How Many Hours of Continuing Education Are Required for Insurance License Renewal?

Staying licensed as an insurance agent means more than just paying renewal fees – it requires keeping up with continuing education (CE). 

Many agents often ask: How many hours of continuing education are required for insurance license renewal? The answer depends on your state, license type, and area of specialty. However, in most cases, agents need between 20 and 24 hours every two years, including a few hours in ethics. 

These CE requirements ensure you stay updated on industry regulations, maintain compliance, and build credibility with clients. The challenge, however, is keeping track of deadlines and approved providers. 

That’s where First Connect comes in. It helps agents or producers find reliable CE providers, track progress, and even earn CE credits through exclusive rewards programs. This not only keeps you compliant during every renewal period but also helps you grow as a professional.

Still wondering why CE is important? How many hours are required across different states, or how long is an insurance license good for? 

Let’s break down these questions and more.

The importance of CE in the insurance industry

Continuing education isn’t only a legal requirement – it’s an investment in your professional development as an insurance agent. 

Think of it like regular health check-ups: just as doctors need to stay current with new treatments to provide the best care, insurance agents must keep up with changing regulations and products to serve clients effectively.

Every state insurance department requires licensed agents to complete a certain number of CE hours before renewing their license. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), CE requirements exist to ensure continuing competence and compliance with state and federal regulations.

By meeting these requirements, you avoid penalties such as fines, suspension, or even revocation of your license.

Here are some reasons why CE credits for insurance agents are crucial: 

• Improved knowledge: Insurance policies, compliance regulations, and products evolve constantly. CE ensures you’re always informed. For instance, when cyber liability insurance became a trending product, CE courses helped agents understand coverage nuances. Without CE, many agents would have missed out on offering a fast-growing solution to clients.

• Client trust: A knowledgeable agent inspires confidence. Imagine being a client asking about the latest updates in health insurance policies. An agent who can explain recent changes demonstrates expertise and earns loyalty, while an unprepared agent risks losing trust.
• Career advancement: Studies show that professional development pays off. According to one report, organizations that invest in employee learning see 218% higher income per employee. In the insurance industry, agents who complete CE consistently are more likely to move into leadership roles or expand their book of business.

Penalties for non-compliance

Ignoring CE requirements can have serious consequences, including:

• State fines (some states charge up to $500 for missed CE deadlines)
• Delayed license renewal, meaning lost income opportunities
• Suspension or revocation of your license
• Loss of client trust and reputation damage

It’s important to note that some individuals may be excused from these requirements. For example, a common question agents ask is: What type of insurance licensee is exempt from continuing education requirements?’

Although exemptions vary by state, they may include agents with limited lines licenses (such as travel or credit insurance), those holding non-resident licenses who already meet CE requirements in their home state, or agents who are newly licensed within their first renewal cycle. 

However, these exemptions are exceptions – not the rule – and most agents will need to meet CE standards to maintain their credentials.

State-specific CE requirements overview

So, how many CE credits are needed to renew an insurance license? The short answer is that it depends on where you’re licensed. 

Each state sets its own rules, which means what applies in Texas may be completely different in Florida, California, or New York. Understanding these differences helps you avoid compliance issues and keep your license in good standing.

General trends across states

Even though the specifics vary, there are some common patterns across the country:

• Average requirement: Most states require between 20 and 30 hours of CE every two-year period.
• Ethics training: Nearly every state includes a requirement for ethics training, usually 2–3 hours.
• Specialty requirements: Some states add requirements for specific areas of insurance. For instance, long-term care, annuity, and flood insurance may have separate CE mandates.

Take Texas as an example. If you ask, “How many hours of continuing education are required for license renewal in Texas?” The answer is 24 hours every two years, which must include 3 hours of ethics. 

On the other hand, Florida requires 24 hours as well, but with 4 hours of mandatory ethics and law updates. That’s why it’s crucial to check your own state’s rules – meeting the general hours isn’t enough if you miss a specialty or ethics requirement

To help you understand more, here’s a quick snapshot of CE requirements in selected states:

Choosing reliable CE course providers

When it comes to continuing education, not all training courses – or course providers – are created equal. Choosing the wrong one could waste your time, drain your budget, or even worse, leave you with CE hours that don’t count toward your license renewal. 

That’s why selecting a reliable CE provider is just as important as completing the required hours themselves.

Listed below are some factors to look for in a CE provider:

• State approval: The first (and most important) step is to verify that the provider’s courses are accredited in your state. Each Department of Insurance only recognizes CE credits from approved providers. If you take a course that isn’t approved, those hours won’t count, and you’ll be back at square one.
• Variety of courses: A good CE provider offers more than just the basics. Look for a catalog that covers ethics, compliance, and specialized topics like long-term care, annuity, or flood insurance. This variety not only helps you meet requirements but also gives you the chance to expand your knowledge in areas that matter most to your clients.
• Flexibility: Insurance agents have busy schedules filled with meetings, renewals, and client calls. That’s why flexibility matters. Online and on-demand courses let you complete CE requirements at your own pace, whether during a lunch break or after hours. Some providers also offer live webinars or in-person classes for agents who prefer a classroom setting.
• Transparent reporting: A reliable provider should make reporting seamless. The best providers submit your completed credits directly to your state’s Department of Insurance. This eliminates the stress of manual submissions and reduces the risk of missed deadlines.
• Reputation: Reputation matters. Therefore, look for providers with strong reviews, proven reliability, and a history of delivering quality, compliant education. If other agents have had positive experiences, that’s usually a good sign.

With First Connect, agents don’t have to spend hours researching providers or worrying about compliance. Their platform connects you with trusted, state-approved CE providers and ensures the courses align with your specific state renewal period requirements. That means no second-guessing whether your hours will count.

This way, you spend less time stressing over CE logistics and more time focusing on your clients, building relationships, and growing your business.

Strategies for efficiently completing CE requirements

The biggest challenge for many insurance agents isn’t the material – it’s the timing. Too often, CE gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list until the renewal deadline is just around the corner. 

That’s when the stress kicks in, and agents or producers find themselves scrambling for completion of 24 hours of courses in a short period. Not only is this exhausting, but it also reduces how much you actually learn. 

The better approach is to treat CE like part of your regular business routine. Here are some strategies to make the process smooth and stress-free.

Spread out the workload

Consider CE like going to the gym – you get better results by training consistently rather than once a year in a marathon session. By completing just 1–2 hours of CE per month, producers will stay on track without feeling overwhelmed. 

This steady approach makes the material easier to absorb and helps you ensure you never miss an expiration date.

Make a schedule

CE doesn’t have to be left to chance. Block out time on your calendar – whether monthly or quarterly – and treat it like a client meeting. 

Setting aside even a small window of time shows that you take CE seriously. For instance, if you’re preparing for an annuity sale, you’ll want to stay current on CE requirements specific to that product. 

This proactive scheduling prevents last-minute stress and keeps your licensing in good standing.

Use online learning

One of the best advantages today’s agents have is the flexibility of online CE courses. Instead of traveling to in-person seminars, you can complete credits on your laptop, tablet, or even your phone. 

Whether you’re between client calls, winding down in the evening, or traveling for work, online options make it easy to fit CE into your lifestyle. Many providers even streamline the application process for course enrollment. 

Track progress

It’s not enough to just complete courses – you need to ensure your credits are properly logged. 

Keep a personal record of each course you finish, and regularly check your state’s insurance department portal to confirm the hours have been posted. This double-check prevents unpleasant surprises when it’s time to renew.

Tools from First Connect

First Connect makes the CE process a lot easier. Their platform offers tools to track CE progress, set reminders, and stay informed about requirements so you’re never caught off guard. 

Moreover, with First Connect, agents can join the Rewards Program, where they not only meet CE requirements but also earn credits toward business development tools and perks. 

It’s like earning frequent flyer miles while traveling – you meet your mandatory obligations while also unlocking benefits that help your business grow.

Conclusion

There you have it! Now you know how many hours of continuing education are required for insurance license renewal.

For most agents, it’s around 20–30 hours every 2 years; however, it depends on your state and license type. Failing to complete your CE not only puts your license at risk but can also damage your professional reputation and income.

Luckily, staying compliant has never been easier. With the help of First Connect, agents can access reliable CE providers, track their credits, and even earn CE credits through the Rewards Program. Instead of seeing CE as a burden, view it as an opportunity for growth, networking, and professional advancement.

Take the stress out of license renewal – partner with First Connect today to simplify CE requirements and invest in your career success.