National Coverage Strategies
Anyone who is familiar with the insurance industry knows that in order to discuss selling insurance, agents must first obtain their license. Depending on the state that the insurance agent lives in, he or she will need to take steps to secure either: a first-time license, a new license, a reinstatement license, or a license that lists an added line of authority. If agents already have their first-time license, they should be sure to renew it periodically in accordance with their state’s laws — this can range from annually to every four years. It’s worth noting that some states require updated education standards as time goes on and guidelines or rules change in your state of residence. However, let’s say that an insurance agent would like to work in a different state than their home state. With more and more insurance agencies expanding their national presence, this is not uncommon. How can this be achieved? Simply keep reading to discover the ins and outs of becoming licensed to sell insurance in a state where the agent does not live.
Pre-Licensure Requirements
The procedure to acquire a non-resident insurance license most commonly applies to agents who live near state borders and would like to expand their national presence. Before agents can apply for a non-residential insurance license, there are a few steps that need to be followed (the specifics of these steps vary state-by-state). First, get licensed in your resident state if you have not done so already. Agents will likely need to pass a state-approved pre-licensure course before taking their state exam. At that point, agents can apply for their resident license as well as pay any corresponding fees.
Non-Resident Insurance Licenses Increase Agents’ National Presence
Once the insurance agent has obtained or renewed their license in their state of residence, they can start the process for out-of-state insurance licenses. In order to abide by the most recent information about what is required, agents can consult the Department of Insurance website. After selecting the state(s) where the agent would like to sell insurance, this resource will provide information about relevant fees and procedures to follow. NIPR.com is also a fantastic resource where the latest information on different states’ requirements can be found. Based on the state, agents may have to take a licensure exam again in order to gain their non-resident license. Check with the insurance licensing department in the state in question to be sure.
Documenting Licensure Clearly
Once an agent has obtained another or multiple insurance licenses, it is of the utmost importance to document them clearly and honestly. To avoid unknowingly missing required steps or breaking rules, agents should keep a concise record of all the insurance licenses obtained and double-check the corresponding states’ guidelines to keep licenses valid.
The process to acquire an insurance license in an agent’s non-resident state is generally straightforward and easier to achieve after having consulted the states’ requirements and guidelines. Once the license is secured for the state of residence, an agent can then apply in the state in question and follow the necessary steps. Implementing this information can be beneficial for agents’ success when growing their national presence.
Rogers Benefit Group can help agents learn more about gaining insurance licensure in multiple states. In the current climate, intrastate coverage is becoming more necessary, and Rogers Benefit Group is pleased to offer agents access to a rich resource document entitled 6 Steps to Ensure Your Clients’ Remote Workers are Covered. Download this helpful document today or contact them directly. You’re only a few steps away from taking your growing success across state lines!
- Home
- Licensing Center
Are you eligible to apply for a license or renew a license? Knowing your state requirements for insurance licensing is an important step before applying for a license. Select the state and license type to read the requirements to determine your eligibility.
What are you interested in?
- First Time License / New License / Reinstatement / Add Line of Authority: A first-time applicant is an applicant for an insurance license that has never held a license before in the state and must meet that state’s license requirements. Note: Several states also require those who failed to renew within the renewal period to submit a new license application.
- License Renewal: Renewal – Continuation of the license or appointment beyond the original date of expiration. Renewals vary from annually to every four years and most resident individual renewals have a continuing education requirement that must be met prior to the state accepting the license renewal request.
- Change Contact Information: Actively licensed individuals may use the contact change request tool to submit requests to update physical address(es), email address(es), and phone numbers. For business entity changes, view the list of participating states and their business rules on the Contact Change Information page.