Insurance Continuing Education Credits and the Insurance Industry
Life insurance agents wear many hats in today’s economy. They sell policies that pay beneficiaries when policyholders pass away. They can also have a wide array of other skills. These may include retirement planning, estate planning, or pension plan set-up. Life insurance continuing education credits are required in all states for license renewal. They are key to adding to and maintaining agent skill sets.
Since the recession of 2008, the industry has blossomed. Prior to the recession, many companies eliminated agent positions. Instead, they let banks, stockbrokers, financial advisers, and internet sites produce their sales volume. Financial planners lambasted whole life policies. They advised their clients to buy inexpensive term policies. They told clients to invest the money they saved in stocks or mutual funds. Then, the stock market collapsed. When securities values tanked, whole life policies still retained full value.
Many companies are now actively recruiting agents. They recruit former real estate agents, mortgage brokers, bankers, and lawyers. Life insurance agents have a difficult path. Seventy percent of agents earn less than $35,000 in their second year. Only twenty percent stay on the job for four or more years. After the fifth year, however, agents who persevere can make $100,000 or more.
Agents can take a wide variety of CE courses. Regulatory and firm element courses may include suitability and ethics, money laundering prevention, securities, topics in economics, and FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) rules and regulations. Other courses may include distribution planning, annuities, and accelerated benefits. Agents can also study health savings accounts, Medicaid and Medicare, and health and benefits insurance. Each state has its own CE requirements. License renewal usually must occur biannually. Some states require as few as eighteen hours. Other states require as many as thirty. Each state’s department of insurance has authority over renewal requirements. Some states require specific coursework. For instance, nineteen states require consumer protection and ethics courses.
Agents must do their own due diligence when choosing a CE provider. Referrals from a firm or a colleague can provide some direction. Agents should do research to make sure that the provider has a solid reputation and a lot of experience. Providers should offer textbook, live, and online courses.
There is not a lot of information out there about choosing a CE provider. As a result, agents must do their own due diligence. Referrals from colleagues or from a firm can weed out undesirables. Any CE provider should have a strong background and a strong reputation. Providers should offer online, textbook, and live classroom courses. Courses should be state-approved and also approved nationwide. While some firms will reimburse their employees for CE, others will not.
If a firm is looking for CE providers, they should take a few steps. One is to hire a compliance specialist who has Series 7, 24, and 63 licenses. A local compliance officer employed by government can help small firms. Larger firms need to hire a specialist. A firm should make sure that the course provider offers classes for all of the firm’s services. These could include CFP, CIMA, CPA, ChFC, and CLU credits.
All states set and maintaining life insurance continuing education requirements. These requirements are different from state to state. Therefore, it is important to do due diligence before committing to a CE provider. In a growing industry, licensure compliance and continuing education are major priorities.
Insurance Continuing Education Rhode Island
