Washington Insurance Continuing Education Requirements
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Quick Answer:
- Washington requires 24 hours of continuing education every two years, including 3 hours of ethics training
- License renewal occurs on your birthday every two years with CE requirements due before renewal
- Additional training requirements apply for agents selling annuities, long-term care, or flood insurance
Getting licensed is just the beginning. Maintaining your Washington insurance license requires ongoing education throughout your career. Here's everything you need to know about Washington's continuing education requirementsEducation Continuing Education Ce Continuing Education Requirements Producers Adjusters.
Basic CE Requirements
Washington resident insurance producers must complete 24 hours of approved continuing education every two years. This requirement applies to full-lines producers holding life, disability (health), property, casualty, or personal lines authority.
Of the 24 required hours, at least 3 must cover ethics or consumer protection topics. The remaining 21 hours can be completed in any approved insurance topics, though focusing on areas relevant to your practice is recommended.
Renewal Cycle and Deadlines
Your license renewal date is the last day of your birth month, occurring every two years. CE requirements must be completed before your renewal date to avoid late fees and potential license lapse.
Complete your CE hours at least 30-60 days before your renewal deadline. This buffer allows time for course providers to report completions to the OIC and addresses any reporting issues before they become problems.
Excess hours cannot be carried over to the next renewal cycle. Complete only what you need for the current period.
Product-Specific Training Requirements
Beyond general CE, Washington requires specific training for certain products:
Annuity Products: Producers must complete a one-time 4-hour Annuity Suitability and Best Interest Standards course before selling annuity products. This training is separate from general CE requirements.
Long-Term Care Insurance: An initial 8-hour LTC training course is required before selling long-term care products. Afterward, a 4-hour ongoing LTC training course must be completed every 24 months.
Flood Insurance: Property/Casualty and Personal Lines producers selling National Flood Insurance Program policies must complete a one-time 3-hour NFIP training course.
Approved Course Providers
CE courses must be completed through providers approved by the Washington OIC. Approved providers report completions directly to the state, so ensure your provider is listed before enrolling.
Various course formats are available including online self-study, webinars, and classroom instruction. Choose formats that fit your schedule and learning preferences. All formats satisfy CE requirements equally.
Course Completion Rules
Washington has specific rules about CE course completion:
No course repetition: You cannot take the same course more than once within a renewal cycle. Each course has a unique number; duplicates won't count toward your requirements.
Line flexibility: You can take courses in any line of authority, not just the lines you're licensed for. However, taking courses relevant to your practice provides more practical value.
Completion certificates: Retain certificates of completion for three years. You may need to provide documentation if reporting issues arise.
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Non-Resident Requirements
If you hold a Washington non-resident license, your CE requirements are determined by your home state, not Washington. You must maintain compliance with your resident state's CE requirements to keep your Washington non-resident license active.
Tracking Your CE
Log into your account on the OIC websiteLicensing Producers Adjusters to view your CE history and confirm courses have been reported. Review your transcript periodically to ensure records are accurate, especially as your renewal date approaches.
If completed courses don't appear on your transcript, contact the course provider first. Providers have 10 days from completion to report credits to the state.
Late Renewal and Reinstatement
Missing your renewal deadline doesn't immediately cancel your license, but it does trigger late fees:
1-30 days late: $27.50 late fee (total $82.50 for full-lines renewal)
31-60 days late: $55 late fee (total $110 for full-lines renewal)
If your license lapses for more than 60 days, reinstatement requires additional fees and may require completing CE within a specific timeframe.
Planning Your CE
Don't wait until the last minute. Spreading CE completion throughout your renewal cycle reduces stress and allows you to take courses relevant to topics you encounter in your practice.
Many agents complete a few hours each quarter, staying ahead of requirements while continuously developing their professional knowledge.
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