Important Notices
The District of Columbia Announces Implementation of Fingerprinting Requirements
The Department of Securities and Banking in the District of Columbia has announced that effective August 9, 2010, any applicant that passes the examination to become a resident insurance producer must submit to fingerprinting and a background check through the DC Metropolitan Police Department prior to being granted a license.
Every nonresident producer who becomes a resident producer on or after August 9, 2010, must also submit to a fingerprinting and background check.
To schedule an appointment for fingerprinting, contact Zadie Bowles via email at Zadie.bowles@dc.gov
Illinois Insurance Licensing Services Conversion
The Illinois Insurance Department will convert to a new licensing system between July 16, 2010 and August 2, 2010. As part of the conversion process, all Illinois electronic applications will be temporarily suspended beginning Friday, July 16, 2010. During the interruption of services, availability of records on the Producer Database (PDB) will be impacted. The PDB will receive its last pre-conversion update on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, and will begin receiving updates from Illinois on Monday, August 2, 2010.
When processing resumes on Monday, August 2, 2010, Illinois will no longer use the Social Security Number (SSN) as the license number for an individual producer. The National Producer Number (NPN) will become the licensee's new license number. Business entity producer license numbers will remain the same.
In support of the conversion, some services will be temporarily unavailable through Sircon's Compliance Express:
| Illinois Services Impacted | Date Services Become Unavailable | Date Service is Restored |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Resident License Applications Resident and Non-Resident License Renewals Reinstatements |
July 16, 2010, 4 AM ET | August 2, 2010, 9 AM ET (est.) |
Beginning August 2, 2010, Illinois will begin accepting reinstatements of lapsed licenses online through license application instead of through license renewal as it had previously. Applicants whose license expired within the past 12 months may reinstate that license through the online license application service for double the normal licensing fee. Following the 12 month period after expiration, the applicant may reapply through the online license application service for the normal fee.
Minnesota Insurance Licensing Services
On July 1, 2010, the "Licensing Bill," which was signed by the Governor on May 12, 2009, took effect. The Licensing Bill impacts pre-licensing education, continuing education, fingerprinting, and renewal dates for individual insurance producers and adjusters. For both producer and adjuster license types, renewal dates will be moved from a date certain (October 31) to the last day of the licensee’s birth month. A transition plan is included in the legislation.
As part of the transition plan, all active Minnesota individual licenses with a current expiration date of 10/31/2010 will still renew on 10/31/2010; similarly, licenses with an expiration date of 10/31/2011 will still renew on 10/31/2011. Upon renewing, a new expiration date will be assigned based on the licensee’s birth month. Business Entity license renewals are unaffected. New individual licenses issued after August 1, 2010, will have the new birth month renewal.
Also, in accordance with Minn. Stat. §16E.22, a new OET Surcharge Fee will be charged to license classes that do not require continuing education for initial and renewal applications. This surcharge is being collected on behalf of the Minnesota Office of Enterprise Technology to fund a statewide electronic licensing system. Please call 651-556-8005 for further information.
The OET Surcharge Fee is:
- License fee is $0.10 - $50: Surcharge Fee is $5
- License fee is $50.10 - $1,500: Surcharge Fee is 10%
- License fee is more than $1,500: Surcharge Fee is $150
For renewals, the OET Surcharge Fee is based on the original renewal fee, not the late renewal fee. Please note that the Technology Fee will continue to be charged for all license classes that require continuing education for initial and renewal applications. Effective July 1, 2010, the Resident Independent Adjuster and Resident Public Adjuster license classes will have continuing education requirements and will be assessed the Technology Fee.
In support of implementing the new law, the State’s PDB data was updated. License qualifications available through Compliance Express were directly impacted by the data maintenance activities. The following highlights the changes:
| License Type Description | Available Qualifications Through June 30, 2010 | Qualifications Effective July 1, 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Adjuster | Adjuster - Fire & Allied Lines Adjuster - Casualty Adjuster - Multiple Lines |
Indep Adj Property & Casualty Indep Adj Workers Comp Indep Adj Crop Insurance |
| Public Adjuster | Adjuster - Fire & Allied Lines Adjuster - Casualty Adjuster - Multiple Lines |
Public Adj Property & Casualty Public Adj Workers Comp Public Adj Crop Insurance |
| Catastrophe Adjuster | Adjuster - Fire & Allied Lines Adjuster - Casualty Adjuster - Multiple Lines |
Cat Adj Property & Casualty Cat Adj Crop Insurance |
The qualifications on the above active licenses were converted to the new related Property & Casualty qualification.
Reinstatements are now available for the individual adjuster license classes except Catastrophe Adjuster. For adjuster licenses that converted on July 1st, reinstatements will be available electronically this fall following the October 31st, 2010 renewal. For licenses that expired before July 1 with the old qualifications, the reinstatement request must be submitted by paper to the Department. To reinstate an expired license, the request must be submitted within 12 months of the previous renewal date, and a penalty in the amount of double the unpaid renewal fee is required.
Nevada Announces the Expansion of Online License Application Services
Nevada continues to expand its online license application offerings. Applicants may now apply through this web site quickly and easily for the following licenses:
Individual License Types:
- Resident Producer
- Non-Resident Producer - Expanded Available Lines of Authority
- Non-Resident Surplus Lines Broker
- Non-Resident Independent Adjuster
- Non-Resident Associate Adjuster
Firm license Types:
- Resident Producer Firm
- Non-Resident Producer Firm - Expanded Available Lines of Authority
- Non-Resident Surplus Lines Broker
- Non-Resident Independent Adjuster
Mississippi Emergency Independent Adjusters
The Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance has authorized the issuance of emergency independent adjuster licenses following extensive damage due to tornados in Warren and Yazoo counties on Saturday, March 24, 2010. The emergency independent adjuster license may be applied for by clicking on the "apply for a license" link available online through Sircon at http://www.sircon.com/mississippi. Applicants must be certified by a Mississippi licensed independent adjuster; the certification form is available to be printed as part of the application process through Sircon. The emergency license is not eligible for renewal and will expire 180 days from issuance.
Idaho MGA License Renewals
Effective immediately, the state of Idaho is requiring Managing General Agent (MGA) license renewals to be submitted by paper instead of online. To process your renewal on paper, access the Department of Insurance website at http://www.doi.idaho.gov/licensing/mga_renewal.aspx for details. The MGA license expires on June 30th of every year.
Utah License Reinstatements Now Available Online
Insurance licenses are electronically reinstated up to one year from the inactivation date. Licensees whose license expired more than one year ago, must submit a new license application and satisfy all of the licensing requirements of a first-time licensee.
Please note: Appointments and associations are not reactivated when a license is reinstated; all appointments and associations must be re-established.
The following groups of lapsed licensees may submit a reinstatement request:
- All insurance licensees.
- Note: Resident individual insurance licensees must have met the continuing education (CE) requirements.
Electronic reinstatements may be processed online via Sircon's renew or reinstate your license link above.
Resident individual insurance producers who have met the CE requirements but are unable to submit a reinstatement online because the system still lists their CE compliance as pending should review their CE transcript and contact the provider of any course that does not appear. The provider will need to upload the associated course roster. Once the roster upload has been processed by the system, the producer will be able to submit the reinstatement application.
If attempting to process the reinstatement of a license that was inactivated between 3/31/2009 and 3/31/2010, you may receive the error: "License Number Requirement: License Requires an Active Qualification." If this happens, please contact the Utah Insurance Department for further instructions.
Phone (801) 538-3855
Email licensing.uid@utah.gov
Washington Nonresident Producer License Renewals now Available Online through Sircon
Washington individual nonresident producer license renewals are now available online through Sircon for the following lines:
- Life
- Disability
- Property
- Casualty
- Personal Lines
- Variable
The nonresident license must be active for the requested lines of authority. Renewals must be submitted no earlier than 60 days prior to the license expiration and no fewer than 10 days prior to the license expiration date. Name and address corrections should be completed prior to renewal and must match current PDB data.
The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner does not print or mail renewal licenses. Licensees will need to register for the Washington Online Services to print their own license. To register for Washington's online services go to https://fortress.wa.gov/oic/onlineservices/Login.aspx?module=LSE.
Producer licenses expire every two years on the licensee's birth date. The first renewal occurs one year after the individual's birth date after the license is issued.
Virginia Announces Online Printing of Producer Licenses
The Virginia Bureau of Insurance issued Administrative Letter 2010-02 on March 15, 2010, announcing that insurance producer licenses may now be printed online. The Bureau of Insurance has been mailing a paper license to the producer when the license is approved. Effective immediately, the Bureau will no longer mail paper licenses.
Electronic producer license applications may be submitted to the Bureau through Sircon's Compliance Express service. Once the license has been approved by the Bureau, Sircon sends an email notification to the producer who may then print their license at http://www.sircon.com/virginia. This service is free for up to 30 days once the license application submitted through Sircon has been approved. After the first 30 days, the license may be printed for a service fee. Duplicate licenses may also be printed at any time for a service fee.
In addition to producer licenses, online license printing is available through Sircon for the following resident and nonresident licenses:
Individual license types
- Consultant
- Limited Lines Producer
- Surplus Lines Broker
- Viatical Settlement Broker
Firm license types
- Consultant
- Surplus Lines Broker
- Viatical Settlement Broker
The Bureau encourages producers to review licensing information in the pamphlet, General Information Pertaining to All Licenses, on the Bureau's website at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/division/boi/webpages/licenseforms/licenseinfo.pdf.
To view a copy of the Bureau of Insurance Administrative Letter, visit the state website at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/division/boi/webpages/adminlets/10-02.pdf.
California Non-resident Fingerprint Requirement
The California Department of Insurance has issued a notice regarding changes to its non-resident fingerprint requirement.
Beginning on March 1, 2010, the California Department of Insurance (CDI) will no longer require fingerprints from applicants who were previously fingerprinted as a condition of obtaining an insurance producer license in their resident state. The department made this change in an effort to move toward full reciprocity with other states in regards to non-resident licensing.
This exemption applies to individuals who currently hold a resident license in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington. To qualify for the exemption, non-resident applicants must have been fingerprinted as a condition of obtaining their resident license in these states. Therefore, non-resident applicants who currently hold a resident license in these states but were never fingerprinted because they were licensed prior to the state implementing the fingerprint requirement will still need to be fingerprinted as a condition of obtaining a non-resident license in California.
The list of states to which the fingerprint exemption applies will be updated as additional states mandate the fingerprint requirement as a condition to obtain a resident insurance producer license. The CDI will issue subsequent notices when there are changes to this list.
For questions regarding this change, please visit CDI's Website at www.insurance.ca.gov, send an e-mail to the Producer Licensing Bureau at https://interactive.web.insurance.ca.gov/pli/servlet/InformationRequest, or call the CDI's Producer Licensing Hotline at (800) 967-9331 or (916) 322-3555. All correspondence with the CDI should include your name, telephone number, license number and e-mail address.
Louisiana Online Resident License Application Services Expanded
Prometric, as part of its Louisiana online examination registration process, is expanding its offering of online application services to include claims adjuster, surplus lines broker, and public adjuster in addition to producer license applications. Following completion of pre-licensing education, a producer license applicant may go online to www.sircon.com/prometriclouisiana to submit a license application for any producer license qualification that will require an examination.
Within the twenty-four (24) hour period after submitting the license application, the application will be either moved to "Approved Pending Exam" status or placed or flagged for Louisiana to review. Applicants with "Approved Pending Exam" status may continue the examination registration process by scheduling the related licensing examination on Prometric's web site at www.prometric.com/louisiana/insurance.
If there is no "Approved Pending Exam" status after 48 hours, your application is being reviewed by the State. Contact the State of Louisiana at (225) 342-5900 or (225) 342-0895 with any questions.
Vermont Offers Online Resident Individual Producer License Applications
The Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration (BISHCA) is now accepting online license applications through Sircon's Compliance Express Services for resident producer licenses. Applicants must have passed the related licensing examination. Following successful completion of the examination, the applicant must wait 48 hours before submitting the application electronically. BISHCA will issue the license once they are satisfied the applicant has met all licensing requirements.
Georgia Announces Important Changes to Resident Application Process
Effective January 1, 2010, the Georgia Insurance Department will implement the following changes:
- The application process for a resident agent license will no longer require sponsorship by an insurer. Upon issuance of the agent license, the licensee must obtain a certificate of authority from each insurer they will represent. Note that applications for temporary licenses still require insurer sponsorship.
- New resident applicants, excluding active licensees and individuals that apply for reinstatement within six (6) months of expiration date, will be required to submit electronic fingerprints. The applicant shall bear the cost for electronic fingerprinting. Details regarding the fingerprinting process can be found via the state website.
- Resident agent applicants will be able to apply online using Sircon's Compliance Express services at www.sircon.com/georgia.
Minnesota Lapsed Licenses
If you are an individual insurance producer and you were scheduled to renew your license in 2009, you may reinstate it online between now and October 31, 2010, by paying twice the unpaid renewal fee. The license reinstatement request will be immediately considered and either renewed or placed on hold for review by the state.
Please note: Appointments are not reactivated when a license is reinstated.
The following groups of lapsed licensees may submit a reinstatement request:
- All non-resident individual insurance producers
- Resident individual insurance producers who have met the continuing education requirements
Resident individual insurance producers who have met the continuing education (CE) requirements but are unable to submit a reinstatement online because the system still lists their CE compliance as pending should review their CE transcript and contact the provider of any course that does not appear there. The provider will need to upload the associated course roster. Once the roster upload has been processed by the system, the producer will be able to submit the reinstatement.
If you are an insurance producer and you were scheduled to renew your license in 2008 or earlier, you must submit a new license application and satisfy all of the licensing requirements of a first-time licensee.
Virginia Expands List of License Types Available for Online License Application
The following Virginia license applications may now be submitted quickly and easily online through Sircon's Compliance Express:
- Non-resident Business Entities: Producer
- Non-Resident Business Entities: Surplus Lines Broker
Mississippi License Reinstatements - More License Types Available Online
Through Sircon's website, insurance producers may electronically reinstate licenses that have an expiration date less one year from the current date by paying a license reinstatement fee of 50% of the license fee in addition to the license renewal fee. The license may be reinstated to the first day of the month of the reinstatement.
Please note: Appointments are not reactivated when a license is reinstated.
Previously reinstatement services were available for:
- Life, Accident and Health insurance agent licensees
- Property and Casualty insurance agent licensees
- Resident individual insurance licensees who have met the continuing education (CE) requirements
Reinstatement services are now available for the following for both resident and nonresident licensees:
- Business Entity Life, Accident and Health
- Business Entity Property and Casualty
- Business Entity Adjuster
- Individual Independent Adjuster
License Renewal Attachments
Through the license renewal service available through Sircon, license renewal attachments may be electronically submitted with license renewal applications for the following states:
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Nevada
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
South Carolina Department of Insurance Announces Mandatory Online Producer Renewal Process
Effective June 2, 2009, South Carolina law requires all individual resident and nonresident producers licensed in South Carolina (except those producers with travel/baggage authority only) to renew their license biennially and pay a $25 renewal fee. The Department has been given authority by the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009-2010, to immediately implement the $25 renewal license fee so that it may timely implement the provisions of the South Carolina producer licensing law. Therefore, all producers licensed by June 2, 2009, are required to renew their license by completing an online renewal application and paying the $25 renewal fee. Paper renewal applications will not be accepted or processed by the Department.
The producer renewal period begins July 1, 2009, and ends November 1, 2010.
- Beginning July 1, 2009, renewals may be processed via the South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) website at www.doi.sc.gov and clicking on SCDOI Online Services.
- Beginning August 15, 2009, renewals may be processed via Sircon's Compliance Express.
The licenses of all producers who have not renewed by November 1, 2010, will automatically be cancelled on November 2, 2010.
Producers who do not renew by November 1, 2010, will be required to reapply. Resident producers must retake and pass the South Carolina producer licensing examination and pay a $25 license fee; nonresident producers will have to reapply and pay the $25 license fee.
Effective January 1, 2011, producer license renewals will be processed by birth month and birth year as will continuing education compliance. Details of the birth month and birth year renewal process will be placed on the Department's website at a later date.
NOTE: The renewal fee does not take the place of the Continuing Education recordkeeping fee that must be paid by May 1, 2010.
Direct any questions via email to the Office of Individual Licensing at agntmail@doi.sc.gov.
Nevada License Application and Renewal Fee Increase Effective May 29, 2009
Effective May 29, 2009, an additional assessment of $60.00 is now added to each new Nevada license application and license renewal, and will be applied to the Division's Insurance Administration and Enforcement Account. This fee and the Insurance Administration and Enforcement Account were created by the Legislature as a result of Senate Bill 426 which was signed by the Governor on May 29, 2009. This additional assessment is separate from and in addition to any business entity affiliation fee indicated in a license application or license renewal, or the fee to add an additional line of authority. Please refer to the Division's Web site at www.doi.state.nv.us or the Nevada Legislature's Web site at www.leg.state.nv.us to review Senate Bill 426 and the complete list of license types affected by the new law.
A complete copy of the state notice may be viewed at http://doi.state.nv.us/PL-LicFee-7-1-09.pdf
Mississippi Enacts Producer Licensing Uniformity Act
On March 26, 2009, Governor Haley Barbour signed into law HB 777, implementing the Producer Licensing Uniformity Act. All changes are effective November 1, 2009.
Bulletin 2009-2, released by the Mississippi Insurance Department, outlines the bill's impact on lines of authority, establishment of a new license period, prelicensing and continuing education, and fees. The bulletin may be viewed at http://www.mid.state.ms.us/bulletins/20092bul.pdf.
Oklahoma License Applications
Oklahoma residents and nonresidents can now submit individual producer and business entity license applications quickly and easily online through Sircon for the following lines of authority:
Resident Individual and Business Entity Limited Lines producers
- Agricultural Revenue
- Credit Products
- Crop and Hail
- Surety
- Travel Accident and Baggage
- Vehicle Auto Rental
Nonresident Individual and Business Entity Title License applications
- Title
- Aircraft Title
Wisconsin Opens Association Maintenance Services
The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance is now offering Association Maintenance Services, accessible through their state landing page at www.sircon.com/wisconsin. This new service allows insurance firms to quickly and easily add and remove Wisconsin-licensed designated representatives
Oklahoma License Applications and Renewals
Oklahoma resident and nonresidents can now submit individual producer and firm license applications and renewals quickly and easily online through Sircon for the following license types:
- Resident Individual Limited Lines Producer Applications
- Resident Firm Limited Lines Producer Applications
- Nonresident Individual Title License Producer Applications
- Resident Individual Title License Renewal
- Nonresident Individual Title License Renewal
- Resident Firm Title License Renewal
- Nonresident Firm Title License Renewal
- Resident Individual Surety and Credit Products License Renewals
- Nonresident Individual Surety and Credit Products License Renewals
The resident individual and firm limited lines applications may be submitted for the following qualifications:
- Agricultural Revenue
- Credit Products
- Crop/Hail
- Surety
- Travel Accident Baggage
- Vehicle Auto Rental
New Mexico License Renewals
New Mexico nonresident individual and business entities can now submit the following license renewals quickly and easily online through Sircon:
Business Entity Licenses:
- Firm
- Third Party Administrator
Individual Licenses:
- Broker
North Carolina License Renewals
Through Sircon, nonresident individual licensees can now submit online license renewals for the following license types:
Individual Licenses:
- Broker
- Motor-Vehicle Damage Appraiser
- Self-Employed Insurance Adjuster
- Surplus Lines
- Viatical Settlement Broker
- Self-Service Storage (available March 1, 2009)
- Auto Rental (available March 1, 2009)
North Dakota License Renewals
Individual nonresident Surplus Lines producers may now renew their license online through Sircon.
Print Your Nevada License Online
The ability to print Nevada licenses online is now available. To print a license online, select "Print a license" in the left-hand column of this page. A state fee of $10.00 for printing a license applies.
There is no Sircon service fee for up to 30 days after license approval and renewal for license applications and license renewals completed through Compliance Express. Duplicate license copies can be printed at any other time for the state fee and a Sircon service fee.
Utah License Reinstatements Now Available Online
Insurance licensees may now electronically reinstate licenses that have an expiration date of up to one year from the inactivation date. The license reinstatement request will be immediately considered and either renewed or placed on hold for review by the state.
Please note: Appointments and associations are not reactivated when a license is reinstated; all appointments and associations must be re-established.
The following groups of lapsed licensees may submit a reinstatement request:
- All insurance licensees.
- Note: Resident individual insurance licensees must have met the continuing education (CE) requirements.
The electronic reinstatement may be submitted online using Sircon's web site.
Resident individual insurance producers who have met the CE requirements but are unable to submit a reinstatement online because the system still lists their CE compliance as pending should review their CE transcript and contact the provider of any course that does not appear there. The provider will need to upload the associated course roster. Once the roster upload has been processed by the system, the producer will be able to submit the reinstatement application.
If you are an insurance licensee and your license expired more than one year ago, you must submit a new license application and satisfy all of the licensing requirements of a first-time licensee.
Print Your Vermont License Online
The ability to print Vermont licenses online is now available. To print a license online, select "More Services" above followed by Print a license". This service is free for up to 30 days after license approval and renewal for license applications and license renewals completed through this web site. Duplicate license copies can be printed at any other time for a service fee of $5.00.
The Department will no longer be sending out paper licenses for licenses. A licensee can confirm that their license status by going to the Department's licensing web page at www.vermontinsuranceagent.info and clicking on Check the Status of a License. Licensees can print a copy of the license information for his/her records.
NOTE: The Department does NOT require a licensee to possess a paper copy of their license.
Texas Issues Bulletin Regarding the Marketing of Medicare Advantage Plans
The Texas Commissioner of Insurance reminds all companies that market Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans, and Medicare Part D Plans that they should only use agents who have been licensed under state law to sell these plans. This requirement applies to any individual that performs marketing on behalf of an organization, whether as an employee or under contract directly or downstream. The Department has specified the following two license types as the only license types available under state law for the marketing of Medicare plans:
- A current permanent general life, accident, and health insurance agent license
- A current permanent general property and casualty insurance agent license, if the agent is acting for a property and casualty insurer authorized to sell Medicare plans in Texas
For a complete copy of Commissioner's Bulletin #B-0074-8 access http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/bulletins/2008/cc76.html.
Wonder what your National Producer Number (NPN) is?
This unique identifying number is assigned to licensed individuals by the NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) and most states are beginning to use it for various licensing purposes. If you hold a license in CA, CO, GA, ID, IN, MN, MS, NV, OH, OK, PA, SD, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI and WY, use the free Sircon License Number/National Producer Number Inquiry to find your NPN today.
Nevada Resident License Applications
As a resource for submitting fingerprints to accompany Nevada resident license applications, LiveScan Digital Fingerprinting services are available through Pearson VUE, the Insurance Division's testing vendor. The LiveScan fee is $40.25 plus the vendor's $15 processing fee. Pearson VUE will electronically submit the prints to the FBI on behalf of the Division. Individuals may still submit hard copy fingerprint cards, however they are subject to the FBI manual hard copy submission fee plus the vendor's processing fee.
Rhode Island - Per the Rhode Island Insurance Bulletin 2007-8
" ... All insurance producers 'doing business under any name other than the insurance producer's legal name' are required to notify the Department prior to use of the 'assumed name'. The Department considers any name that is communicated to a customer to be an 'assumed name' under which the producer is doing business.' All producers must assure that the name of their employer is disclosed on the application field with the Department (line 18 for initial application; line 12 for renewal application). In addition, producers should assure that any other 'assumed name' is disclosed on the application filed with the Department (line 35 of the initial application). Any change of employer or assumed name should be reported by contacting the insurance division."
The complete bulletin is available at Rhode Island's web site.
Sircon has expanded the Check Your Status with a State Service
To now include CA, CO, GA, ID, IN, MN, MS, NV, OH, OK, PA, SD, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI and WY. Your license transcript for the state will include the name, address, license, appointment, and continuing education information (where available) on file with the state. A nominal service fee may apply.