General Continuing Education Information
When will my Insurance CE course completions be reported?
Course completions are reported in different manners depending on the type of course. For online courses, completions are reported immediately and are available 24/7. After your course has been reported, you will receive an email notification immediately to confirm the completion.
Can I retake my exam if I don't pass?
Yes, you are allowed unlimited exam retakes at no additional cost. The success rate for passing the exam on the first attempt is notably high, with 98% of participants succeeding.
How can I check my insurance license information?
Licensees can visit the Sircon website to obtain a transcript of their CE credits, search for approved courses, and verify their license renewal status. If there are discrepancies in CE credits, it's advised to contact the course provider directly or send a copy of the completion certificate along with an explanation to CE@tdi.texas.gov, or by fax to 512-490-1054.
To check your insurance license information, you have a couple of options.
To check your License Status:
Searches by Last Name & SSN
To view your CE Transcripts:
Searches by Last Name & License Number
What are Texas Insurance Continuing Education requirements?
In Texas, individuals holding licenses such as General Property & Casualty Insurance Service Representative, General Life, Accident, Health, and HMO Adjuster, Managing General Agent, among others, are required to complete 24 hours of Continuing Education (CE) every two years for license renewal. This includes specific mandates where three hours must be ethics-related, and at least half of the CE hours must be conducted in a classroom or a setting deemed equivalent to a classroom. These requirements must be fulfilled one day before the expiration of the license. For detailed information on CE credits, licensees are encouraged to visit the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) website, select their license type, and then look for Continuing Education Credits information.
When do I have to complete my CE?
The deadline to complete your Continuing Education (CE) is the last day of your birth month every two years. Texas does not offer a grace period for CE completion; failing to meet the CE requirements by the compliance date results in a violation. Fines for not completing CE on time can reach up to $500, calculated at $50 per deficient hour.
What are the Sircon filing fees?
For each Continuing Education hour reported, a filing fee of $0.88 is collected by every CE Provider. This fee is then submitted along with your course completion reports.
What are the allowed methods of completing CE?
To fulfill CE requirements, agents must complete at least 50% of their required CE hours through certified classroom or classroom equivalent courses. The remainder of the hours can be achieved via self-study methods.
What are the study requirements for my CE courses?
Before taking the final exam for a course, agents are required to read the course material thoroughly to ensure they are well-prepared.
Do classroom equivalent CE courses require exams?
No, classroom equivalent courses do not require an exam. Just answer some study questions throughout the course and you are done.
Do self-study CE courses require exams?
Yes, but the exams offered by Noble are open book and do not require proctoring. Students are allowed to consult their course materials while completing the exam.
Can excess CE hours be carried over to the next renewal?
In Texas, there is no provision for carrying over excess hours to the next renewal period. Each CE cycle requires the completion of a fresh set of hours.
Can I repeat a course I've already taken?
A CE course cannot be taken for credit more than once in the same renewal period, ensuring that the education remains diverse and comprehensive.
What are the non-resident CE requirements?
Non-resident agents who meet the CE requirements of their home state are exempt from Texas's CE requirements, simplifying compliance for those who hold licenses in multiple states.
Are all agents required to complete Insurance Continuing Education?
Certain exemptions exist for agents required to complete CE. Agents licensed continuously for at least 20 years may apply for an exemption. Extensions for CE completion can also be requested due to illness, medical disability, or uncontrollable circumstances, though business reasons do not qualify.
How long do I have to complete my CE courses?
After purchasing a course, you have 12 months to complete it. This provides ample time to work through the material and fulfill the CE requirements.
Is there a grace period for insurance license renewal?
No grace period is provided for license renewal in Texas. License holders face a $50 fine for every hour of CE not completed on time, up to a maximum of $500 per license. Renewal of the license is contingent upon the completion of required CE hours and payment of any applicable fines. Notably, for licenses expired before June 1, 2018, there is no cap on the amount of fines that can be imposed.
Do I need to keep my continuing education certificates of completion?
Yes, maintaining records of CE completion certificates is the responsibility of the licensee. Course providers do not send completion information directly to the TDI. Providers are tasked with monitoring attendance, recording the attendee's details, and issuing certification upon course completion. These certificates should be securely stored for four years as they may be subject to audit by TDI.
Are there instances where I will need to show proof of my continuing education?
Documentation proving compliance with CE requirements, or evidence of an exemption, must be presented each time one of the specified licenses is renewed. All the licenses mentioned are subject to renewal biennially, and failing to comply with CE obligations can lead to penalties, including fines, or the suspension, revocation, or cancellation of the license.
Can I become exempt from Insurance Continuing Education?
An exemption from the continuing education requirement is available for agents who have been continuously licensed for 20 years. This exemption, however, does not extend to education mandates for those selling Medicare-related products. Agents eligible for the exemption must submit a request to TDI, including a detailed licensure history. Agents reaching the 20-year mark within the first year of their renewal period get an exemption for the full period, while those reaching it in the second year must complete at least 15 hours of CE in the first year and apply for exemption at the start of the second year.
Can the same CE course(s) be repeated more than once in a two-year license period?
No, credit for a course will only be granted once if taken multiple times within a two-year licensing term. This policy ensures that the education received is varied and covers a broad range of subjects within the field.
Do annuities have any special Continuing Education requirements?
Yes, there are special requirements for selling or soliciting annuities in Texas. All licensees are mandated to complete a four-hour annuity certification course prior to engaging in the sale or solicitation of annuities. This requirement applies even to those who possess a longevity exemption, which is granted to those continuously licensed for 20 years. Furthermore, if the initial certification course is completed within the first twelve months of the licensing cycle, a subsequent four-hour certified annuity continuing education course must be undertaken during the second twelve months of the same licensing cycle. Moving forward, licensees are required to fulfill eight hours of certified annuity continuing education in each renewal cycle. However, the continuing education requirement is waived for individuals with a longevity exemption. For detailed information on these annuity requirements, one should refer to TDI’s website.
Do Medicare Related Products have any special CE requirements?
Yes, for those selling or soliciting Medicare-related products, there are specific educational prerequisites. Every licensee is required to successfully complete an eight-hour certification course on Medicare-related products before engaging in sales or solicitations. Additionally, a four-hour certified continuing education course tailored to Medicare-related products must be completed in every license cycle thereafter. It's important to note that holding a longevity exemption, which applies to those who have been licensed continuously for 20 years, does not exempt an individual from these certification or continuing education requirements. For a more comprehensive understanding of these mandates, individuals are encouraged to visit the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) website.
What is the essential information about continuing education you need to know?
Continuing education (CE) is essential for maintaining your ability to serve Texas consumers effectively. Staying up to date with state requirements is crucial to avoid penalties. If you have any questions regarding CE, you can reach out by emailing CE@tdi.texas.gov or calling 512-676-6500. To understand your CE requirements, you can check the number of hours needed by visiting TDI-Agents and Adjusters, selecting your license type, and clicking on “Continuing education credits.” It's important to note that at least half of your CE hours must be in a classroom or an equivalent setting, such as an online course. Always verify the method of instruction before enrolling. All CE hours must be completed by the date your license expires, which can be checked on your CE transcript via Sircon. Additionally, certain courses offered by State Bars, Boards of Public Accountancy, or accredited educational institutions may count towards CE credit. To request such credit, use the form FIN522: Licensee Request for Qualifying Credit.
What should I do if I haven’t completed enough CE?
Failing to meet the CE requirement or not paying fines results in the inability to renew your license. There is a $50 fine for each CE hour not completed by your license expiration date, with a maximum of $500 in fines for terms ending after June 1, 2018. To pay fines, submit the CE Automatic Fines Transmittal Form along with your payment. If you have been licensed in Texas for 20 years or more, or if illness, medical disability, or other extenuating circumstances have prevented you from completing your CE, you might qualify for an exemption. To explore this possibility, use the Application for CE Extension/Exemption.
Do non-resident Insurance Agents need insurance CE?
Non-residents are required to complete Continuing Education (CE) only if they hold a Texas designated home state adjuster license. This requirement ensures that even those not residing in Texas but holding a specific Texas license stay updated with the state's regulations and standards.
Is Insurance CE required if I don’t use my license?
If you're considering surrendering your license, you must request this by sending your name, license number, and signature to CE@tdi.texas.gov. Should you decide to reactivate your license or obtain a new one later, you will need to complete any outstanding CE hours and settle any existing penalties.
How do I change a non-resident license to a resident license?
Change your license to a resident license by filling out the Application for residency change to Texas (FIN594).
How do I print a copy of my insurance license?
To print your license, go to the Sircon website. There is no charge to create an account or print a license. If you don't remember your license number, use their search and renewal page to find it.
If I’m exempt from continuing education, will I still need continuing education to sell certain products?
Yes, even if you are permanently exempt from general continuing education requirements, you must comply with continuing education rules for annuities, long-term care partnership products, and Medicare-related products, as specified on their respective webpages.
Do I still need to follow Texas insurance continuing education rules if I have a non-resident license?
Whether you need to follow Texas continuing education rules as a non-resident depends on your type of license. Texas designated home state adjuster license holders must follow Texas rules, while others follow their home state's rules or Texas rules if their state does not require continuing education.
When can I take my continuing education courses?
Continuing education courses must be completed within the "begin date" to the "review date" period marked on your online transcript, coinciding with your license expiration date, to be applicable.
There are no continuing education requirements on my transcript for my current license period. Why?
If you have not met the continuing education requirements for a previous period, you won't see the requirements for the current period until those are met.
Can I take any insurance course to satisfy my continuing education requirements?
Only courses certified by TDI and offered by approved providers count towards your continuing education. Use Sircon's Approved Courses Inquiry for a list of certified courses and providers.
Who reports my completed continuing education courses to TDI?
Certified providers post course credit online, so you do not need to send course certificates to TDI. However, verify that all courses appear on your online transcript.
How do I know my continuing education courses are credited to the correct insurance license?
Continuing education course credits are applied to every license you hold on the day you complete the course.
My online transcript does not show all the courses that I completed. Why not?
If your online transcript does not show a course, contact the continuing education provider. Be aware of self-study hour limits.
Do I need to keep my certificates of completion if my credits are posted electronically?
Keep your certificates of completion for at least four years as they serve as proof if a course provider fails to post credit.
A course credit is posted to my transcript but not applied to my continuing education requirements. Why?
Ensure the course was taken within your license term and be aware that taking the same course multiple times in a term only counts once. Additionally, at least half of your hours must be in a classroom or classroom equivalent setting for credit.
Disclaimer
The information provided by Noble regarding Continuing Education (CE) is offered as a courtesy and aims to be accurate and current. However, neither Noble nor its employees guarantee the information's accuracy or currency. All information is subject to change without notice, underscoring the importance of verifying details independently.
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