-Term Care continuing education every licensing term to continue selling LTC Insurance. This course will review key principles and concepts related to long-term care insurance policies.

Licensed health agents who handle long-term care (LTC) partnership products require specialized training. You must complete an initial eight-hour course before selling LTC products.

To renew your Long-Term Care Certification in Florida, you'll need to complete a 4 hour continuing education course that reviews key principles and concepts related to long-term care insurance policies.

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As a licensed agent, you know how important it is to stay up-to-date on your continuing education requirements.

You'll need to complete 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years to keep your license active.

The good news is that these courses are designed to be quick and easy to complete, so you can fit them into your busy schedule.

To meet the 24-hour requirement, you can take courses in Life, Accident and Health Insurance or an All-In-One CE Package.

Here's a breakdown of the general requirements:

Once you complete a course, you'll receive a certificate of completion and we'll submit proof of course completion to the Florida Department of Financial Services on your behalf.

Course providers have up to 21 days to submit these hours, so you can check your current number of completed course hours through the MyProfile feature at myfloridacfo.com.

If you don't see a course you completed on your transcript, contact us to resolve the issue.

To earn credit toward CE requirements, you can take courses approved by TDI from registered course providers, which will indicate the number of hours and whether they count toward the ethics requirement.

After completing a course, we'll issue you a certificate of completion and submit proof of course completion to the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) on your behalf.

You can check your current number of completed course hours through the MyProfile feature at myfloridacfo.com.

Course providers have up to 21 days to submit these hours.

If you don't see a course that you completed on your transcript, contact us.

If the course appears on your transcript but you haven't received credit for the course, email [email protected].

You must keep your certificate of completion for two years to resolve any disputes that may arise.

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Carryover of Excess is a valuable perk for professionals who complete more Continuing Education (CE) hours than required. You can carry over up to 24 hours of excess credit to the next license term.

This means you can bank those extra hours for future use, rather than having to complete additional courses. It's like having a CE savings account!

Any additional credit earned through Law and Ethics courses will apply specifically to their subject-specific requirements. This is a great way to stay on top of your professional development needs.

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As you navigate the world of continuing education, it's essential to know what counts as credit toward your requirements. Credit is typically earned by taking courses approved by TDI from registered course providers.

These courses will indicate the number of hours and whether any count toward the ethics requirement. You can find more information on approved courses in the Texas Administrative Code.

Passing a part of many professional designation programs can also earn you credit. According to the Texas Administrative Code, a professional designation program is nationally recognized in the insurance industry, issued by an entity with not-for-profit status, and has been in existence for at least five years.

Up to four hours of continuing education credit can be earned by an agent who is an active member of a state or national insurance association. This credit can be earned through various means, and you can review Chapter 4004.0535 of the Texas Insurance Code for more information.

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Qualifying courses, not certified by TDI, may also be used for credit. These courses are offered for credit by accredited colleges, universities, or law schools, or are part of a national designation certification program.

To break it down, here are some examples of what counts as credit toward CE requirements:

Keep in mind that exemptions from, and extensions of time for a licensee to complete CE hours are possible under very limited circumstances. Proper documentation of a circumstance beyond the licensee's control is key to an extension being granted.

Kaplan is your strategic partner for understanding, completing, and renewing CE, making them a reliable choice for insurance continuing education. They offer comprehensive support to help you navigate the process.

Kaplan is your partner for insurance CE, providing a one-stop solution for all your education needs.

NFIP certification is required for selling flood insurance in Florida, and a 3 Hour course is available to meet this one-time certification requirement.

This 3 Hour NFIP Certification course is specifically designed for the state of Florida.

The certification is a one-time requirement, so once you've completed the course, you're all set to start selling flood insurance in Florida.

By meeting this certification requirement, you'll be able to provide your clients with the necessary flood insurance coverage they need.

As a licensed agent, you know how valuable your time is, which is why it's great that some continuing education providers offer state-specific courses that can be completed quickly and efficiently.

Our partners at Kaplan offer flexibility to study when and where you want, so you can fit your continuing education into your busy schedule.

Kaplan's insurance continuing education courses are designed by experts and include the most up-to-date and relevant insurance exam topics, such as annuity and long-term care licensing training.

If you're looking for a one-stop-shop, Kaplan's All-In-One CE Package is a great option, covering all your continuing education needs.

Automated certification reporting to your state makes it easy to stay compliant, and top-notch instructors with real-world experience ensure you're getting the best education possible.

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The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provides a wealth of online resources for insurance professionals, including a comprehensive course catalog and a user-friendly online learning platform.

Many insurance companies also offer continuing education courses and resources to their agents and brokers, often in partnership with reputable providers.

The NAIC's online learning platform is free to use and offers a wide range of courses, from property and casualty to life and health insurance.

Some courses are self-paced, while others are instructor-led, giving you the flexibility to learn in a way that suits your schedule and learning style.

The Insurance Information Institute (III) is another valuable resource for insurance professionals, offering a variety of online courses and educational materials on topics such as risk management and insurance law.

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