General Continuing Education Information
When Are Insurance CE Course Completions Reported?
Online insurance continuing education (CE) courses are reported immediately and available 24/7, ensuring fast processing. Once your course completion is submitted, you'll receive an instant email confirmation for verification. Stay on top of your CE requirements with real-time reporting!
Can I Retake My Insurance CE Exam If I Don't Pass?
Yes, you can retake your insurance CE exam unlimited times at no extra cost. With a 98% first-attempt pass rate, most participants succeed on their initial try. If you don't pass, you can retake the exam immediately to meet your continuing education requirements without delays.
How to Check Your Insurance License Information?
To verify your insurance license status, track continuing education (CE) credits, or find approved CE courses, visit the Sircon website. You can access your CE transcript, confirm license renewal status, and ensure compliance with state requirements. If you notice discrepancies in your CE credits, contact your course provider directly or submit a copy of your completion certificate with an explanation to CE@tdi.texas.gov or fax it to 512-490-1054. Stay updated and ensure your license remains active!
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, licensed insurance professionals, including General Property & Casualty Insurance Service Representatives, Life & Health Agents, HMO Adjusters, and Managing General Agents, must complete 24 hours of Continuing Education (CE) every two years for license renewal. This includes:
- 3 hours of ethics training
- At least 50% of CE hours in a classroom or classroom-equivalent setting
All CE requirements must be completed at least one day before the license expiration date to maintain compliance. For more details on Texas CE credits and approved courses, visit the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) website and search for Continuing Education Credits under your specific license type.
When Do I Need to Complete My Insurance CE in Texas?
In Texas, insurance agents must complete their Continuing Education (CE) requirements by the last day of their birth month every two years. There is no grace period, and missing the deadline results in violations and fines of $50 per incomplete CE hour, up to a maximum penalty of $500.
Sircon Filing Fees for CE Reporting
Each CE hour reported incurs a $1.30 filing fee, collected by CE providers and submitted with course completion reports.
Approved Methods for Completing Texas CE Requirements
To meet Texas insurance CE requirements, at least 50% of the required hours must be completed through certified classroom or classroom-equivalent courses. The remaining hours may be completed through self-study courses.
What are the study requirements for my CE courses?
Before taking the final exam for a course, agents must 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. Instead, participants complete study questions throughout the course to satisfy the requirement.
Do self-study CE courses require exams?
Yes, but the exams are open book and do not require proctoring. Students can consult their course materials while completing the exam.
Can excess CE hours be carried over to the next renewal?
Texas does not allow excess CE hours to be carried over to the next renewal period. Each CE cycle requires a new set of completed 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. This ensures that agents receive a diverse and comprehensive education.
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. This simplifies 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 who have been 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-related 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 allows ample time to work through the material and fulfill the CE requirements.
Is there a grace period for insurance license renewal?
There is no grace period for license renewal in Texas. License holders face a $50 fine for every CE hour not completed on time, up to a maximum of $500 per license. Renewal is only possible after completing all required CE hours and paying any applicable fines.
Do I need to keep my continuing education certificates of completion?
Yes, it is the licensee's responsibility to maintain records of CE completion certificates. Course providers do not send completion information directly to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). Providers are responsible for tracking attendance, recording details, and issuing certification upon course completion. Licensees should securely store these certificates for four years, as they may be subject to an audit by TDI.
Are there instances where I will need to show proof of my continuing education?
Yes, documentation proving compliance with CE requirements or evidence of an exemption must be provided each time a specified license is renewed. All licenses are subject to biennial renewal, and failure to meet CE obligations can result in fines, suspension, revocation, or cancellation of the license.
Can I become exempt from Insurance Continuing Education?
Agents who have been continuously licensed for 20 years may apply for an exemption from CE requirements. However, this exemption does not apply to education requirements for selling Medicare-related products. To qualify, agents must submit a request to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) with a detailed licensure history. Agents who reach the 20-year mark in the first year of their renewal period receive 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, CE courses cannot be taken for credit more than once during the same two-year licensing period. This rule ensures that agents receive diverse and comprehensive education.
Do annuities have any special Continuing Education requirements?
Yes, Texas requires special CE for selling or soliciting annuities. All licensees must complete a four-hour annuity certification course before engaging in annuity sales. This applies even to those with a longevity exemption for general CE. If the certification course is completed within the first 12 months of a licensing cycle, an additional four-hour annuity CE course is required in the second 12 months. Afterward, licensees must complete eight hours of annuity CE per renewal cycle. The requirement is waived only for those with a longevity exemption. More details can be found on the TDI website.
Do Medicare-related products have any special CE requirements?
Yes, agents selling or soliciting Medicare-related products must complete an eight-hour certification course before engaging in sales. Additionally, a four-hour Medicare-related CE course must be completed in each subsequent renewal cycle. Holding a longevity exemption does not exempt agents from these Medicare CE requirements. For full details, agents should visit the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) website.
What is the essential information about continuing education you need to know?
Continuing education (CE) is required to maintain your ability to serve Texas consumers and stay compliant with state regulations. Keeping up with CE requirements helps prevent penalties and ensures your license remains active. If you have questions, you can contact the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) by emailing CE@tdi.texas.gov or calling 512-676-6500.
To check your CE requirements, visit TDI-Agents and Adjusters, select your license type, and review the Continuing Education Credits section. At least 50% of your CE hours must be completed in a classroom or classroom-equivalent setting, such as an online course. Always confirm the course format before enrolling. All CE hours must be completed before your license expiration date, which can be checked on your CE transcript via Sircon. Some courses offered by State Bars, Boards of Public Accountancy, or accredited institutions may count toward CE credit. To request approval, submit form FIN522: Licensee Request for Qualifying Credit.
What should I do if I haven't completed enough CE?
If you fail to complete the required CE hours or do not pay outstanding fines, you will be unable to renew your license. Texas imposes a $50 fine per missing CE hour, with a maximum penalty of $500. To pay fines, submit the CE Automatic Fines Transmittal Form along with payment.
If you have been licensed in Texas for 20 years or more, or if illness, medical disability, or other extenuating circumstances prevented you from completing CE, you may qualify for an exemption. To request an exemption or extension, submit 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 ensures that non-residents with a Texas license remain updated with state regulations and standards.
Is insurance CE required if I don't use my license?
If you no longer wish to maintain your insurance license, you must submit a surrender request by emailing CE@tdi.texas.gov with your name, license number, and signature. If you decide to reactivate your license or obtain a new one later, you will be required to complete any outstanding CE hours and pay any existing penalties.
How do I change a non-resident license to a resident license?
To convert your non-resident license to a Texas resident license, complete and submit the Application for Residency Change to Texas (FIN594).
How do I print a copy of my insurance license?
To print your insurance license, visit the Sircon website. There is no charge to create an account or print your license. If you do not remember your license number, use Sircon's search and renewal page to locate 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 still comply with CE rules for selling annuities, long-term care partnership products, and Medicare-related products. Each of these has specific continuing education requirements outlined on their respective webpages.
Do I still need to follow Texas insurance continuing education rules if I have a non-resident license?
Whether you must follow Texas CE rules as a non-resident depends on your type of license. If you hold a Texas designated home state adjuster license, you must comply with Texas CE requirements. Otherwise, you will follow your home state's rules, or Texas rules if your home 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 listed on your online transcript. This period aligns with your license expiration date to ensure the credits are 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, your transcript will not show requirements for the current period until the outstanding CE credits are completed.
Can I take any insurance course to satisfy my continuing education requirements?
No, only courses certified by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and offered by approved providers count toward continuing education requirements. To find approved courses and providers, use Sircon’s Approved Courses Inquiry.
Who reports my completed continuing education courses to TDI?
Certified CE providers are responsible for reporting course completions online. You do not need to send course certificates to TDI, but you should verify that all completed 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 automatically applied to all insurance licenses you hold on the date of course completion.
My online transcript does not show all the courses that I completed. Why not?
If a completed course is missing from your online transcript, contact the course provider. Be mindful of self-study hour limits, as exceeding the allowed number of self-study hours could result in credits not being applied.
Do I need to keep my certificates of completion if my credits are posted electronically?
Yes, you should keep your CE certificates of completion for at least four years. These records serve as proof in case a provider fails to report your course completion correctly.
A course credit is posted to my transcript but not applied to my continuing education requirements. Why?
Ensure that the course was completed within your current license term. Additionally, taking the same course multiple times in a single renewal period will only count once. At least 50% of your CE hours must be completed through a classroom or classroom-equivalent setting for them to be counted toward your CE requirements.
Disclaimer
The information provided by Noble regarding Continuing Education (CE) is intended as a courtesy and aims to be accurate and up-to-date. However, Noble and its employees do not guarantee the accuracy or current validity of the information. CE regulations are subject to change, so always verify details independently.
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