Insurance Continuing Education Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers!) for Producers, Adjusters and Consultants  

The following information applies to all Adjuster, Consultant and Producer licensees.  

Do I have an insurance continuing education requirement?

All insurance producers, adjusters and consultant licensees must complete insurance continuing education as part of the biennial (two year) renewal process.  

When must I file?

Every producer, adjuster and consultant license has a license lapse or renew by date on the upper right side.  That is the date by which insurance continuing education requirements must be completed and filed.

 How many credit hours must I complete?

Licensees must complete 24 credit hours of Montana-approved insurance continuing education.  A minimum of 1 credit hour must address legislative changes to Montana insurance statutes and reports due on or after 1/1/2012 must include 3 credit hours of ethics.

Wait, I’m only licensed for the line of limited lines credit.  What is my insurance continuing education requirement?

Producer licensees with only the line of limited lines credit must complete 5 credit hours of Montana-approved insurance continuing education in the categories of credit life and credit disability insurance, insurance law and/or ethics. A minimum of one credit must address legislative changes to Montana insurance statutes.  

When may I earn my credit hours?

Credit hours are earned during the 24-month period that precedes the license lapse/renew by date on the face of the license.  That allows 24 months to earn 24 credit hours.  

Give me an example of that 24-month period.

The lapse date on the license is April 1, 2008.  Insurance continuing education credit to apply to that filing date may be earned between April 1, 2006 and April 1, 2008.  The credit hours must be filed with the Insurance Continuing Education Program on or before April 1, 2008.  

What courses can I take to meet my requirement?

Producer, adjuster and consultant licensees can complete any Montana-approved insurance continuing education course.  There is a list of providers that offer courses here on the State Auditor’s Office web site.  Here is the link:   https://svc.mt.gov/csi/apps/sas/courseproviderlist.aspx

How do I find a course that addresses legislative changes to Montana insurance statutes?

There is a list of providers that offer these courses on the State Auditor’s Office web site.  Here is the link:  http://csi.mt.gov/insurance/prov_leg_changes.asp  

When must I report a course addressing legislative changes to Montana insurance statutes?

Every biennial report must include at least one credit hour on legislative changes to Montana insurance statutes.

How do I report the insurance continuing education courses I complete?

Insurance continuing education courses should be reported on the State Auditor’s Office website. Here is the link: http://svcalt.mt.gov/csi/database/ceupdate/login.asp

Every licensee is sent a reporting form 2 months before the license lapse or renew by date.  (This is a gentle reminder and provides enough time to complete the requirement before the lapse date.)  Licensees can send the completed forms (and fee for consultants and adjusters) to the: Insurance Continuing Education Program, 840 Helena Avenue , Helena , Montana 59601 .  

Adjuster and consultant licensees must also mail the Individual License Renewal form and fee in addition to reporting continuing education on-line.  

When do I report my insurance continuing education?

Credit hours must be completed and reported during the 24-month period before the license lapse date on the individual license.  

Can I use extra credit for my next filing?

No, there is no rollover or carry over of excess credit hours earned in one biennial period to the next biennial period.  

Can I repeat a course I took and reported on a continuing education filing?

No, there is no repeat of a course from the same course provider for credit.  A course of the same or similar title or topic offered by a different course provider is considered a different course, not a repeat.  

When will my renewal license be sent?  I completed and filed my insurance continuing education on or before my license lapse date.

Renewal licenses are printed and mailed to the address of record after the license lapse/renew by date and prior to the first day of the next month.  

I didn’t complete or report my required insurance continuing education by my license lapse/renew by date, now what?

Your Montana licensure lapsed on your license lapse/renew by date.  You must submit the outstanding insurance continuing education credit and file a reinstatement form with the $100 reinstatement fee.  You cannot conduct Montana insurance business until your licensure is reinstated.  

How long do I have to reinstate my licensure?

Licensees have 1 year from the license lapse date to reinstate a license.  After that, the license terminates.  The terminated licensee must retest and reapply to conduct Montana insurance business.  

I’m newly licensed, when do I begin earning credit toward my continuing education requirement?

Credit hours are earned during the 24-month period that precedes the license lapse/renew by date on the face of the license, not before.  That allows 24 months to earn 24 credit hours.

Please contact Mary Arnold for more information.