Producer Continuing Education - Frequently Asked Questions

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Note: Each question is followed by an answer bullet.

Which courses must I take to satisfy my Continuing Education requirements?

• Ans: As a licensee you must complete 15 credits of Continuing Education (CE) during each two year licensing period. All courses must be completed through a Provider Organization (Provider) approved by the New York State Department of Financial Services.  Courses are offered in either the classroom/speech/seminar method of instruction (indicated by an NYCR approval number) or the self-study (textbook or internet) method of instruction (indicated by an NYCS approval number). You are allowed to take any course that is approved for your specific class of license.

How do I know if a course has been approved by the Department?

• Ans: Advertisements used by Providers to publicize the availability of CE courses show the Department approval information, including the class(es) of license for which the course is approved as well as its expiration date. Course approval documents must be posted by the Provider at the course site of instruction. These documents contain the course approval number and expiration date. Approval information for self-study courses can be found on Providers’ websites.

Are there any Providers, Courses or Monitors in my area? When will courses be offered?

• Ans: A variety of courses are offered throughout the state by various approved Providers. To find a classroom course in your area or a self-study course, go to the Continuing Education Course Search on this site.

  For Provider contact information, go to Continuing Education Providers.

  For Monitor contact information, go to Monitor List.

Updated! Are there any exemptions from Continuing Education requirements?

• Ans: Currently, there is no CE requirement for renewal of Independent Adjuster, Bail Bond, Mortgage Guarantee, or Re-insurance Intermediary licenses. Holders of all other licenses must complete the CE requirement as a condition of renewing those licenses.

  Circular Letter No. 8 (2003) provides for the exemption from CE requirements for those licensees currently serving active military duty.

Can the credits earned for the successful completion of a course be applied to more than one license?

• Yes. Section 2132 of the New York State Insurance Law provides that during the same licensing period, a licensee may use accumulated CE credits to meet the requirements of similar classes of licenses. Advertisements, Department-issued Course Approval Documents and Course Completion Documents indicate the classes of license for which the course is approved.

Are there courses approved to be applicable to all classes of licenses? Can I take these courses and use their credits to renew my Life Agent or Life Broker license as well as my Property/Casualty Agent or Broker license?

• Ans: Yes. The Department has approved courses applicable to all license classes. These courses are called "bridge" courses and may be used to renew the Life classes as well as Property/Casualty classes.

Will I get credit for a CE course I took in a previous licensing period?

• Ans: You should not repeat any course already reported for CE credit. Beginning with licenses renewing on or after February 1, 2009 you will no longer be able to renew your license if reporting a course that was completed in an earlier licensing period. The Department is in the process of creating a page on our website where you will be able to view your CE course completion history. Notification will be provided when this service is available.

How would I recognize a CE course that I took previously?

• Ans: Courses are distinguished by the title and the Department course approval number. The course approval number consists of a six-digit number preceded by either a NYCR or NYCS prefix. If you are not certain if you have taken a course for credit previously, please contact the Provider.

I completed an approved course 4 1/2 years ago. Can I use these credits toward my next license renewal?

• Ans: No. Only approved courses completed during the licensing period immediately preceding the renewal date may be used to qualify for renewal of a license.

If I take more than 15 CE credits in a license period, may I use the additional credits toward the next renewal of my license?

• Ans: No. Section 2132 of the New York State Insurance Law forbids the carryover of excess credits from one licensing period to the next licensing period. By statute, fifteen (15) new and different CE credits must be earned during each licensing period.

I completed a Designation course. Can’t I receive CE credit for successfully completing that course?

• Ans: Yes, you can receive credit if the Designation course and the sponsoring Provider were approved for CE by the Department prior to the time you completed the course. If you determine that this course was approved by the Department, you must request a Course Completion Document from the Provider.

What happens if I try to renew my license before completing Continuing Education?

• Ans: If you have not completed the education requirements, by law you cannot renew your license. In order to renew your license, you must have completed the CE requirement, attest to the successful completion of this requirement, and be prepared to document compliance with Course Completion Documents.

  If your license expires before completing the CE requirement you will not be able to conduct new business until your license is reinstated. Reinstatement of your license requires completion of a relicensing application.

How does the Department know that I have completed the Continuing Education requirement?

• Ans: You must provide information regarding the completed courses on your renewal application.  This information can be found on the Course Completion Document which you received when you completed a Department-approved course.

  The CE information you provide on your renewal application must match attendance data reported by Providers to the Department.

I am a non-resident licensee. Does New York have Continuing Education reciprocity with my home state?

• Ans: Yes. New York State Insurance Law enables this Department to accept a Letter of Certification from a non-resident licensee’s home state indicating that the licensee is in good standing and is in compliance with the requirements of that state, including any CE requirements.

  There is no CE reciprocity for Public Adjusters. All New York licensed Public Adjusters must complete New York approved CE courses.

How do I satisfy New York’s Continuing Education requirement when renewing my non-resident license?

• Ans: You will be asked to attest to the completion of the CE requirements of your home state on the Department’s Online License Renewal Application. You should obtain a copy of a Letter of Certification from your home state insurance department and retain the document with your records for future reference.

I completed my license renewal application on-line using information noted on the Course Completion Documents.  What do I do with these documents?

• Ans: The Department may ask you to provide copies of the Course Completion Document evidencing completion of your CE requirement. All licensees must retain their completion documents.

What penalties do I face if it is found that I have violated insurance statute by failing to comply with CE requirements?

• Ans: Department disciplinary actions may include a fine of up to $2500, license suspension or license revocation.

My renewal application was completed by my employer’s compliance department or another third party. This application contained errors concerning my CE information. Do I bear the responsibility for the filing of this erroneous information?

• Ans: Yes. The responsibility for filing an accurate and truthful application falls solely upon the licensee. Contained within the Renewal Application is a statement, which must be responded to, which reads as follows: “I attest that I have completed statutory continuing education as indicated below and maintain certificates evidencing this”. In addition, all of the information submitted in the Renewal Application requires your certification that the information is true and complete, “under penalty of perjury”.

  A renewal application containing false information will subject you to Department disciplinary actions, which may include a fine of up to $2500, or license suspension or revocation.

Updated 12/12/2011