Ohio Seal

Ohio

state commissioner

Judith L. French

STATE phone
(614) 644-2665
STATE LICENSE DIVISION ADDRESS

Ohio Department of Insurance

Appointments & Terminations

Required to report appointments?

Yes

Permits Just-in-time (JIT) appointments?

Yes

Initial appointment deadlines

Within 30 days of contract execution or first business submission

Initial appointment deadline rule

JIT appointments permitted. Appointments must be submitted within 30 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?

$15 per LOA

Fees for appointing a nonresident agency or individual?

$15 per LOA

Appoint agencies?

Yes

Agency appointment covers affiliated producers?

No

Adjuster appointments via NIPR?

No

Appointment effective date can be specified?

Yes

Appointment effective date rule

Required and is the date supplied on transaction. Must not be in the future and must be less than 30 days old. Appointments submitted July 1-July 30 cannot request an effective date prior to July 1st of the same year.

State requires appointment renewal?

Yes

Appointment renewals via

Ohio automatically sends an invoice via mail. Can be paid via mail or via Ohio's online epay account.

When is the state renewal period?

July 1, 2022 until August, 2022

Appointment renewal fee

$15

Fees are retaliatory?

No

Terminations processed via NIPR?

Yes

Termination reasons

Cancelled

Termination date can be specified by carrier?

Yes

Termination Effective date rule

Required and is the date supplied on transaction. Must not be in the future and must be less than 30 days old. Terminations submitted July 1-July 30 cannot request an effective date prior to July 1 of the same year

Termination fee

No fee

Licensing

Initial individual new license fee

Resident New License Major Lines: $10 (per LOA) Resident New License Limited Lines: $10 (per LOA) Resident New License Surplus Lines Producer: $100 (per application) Non Resident New License Major Lines: $10 (per LOA) Non Resident New License Limited Lines: $10 (per LOA) Non Resident New License Surplus Lines Producer: $100 (per application)

License renewal fee

Resident Renewal Major Lines: $0 Resident Renewal Limited Lines: $25 Resident Renewal Surplus Lines Producer: $100 Non Resident Renewal Major Lines: $25 Non Resident Renewal Limited Lines: $25 Non Resident Renewal Surplus Lines Producer: $100

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?

No

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

Yes

What addresses are required for individual license maintenance?

Residence, Business, and Mailing

State individual licenses include

Third Party Administrator, Viatical Settlement Broker, Limited Lines, Property and Casualty, Surplus Lines, Life, Title, Public Insurance Adjuster, Reciprocal Exchange, Temporary, Managing General Agent, Major Lines, Public Insurance Adjuster Agent, Reinsurance Intermediary Manager, Title Insurance Marketing Rep, Reinsurance Intermediary Broker, Surety Bail Bond

State broker license rule

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

Requires pre licensing courses?

Yes

Study method requirements

Supervised instruction or verifiable self-study

Submission of completion certificate rule

The applicant must present a valid certificate of completion or a notice of pre-license education waiver at the time of the written examination.

How long is the pre licensing certification valid?

The applicant will receive a certificate of completion of the pre-licensing course within 3 days after completion. Certificates may be sent to each applicant electronically, but must be formatted in a manner that prevents changes to the course and applicant information. The certificate is valid for 180 days. An applicant who does not pass the licensing exam within 180 days must take another pre-licensing course for that license type before re-taking the examination.

Exemptions to pre licensing requirements

The following are exempt from pre-license education requirements: a. an applicant for any major line of authority who holds a bachelor or associate degree in insurance, or a related degree with a concentration of insurance courses, from an accredited institution; b. an applicant for the personal lines or property and casualty lines of authority who holds any of the following designations: I. Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU); II. Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI); III. Associate in Risk Management (ARM); or IV. Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC); c. an applicant for the life line of authority who holds any of the following designations: I. Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU); II. Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS); III. Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC); IV. Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC); V. Certified Financial Planner (CFP); VI. Fellow of the Life Management Institute (FLMI); or VII. Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF); or d. an applicant for the accident and health line of authority who holds any of the following designations: I. Registered Health Underwriter (RHU; II. Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS); III. Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC); or IV. Health Insurance Associate (HIA). Persons requesting exemption from pre-license education requirements must provide verification of the insurance degree or professional designation prior to exam registration. A separate pre-licensing education waiver must be requested and obtained for each subject matter category. An active military service member or veteran may submit an documentation, evidence, statement, or endorsement that may be available or produced for the Superintendent's consideration to demonstrate substantial equivalence of education and experience while serving in the armed forces to meet the pre-license education requirements. A separate education waiver must be requested and obtained for each subject matter category. A waiver is valid for 180 days from the waiver issuance date. a. No person may be issued more than 1 exemption for each major line of authority. b. If the waiver expires prior to exam passage, the person must complete the required pre-licensing education. c. A waiver extension will be granted if an applicant is actively deployed for military service. No person who surrendered an insurance license or who has had a license suspended, inactivated, cancelled for nonrenewal, or revoked may use the exemptions discussed in paragraph (5) above.

Fingerprints Required?

Yes, for Resident Licensing

Fingerprint Submission Details

Required with Application - National WebCheck

Citizenship requirement details

Non-citizens of the U.S. must show proof of U.S. work authorization. Applicant must provide a copy of a work permit issued by the Department of Immigration.

Where to apply for resident license?

NIPR Gateway

What Transactions are Retaliatory Fees Applied to?

None

Submit Partial License Renewals through NIPR?

No

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

A licensee must notify the Department within 30 days of a change in: a. name; b. resident address; c. business address; d. mailing address; or e. email address. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway.

Agency

Can a sole proprietor be licensed as an entity?

A business entity license is required if a business entity is operated under a Federal Tax Identification number that is different than the sole proprietor’s personal individual Social Security Number.

DRLP must have active state license

Yes

DRLPs must cumulatively cover all LOAs in application

No

Agency Licensing renewals

For Major lines: Renewal period starts July 1st on odd numbered years for non resident entities and even numbered years for resident entities. Renewal period ends Sept. on odd numbered years for non resident entities and even numbered years for resident entities. Late renewal period ends one year after expiration date. Surplus renewal period is Nov. 1st until Jan. 31st, annually. No late renewal period.

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

All producers selling on behalf of or through a business entity are affiliated.

Branch office

Main license meets requirements

Adjuster

Requires adjuster license?

Only Public Adjusters

Offers designated home state?

No

DHS exam required?

N/A

Reciprocity states

None

Independent adjuster renewal date

Annually. The renewal period starts Oct. 1st and ends Dec. 31st.

Continuing Education

Total hours per renewal period

24

Renewal period

2 years

CE due before license renewal date?

Yes

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 expiration date

Exemptions to CE

Limited lines licensees and inactive agents are exempt from CE.

What if a producer missed the renewal date?

You have a one month grace period to get current on CE, and renew with a standard renewal fee plus $100 late fee. After one month, the license will be inactive. A license suspended for non renewal can be reinstated within one year of the original license expiration date if the individual satisfies CE, submits a renewal application and remits all applicable fees. In addition to the renewal fee (if required), a $300 reinstatement fee must be paid to reinstate the license.

CE instructors get credit for teaching courses?

Yes, double the CE hours for the first instance of a course every renewal period

Ethics requirements

3 hours ethics and consumer protection

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

Annuity-specific CE requirements

One-time, 4-hour course

Regulatory Updates

Ohio Department of Insurance Updates Individual License Requirements

On January 4, 2024, Ohio updated the Pre-Licensing education section to include more clarity on education waivers. - Regarding exceptions, education waivers are issued by approved subject matter category individually. - Regarding active military, education waivers are issued by approved subject matter category individually.

Ohio Department of Insurance Publishes Changes to Licensing Requirements for Residents and Non Residents

**11/17/23 - LICENSING REQUIREMENTS - NONRESIDENT - OH** - Clarification on Dual Licensure Requirements in Variable Contract License, General Requirements section and removed references to Life Insurance. **11/20/23 - LICENSING REQUIREMENTS - RESIDENT - OH** - Clarification on Dual Licensure Requirements in Variable Life Insurance and Annuities, General Requirements section and removed references to Life Insurance.

Ohio Announces PSI as Continuing Education (CE) Processing Vendor

Effective July 31, 2023, Ohio has named PSI as the new Continuing Education (CE) processing vendor for the Ohio Department of Insurance.  See attachment for full details.

Ohio Names New CE Vendor

Effective July 31, 2023, Prometric will no longer be the CE vendor for the State of Ohio. Beginning 8/1/2023, PSI will be taking over all continuing education application processing, including renewals, provider applications, course applications, and inquiries.

Ohio Insurance (2023 FYR) Rule Review

Ohio sent out an email regarding proposed amendments that have been posted for public review and comment.

Ohio to Update Fee for Reinsurance Intermediary Licenses

Effective, July 1, 2023, the fee for the Reinsurance Intermediary Managers and Brokers will change from $500 to $100. This change will affect Resident Licensing, Resident Licensing Renewals, Non-Resident Licensing, and Non-Resident Licensing Renewals and will apply to individuals and business entities.

Ohio Surety Bail Bond Reinstatement Fee Update

Effective on June 8, 2023, reinstatement fees for resident and non-resident applicants for Surety Bail Bonds will be updated from $150 to $250

Ohio 2023 Agent/Agency Appointment Renewal Procedures

Ohio introduces its 2023 Agent/Agency appointment renewal procedures. See attachment for details

Ohio Adds Limited Lines Travel

Effective October 10, 2022, Ohio will add limited lines travel for residents and non-residents. More details will come on requirements.

Ohio Announces 2022 Renewal Procedures

All appointments that are active on June 30, 2022 will be automatically renewed on July 1, 2022. An invoice will then be sent to that company in August. If you would like to terminate an appointment, complete the termination prior to June 30th.

FAQs