Answers to the Top Questions About California Insurance CE

You’ve passed your California insurance license exam and you’re officially an agent. Now it’s time to keep your license in good standing. The state of California requires most agents to complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. While the process is fairly simple, it does sometimes raise a few common questions. Here’s what you need to know.

What Happens if I Take More Than the Required CE Hours?

If you complete more than the required 24 hours of CE over two years, they roll over to the next licensing period. However, there are some restrictions. First, you cannot get credit for repeating the same course during a renewal period. So, if you take a course in year 1 and the same course in year 2, you’ll only get the credit one time.

Second, your renewal requires 3 hours of ethics training. If you complete more than 3 hours, they will not roll over. In other words, you’ll still have to take another 3 hours of ethics during the next renewal cycle.

Can I Take CE Courses for Multiple License Types Simultaneously?

Yes. If you hold multiple license types, for example, life and property, you only need a total of 24 hours to satisfy the CE requirement for both licenses. This can save both time and money. Just make sure the provider clearly lists which license types each course applies to, and keep a record of what you’ve completed.

You can also earn dual credit while studying for many other designations, such as Chartered Life Underwriter, Certified Employee Benefit Specialist, and Certified Financial Planner. If you’re working on a designation, ask the provider whether dual credit is available, as this may not be automatic and could require a small additional fee.

What Should I Do if I Miss the Deadline for My CE?

If you don’t complete your CEs in time for license renewal, you will have one year from the expiration date to reinstate your insurance license by paying a 50% fee. You can do this through the California Department of Insurance (CDI)'s online renewal service. If it has been more than a year since your license expiration, you’ll need to start the process over, including resubmitting an application and passing the exam.

How Do I Ensure My CE Courses Are Valid for My Specific Specializations?

The last thing you want to do is spend time and money completing a CE course that won’t count. To make sure your courses are valid for your specific specialization, start by choosing a provider approved by the CDI. As you browse courses, each one should clearly state which license types and specializations it applies to. For example, a course might state that it’s good for life only or life and annuity. If your specialization isn’t listed, the course may not count.

You can also search for approved CE courses by topic, provider, or license type on CDI’s Education Course Lookup Tool. Also, make sure you meet the 3-hour ethics requirement in addition to your 21 general hours.

What Should I Do if I Need to Prove My CE Completion to a Client or Employer?

When you complete a CE course, it’s automatically reported to the CDI by the course provider. Generally, experts recommend completing courses at least 60 days before the due date to account for any processing delays. However, if you need to prove CE completion, you can request a certificate of completion from the course provider.

Complete Your California Insurance CE Online Today

Keeping your California insurance license active shouldn’t be a headache or cost a fortune. Aceable Insurance has your back, with flexible online CE options that fit your schedule and budget. Explore our courses today and see just how easy compliance should be.