The Ohio Department of Insurance announced the extension of license renewal dates during the state of emergency declared by Gov. Mike DeWine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The department said if a license expires during the state of emergency, it will remain valid and may be renewed until no later than 90 days after the state of emergency ends or Dec. 1, 2020, whichever comes first. All late fees will be waived and license-holders do not need to take any actions to receive the extension.
The order applies to: major lines agents; limited line agents; title agents; title insurance marketing representatives; managing general agents; public insurance adjusters and agents; reinsurance intermediary brokers and managers; surety bail bond agents; surplus lines brokers; third party administrators; and viatical settlement brokers.
In order to ensure that licenses are able to be renewed during the state of emergency (and after), the department will periodically adjust expiration dates within the department’s computer system and the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
Continuing Education Requirements
Due to the extension of expiration dates during the state of emergency, the deadline for completing continuing education requirements is also extended. During the state of emergency, continuing education providers are still offering courses, both online and in other distance learning formats, and agents are encouraged to complete as much as possible during the state of emergency to prevent the system from being overwhelmed once the state of emergency ends.
Examination for Initial License
As a result of the closure of examination centers, any person whose pre-license education course completion certificate expired during the examination center closings and for a period of two weeks after the examination centers reopen will have their pre-licensing course completion certificate deadline extended for 30 days after the exam centers reopen. This will allow a student to sit for an examination past the 180-day expiration of the certificate.
Only current license-holders whose license expires during the state of emergency are affected by this recent legislation; unless specifically ordered otherwise, there is no change to the legal requirement to obtain a license or to comply with all other applicable laws and regulations during the state of emergency.
Additionally, while license-holders will have extra time to renew their licenses, the department encourages renewals to be completed during the state of emergency to ensure timely processing once the state of emergency ends. Continuing education courses will continue to be offered, NIPR will accept electronic applications and the department will still be processing applications. When it is safe and possible, taking action during the state of emergency is encouraged.
Source: Ohio Department of Insurance
Topics Agencies Ohio Training Development
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