How Do I Get an Insurance License in Washington?

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, you must now take your Washington insurance pre-license education courses. 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. Life and Disability (L&D) and Property & Casualty (P&C) lines are combined exams in Washington, so you only have to take two tests if you wish to attain all of these lines of authority: Property, Casualty, Life, and Disability. Washington State requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. After you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, the next step is to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you have taken the education for, be sure to apply for all of those lines. Once you have submitted your application and passed your exams, your license application will be reviewed by the state. Your background check will also be reviewed. For more information, call the Washington Department of Insurance at (360) 725-7144, or visit their page on fingerprinting.

How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in Washington?

The State of Washington requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. If you have specific questions regarding things that may come up on your background check you may call the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner at (360) 725-7144 or send them an email. Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you are now ready to apply for your license. 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 fifteen (15) business days. 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 Washington?

In the state of Washington to renew your insurance license, you’ll need to complete your renewal application and pay<a href="https://www.insurance.wa.gov/individual-fees"> renewal fees</a> online. Renewal applications are available no sooner than ninety (90) days prior to your license expiration date and no later than sixty (60) calendar days following your license’s expiration date. The State of Washington requires that resident individual licensees complete a total of twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education every biennial (two-year) renewal period. Three (3) of those hours must be in the subject of ethics or consumer protection. After you have completed your continuing education and you are within sixty (60) days of your license expiration, you may renew your Washington insurance license online by using the <a href="https://www.insurance.wa.gov/log-in">OIC Online Services Login</a> or via the <a href="https://www.nipr.com/license_form.htm">National Insurance Producer Registry</a> (NIPR). <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process. There is a fee of $55 to renew your license. Additional fees will be added for late renewals.

How do I renew my non-resident insurance license in Washington?

If you have a non-resident license, you don’t need to take continuing education courses through the state. Affiliation is required if an individual is representing and/or sharing commissions with an agency (Agency must also be licensed as non-resident in Washington). There is a fee of $55 to renew your license. Additional fees will be added for late renewals. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process.

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

Washington Non-Resident Adjuster License renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date (the last day of your birth month). There is no continuing education requirement for Washington Non-Resident Adjusters. A non-resident adjuster who is CE compliant in his or her home state is considered to have satisfied the CE requirement for Washington. There is a $60 fee from renewals. Online renewals through NIPR are available only for non-resident licensees starting 60 days prior to their expiry date up until 10 days before their expiry date. Late renewals are not possible via the NIPR online system, and can only be processed through state-specific site. For more information, contact the Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In Washington?

Once you have your license, you’ll need to formally renew it to keep it active. Washington adjuster license renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date (the last day of your birth month). You are required to complete a total of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education (CE) in Washington, including three (3) hours of ethics or consumer protection coursework, to upkeep your adjuster license. There is an $50 fee to renew your Washington adjuster license. Washington adjusters can renew their license through WOIC Online Services. After you complete your renewal application, the state will email you once your license renewal has been approved or in the instance that you must supply additional documentation.

Washington

state commissioner

Mike Kreidler

STATE email

licinfo@oic.wa.gov

STATE phone

(360) 725-7144

STATE LICENSE DIVISION ADDRESS

Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner

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; Earlier of the two

Initial appointment deadline rule

JIT appointments permitted. 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. The appointment submission deadline is the earlier of the two dates

Can be processed via nipr?

Yes

Fees for appointing a resident agency or individual?

$20

Fees for appointing a non resident agency or individual?

$20

Appoint agencies?

Yes

Agency appointment covers affiliated producers?

Yes

Adjuster appointments via NIPR?

Appointment effective date can be specified?

Appointment effective date rule

Not required and is the date the transaction is processed by the state.

State requires appointment renewal?

Yes

Appointment renewals via

Washington portal

Appointment renewal fee

$20 per appointment

Terminations processed via NIPR?

Yes

Termination reasons

Termination reason code is not required

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 15 days old

Termination fee

No fee

Licensing

Initial individual new license fee

Resident New License Insurance Producer: $60 Resident New License Surplus Lines Broker: $205 Non Resident New License Insurance Producer: $60 Non Resident New License Surplus Lines Broker: $205

License renewal fee

Resident: Insurance Producer Renewal Fee: $55 Surplus Line Broker Renewal Fee: $200 Nonresident: Insurance Producer Renewal Fee: $55 Surplus Line Broker Renewal Fee: $200

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 60 days after expiration; reinstatement 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 60 days after expiration; reinstatement 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 Company, Life Company, HCSC Company, Independent Adjuster, Public Adjuster, Title, Risk Retention Company, Insurance Producer, Life Settlements Broker, Crop Adjuster, Surplus Line Broker

State broker license rule

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

Requires pre licensing courses?

Background Check Required?

Yes – General background check

Fingerprints Required?

Yes, for Resident Licensing

Fingerprint Submission Details

Required with Application - Taken at exam site or IdentoGO

Where to apply for resident license?

NIPR Gateway

What Transactions are Retaliatory Fees Applied to?

None

Submit Partial License Renewals through NIPR?

Has Personal Lines LOA?

Yes

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

Licensees must inform the Commissioner of a change of address and email address within 30 days of the change. Address change includes any change in residence, mailing, business, or e-mail address. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway.

Penalty for failure to timely report personal data changes

Failure to timely inform the Commissioner of a change of legal name, address, or email address may result in a penalty.

Agency

Can a sole proprietor be licensed as an entity?

Yes

DRLP must have active state license

Yes

DRLPs must cumulatively cover all LOAs in application

Agency Licensing renewals

Applicants cannot submit non resident renewal application through NIPR for business entities.

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

License not required but branch must be registered

Adjuster

Requires adjuster license?

Yes

Offers designated home state?

DHS exam required?

N/A

Reciprocity states

None

Independent adjuster LOAS

No LOA required

Independent adjuster fees

Individual Licensing Fee: $55 Individual Renewal Fee: $50 Individual Late Renewal Fee (Up to 30 days): $75 Individual Late Renewal Fee (31-60 days): $100 Individual Reinstatement Fee: $150 Business Entity Licensing Fee: $50 per location + $20 for each affiliation Business Entity Renewal Fee (Up to 30 days): $75 and $20 for each affiliation Business Entity Late Renewal Fee(31-60 days): $100 and $20 for each affiliation Business Entity Reinstatement Fee: $150 + $50 per additional location. Affiliations are $20 each when the license is active.

Independent adjuster exam required?

Yes

Independent adjuster renewal date

Biennially, on expiration date.

Independent adjuster details

If one works 12 months as a salaried, full time agent at an insurance company or is a MGA, the individual will not have to take the exam. Fingerprint background check required.

Speciality adjuster renewal date

Biennially, on the expiration date.

Apprentice adjuster license details

One can be enrolled in the Adjuster-trainee program. In this program, it is required to be supervised by a resident licensed adjuster, include all loss adjustment activities, be 6-9 months in length totally 960 hours. One can apply for a license after the trainee program is complete and the exam is passed.

Emergency adjuster details

In the event of an emergency, an Emergency Adjuster registration is required for all non resident independent adjusters not licensed in Washington. The form has to be completed after the emergency is declared and is then valid for 180 days from the date of the Governor’s declaration. If the disaster is extended, re-registration is required.

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?

60 days prior to expiration date

Exemptions to CE

Licensees who are at least 65 years old, are retired from actively selling insurance products, and don’t represent any insurer or insurance agency won’t need to maintain CE requirements. On top of that, those with good cause may request a waiver and apply for a CE exemption. Similarly, those holding a limited license for credit life and disability, credit casualty, travel, vehicle, or surety are exempt from CE.

What if a producer missed the renewal date?

A license may be reinstated within 12 months of the date the license was canceled or expired, as long as they get current on their CE and pay a reinstatement fee.

Ethics requirements

3 hours ethics and consumer protection

Flood-specific CE requirements

3 hours of NFIP course

LTC-specific CE requirements

8-hour initial Washington-specific certification, with 4 hours of LTC-specific training every two years

Annuity-specific CE requirements

One-time, 4-hour course

For more from agentsync

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

Regulatory Updates

Washington Notice to Annuity Suitability CE Providers

On September 29, 2023, Washington sent a notice to Annuity Suitability CE Providers to let them know their current WA Annuity Suitability 4 Hour Course will be canceled on December 31, 2023 since the new Annuity Suitability training rule will be effective on January 1, 2024.

Washington Releases Proposed Agenda for Semi-Annual Rule Development Meeting

On July 19, 2023, Washington released the proposed agenda for semi-annual rule development meeting. See attachment for full details.

Washington To No Longer Allow Appointment Backdating

UPDATE 06/29/2023: The effective date for this change was moved to August 3, 2023 UPDATE 06/28/2023: The effective date for this change was moved to July 27, 2023. Effective April 14, 2023, Washington will not allow backdating for any appointments. Visit the AgentSync website for additional details that can be found in the article titled **5 Things to Know About Washington State's Appointment Procedure.**

Washington no longer requires Pre-Licensing

Effective July 23, 2023, Washington will no longer require pre-licensing education to take insurance exam.

Washington Annuity Suitability Training

Effective January 1, 2024, Washington HB 1120 conforms regulation to the new law for annuity suitability training. See attachment for full details.

Washington License Revocation and Surrender: Causes for Revocation

For Residents and Non-Residents 2023 WA H.B. 1266(NS)(Effective 7/1/2023) - LICENSE REVOCATION AND SURRENDER: CAUSES FOR REVOCATION - Added that licensees will be able to petition the Commissioner for removal of erroneous administrative actions related to email-based violations from their record.WA ST 48.17.090 (Effective 7/23/2023) - Per 2023 WA H.B. 1061(NS) - REFERENCES - Revised the effective date only. WA ST 48.17.170 (Effective 7/1/2023) - Per 2023 WA H.B. 1266(NS) - INDIVIDUAL NONRESIDENT LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: CHANGE OF INFORMATION - Clarified that email address changes are also subject to the 30-day notification requirement. WA ST 48.17.450 (Effective 7/1/2023) - Per 2023 WA H.B. 1266(NS) - 1) INDIVIDUAL NONRESIDENT LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - Added email address submission requirements and conditions under which the email address will be used for communication. 2) INDIVIDUAL NONRESIDENT LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: PLACE OF BUSINESS - a) Clarified which licensees are subject to the place of business requirement. b) Specified that the place of business must be accessible to the public. WA ST 48.17.475 (Effective 7/1/2023) - Per 2023 WA H.B. 1266(NS) - 1) INDIVIDUAL NONRESIDENT LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: REPORT OF ACTIONS - Deleted citation and timely response requirements because that is out-of-scope for this subsection. 2) LICENSE REVOCATION AND SURRENDER: CAUSES FOR REVOCATION - Added conditions under which failure to timely respond to the Commissioner's inquiry may result in certain administrative actions, including fines and license revocation.

Washington Announces Stance on Overturned Roe v. Wade

Washington announces that it is one of the 16 states, plus D.C. that will continue to grant access to abortions and insurance coverage for abortions.

Washington Announces Adjuster Line of Authority Updates

On March 11, 2022, WA released an update on the "No Authority Required" LOA assignment being removed from Washington Adjuster license classes: Independent Adjuster, Public Adjuster, and Crop Adjuster. They released an update that noted this will now impact both individual and firm entity types.

Washington Announces Line of Authority Updates for Adjusters

On March 11th, 2022, Washington is to remove "No Authority Required" LOA from license types and adding Property or Casualty Lines of Authority in its place.

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 Washington?

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, you must now take your Washington insurance pre-license education courses. 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. Life and Disability (L&D) and Property & Casualty (P&C) lines are combined exams in Washington, so you only have to take two tests if you wish to attain all of these lines of authority: Property, Casualty, Life, and Disability.

Washington State requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. After you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, the next step is to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you have taken the education for, be sure to apply for all of those lines. Once you have submitted your application and passed your exams, your license application will be reviewed by the state. Your background check will also be reviewed.

For more information, call the Washington Department of Insurance at (360) 725-7144, or visit their page on fingerprinting.
How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in Washington?

The State of Washington requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. If you have specific questions regarding things that may come up on your background check you may call the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner at (360) 725-7144 or send them an email. Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you are now ready to apply for your license. 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 fifteen (15) business days. 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 Washington?

In the state of Washington to renew your insurance license, you’ll need to complete your renewal application and pay renewal fees online. Renewal applications are available no sooner than ninety (90) days prior to your license expiration date and no later than sixty (60) calendar days following your license’s expiration date.

The State of Washington requires that resident individual licensees complete a total of twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education every biennial (two-year) renewal period. Three (3) of those hours must be in the subject of ethics or consumer protection. After you have completed your continuing education and you are within sixty (60) days of your license expiration, you may renew your Washington insurance license online by using the OIC Online Services Login or via the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.

There is a fee of $55 to renew your license. Additional fees will be added for late renewals.
How do I renew my non-resident insurance license in Washington?

If you have a non-resident license, you don’t need to take continuing education courses through the state. Affiliation is required if an individual is representing and/or sharing commissions with an agency (Agency must also be licensed as non-resident in Washington). There is a fee of $55 to renew your license. Additional fees will be added for late renewals. AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.
How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in Washington?

Washington Non-Resident Adjuster License renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date (the last day of your birth month).

There is no continuing education requirement for Washington Non-Resident Adjusters. A non-resident adjuster who is CE compliant in his or her home state is considered to have satisfied the CE requirement for Washington.

There is a $60 fee from renewals. Online renewals through NIPR are available only for non-resident licensees starting 60 days prior to their expiry date up until 10 days before their expiry date. Late renewals are not possible via the NIPR online system, and can only be processed through state-specific site.

For more information, contact the Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In Washington?

Once you have your license, you’ll need to formally renew it to keep it active. Washington adjuster license renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date (the last day of your birth month).

You are required to complete a total of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education (CE) in Washington, including three (3) hours of ethics or consumer protection coursework, to upkeep your adjuster license.

There is an $50 fee to renew your Washington adjuster license. Washington adjusters can renew their license through WOIC Online Services. After you complete your renewal application, the state will email you once your license renewal has been approved or in the instance that you must supply additional documentation.