How Do I Get an Insurance License in Arkansas?

The first step in getting your insurance license is determining what type of insurance agent you want to be, or what types of policies you need to sell. That will help you figure out what type, or types, of insurance licenses you need to get. Then, it’s time to begin studying. After completing all of your pre-license coursework or self-study you’ll need to take your insurance exam. You will take one exam for each line of insurance you wish to carry. Life and Health are separate lines in Arkansas, so they are all separate tests. Property & Casualty (P&C), however, can be combined lines, so you will take one test for both of these lines. This means that for all four of these lines you will take three exams. The State of Arkansas requires all licensees to submit an application for a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. Once you have submitted your application and have filled all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. Your background check will also be reviewed. If you have any questions, call the Arkansas Department of Insurance at (501) 371-2750 or email the Insurance License Department for more information.

How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, the first step to get your insurance adjuster license is to simply apply for your license. The fee for an online application is $20. Once you have completed your application and all your coursework, you are now ready to take and pass the Arkansas Insurance Adjuster License exam. Depending on the lines of authority you wish to carry, you may need to take more than one exam. Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. This process generally takes about forty-eight (48) hours. Depending on the results of your background check, the Department of Insurance may request more information or documentation.

How do I renew my insurance license in Arkansas?

The State of Arkansas requires that resident individual licensees complete twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education every two-year renewal period. Of those hours, three (3) of those hours must cover ethics. If you have a producer license in more than one line of authority (ex. Property & Casualty and Life & Health), you don’t need to complete double the hours. After you have completed your continuing education and you are within 90 days of your license expiration, you can renew your Arkansas insurance license. It’ll cost $120 per application to renew your license. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can help with insurance license renewals.

How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in Arkansas?

Unlike resident renewal, there are no nonresident continuing education requirements in Arkansas, provided that the following requirements are met: <ul> <li>Are a nonresident licensee and are in good standing with your home state</li> <li>Hold a limited or restricted license</li> </ul> It’ll cost $120 per application to renew your license. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can help with nonresident insurance license renewals.

How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in Arkansas?

Arkansas will accept the designation of home state and allow a nonresident independent adjuster license without the Arkansas Adjuster Examination. Meaning that Non-residents who hold a license in their home state may apply for the license without taking the exam or meeting any experience requirements. Non-residents whose home state does not license adjusters must fulfill the same exam and experience requirements that apply to Arkansas residents. Non-residents are required to complete the following to be eligible for a Non-Resident Adjuster License: <ul> <li>Non-residents who do not hold a license in their home state: 24 hours of CE (with 3 in ethics) every two years.</li> <li>Non-residents who hold a license in their home state: 24 hours of CE (with 3 in ethics) ONLY IF their home state does not already have a CE requirement.</li> </ul> After you have completed your adjuster continuing education, you will renew your Arkansas adjuster license online through an application on NIPR’s website. There is a $120 fee to renew your Arkansas adjuster license. For more information, contact the Arkansas Insurance Department.

How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In Arkansas?

According to the Arkansas Department of Insurance, adjuster license renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date. The expiration date of your license is set as the last day of your birth month. Once you have your license, you’ll need to complete some additional steps every few years to keep it active. You are required to complete a total of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education (CE), including three (3) hours of ethics coursework, to upkeep your adjuster license in Arkansas. There is an $120 fee to renew your Arkansas adjuster license. Please note: Arkansas grants reciprocal licenses to adjusters who are licensed in their home state or adjusters who hold a Designated Home State (DHS) license.

Arkansas

state commissioner

Alan McClain

STATE email

insurance.license@arkansas.gov

STATE phone

(501) 371-2750

STATE LICENSE DIVISION ADDRESS

Arkansas Insurance Department

Address

1200 West Third Street

Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201

Visit State Website

Appointments & Terminations

Required to report appointments?

Yes

Permits Just-in-time (JIT) appointments?

Yes

Appointment exemptions and notes

A property and casualty producer doesn't require a carrier appointment to sell, solicit, or negotiate travel insurance.

Initial appointment deadlines

Within 15 days of contract execution or first business submission

Initial appointment deadline rule

Appointments must be submitted within 15 days of the date the agent/agency contract is executed or the first piece of business is submitted to the carrier

Can be processed via nipr?

Yes

Fees for appointing a resident agency or individual?

$20

Fees for appointing a nonresident agency or individual?

$60

Appoint agencies?

Yes

Agency appointment covers affiliated producers?

Adjuster appointments via NIPR?

Appointment effective date can be specified?

Yes

Appointment effective date rule

Required and may not be backdated more than 15 days, be in the future, or precede effective date of appointee license.

State requires appointment renewal?

Yes

Appointment renewals via

Via NIPR Portal

When is the state renewal period?

June 1 through June 30

Appointment renewal fee

Resident: $20 Nonresident: $60

Fees are retaliatory?

Yes

Licenses require appointment or affiliation?

State terminates appointment if license expires?

Yes

Terminations processed via NIPR?

Yes

Termination reasons

Voluntary termination; inadequate production; cancelled by general agent; death; company defunct or liquidation; company indebtedness; poor policyholder service; agent moved; appointed in error; cancelled; cancelled for cause; company merger; revoked; suspended for compliance

Termination date can be specified by carrier?

Termination Effective date rule

Not required (ignored) and is the date transaction is processed by the state

Termination fee

$10

Allows carriers to terminate the appointment if license has expired?

Can a not-for-cause termination notice be emailed?

Notices must be mailed

Licensing

Initial individual new license fee

Resident New License Insurance Producer: $0 (when exam is required) Resident New License Insurance Producer: $70 (when exam is not required) Resident New License Surplus Lines Producer: $1,035 Nonresident New License Insurance Producer: $70 Nonresident New License Surplus Lines Producer: $1,035

License renewal fee

Resident Renewal Insurance Producer: $70 Resident Renewal Surplus Lines Producer: $60 Nonresident Renewal Insurance Producer: $70 Nonresident Renewal Surplus Lines Producer: $60

When does the resident individual producer license renewal period begin?

90 days before expiration

What is the resident individual producer license renewal date?

Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of first state license issue

Late renewal or reinstatement period for resident individual producer license?

Late renewal allowed up to one year after expiration

When does the nonresident individual producer license renewal period begin?

90 days before expiration

What is the nonresident individual producer license renewal date?

Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of first state license issue

Late renewal or reinstatement period for nonresident individual producer license?

Late renewal allowed up to one year after expiration

Can a producer use a P.O. Box in their resident or business address?

For individual's business address only

Are individuals required to list their county as part of the address?

What addresses are required for individual license maintenance?

Residence, Business, and Mailing

State individual licenses include

Title Agent, Risk Retention Group, Life Settlement Broker, Consultant, Insurance Producer, Life Settlement Provider, Surplus Lines Producer, Life and Disability, Adjuster, Crop Adjuster, Property and Casualty Insurer, Navigator, Certified Application Counselor, IPA Guide, Life Settlement Producer, Reinsurance Intermediaries Broker, Exchange Producer, Purchasing Group Broker

State recognizes a licensing exemption for nonresident commercial lines producers with multistate contracts?

Yes

State broker license rule

Included in Producer License Class. Insurers are not required to appoint Brokers per NAIC PLMA

Broker license notes

To obtain a broker's license, an applicant must comply with the same licensing requirements as a producer

Requires pre licensing courses?

Yes

Study method requirements

Before taking the examination, the applicant for an agent, or broker license must complete at least 20 hours of classroom instruction or electronic instruction taught by authorized instructors.

Submission of completion certificate rule

The applicant must submit a copy of the original pre-licensing education completion certificate, discussed in AR ADC 054.00.31 Appendices 3(A-E), to the exam vendor at the scheduled testing time.

How long is the pre licensing certification valid?

Pre licensing must be taken no more than 2 years before taking the license exam.

Exemptions to pre licensing requirements

An applicant for a new or additional line of authority will be exempt from the following requirements if the requirements were successfully completed within 2 years of the date of filing the application for the new or additional line: a. 5 hours of state insurance laws and rules; and b. 1 hour if ethics. The following applicants are exempt from pre-license education: a. consultant; b. surplus lines broker; and c. nonresident producer or adjuster from a state that engages in reciprocal licensing with Arkansas.

Prelicense education requirement

The prelicense education courses for a life line of authority include: a. 1 hour of introduction to insurance; b. 5 hours of state insurance laws and rules; c. 5 hours of life insurance basics; d. 5 hours of life insurance policies and provisions; e. 3 hours of annuity contracts; and f. 1 hour of ethics. The pre-license education courses for an accident and health or sickness line of authority include: a. 1 hour of Introduction to Insurance; b. 5 hours of State Insurance Laws and Rules; c. 3 hours of Health Insurance Policy Provisions; d. 2 hours of Disability Income Insurance; e. 1 hour of Medical Expense Insurance; f. 1 hour of Medicare Supplement Insurance; g. 2 hours of Social Security and Medicare; h. 1 hour of Group Insurance; i. 1 hour of HMO; and j. 1 hour of Ethics. The pre-license education courses for a casualty line of authority include: a. 1 hour of introduction to insurance; b. 5 hours of state insurance laws and rules; c. 1 hour of ocean and inland marine insurance; d. 2 hours of general liability insurance; e. 5 hours of automobile insurance and assigned risk plan, including AIPSO and CAIP; f. 3 hours of workers' compensation and assigned risk plan; g. 1 hour of commercial crime insurance and fidelity bonds; h. 1 hour of surety bonds; and i. 1 hour of ethics. The pre-license education courses for a property line of authority include: a. 1 hour of introduction to insurance; b. 5 hours of state insurance laws and rules; c. 4 hours of fire and allied lines, assigned risk plans (ARRUA), and Arkansas earthquake authority (AEA); d. 5 hours of homeowners' policies and other multiple-line products; e. .5 hours of national flood insurance; f. 3 hours of commercial property and commercial crime insurance; g. .5 hours of federal crop insurance (FCIC); and h. 1 hour of ethics. The pre-license education courses for a "personal lines" line of authority include: a. 1 hour of introduction to insurance; b. 5 hours of state insurance laws and rules; c. 2 hours of fire and allied lines, including manufactured houses, ARRUA, and AEA; d. 5 hours of homeowner's policies and other multiple-line products and assigned risk plans (ARRUA and AEA); e. 5 hours of automobile insurance and assigned risk plans; f. 1 hour of federal flood insurance; and g. 1 hour of ethics.

Background Check Required?

Yes – General background check

Fingerprints Required?

Not Required

State Pre-Licensing Exam Website

PSI Exams

How Long are State Pre-Licensing Exams Active?

One Year

Where to apply for resident license?

NIPR Gateway

What Transactions are Retaliatory Fees Applied to?

Appointment

What Determines the Retaliatory Fee?

Resident State Fees

Submit Partial License Renewals through NIPR?

Has Personal Lines LOA?

Yes

Deadline to report personal data changes (address, name change, phone number, etc.)

Every licensee must notify the Commissioner, in writing, of any change in his/her mailing or residence address within 30 days of the change. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway.

Name Change Form

Individual and Business Entity

Penalty for failure to timely report personal data changes

Failure to notify the Commissioner will result in a $25 fee, payable to the Arkansas Insurance Department Trust Fund.

Agency

Can a sole proprietor be licensed as an entity?

DRLP must have active state license

Yes

DRLPs must cumulatively cover all LOAs in application

DRLP Notes

Renewal period starts 90 days prior to expiration and ends Sept. 30th, annually.

Agency Licensing renewals

90 days prior to expiration date until September 30th (annually)

Agency License required?

Yes

Affiliations: Indicates if producers selling on behalf of/through an entity must be formally affiliated with that entity and if the entity must notify the department of changes

Yes

Branch office

Main license meets requirements

Deadline to report key business entity changes (address, dba, phone, email, etc.)

Every licensee must notify the Commissioner, in writing, of any change in his/her mailing or residence address within 30 days of the change. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway. An organization licensee must notify the Commissioner within 10 days of any changes among the members, directors, officers and all other people designated in the license. The fee for adding or deleting an individual agent from an organization license is $10.

Other Agency Requirements

Agency license depends on how commissions being paid out. If affiliations are receiving a commission check, must be affiliated with entity.

Adjuster

Requires adjuster license?

Yes

Offers designated home state?

Yes

Reciprocity states

AK, AL, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, NC, NH, NM, NV, OK, OR, RI, SC, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WY

Which states require an exam for reciprocity?

CA, HI, NY, PR

Independent adjuster LOAS

Property, Casualty, Workers' Compensation

Independent adjuster fees

Licensing Fee (without CE): $120 Licensing Fee (with CE): $140 Late Fee: $240

Independent adjuster exam required?

Yes

Independent adjuster details

Late renewals are allowed up to 12 months after the license expiration date. Nonresidents are required to be CE compliant to renew

Speciality adjuster renewal date

Biennially, on the individual's birthday.

Specialty Adjuster

Crop Insurance Adjuster

Specialty Adjuster Fees

Licensing Fee: $50 Late Fee: $100

Specialty Adjuster Exam Required?

Specialty Adjuster Renewal Period

Biennially, on the individual's birthday.

DHS Exam Required?

Yes

Address change request through NIPR?

Yes

Continuing Education

Total hours per renewal period

Renewal period

2 years

License renewal date is

Last day of birth month

License renewal year based on...

Year of first license issuance

When is the CE due?

Prior to license expiration.

How long before expiration does state send CE reminder?

90 days prior to month of birth

How long before expiration does state send CE reminder?

90 days prior to month of birth

Exemptions to CE

Individuals who are at least 60 years old and licensed prior to July 1, 2003, exemption must be requested. Individuals who have been actively licensed for at least 15 consecutive years, prior to July 1, 2003, exemption must be requested. Newly licensed individuals are exempt for the initial license period. After the first renewal of the license, CE shall be due on the licensee’s birth date biennially. Title agents instead must complete 6 hours with 1 hour of ethics annually by their birthday.

What if a producer missed the renewal date?

Licensee has one year from the date of your missed renewal to bring your license back to good standing. In the meantime, the state automatically terminates any carrier appointments in the state, and will need to pay a late licensure fee. If one is also behind on your CE requirements, there is an additional fee.

Ethics requirements

Flood-specific CE requirements

3 hours of NFIP course

LTC-specific CE requirements

8-hour initial certification, with 4 hours of LTC-specific training each renewal cycle thereafter

Check CE transcripts

https://sbs.naic.org/solar-external-lookup/license-manager

For more from agentsync

https://agentsync.io/blog/individual-producers/insurance-continuing-education-arkansas

Regulatory Updates

Arkansas Hosts Public Hearing Adopting New Proposal

Posted on September 18, 2024, Arkansas Insurance Department will host a public hearing on October 29, 2024, at 10 AM. The Department is considering adopting a new proposal granting expedited licensure for military service members, veterans, and spouses. Please see the attachment for more information.

Arkansas Clarifies Underwriting Expenses for Surplus Lines

On July 26, 2024, Arkansas posted bulletin No. 12-2024 to clarify previous bulletins regarding underwriting expenses for surplus lines brokers. All new policies and renewals with an effective date of January 1, 2025, and after will be expected to comply with these fees. Please see the attachment for more information.

Arkansas 2024 Company Appointment Renewals for Insurance Producers

On March 5, 2024, Arkansas issued a bulletin identifying dates related to 2024 company appointment renewals for insurance producers. See attachment.

Arkansas Adding New Non Uniform Question for All Renewal Applicants

Effective March 15, 2024, Arkansas will be adding a new NUQ required for renewal of all license classes.

Arkansas Issues Bulletin Concerning Release of Criminal Investigations

Arkansas issues bulletin concerning release of criminal investigations. See attachment for full details.

Arkansas 2023 Company Appointment Renewals

Arkansas has released their 2023 Company Appointment Renewal dates. The renewal dates are June 1, 2023 - June 30, 2023. Electronic Termination Deadline is May 24, 2023, and the paper deadline is May 1, 2023

Arkansas Clarifies Producers Best Interest Standards

The Commissioner issues the reminder that the best interest of the producer is outlined in Section 6 of Arkansas Rule number 82. Expand to view Section 6 in the original announcement.

Arkansas Announces 2022 Company Renewal Dates

Arkansas announces that the renewal period is between June 1, 2022 - June 30, 2022.

NASAA Updates IAR CE Member Adoption list on its Website

NASAA provides an updated version of the IAR CE Member Adoption list on its website.

Arkansas finalizes their Pre-license Requirements Pertaining to Adjusters and Producers

Arkansas has finalized the required course of instruction requirements for adjusters and producers.

FAQs

How Do I Get an Insurance License in Arkansas?

The first step in getting your insurance license is determining what type of insurance agent you want to be, or what types of policies you need to sell. That will help you figure out what type, or types, of insurance licenses you need to get. Then, it’s time to begin studying. After completing all of your pre-license coursework or self-study you’ll need to take your insurance exam. You will take one exam for each line of insurance you wish to carry. Life and Health are separate lines in Arkansas, so they are all separate tests. Property & Casualty (P&C), however, can be combined lines, so you will take one test for both of these lines. This means that for all four of these lines you will take three exams.

The State of Arkansas requires all licensees to submit an application for a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts.

Once you have submitted your application and have filled all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. Your background check will also be reviewed.

If you have any questions, call the Arkansas Department of Insurance at (501) 371-2750 or email the Insurance License Department for more information.
How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, the first step to get your insurance adjuster license is to simply apply for your license.

The fee for an online application is $20. Once you have completed your application and all your coursework, you are now ready to take and pass the Arkansas Insurance Adjuster License exam.

Depending on the lines of authority you wish to carry, you may need to take more than one exam.

Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. This process generally takes about forty-eight (48) hours. Depending on the results of your background check, the Department of Insurance may request more information or documentation.
How do I renew my insurance license in Arkansas?

The State of Arkansas requires that resident individual licensees complete twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education every two-year renewal period. Of those hours, three (3) of those hours must cover ethics. If you have a producer license in more than one line of authority (ex. Property & Casualty and Life & Health), you don’t need to complete double the hours.

After you have completed your continuing education and you are within 90 days of your license expiration, you can renew your Arkansas insurance license.

It’ll cost $120 per application to renew your license.

AgentSync can help with insurance license renewals.
How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in Arkansas?
Unlike resident renewal, there are no nonresident continuing education requirements in Arkansas, provided that the following requirements are met:
- Are a nonresident licensee and are in good standing with your home state
- Hold a limited or restricted license
It’ll cost $120 per application to renew your license.

AgentSync can help with nonresident insurance license renewals.
How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in Arkansas?
Arkansas will accept the designation of home state and allow a nonresident independent adjuster license without the Arkansas Adjuster Examination. Meaning that Non-residents who hold a license in their home state may apply for the license without taking the exam or meeting any experience requirements. Non-residents whose home state does not license adjusters must fulfill the same exam and experience requirements that apply to Arkansas residents.

Non-residents are required to complete the following to be eligible for a Non-Resident Adjuster License:
- Non-residents who do not hold a license in their home state: 24 hours of CE (with 3 in ethics) every two years.
- Non-residents who hold a license in their home state: 24 hours of CE (with 3 in ethics) ONLY IF their home state does not already have a CE requirement.
After you have completed your adjuster continuing education, you will renew your Arkansas adjuster license online through an application on NIPR’s website.

There is a $120 fee to renew your Arkansas adjuster license.

For more information, contact the Arkansas Insurance Department.
How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In Arkansas?

According to the Arkansas Department of Insurance, adjuster license renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date. The expiration date of your license is set as the last day of your birth month.

Once you have your license, you’ll need to complete some additional steps every few years to keep it active. You are required to complete a total of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education (CE), including three (3) hours of ethics coursework, to upkeep your adjuster license in Arkansas.

There is an $120 fee to renew your Arkansas adjuster license.

Please note: Arkansas grants reciprocal licenses to adjusters who are licensed in their home state or adjusters who hold a Designated Home State (DHS) license.