Free California Insurance FAQs | Free California Insurance Legal Documents

After I Complete My Continuing Education Hours, Do I Need To Send The Certificates To The California Department Of Insurance?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

No, it is the provider`s responsibility to submit the credits to the California Department of Insurance. Do not send your certificate, or copies of the certificate, even if your renewal form indicates you are deficient in hours. The certificate is for your records and you should retain it for at least five years. The California Department of Insurance must enter the hours from the provider`s roster.

To check your continuing education hours, you may call the 24hour Interactive Voice Response System at (800) 9679331or (916) 3223555 to hear your hours and/or receive a FAX of those hours; or you may visit the License Status Inquiry Web Page for online license status information. Inquiries should be made 60 days after the course completion date.

Are There Any Pre-Licensing Examinations That I Must First Take?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

To obtain a license, an applicant must meet the prelicensing education requirements outlined above; then pass the fire and casualty exam or the life agent exam with the ethics and code portion included. If an applicant fails the same exam twice (a `failure to appear` is considered a fail), there is a 30day waiting period before being able to take that exam again. If the applicant again fails that exam twice, there is a 60day waiting period before being able to take that exam again. If the applicant again fails that exam two more times, there is another 60day waiting period.

Examinations are administered at 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at the following locations:

Los Angeles
300 South Spring Street, North Tower, Suite 1000

Sacramento
320 Capitol Mall, 1st Floor

San Diego
1350 Front Street, Room 4050

San Francisco
45 Fremont Street, 23rd Floor

Examinations are also administered monthly at the following location:

Clovis
905 5th Street, MCLE Room

How Do I Add Another License Type To My Current Insurance License?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

The California Department of Insurance has created an Individual Short Form 44117 application. The Short Form has only two pages for the applicant to complete in order to add another license type to his or her license. A life agent, for example, would complete only a twopage application to add a fire and casualty license type to his or her license instead of having to complete the six page Individual Application. It is no longer necessary for the licensee to provide the background information that the Individual Application (Form 4419) requires each time the licensee adds a new license type to his or her license.

This new twopage Short Form provides an easier application process for current licensees to add the following license types:

Life Agent
Fire & Casualty BrokerAgent
Personal Lines BrokerAgent
Surplus Lines Broker
Special Lines` Surplus Line Broker.

How Do I Inform The California Department Of Insurance That I Represent A New Insurance Company Or That I No Longer Represent An

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:51:22 GMT

The new insurance company must submit an action notice of appointment and fee of $21. The prior company(ies) may submit an action notice of termination and fee of $21 to terminate appointment, or you may self terminate your appointment by completing the agent notice of termination and submitting a fee of $21.

How Do I Inform The Department Of Insurance Of My Address Change?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

You must inform the Department of any address change in writing. You may notify them by completing the address change form (4477) and mailing it in.

You may also submit a letter signed by you stating which address is to be changed (residence, business or mailing). Please include your license number.

How Do I Know How Many Continuing Education Hours I Will Need To Renew My License?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

New licensees must complete twentyfive hours (25) of continuing education hours per year for each of the first four years. After the first four years, the licensee will need to complete thirtyhours (30) of continuing education for every twoyear license term.

It is suggested that you complete your required continuing education hours at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration date of your license to allow sufficient time for your provider to submit the necessary information and for the California Department of Insurance to update your records. If hours are completed at the end of your renewal term, the license renewal process may be delayed while your hours are processed.

For nonresident license holders, when the home state has continuing education requirements, existing licenses will be renewed and new licenses issued if the home state`s requirements are met. If the home state has no continuing education requirements, current licensees must meet the California continuing education requirements. New licenses will be issued if the applicant has a current license in good standing in the home state. Then the CE requirements stated above must be met or the license will not be renewed.

How Do I Obtain A Duplicate License?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

Submit a request referencing the licensee name, license number, and/or social security number and fee of $21. Licenses are sent to the mailing address of record.

How Long Will It Take To Process My Application?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

The average time to process an application is six weeks.

How Will I Know When It's Time To Renew My License?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

The license expiration date is shown on the front of the license. The California Department of Insurance (CDI) mails a renewal notice about 90 days before your license expires. If, for some reason, you do not receive a renewal notice, you may click here to check your license status online, review your license expiration date and continuing education credits.

After reviewing your license status, you may use the Application to Renew Individual License, Form # 44829 to mail your renewal application to the California Department of Insurance (CDI).

Another option is to renew online. All you need to do is use the Renewal Application Through Internet Delivery (RAPID) system to complete your license renewal and press ENTER. This interactive procedure will send your renewal application and fees via the Internet to the CDI. With the RAPID system, you will complete your application, pay your fees, and the CDI will mail your license to you within two business days.

I'm Moving To Another State. What Do I Need From The California Department Of Insurance?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

A clearance letter is required when you are moving to another state. This cancels your license in California. To obtain a clearance letter, you must submit a signed statement requesting clearance and return your original license (if lost, you must so state in the letter). The signed statement must include the name of the state you wish to become licensed in, your name, license number and/or social security number, and the address where the clearance letter is to be mailed. The licensee`s original signature is required. The fee is $21. Please allow 23 weeks for issuance of clearance letter.

Is A Bond Required In Order To Become Licensed?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

For a Fire and Casualty Broker or a Special Lines Surplus Lines Broker, a $10,000 Bond is required. For a Surplus Lines Broker, a $50,000 Bond is required. For a nonpublic adjuster, a $2000 Bond is required and for a public adjuster, a $5000 Bond is required.

Is Any Pre-Licensing Education Required?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

For the Fire and Casualty BrokerAgent or Life Agent licenses, all applicants must complete 40 hours of approved classroom course in subject matter and 12 hours on ethics and California Insurance Code.

Applicants who are exempt from the 40hour general insurance classroom courses include a new California resident applicant who had a current license in another state and completed 40 hours of prelicensing education for each license held in that state, or; an applicant for a license holding one or more of the following designations: LUTCF (Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow) [life] CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) [life] AAI (Accredited Advisor in Insurance) [fire and casualty] CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) [fire and casualty] CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) [fire and casualty].

What Are The Fees For Fingerprinting?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

Effective October 2, 2000 the current automated fingerprint process for criminal background checks through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) will be enhanced to include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As a result, fingerprinting fees will increase to $74 for all applicants. The Department`s fingerprint vendor, Sylvan/Identix Fingerprinting Centers will charge $18 per applicant for electronic fingerprinting, plus a processing fee of $32 for DOJ and $24 for FBI. All applicants requiring an examination and/or fingerprinting must appear at the designated exam site with either a VISA or MASTERCARD or a check made payable to Sylvan/Identix Fingerprinting Centers.

What Do I Do If I Am A Non-Resident Licensee?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

If you are a nonresident licensee, you must complete the Application to Renew Individual License, Form # 44829.

Mail this form, your certificate of license status, and the renewal fees to the CDI address listed on the form.

What If I Want To Be Licensed As A Nonresident In Another State?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

You should contact the other state for their license requirements. A letter of certification from the California Department of Insurance is usually required when filing in another state as a nonresident. You may complete form LIC 780.

In the alternative, you may submit a letter indicating your name, license number and/or social security number, and the address where you would like the certificate mailed. The fee is $15 per state. Please allow 23 weeks from the date your check clears your bank for issuance of the certificate.

What If My Renewal Is Late?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

A renewal is late if it is postmarked after the expiration date, or if the continuing education hours are completed after the expiration date. A 50% penalty fee is required to late renew the license and all endorsements, appointments, employee/employer relationships must be reestablished with the appropriate forms and fees. There is no grace period. You have one year from the expiration date to late renew the license; after which time you must file a new application, appointment (s), fees, prelicensing certificates and pass the qualifying examination.

What Is The Personal Lines Broker-Agent License?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

Beginning on January 1, 2002, the Department of Insurance will begin issuing a Personal Lines BrokerAgent license. This license will allow a licensee to transact the following:

automobile insurance (including recreational vehicles used for noncommercial purposes),
personal watercraft insurance,
residential property insurance (including earthquake and flood insurance),
inland marine insurance covering personal property, and
umbrella or excess liability insurance.

To become a personal lines brokeragent, the applicant will be required to complete a 20hour prelicensing classroom course approved by the CDI and an approved 12hour prelicensing classroom course on the California Insurance Code and ethics. The applicant will also be required to pass a written examination, unless the applicant qualifies for a Personal Lines BrokerAgent exemption. Anyone who meets the requirements to be exempt from the examination will still be required to complete the 20hour prelicensing course and the12hour prelicensing code and ethics course.

Click here to access a checklist for application filing requirements.

Personal lines brokeragent continuing education will be required on a calendar year basis. The agent will be required to complete 10 hours of continuing education each calendar year. The personal lines license will be issued for a twoyear fixed term that begins on January 1 of the first year and ends on December 31 of the second year.

Where Can I Find Pre-Licensing Or Continuing Education Providers And Course Offerings?

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:51:22 GMT

You can contact the Producer Licensing Bureau`s Education Section at (916) 4923064. You can also access provider listings and course offerings on the Department of Insurance website.

For provider listings:
http://www4.insurance.ca.gov/wu/crsw_prv_name_phn$.startup

For course offerings:
http://www4.insurance.ca.gov/wu/crsw_crs_srch$.startup

Where Can I Obtain Insurance Licensing Forms And Licensing Requirements?

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:51:22 GMT

You may obtain licensing assistance from the Licensing Bureau of the California Department of Insurance. The requirements and forms needed depend upon the type of license you are attempting to acquire and your status as an individual, an individual in an insurance firm, or solely as an insurance firm. There are many types of insurance licenses including the following:

You may telephone the Licensing Bureau Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (800) 9679331 or (916) 3223555. A 24 hour Interactive Voice Response System (IVR) is also available by telephoning these numbers. Some of the specific features you may find useful on the IVR are: answering insurance licensing questions; obtaining information on education requirements; verifying licensing examination schedules; ordering forms, education provider lists and/or course lists.

Correspondence may be mailed to: California Department of Insurance, 320 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 958144309. If fees are required, mail to: California Department of Insurance, Producer Licensing Bureau, P.O. Box 1139, Sacramento, CA 958121139. You can fax the Licensing Bureau at (916) 3276907.

You may also send an email to License.Bureau@insurance.ca.gov. Please be sure to include your name, telephone number, license number and email address in all correspondence with the CDI.

Personal assistance is available at public counters at three locations where office hours are 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may submit your license application and fees, reschedule license examinations, submit renewal applications, submit change of address forms, request certificates of license status, confirm agent license information or receive general license assistance. The locations are as follows:

Sacramento
320 Capitol Mall, 1st Floor
(800) 9679331
or (916) 3223555

Los Angeles
Ronald Reagan Building, South Tower
300 South Spring Street, 10th Floor

San Francisco
45 Fremont Street, 22nd Floor
(415) 9046072

Who Is Eligible To Use The Rapid (Renew Online) System?

Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT

resident licensees, other than bail licensees, of the State of California
licensees within 90 days of their license renewal date
licensees whose continuing education requirement is met for the current license period

Will I Still Be Able To Continue Transacting Business If My License Expires And I Haven't Received The Renewed License?

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:51:22 GMT

If the renewal fee was received, and the continuing education hours were completed before the expiration date of the license, you may continue operating under the existing license for 60 days or until notified that the renewal application is deficient.

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