Washington state has licensing and education requirements for insurance professionals.
The state of Washington has licensing and education requirements for its insurance professionals. The state requires that all insurance producers (agents and/or brokers) and adjusters be licensed prior to beginning work. Alternative requirements exist for non-residents who hold prior insurance licenses from other states. Check Washington's Office of the Insurance Commissioner website for further details.
Pre-Licensing Education
Producers must complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education for each line of business they wish to transact such as life insurance or personal lines. This requirement can be fulfilled by either classroom or self-study methods as long as the school is approved by the state.
Fingerprints
Producers and adjusters must submit their fingerprints to the state as a condition of licensing. Some exemptions apply for previously licensed producers from some states such as Florida and New Jersey. Law enforcement agencies provide this service as well as some state testing sites. Fees may apply.
Fees
The licensing process includes several fees. As of June 2010 producer fees include $55 for the license, $5 for state filing, $45.25 for fingerprint processing, $20 affiliation fee and $20 appointment fee. Each of these fees must be paid before the license is issued. Checks are payable to Washington Insurance Commissioner. Adjusters are exempt from the appointment fee and must pay only $50 for the license.
Continuing Education
Producers are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education for each license period. Three of the total hours must be ethics credits. Excess credits cannot be carried from one license period to the next.
Tags: complete hours, education each, Education Producers, education requirements, education requirements insurance, Insurance Commissioner, insurance professionals
