For insurance professionals, continuing education (CE) is an opportunity to stay sharp, compliant, and competitive. Whether you’re an independent agent, agency manager, or seasoned producer with multiple state licenses, understanding and planning for CE can make a real difference in your long-term success.
This guide breaks down what CE is, why it matters, how state requirements differ, and how to turn it into a professional advantage rather than a last-minute scramble.
Continuing Education Is Vital
Every licensed insurance producer must complete continuing education to maintain their license. While it’s a regulatory requirement, CE goes far beyond compliance. Insurance products, laws, and ethical expectations change constantly. CE keeps professionals informed of new regulations, policy types, and emerging client needs. It’s also a signal to clients that you take your career and their trust seriously. Think of CE as an investment in your credibility. Completing quality coursework not only satisfies your state’s Department of Insurance (DOI) but also boosts your product knowledge, sales strategy, and ethical confidence.
State-by-State Requirements
Insurance licensing is regulated at the state level, meaning every state sets its own CE standards. However, most states follow similar guidelines. Usually, the regimen consists of 24 hours of CE every two years, with specific hours dedicated to ethics or law.
Here are a few examples of how requirements differ:
- Texas: Resident agents must complete 24 hours of CE every two years, including two hours of ethics training. Texas also allows up to four CE hours to come from professional association membership activities.
- Georgia: Producers with less than 20 years of experience must complete 24 hours every two years, including three hours in ethics. Those licensed for over 20 years may complete 20 total hours.
- New York: Resident insurance producers must complete 15 hours every two years (or 30 hours if dual-licensed). Requirements include at least one hour each of insurance law, ethics/professionalism, diversity/inclusion, and flood insurance (if applicable).
Across most states, agents should expect to complete roughly two dozen hours of coursework per renewal cycle. For an overview of all 50 states’ rules, visit this Insurance Business Magazine CE requirements guide or check The Institutes’ CEU state directory. If you’re licensed in multiple states, you may benefit from reciprocity, meaning one state’s CE completion may satisfy another’s. The National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) provides details and links to each state’s rules.
Typical CE Course Topics
While each state outlines specific CE content, most include these core categories:
- Ethics and Professional Conduct: Nearly every state mandates at least 2–3 hours of ethics training. These courses often explore best practices, conflicts of interest, and consumer protection.
- Insurance Law and Regulation: Agents stay updated on changes to state and federal insurance statutes.
- Product-Specific Training: Depending on your lines of authority, this may include long-term care, annuities, flood insurance, or health insurance reform.
- Specialized Topics: Many professionals take courses in emerging markets such as cyber liability, ESG-related coverage, or Medicare compliance.
Even when not required, choosing specialized CE courses helps agents expand into new niches or deepen their expertise in profitable lines of business.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Despite good intentions, many agents fall behind on CE because of busy schedules or confusion about deadlines. Here are a few pitfalls to watch for:
1. Missing Renewal Dates
Many states tie renewal to your birthday month or license anniversary. For example, Georgia requires license renewal every two years on the last day of your birth month. Failing to renew on time can result in penalties or temporary suspension.
2. Repeating Courses
Most states prohibit counting the same course twice in a single reporting period. Always verify course numbers and approval codes before enrolling.
3. Overlooking Course Approval
Only courses from approved providers count toward CE credit. Before enrolling, confirm the provider’s approval status through your state DOI website.
4. Not Tracking Certificates
Keep all completion certificates for at least four years (or longer if your state requires). In a compliance audit, missing certificates could delay your renewal.
5. Ignoring Carryover Rules
Some states allow you to apply “extra” CE hours to the next renewal cycle. For example, Georgia permits up to 50% carryover, though ethics hours may contain restrictions.
Plan Your CE Strategy
Create a simple tracking system for yourself or your agency:
- Note each license renewal date.
- Record CE hours completed.
- Track provider and course codes
- Set reminders at least six months before your renewal deadline.
Consider dedicating a few hours each quarter to CE. This approach prevents the end-of-cycle rush and ensures your credits remain relevant to your current business goals.
Continuing education doesn’t have to feel like a hurdle. When planned strategically, it’s a powerful tool for professional growth and client confidence. By staying informed of your state’s CE rules, choosing meaningful courses, and treating CE as a form of lifelong learning, you can maintain compliance while advancing your career. When your next renewal approaches, don’t just “get CE done”—use it to get ahead.
Agents
We hope that this information on continuing education is useful to you.
Empower Brokerage is dedicated to helping you make informed decisions about your health and finances. Whether it’s through webinar training, one-on-one calls, seminars, or marketing plans, we want you to be successful!
Give us a call at 888-539-1633 or leave a comment below if you have any questions.
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