North Carolina
Mike Causey
North Carolina Department of Insurance Agent Services
1204 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27699
Appointments & Terminations
Yes
Yes
A property and casualty producer doesn't require a carrier appointment to sell, solicit, or negotiate travel insurance.
Within 15 days of first business submission
NC ST § 58-33 Except as provided in paragraph (3) below, a producer must be appointed by an insurer before placing insurance with that insurer. The insurer must make sure that the producer is licensed before appointing the producer. The appointing insurer must file a notice of appointment within 15 days after submission of the first insurance application.
Yes
Insurance producer appointment $11.00 Insurance producer appointment, Medicare supplement and long-term care, individual $10.00
Insurance producer appointment $11.00 Medicare supplement and long-term care, individual $10.00
No
No
Yes
Must be within 15 days of the appointment processing date. No future dating is allowed.
Yes
Via NIPR Portal
February 3 through March 31
Title Insurance Agent: $11 Auto Physical Damage: $11 Producer: $11 County Farm Mutual Insurance Agent: $11 Limited Representative: $20 Credit Agent: $20
No
Yes
Voluntary termination
Yes
Must be within 15 days of the processing date. No future dating is allowed
$10 per line
Yes
Notices must be mailed
Licensing
Resident New License Insurance Producer: $82 (An additional $50 is charged per line of authority.)
Resident New License Surplus Lines Producer: $94 (An additional $50 is charged per line of authority.)
Nonresident New License Insurance Producer: $44
Nonresident New License Surplus Lines Producer: $94
Resident Renewal Insurance Producer, Resident Renewal Surplus Lines Producer: $84.00 Nonresident Renewal Insurance Producer, Nonresident Renewal Surplus Lines Producer: $84
Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of birth
N/A
None, perpetual
No
No
Residence, Business, and Mailing
Risk Retention Group, Viatical Settlement Broker, Broker, Surplus Lines, Life, Hail Adjuster, Insurance Producer, Auto-Physical Damage, Bail Bond Runner, Company/Independent Firm Adjuster, County Farm Mutual Insurance Agent, Credit Agent, Medicare Supplement Long-Term Care, Professional Bail Bondsman, Purchasing Group Agent, Purchasing Or Risk Retention Group, Self-Employed Insurance Adjuster, Surety Bail Bondsman, Fire & Casualty, Limited Representatives, Motor-Vehicle Appraiser, Public Adjuster, Temporary Producer, Title Insurance
Yes
A nonresident applicant for a broker license must A) be licensed as an agent; B)be appointed by at least one company for each kind of insurance to be brokered; C) pay license fee; and D) submit a clearance letter from his/her home state. Such letter must show what kinds of insurance the applicant is licensed for and whether his/her license is in good standing. A clearance letter will be valid for 90 days. A broker must file a bond of at least $15,000, or deposit the same amount in cash or certificates of deposit with the Commissioner. No new bond will be required of a nonresident applicant if the Commissioner decides that an existing bond covers the applicant's insurance business in North Carolina. A broker's license authorizes the licensee to broker only those kinds of insurance for which he/she: A) is licensed as an agent in his/her home state; and B) holds a company appointment. The nonresident licensee must broker insurance through a licensed and appointed agent of the insurer. He/she may not solicit directly or indirectly. Resident: An applicant for a broker license must: A) be licensed as an agent; B) be appointed by at least one company for each kind of insurance to be brokered; C)file a bond of at least $15,000, or deposit the same amount in cash or certificates of deposit with the Commissioner; and D) pay the license fee. A broker's license authorizes the licensee to broker only those kinds of insurance for which the broker: A) is licensed as an agent; and B) holds a company appointment. The licensee must broker insurance through a licensed and appointed agent of the insurer. A) A broker does not have binding authority. B) The broker license only allows the broker to share commissions with the writing agent.
Yes
Supervised instruction or verifiable self-study
After completing North Carolina Insurance License Prep Course, your Examination Admission Ticket will be provided on the Course Completion Certificate page of the course. This certificate is required in order to take the state exam for licensing.
Candidates have 90 days from the pre-licensing course completion date to take the exam, with a maximum of 5 retake sessions, or they must retake the pre-licensing education course to qualify to retake the exam.
Applicants holding any of the following designations are exempt from the pre-license education requirement: a. AAI; b. ARM; c. CIC; d. CPCU; e. CLU; f. ChFC; g. LUTCF; h. FLMI; i. CEBS; j. CFP; k. RHU; l. REBC; m. HIA; n. associate or bachelor's degree in insurance; or o. proof of coursework in line of authority for Medicare supplement/long-term care. A new North Carolina resident may request a waiver of pre-license education if his/her license in another state has been cancelled within 60 days of the Division's receipt of the applicant's: a. letter of clearance; and b. request for waiver of pre-license education.
License application required before exam enrollment
Pre licensing education is required of the following: a. accident and health or sickness - 20 hours; b. casualty - 20 hours; c. life - 20 hours; d. personal lines - 20 hours; e. property - 20 hours; and f. Medicare supplement/long-term care - 10 hours. Applicants wishing to take the title, auto physical damage, adjuster or crop hail adjuster exam have no pre-licensing education requirement
Yes – Full criminal history
Yes, for Resident Licensing
Live Scan
One Year
NIPR Gateway
Applicants should submit a resident initial application on NIPR prior to taking any required licensing examinations. Licensing exams cannot be scheduled until you complete a license application online with NIPR and receive an email authorization from PearsonVUE that you are eligible to take an exam. NIPR will reserve a National Producer Number (NPN) for applicants when they submit an application as part of the process if they do not already have a NPN previously assigned by NIPR.
The Department must receive and review the criminal history background record for licensure decision. Please be aware that this may add additional processing time of up to 60 days.
None
No
Yes
A licensee must notify the Commissioner by written or approved online notification of any change in business or residential address or e-mail address within 10 business days. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway.
Individual and Business Entities can process via NIPR
Failure to comply with this provision will result in a $50 administrative fee.
Agency
No
Yes
No
License is perpetual.
Yes, if selling insurance
No
If all branches use the same FEIN, then one license covers all branches. If each branch has its own FEIN, then a license is required for each branch.
A licensee must notify the Commissioner by written or approved online notification of any change in business or residential address or e-mail address within 10 business days. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway.
Adjuster
Yes
Yes
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, NH, NM, NV, OK, OR, RI, SC, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WY
CA, HI, NY, PR
Self-Employed Insurance Adjuster
Licensing Fee: $169 Reinstatement Fee: $159 Renewal Fee: $109
Yes
Biennially. Licenses expire on March 31st and renewal is due on April 1st.
Biennially, on April 1st.
Proof of a $20,000 surety bond is required.
Public Adjuster
Licensing Fee: $207 Reinstatement Fee: $184 Renewal Fee: $109 Late Renewal Fee: $184
Yes
An experienced adjuster who is licensed in the other state may act as an adjuster In North Carolina for emergency insurance adjustment work, for a period to be determined by the Commissioner. An ID must be worn at all times and a letter must be sent to CATAdjusterRequest@ncdoi.gov from the insurer noting of the person assisting.
Yes
CT, DE, FL, KY, LA, NV, NH, NM, OK, RI, SC, TX, VT, WV, WY
Company/Independent Firm Adjuster
Licensing Fee: $169 Reinstatement Fee: $159 Renewal Fee: $109
Yes
Biennially, on April 1st.
Hail Adjuster
Licensing Fee: $114 Reinstatement Fee: $104 Renewal Fee: $54
Yes
Biennially. Licenses expire on March 31st and renewal is due on April 1st.
No LOAs required
Independent, Company/Staff
Application Fee: $200 Renewal Fee: $200
Yes
Yes
Annually, on June 30th.
There are multiple levels of an appraiser. Through CE requirements and other requirements, one may advance. Step 1: Registered Trainee Step 2 : Licensed Residential Step 3: Certified Residential Step 4 : Certified General
Yes
Continuing Education
24
2 years
Yes
Last day of birth month
Year of birth
Yes
Prior to license expiration. Licenses are perpetual, but CE is required to keep licenses active.
Exemptions may be granted to active duty military by filing a request with the state.
Licensees have 4 months from the CE compliance date to meet the required hours. A $75 reinstatement must be submitted to have the license reinstated.
Yes
Yes
All credits roll over as general credit hours
3
If you hold a property insurance line you must complete three (3) hours in the subject of flood insurance during your first compliance period and then again every four (4) years.
8-hour initial certification, with 4 hours of LTC-specific training every two years
Adjusters must complete 24 CE hours each biennial period. Three of the 24 hours must cover ethics. Every 4 years, adjusters must complete 3 hours of flood education.
https://agentsync.io/blog/individual-producers/insurance-continuing-education-north-carolina
Regulatory Updates
North Carolina 2025 Company Appointment Renewals
Posted November 19, 2024, North Carolina announces that the company appointment renewal invoices will be available for payment from February 3, 2025, to March 31, 2025. The termination deadline is January 22, 2025. The invoice grace renewal period is April 1, 2025, to May 14, 2025, until 4 pm central time Please see the attachment for cost information.
North Carolina Advisory Memorandum Reminding Producers Not to Use NPN Override
Posted November 4, 2024, North Carolina sent out an advisory memorandum reminding producers/agents that using the “NPN override” feature available on platforms violates North Carolina insurance laws and is not permitted. NPN Override is the practice that allows agents to submit applications under appointed agents' NPNs. Some insurance agencies assign certain agents to handle the necessary paperwork with Marketplace insurers. At the same time, these agencies employ other agents who are not officially appointed with the Marketplace insurers. These unappointed agents help customers apply for Marketplace plans or request changes by using the appointed agents' National Producer Numbers (NPNs). Please see the attachment for more information.
North Carolina State Of Emergency
Effective September 30, 2024, North Carolina has declared a state of emergency due to Hurricane Helene. The state will permit nonresident adjusters and motor vehicle damage appraisers to handle claims. This order will be in effect for 60 days from September 30, 2024. Please see the attached document for more information.
When applying please use the link below
North Carolina Resident and Nonresident Licensing Requirements (Producer & Adjuster), and Updates With Terminating An Appointment
Effective July 2, 2024, North Carolina removed the state statute about not allowing an insurance producer license holding any of the following lines of authority: casualty, personal lines, or property to have an active adjuster license for resident and nonresident licensing requirements. North Carolina added the following option for terminating an appointment, “Notice of cancellation may be submitted to the Commissioner by either the appointing insurer or appointed insurance producer.”
North Carolina Licensing Examination Candidate Guide Updates
Effective July 2, 2024, North Carolina removed the references below for resident adjuster pre-exam requirements in the North Carolina Licensing Examination Candidate Guide. - A property, casualty, or personal lines producer licensee may apply for an adjuster license without taking the adjuster examination if the individual applies for the adjuster license within 60 days of surrendering the producer license with the casualty, personal lines, or property lines of authority. - An adjuster licensee may apply for a producer license with a casualty, personal lines, or property lines of authority without taking the producer examination if the individual applies for the producer license within 60 days after surrendering the adjuster license.
North Carolina to Implement New Transaction Types to Process DRLP Changes and Primary Name Updates
Effective July 26, 2024, North Carolina will implement new transaction types to process Designated Responsible Licensed Producer (DRLP) and Primary Name Change (Demographics) updates.
North Carolina Issues Bulletin Related to Catastrophic Events
North Carolina has issued a bulletin dated May 1, 2024 to identify procedures that a company will need to follow if a catastrophic event were to occur in North Carolina. See attachment for full details.
The North Carolina Department of Insurance Issues 2024 Company Appointment Renewals
On January 5, 2024, North Carolina Issued 2024 company appointment renewals. The invoice renewal period is from February 3, 2024 to March 31, 2024 for Producer, Auto Physical Damage, Limited Representative, Title Insurance, County Farm Mutual Insurance Agent and Credit Agent Individual.
North Carolina’s Department of Insurance (NCDOI) Announces new Physical Address
On December 18, 2023, North Carolina's Department of Insurance announced a new physical address (see attached).
North Carolina Surplus Lines Premium Tax Due Date Change
Effective October 11, 2023, North Carolina Surplus Lines taxes and stamping fees are due within 30 days of the end of each quarter.
North Carolina to Update Bail Bond Initial and Renewal License Processing Fees
Effective July 28, 2023, North Caroline will update bail bond initial and renewal processing fees. The Resident License (RL) applicants in the license class of Professional Bail Bondsman, Surety Bail Bondsman, and Bail Bond Runner will see a reduction in the initial application processing fee from $48 to $44. The renewal processing fee for Resident License Renewals (RLR) applicants in the same license classes will be reduced from $76 to $34.
North Carolina Issues Bulletin Regarding its Catastrophic Adjusters Procedures
North Carolina issues bulletin regarding its Catastrophic Adjusters procedures. See attachment for full details.
North Carolina Appointment Renewal Process
North Carolina publishes details on how the '23-'24 appointment renewals will be processed. See attachment for details.
North Carolina 2023 Appointment Renewals
North Carolina has released several key dates surrounding its 2023 company appointment renewals.
North Carolina Semi Annual Reporting Requirements
NCDOI is requiring data regarding nonfleet private vehicle damage and residential property from companies who issued Consent to Rate policies from January 1, 2022 - June 30, 2022. Data should be submitted by October 4, 2022.
North Caroline Appointment Fee Increase
Effective August 4, 2022, North Caroline updated the appointment fee from $10 to $11 per appointment.
North Carolina Stamping Fee
Effective January 1, 2023, North Carolina will decrease its stamping fee from 0.4% to 0.3%.
North Carolina to no Longer Require Broker Licenses
Effective July 7, 2022, North Carolina removed the broker requirement for residents and nonresidents. In this, the requirement to hold a bond is also cancelled. An agent has always been allowed to act as an agent in which they are duly appointed. Now, producer may procure insurance through a duly authorized agent without a broker license.
North Carolina Changes to Adjuster License Types
On August 12, 2022, North Carolina will convert their Company/Independent Adjuster and Self-Employed Adjuster license type to be the Adjuster license class. The LOA will now be "Not Applicable". This will impact the following transaction types: RL, RLR, NRAL, NRAR, NHS, and NHSR.
NC Publishes Surplus Lines Renewal FAQ Document
The document contains renewal information, fees, membership details, and other important licensing information.
North Carolina Adds New Non Uniform Question
Effective June 16, 2022, North Carolina will be adding a new non uniform question for Resident Licensing and Resident Licensing Renewals that will apply for Professional Bondsman, Surety Bondsman, and Bail Bond Runner.
North Carolina Issues Update on Non-Renewed License
Effective June 8, 2022, both Resident and Nonresident Individual and Business Entity licenses that had an expiration date of 3/31/22 and have not paid the annual renewal fee will be updated to have the status "Nonpayment". To get a new license, one must reapply starting June 9, 2022.
North Carolina Adds Bail Bond Licensing
On June 10, 2022, North Carolina will offer Bail Bondsman License classes for individuals that are residents.
North Carolina Appointment Renewals that are Past Due
North Carolina sends reminder on company appointment renewals. We are now in the late renewal period. This period ends on May 15, 2022. Invoices not paid by this date will lead to the appointment being cancelled.
North Carolina Updates Expiration Dates
On April 14, 2022, North Carolina will update expiration dates on nonresident Insurance Producer licenses that currently have an expiration date on March 31, 2023. The expiration date will now read March 31, 2024.
North Carolina Releases Bulletin on Catastrophic Event Procedures
In the event of a catastrophe the following procedure will need to be followed for motor vehicle appraisers.
North Carolina Renewal Update
North Carolina does not require a renewal fee for Nonresident Licenses IF the producer's Resident License if active. Currently, North Carolina is reviewing and cancelling all nonresident Licenses that do not have an active home state license. Those that do have an active home state license will see the expiration date on their Nonresident Insurance Producer Licenses set to March 31, 2024.
North Carolina Sends a Notice Regarding its Agent Appointment Renewals
For companies with active North Carolina appointments, the bill is now available to be paid via NIPR. This payment is due by March 31st. Companies that do not have active North Carolina appointments will not have an invoice for appointment renewal. North Carolina has posted instructions and FAQs on the website linked.
North Carolina to add Bail Bond License Classes to NIPR for Renewal
North Carolina is to begin offering Bail Bondsman License Classes for Individuals for resident licensing renewals. The licensing fee is $200/license and the renewal processing fee is $76/license.
FAQs
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How Do I Get an Insurance License in North Carolina?
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How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in North Carolina?
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How do I renew my insurance license in North Carolina?
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How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in North Carolina?
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How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in North Carolina?
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How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In North Carolina?