Becoming a licensed insurance agent in Georgia requires strict adherence to state regulations and a methodical approach to meeting specific requirements. This guide outlines the necessary steps to secure a license from the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner (OCI). The process involves pre-licensing education, passing the state examination, completing a thorough background check, and securing affiliation with an insurer.
Determine Your Eligibility and License Type
The journey begins by confirming that you meet the eligibility requirements for a resident agent license. You must be at least 18 years of age and either be a resident of Georgia or have your principal place of business within the state. Applicants must be of good character, as the OCI may refuse a license based on certain grounds listed in state statute.
The next step is to select the specific line of authority, which dictates the type of insurance you are permitted to sell. The major categories include Life, Accident and Sickness (Health), Property, and Casualty, which can be pursued individually or combined. A popular combination is the Property and Casualty license, which allows for the sale of policies like auto and homeowner’s insurance. The Personal Lines license is a narrower option, covering non-commercial insurance products for individuals and families.
Complete Georgia Pre-Licensing Education
Once the desired line of authority is chosen, Georgia mandates the completion of a pre-licensing education course through an approved provider. For the major lines of authority, the requirement is a minimum of 20 hours of instruction per line. This means a combined Property and Casualty license requires a total of 40 hours of approved coursework.
The pre-licensing course must be completed before the state examination and covers the core concepts and laws relevant to the chosen insurance line. Many providers offer this education online, often requiring a “forced progression” to ensure all necessary material is reviewed. After completing the course, applicants must pass a proctored certification exam, usually with a score of 70% or higher, to receive a Certificate of Completion.
Pass the State Licensing Examination
After completing the required pre-licensing education, applicants must pass the Georgia state licensing examination, administered by the state’s contracted testing vendor, Pearson VUE. Registration must be done through the vendor’s website, as walk-in examinations are not available. The exam fee is typically $67 per attempt, and a passing score of 70% or higher is required for all lines of authority.
The content and length of the exam vary depending on the line of authority selected, with combo exams like Life, Accident, and Sickness containing more questions. A score report is provided immediately at the testing center, indicating a pass or fail result. A successful exam score remains valid for 12 months, meaning the license application must be submitted within that timeframe.
Submit the Official License Application
Following a successful examination, the formal license application must be submitted electronically through either the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) or Sircon. The application process requires payment of a license fee, which is currently $120. Applicants must also complete and upload a signed and notarized Citizen Affidavit form, along with verifiable identification to confirm citizenship or legal presence.
A mandatory step is the electronic submission of fingerprints for a criminal background check. Applicants are responsible for the cost of this service and must follow the procedures outlined by the state’s chosen vendor. Full disclosure of any criminal history is expected, as failure to do so can be grounds for denial by the OCI.
Obtain Appointments from Insurers
Possessing a license grants permission to transact business, but it does not automatically grant the authority to sell insurance. Before an agent can legally solicit or sell a particular company’s policies, they must receive an official “appointment” from that insurer. The insurer initiates this process by submitting the appointment request to the OCI, which involves a $20 fee.
Agents generally operate in one of two ways: as a captive agent, representing policies from a single insurance company, or as an independent agent, holding appointments with multiple carriers. The insurer must submit the appointment request within 15 days of either the agency contract execution date or the date the first insurance application is submitted. Without an active appointment, an agent cannot legally sell policies, even with a valid license.
Meet Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements
Maintaining an active Georgia insurance license requires meeting ongoing Continuing Education (CE) and renewal requirements on a biennial basis. The license term ends every two years on the last day of the licensee’s birth month. For agents licensed for less than 20 years, the requirement is 24 hours of CE during each two-year cycle, which must include a minimum of 3 hours dedicated to ethics training.
Agents licensed for 20 years or more have a slightly reduced requirement of 20 hours of CE, which still includes the 3 hours of ethics. Excess CE hours, up to 50% of the biennial requirement, may be carried over to the next renewal period, though ethics credits carry over as general credits. Renewal is completed online through Sircon or NIPR, and failing to meet the CE requirements by the deadline can result in penalties or the expiration of the license.