The Division of Insurance has announced that its Online Producer Renewal Appointment website (OPRA) will be accepting agent renewals beginning on August 26, 2010. Renewal emails and paper notification letters, including user id’s and passwords, will be generated on August 26th, 2010. Insurance Companies will have until October 1st, 2010 to complete their agent renewal processes. The payment method for agent renewals will be via EFT (Electronic ACH payment). Transactions are performed immediately and renewal submissions are confirmed within 48 hours.

Oklahoma:

The Oklahoma Insurance Department has announced the launch of a newly enhanced Producer Licensing Division web page. The enhanced layout will be easier to navigate, provide straightforward posting of current information and notices affecting licensees and will include improved access to licensing programs and tools. Additionally, these changes will improve the entire licensing process making it easier and more efficient for those who need to find information on the Oklahoma insurance licensing process.

The Texas Department of Insurance launched a new electronic license application option for Texas residents designed to speed up the processing of license applications and provide greater convenience to license applicants. The Electronic Texas Resident Insurance License Application is accessible on the agency website at: www.tdi.state.tx.us/licensing/agent/Electronic _Appl.html. “The speed, convenience and online data checking of the electronic process reduces the number of mistakes in the applications and therefore, reduces the number of applications which must be returned for corrections,” said Matt Ray, Deputy Commissioner, Licensing Division. A tutorial for the electronic resident license application process is posted on the website. The application and license fees may be submitted either before or after taking the license exam.

Massachusetts:

The Massachusetts Insurance Department and Prometric have jointly announced extensive changes to the insurance pre-licensing education curriculum outline. The announced revisions will be reflected on licensing examinations offered on and after November 1, 2010. Individuals preparing for an insurance licensing exam that will be administered on or after the announced implementation date are urged to ensure that their study materials reflect the most recent curriculum revisions. The new Licensing Information Bulletins will be available from Prometric online approximately six weeks before the test update.

Oklahoma:

The Oklahoma Insurance Department is pleased to announce the expansion of services through The National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). On August 27, 2010 NIPR will offer Resident Producer Licensing Initial and Renewal Applications, Resident and Non-Resident Adjuster Licensing Initial and Renewal Applications, and Reinstatement Applications for Producers and Adjusters. Electronic (online) processing is available utilizing Oklahoma’s licensing vendors, NIPR, Sircon Corporation or any vendor approved by the NIPR. Please visit the following websites for additional information on processing electronic (online) applications: www.nipr.com; www.sircon.com/oklahoma.

In September 2008, Senate Bill 483 Medi-Cal: home and facility care was signed into law and in 2010 the National Health Care Reform bill was signed into law. Both of these measures prompted the California Department of Insurance’s (CDI) Curriculum Board’s LTC Subcommittee to review and update the 2004 Long Term Care Outline. At the Curriculum Board’s July 15, 2010, the Mandatory Eight-Hour Long Term Care Course Outline was approved and is now available on CDI’s Website at http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0200-industry/0050-renew-license/0400-resident-materials/upload/Mand8HrLTCOutline.pdf. Newly submitted eight-hour LTC courses must have the course material cross referenced with the Mandatory Eight-Hour Long Term Care Course Outline. In addition, eight-hour LTC courses that are currently approved will need to be updated to reflect the topics stated in the Outline at time the course is renewed.

District of Columbia:

Effective immediately, any applicant who passes the examination to become a resident DC Insurance Producer, must submit to fingerprinting and a background check through the DC Metropolitan Police Department prior to being granted a license. Additionally, every nonresident producer who becomes a resident producer on or after August 9, 2010, must also submit to fingerprinting and background checks.

Nevada:

The Producer Licensing Section is working from a temporary location as they prepare for a move to their new offices. During the transition you may reach Joy Miller via email (jamiller@doi.state.nv.us) or by utilizing the following cellular phone number (775) 434-9766.

Utah:

The Utah Insurance Department and Prometric, the State’s insurance licensing testing vendor, have announced extensive changes to the insurance pre-licensing education curriculum outline. The announced revisions will be reflected on licensing examinations offered on and after December 1, 2010. Individuals preparing for an insurance licensing exam that will be administered on or after the announced implementation date are urged to ensure that their study materials reflect the most recent curriculum revisions. The new Licensing Information Bulletins will be available from Prometric online approximately six weeks before the test update.

In accordance with South Carolina Code §38-43-106, the appointment of any producer may not be renewed unless the producer has (1) completed the mandated continuing insurance education requirements (CE hours and/or payment of CE recordkeeping fees) and (2) has renewed their license for the 2008-2010 two-year compliance period which ended May 1, 2010. Insurers must renew and pay for appointment fees electronically by using their User ID and Password. If the insurer does not remember the User ID and/or Password, email the Department’s Information Resource Management Division at irmmail@doi.sc.gov before September 1, 2010.

California:

Effective immediately licensed life agents may broker life settlements provided that they have been licensed as a life agent for at least one year and that they notify CDI within ten days from the first day of operating as a life settlement broker. This requirement applies to both individuals and agencies. Specific instructions and the required forms needed for individuals and agencies to notify CDI that they are brokering life settlements is available on CDI’s website at the following link: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0200-industry/0050-renew-license/0200-requirements/life-settlements/index.cfm The website includes information related to the new life settlement law such as step-by-step notification procedures for life agents, procedures specific to current viatical settlement brokers and forms filing requirements.

Nevada:

On July 27, the Nevada Insurance Division’s Carson City office building at 788 Fairview Dr. was closed. They announced that some Division staff have been relocated to temporary workstations. A permanent office has been leased and is located at 1818 College Parkway. It is anticipated that it will be open effective September 2010. While the permanent move is being worked on, the following information will aid in contacting the Division: Mail will be forwarded to the appropriate people. All mail can and should continue to be sent to: 788 Fairview Dr., Carson City, NV 89701. Also while most staff have limited access to e -mail during this time, they have been tasked with checking their e-mail three times a day. The Division’s Producer Licensing Section is temporarily located at 727 Fairview Drive, across the street from the old location.

Insurance intermediaries who hold a life insurance line of authority on May 1, 2011, and who desire to sell annuities must complete the requirements of this paragraph within 6 months after May 1, 2011. Individuals who obtain a life insurance line of authority on or after May 1, 2011, may not engage in the sale of annuities until they have completed the annuity training course required under this paragraph. The minimum length of the training required under this regulation shall be sufficient to qualify for at least 4 continuing education credits, but may be longer. An insurer shall verify that an insurance intermediary has completed the annuity training course required under this paragraph before allowing the intermediary to sell an annuity product for that insurer.

Effective immediately, licensees will be able to print license certificates and pocket identification cards through their eServices accounts. There is no charge for this service. Licenses and cards will no longer be mailed by DOI after this date and must be obtained through eServices. These printed documents are the property of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and must not be altered.

Virginia:

Quarterly and annual appointment renewal invoices were mailed on or about July 1, 2010. As a reminder, invoice remittances are due August 10, 2010. Payments must match the Invoice ID amount. Underpayments and overpayments are not accepted. A revision has been made regarding the courtesy quarterly/annual renewal appointment invoice “reminder” notices. The Bureau of Insurance will no longer send a copy of the original invoice as the first and second “reminders.” Instead, the first “reminder” is this announcement and the second “reminder” will be a July 30, 2010, postcard to the Companies which have not paid.

Colorado:

As of August 1, 2010, the division will begin imposing a minimum of a $100 fine for failure of a producer to change an address within thirty days. An applicable surcharge (currently at 10%) will also be imposed. This surcharge will be used to fund the development, Implementation, and maintenance of a consumer outreach and education program. The division may also impose other penalties including suspension and revocation of the producer license. In order to change an address, go to www.Sircon.com/Colorado – - Click – Update Your Name or Address. The Sircon system is available 24 hours a day for this service.

The Iowa Insurance Department and Pearson VUE are hosting an Industry Day on Thursday, August 5^th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Iowa Insurance Division lobby conference room located at 330 Maple Street in Des Moines. This meeting will include updates from the Iowa Insurance Division and Pearson VUE for pre-licensing and continuing education course providers plus include an opportunity to answer any questions. Those planning to attend should RSVP by Friday, July 30, 2010 by calling Andrea Radwanski at 610-617-5143.

Arkansas:

The Arkansas Insurance Department has announced that a PUBLIC HEARING will be held on August 11, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., in the First Floor Hearing Room, Arkansas Insurance Department (“Department”), 1200 West Third Street, Little Rock, Arkansas. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to determine whether the Insurance Commissioner should adopt Proposed Amended Rule 50, “CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR PRODUCERS AND ADJUSTERS” as a permanent Rule. The purpose of this Amended Rule is to update the Rule to reflect legislative changes to the continuing education requirements. In particular, it changes the reporting requirement from an annual filing to biennial. Direct any inquiries to the Legal Division at (501) 371-2820 or insurance.legal@arkansas.gov. A copy of Proposed Amended Rule 50 can be obtained on the Legal Division’s Internet Website at http://insurance.arkansas.gov/Legal%20Dataservices/divpage.htm.

Illinois:

On July 26, 2010, the Illinois Department of Insurance will implement the State-Based Systems (SBS) licensing system. SBS will allow producer licensing functions to be completed electronically through a web-based system. Through SBS, an insurance producer will be able to register immediately, without paperwork delays, and at any time, on any day. SBS permits real time access to a producer’s licensing information, thereby eliminating the delays caused by regular mail and telephone calls or email correspondence.

Washington:

In October, the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner will launch a new search feature on their website. The new tool will help consumers look for an agent or broker in their area. The results will provide consumers with an agent’s contact information, specifically their business address and phone number. And as things stand now, a lot of agents and brokers only use their residential addresses — which will NOT be listed in this new tool — as their primary point of contact. They simply leave the business address field blank. But that means that the new search tool won’t list them when a consumer searches for an agent or broker by city. Questions…call 360-725-7144 or licinfo@oic.wa.gov.

Effective January 1, 2011 Iowa Administrative Rule 191-15.72 requires all Insurance Producers selling or soliciting Annuity Products in the State of Iowa to obtain four (4) continuing education credits by an APPROVED vendor offering an Annuity Products Course. This is a one-time requirement and is not a condition of license renewal. This is a separate requirement than the already existing rule 15.80 for Indexed Insurance Products. Only those courses approved for Annuity Products and listed on the website of the Division’s vendor for approval of continuing education courses, Pearson VUE, will be accepted as a qualified course which satisfies Rule 191-15.80.

Florida:

The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) is hosting a pre-licensing education forum on Friday, July 30^th from 9:00 to 11:00 at the Embassy Suites Orlando – Downtown. The forum will feature a number of speakers covering topics that include the DFS going paperless, the DFS website, education & examination reports, the Department licensing process, and a Q&A session. To register for the forum, email Matt Tamplin at matt.tamplin@myfloridacfo.com.

New Jersey:

Effective August 1, 2010, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (“Department”) will no longer print and mail licenses to insurance producers.  Insurance producers will be able to print licenses, free of charge, via State Based Systems (“SBS”) Connect. The change in the method of license delivery will expedite the license printing process and will grant all licensees access to a printed license within 24 hours after approval of a license application/amendment by the Department.

Pearson VUE, in cooperation with the Virginia Insurance Department, has announced changes to their insurance pre-licensing education curriculum outline. The announced revisions will be reflected on licensing examinations offered on and after August 9, 2010. Individuals preparing for an insurance licensing exam that will be administered on or after the announced implementation date are urged to ensure that their study materials reflect the most recent curriculum revisions. The new Licensing Information Bulletins will be available from Pearson VUE online at www.pearsonvue.com.

Kentucky:

Kentucky is extending the date to allow additional time for Independent Adjusters to complete the Exchange Form, to Friday, July 9, 2010. The effective date of all exchanges will be July 1, 2010. Adjuster exchange forms received have been processed for those licensees who are deemed eligible for the Staff Adjuster license. Those approved for the exchange may view their Staff Adjuster license record which becomes effective on July 1, 2010 through our web site, or through their eServices account. License certificates will be printed and mailed throughout the upcoming weeks.

Arkansas:

Section 9 of Rule 82 requires all producers marketing annuities in Arkansas to complete a four (4) hour annuity training course by July 15, 2010, and annually thereafter. This provision applies to resident and non-resident producers. The Department has become concerned that our training requirement will not be consistent with the requirements set forth in other states. In order to be more consistent with other states and include a better annuity training requirement, the Department feels that it should revise this Section of Rule 82. Since this process may take several months, the Department will no longer enforce the provision of Section 9 of Rule 82. Until Rule 82 is revised, the four (4) hour annual annuity training will no longer be required.

Wisconsin:

The Wisconsin Insurance Department and Pearson VUE are hosting an Industry Day on Friday, July 23^rd from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club, 1 West Dayton Street in Madison. The purpose of the meeting will be to update pre-licensing course providers on the results of the content development meetings, review the results of the Legislative Session, hold a discussion regarding Digital Fingerprinting, provide an update from SIRCON, and answer any questions. Those planning to attend should RSVP by Friday, July 17, 2010 by e-mail:  joanne.wingate@pearson.com.

Florida:

Effective July 1, 2010, Florida announces that licenses will no longer issued at the Pearson VUE test centers. Passing scores will be forwarded to the Florida Department of Insurance and eligible applicants will be issued a license. Instructions to print the license will be emailed from the Florida Insurance Department to the licensee.

Pearson VUE, in cooperation with the Ohio Insurance Department, has announced changes to their insurance pre-licensing education curriculum outline. The announced revisions will be reflected on licensing examinations offered on and after July 5, 2010. Individuals preparing for an insurance licensing exam that will be administered on or after the announced implementation date are urged to ensure that their study materials reflect the most recent curriculum revisions. The new Licensing Information Bulletins will be available from Pearson VUE online at www.pearsonvue.com.

Wisconsin:

The Digital Fingerprinting program will begin on July 6, 2010. As a result of this, Pearson VUE will NOT be able to test during the period of June 26-July 5, 2010. Candidates will be able to call and make reservations during this time, but the first date of availability will be Tuesday, July 6, 2010. The basis for this brief shutdown is to allow for a smooth transition from the name check process to the digital process.

New Jersey:

All insurance producers are advised that, effective August 1, 2010, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (“Department”) will no longer print and mail licenses to insurance producers. Insurance producers will be able to print licenses, free of charge, via State Based Systems (“SBS”) Connect. SBS Connect is made available via the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), and is currently available for producer use. Information regarding free registration to this service is available on the Department’s website, www.njdobi.org, in the “Just for Producers” area.