How Do I Get an Insurance License in Massachusetts?

Depending on what type of insurance agent you want to be or what types of policies you need to sell, you will need to choose what type or types of insurance licenses you need to get. After you’ve determined which licenses you need, it’s time to begin studying for the Massachusetts insurance exams. The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework or self-study is to take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each line of insurance you wish to carry. When you show up you must have a photo ID or any other documents that the testing facility has asked you to bring. Once you have completed your exams, you are now ready to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you have passed the exam for, be sure to apply for all of those lines. 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 initiated by the application will also be reviewed.

How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in Massachusetts?

The State of Massachusetts does not offer a Resident Insurance Adjuster License and does not require a license to practice insurance claims adjusting within the state.

How do I renew my insurance license in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, insurance licenses expire on your birthday every three years. This means that your initial insurance term will be shorter than three years following the date that your license was initially issued. But there is no requirement to take another exam from the state. If this is the state you reside in, then renewing your license will also keep any nonresident license you have in good standing. You will still need to pay the license renewal fee for nonresident licenses held in other states. The State of Massachusetts requires that resident individual licensees complete forty-five (45) credit hours of continuing education every three-year renewal period. Three (3) of those hours must be in the subject of ethics and be MA approved. 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. You may take your continuing education courses either in person in a classroom setting or <a href="https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/insurance-continuing-education/massachusetts?utm_source=MKT-005318&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=INS_IL_Affiliate&utm_term=mace_link&utm_content=staterequirement">online as a self-paced course</a>. After you have completed your continuing education and you are within 60 days of your license expiration, you may renew your Massachusetts insurance license online by using the <a href="https://nipr.com/licensing-center/state-requirements/massachusetts-resident-renewal-individual">National Insurance Provider Resident Licensing Tool</a>. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process. You may also print a paper renewal form from the <a href="https://www.mass.gov/service-details/producer-individual">Massachusetts State Division of Insurance website</a>. There is a fee of $225 per application to renew your license. Once this process is complete, your license will be renewed and your new expiration date will be three years from your previous expiration date.

How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in Massachusetts?

To obtain a license as a nonresident Insurance Producer, you must be currently licensed as a resident and in good standing with your home state. Non-residents do not need to retake their exams, as long as they maintain their resident state license, but they must apply for a new license via the <a href="https://nipr.com/licensing-center/state-requirements/massachusetts-nonresident-renewal-individual">NIPR</a>. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process. There is a fee of $225 per application to renew your license.

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

You must first hold an Individual Producer license in your resident state prior to applying in MA. Your resident state license status and lines of authority will be confirmed via the NIPR Producer Database, prior to the issuance of a MA nonresident producer license. If your state doesn’t offer a license, then you will need a designated home state license. You are required to submit your renewal fee of $75 per member, made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For more information, contact the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI).

How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is one of 16 states that do not license insurance adjusters. This means you can legally adjust claims in your state without a license, but only in said state. To adjust in the state of Massachusetts, you will need to obtain a Designated Home State (DHS) license. You will go through that state’s (Massachusetts or otherwise) licensing process, testing, and compliance regulations and their license will act as your resident, or home state license. If youre looking to become an insurance adjuster in a non-licensing state like Massachusetts, the Florida 70-20 DHS License is the next best thing for the following reasons: The state offers the quickest turnaround time after you submit your documents. The Florida 70-20 license is reciprocal with most states. A Florida DHS license is good for 4 years. This is not to say this is the only way to obtain a DHS license, it is simply the easiest. Many of the licensing states offer DHS licenses. So be sure to do additional research to find the best fit. For more information, contact the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI).

Massachusetts

state commissioner

Kevin Beagan

STATE email

ProducerUpdate.Mailbox@mass.gov

STATE phone

(617) 521-7794

STATE LICENSE DIVISION ADDRESS

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Insurance

Address

1000 Washington Street

Suite 810

Boston, Massachusetts, 02118

Visit State Website

Appointments & Terminations

Required to report appointments?

Yes

Permits Just-in-time (JIT) appointments?

Yes

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?

$75

Fees for appointing a nonresident agency or individual?

$75

Appoint agencies?

Yes

Agency appointment covers affiliated producers?

Yes

Agency appointment notes

Agency appointment automatically rolls out appointments for all affiliated agency members.

State requires appointment renewal?

Yes

Appointment renewals via

Via email through OPRA system

When is the state renewal period?

July 19 through August 31

Appointment renewal fee

$75 per member or entity

Licenses require appointment or affiliation?

State terminates appointment if license expires?

Yes

Terminations processed via NIPR?

Yes

Termination fee

No fee

Allows carriers to terminate the appointment if license has expired?

Yes

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

Notices must be mailed

Licensing

Initial individual new license fee

Resident New License Insurance Producer: $225 (Producer applicants applying for casualty, property, and/or personal lines LOAs are charged an additional $75 lead paint surcharge fee.) Resident New License Surplus Lines Broker: $150 Nonresident New License Insurance Producer: $225 (Producer applicants applying for casualty, property, and/or personal lines LOAs are charged an additional $75 lead paint surcharge fee.) Nonresident New License Surplus Lines Broker: $150

License renewal fee

Resident Renewal Insurance Producer: $225 Resident Renewal Insurance Producer: $150 Nonresident Renewal Insurance Producer: $225 Nonresident Renewal Insurance Producer: $150

When does the resident individual producer license renewal period begin?

90 days before expiration

What is the resident individual producer license renewal date?

Birth date every 3 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

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?

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

Agent, Property & Casualty Co, Auto Damage Appraiser, Insurance Adviser, Life/Accident & Health, Life Settlement Broker, Surplus Lines Broker, Motor Club, Public Insurance Adjuster, Broker, Insurance Producer, Consultant/Advisor, Reinsurance Intermediary Broker, Reinsurance Intermediary Manager, Reinsurance Intermediary Broker, Temporary Insurance Producer

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

Yes

State broker license rule

Included under Producer License Insurers are not required to appoint Brokers per NAIC PLMA

Requires pre licensing courses?

Prelicense education requirement

Fingerprints Required?

Not Required

State Pre-Licensing Exam Website

Prometric

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?

None

Submit Partial License Renewals through NIPR?

Yes

Has Personal Lines LOA?

Yes

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

A licensee must notify the Commissioner in writing of any change in address within 30 days of the change. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway.

Name Change Form

Individual and Business Entities can process via NIPR

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

Yes

Agency Licensing renewals

90 days prior to expiration until expiration date. No late renewal period.

Agency License required?

Yes, if selling insurance

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 if the branch agency has at least one affiliated agent.

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

A licensee must notify the Commissioner in writing of any change in address within 30 days of the change. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway.

Adjuster

Requires adjuster license?

Only Public Adjusters

Offers designated home state?

Reciprocity states

None

Public Adjuster Renewal Period

90 days prior to expiration until expiration date.

Public Adjuster Details

The public adjuster license can only be obtained by nonresidents who have had 2 years of prior experience adjusting property loss claims.

Public Adjuster LOAs

No LOA required

Public adjuster fees

Licensing Fee: $200 Renewal Fee: $200.00 Late Renewal Fee: $200.00

Public adjuster exam required?

Emergency adjuster details

In the event of an emergency, adjusters from other states may adjust claims if they hold an active license or are employed by a non-public adjusting entity, or an insurer licensed in Massachusetts.

DHS Exam Required?

N/A

Address change request through NIPR?

Continuing Education

Total hours per renewal period

Renewal period

3 years

License renewal date is

Birth date

License renewal year based on...

Year of first license issuance

When is the CE due?

Prior to license expiration. The initial insurance term will be shorter than three years following the date license was initially issued.

How long before expiration does state send CE reminder?

60 days prior to expiration date

How long before expiration does state send CE reminder?

60 days prior to expiration date

Exemptions to CE

Newly licensed producers must actually complete 60 hours of CE in their first renewal, which may be fewer than three years from their date of license.

What if a producer missed the renewal date?

Licensee may reinstate your license within 12 months of the missed renewal deadline for a late fee. If they are past the 12 month late reinstatement period, they will need to reapply as a new licensee, including having to retake qualifying examinations.

CE instructors get credit for teaching courses?

Yes, once per course per triennium

Can rollover excess hours?

Yes

Amount of rollover credits allowed

Up to 45 CE credits from one cycle to another

Ethics requirements

3 hours Massachusetts-approved ethics

Flood-specific CE requirements

3 hours of NFIP course

LTC-specific CE requirements

8-hour initial certification, with 4 hours of LTC-specific training every two years (so, LTC requirements aren't on a three-year cycle)

Annuity-specific CE requirements

One-time, 4-hour course

Check CE transcripts

https://ceo.experioronline.com/users/UsersMain.asp?MAIN=SINGLELU

Additional line of business requirements

Producers who took LTC training in other states will need 2 hours CE specific to MassHealth requirements

For more from agentsync

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

Regulatory Updates

Massachusetts Nonresident Validation Of Exams

Effective December 13, 2024, Massachusetts will begin validating exams for nonresident Public Adjuster and Adviser applicants. Applicants without a passed exam record will be unable to apply electronically.

Massachusetts Implements New Transaction Type to Process Primary Name Updates

Effective October 18, 2024, Massachusetts will Implement new transaction types to process Name Change (Demographics) updates.

Massachusetts Update for Life Settlement Brokers

Effective July 11, 2024 Massachusetts will require applicants for Life Settlement Brokers to hold a Life line of authority for one year

Massachusetts Announces 2024 Company Appointment Renewal Dates

On June 6, 2024, Massachusetts announced 2024 company appointment renewal dates. - Termination Deadline July 14, 2024 - Invoice Renewal Period July 19, 2024 - August 31, 2024

Massachusetts Issues Bulletin Relate to Inducements, Rebates and Affiliated Entities

On May 24, 2024, the Massachusetts Insurance Department issued a bulletin related to Inducements, Rebates and Affiliated Entities. See attachment for full details.

Massachusetts Division of Insurance Will be Adding a National Producer Number for all Resident Licensing Transactions for Business Entities to Ensure Compliance

Effective February 16, 2024 Massachusetts will automatically be adding an NPN to all Business Resident License transactions at the time of application and will allow Massachusetts to be fully compliant. Business entities with an existing NPN will continue to use their existing one.

Massachusetts 2023 Insurance Producer Company Appointment Renewals

Massachusetts 2023 Insurance Producer Company Appointment Renewals Invoice Renewal Period** **July 19, 2023 – August 31, 2023 Termination Due Date June 30, 2023 \*Note: 15 day backdating period allowed.

Massachusetts Appointment Renewals Extension

Massachusetts is extending the appointment renewal deadline to October 14, 2022, at 4 pm Central. This is for all individual and business entity appointments and NIPR related fees.

Update: Massachusetts Company Appointment Renewals Now Open

Massachusetts had previously delayed the opening of the company appointment renewals. it is now Open.

Massachusetts 2022 Company Appointment Renewal Dates

(UPDATED) The renewal period is August 2, 2022 - August 31, 2022. The termination deadline for appointments that one does not wish to renew is June 30th, 2022. A 15 day backdating period is allowed. The fee is $75 for both businesses and individuals. Note: This announcement originally stated the renewal period started on July 19th. This was updated to July 21st on July 18th.

Massachusetts Adds Back 745,325 Appointments

On May 18, 2022, Massachusetts will add back 745,325 appointments to the PDB that were previously removed. These appointments are not active and their display is soley for visibility.

Massachusetts Removes Duplicate Appointments

On May 6, 2022, MA will delete more than 748,000 from the producer database.

Massachusetts Adds Business Entity Options

Additional offerings are now available for those in Massachusetts via NIPR. This will apply to business entities for both residents and nonresidents, and renewals and new licensing.

Massachusetts Deletes Invalid Appointments

Some appointments were wrongly added when Massachusetts converted to state based systems. These appointments will be deleted on March 30th.

Massachusettes Update to its Change to SBS

Massachusettes released an update on their conversion to state based systems (SBS). This update includes a list of products that are now available, a business entity number update, an update for Company License Numbers, and when the PDB alerts will be sent. See previous Massachusetts regulatory updates for complete details on this update.

Update to Massachusetts Converts to State Based Systems

The updates included in MA converting to state based systems will now occur on March 18th from March 16th.

Massachusetts Converts to State Based Systems

Massachusetts will convert to State Based systems on March 16, 2022. This change will impact the Producer Database as well as NIPR Gateway products.

Surplus Lines Alert For Several Jurisdictions

Several states have released key information on Surplus Lines and can be found in the attached document.

FAQs

How Do I Get an Insurance License in Massachusetts?

Depending on what type of insurance agent you want to be or what types of policies you need to sell, you will need to choose what type or types of insurance licenses you need to get. After you’ve determined which licenses you need, it’s time to begin studying for the Massachusetts insurance exams. The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework or self-study is to take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each line of insurance you wish to carry. When you show up you must have a photo ID or any other documents that the testing facility has asked you to bring.

Once you have completed your exams, you are now ready to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you have passed the exam for, be sure to apply for all of those lines. 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 initiated by the application will also be reviewed.
How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in Massachusetts?
How do I renew my insurance license in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, insurance licenses expire on your birthday every three years. This means that your initial insurance term will be shorter than three years following the date that your license was initially issued. But there is no requirement to take another exam from the state.

If this is the state you reside in, then renewing your license will also keep any nonresident license you have in good standing. You will still need to pay the license renewal fee for nonresident licenses held in other states.

The State of Massachusetts requires that resident individual licensees complete forty-five (45) credit hours of continuing education every three-year renewal period. Three (3) of those hours must be in the subject of ethics and be MA approved.

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.

You may take your continuing education courses either in person in a classroom setting or online as a self-paced course. After you have completed your continuing education and you are within 60 days of your license expiration, you may renew your Massachusetts insurance license online by using the National Insurance Provider Resident Licensing Tool. AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.

You may also print a paper renewal form from the Massachusetts State Division of Insurance website.

There is a fee of $225 per application to renew your license.

Once this process is complete, your license will be renewed and your new expiration date will be three years from your previous expiration date.
How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in Massachusetts?

To obtain a license as a nonresident Insurance Producer, you must be currently licensed as a resident and in good

standing with your home state. Non-residents do not need to retake their exams, as long as they maintain their resident state license, but they must apply for a new license via the NIPR. AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.

There is a fee of $225 per application to renew your license.
How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in Massachusetts?

You must first hold an Individual Producer license in your resident state prior to applying in MA. Your resident state license status and lines of authority will be confirmed via the NIPR Producer Database, prior to the issuance of a MA nonresident producer license. If your state doesn’t offer a license, then you will need a designated home state license.

You are required to submit your renewal fee of $75 per member, made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

For more information, contact the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI).
How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is one of 16 states that do not license insurance adjusters. This means you can legally adjust claims in your state without a license, but only in said state.

To adjust in the state of Massachusetts, you will need to obtain a Designated Home State (DHS) license. You will go through that state’s (Massachusetts or otherwise) licensing process, testing, and compliance regulations and their license will act as your resident, or home state license.

If youre looking to become an insurance adjuster in a non-licensing state like Massachusetts, the Florida 70-20 DHS License is the next best thing for the following reasons:
The state offers the quickest turnaround time after you submit your documents.
The Florida 70-20 license is reciprocal with most states.
A Florida DHS license is good for 4 years.

This is not to say this is the only way to obtain a DHS license, it is simply the easiest. Many of the licensing states offer DHS licenses. So be sure to do additional research to find the best fit.

For more information, contact the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI).