Regulatory Updates

 Effective July 29, 2025, Georgia added language for residents and nonresidents to be issued a Georgia Access Specialist license. To obtain a license, the applicant must: - Submit an application on the Commissioner-provided form (including an acknowledgement that the Georgia  Access Specialist license is not alone sufficient to sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance in Georgia); - Complete Georgia Access Certification Training; - Pass any required exam; - Submit a Counselor Designation Organization Affiliation form; - Complete annual registration on Sircon (no fee required); - Submit a Citizenship Affidavit; and - Be at least 18 years old. - Each Georgia Access Specialist license will expire on August 31. - The licensee must submit a license renewal on the Commissioner-prescribed form by August 31. - Failure to file the required license renewal form will result in license expiration. For more information on Georgia Access Specialists, visit the following links:  - [Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 120-2-3-.48](https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/120-2-3-.48v1) - [GA Gov](https://oci.georgia.gov/agents-agency-licensing/navigators-and-georgia-access-specialists-cacs)

Effective August 15, 2025, Washington is requiring all resident applicants to submit the licensing application to Washington’s Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) before scheduling an appointment for fingerprints.  A person attempting to schedule a fingerprinting appointment will be required to provide the NIPR or OIC transaction number from their submitted application. For more information on these changes, visit [Fingerprint Requirements](https://www.insurance.wa.gov/producers-adjusters/licensing/get-licensed/fingerprint-requirements).

Posted August 15, 2025, FINRA requires members to provide associated persons with specified information relating to the uniform registration forms and predispute arbitration. FINRA has observed that members currently satisfy some of these requirements through manual processes, such as the delivery of the information via U.S. mail. As part of the FINRA Forward initiatives, FINRA has made enhancements to its systems to give members the option of satisfying these requirements electronically via FINRA’s Financial Professional Gateway (FinPro GatewayTM) beginning November 3, 2025. For more information on the changes, visit 

On September 10, 2025, Georgia will host a hearing on new rules and regulations. For more information on the topics, visit [Georgia Hearing](https://oci.georgia.gov/press-releases/2025-08-14/hearing-new-rules-and-regulations-scheduled-september-10-2025-0). Interested parties may submit written comments by September 3, 2025, or provide oral comments on September 10, 2025.

Effective September 13, 2025, Arkansas passed the following bill that grants residents and nonresidents certain automatic and expedited licensure requirements that apply for military service members, veterans, and spouses. - "Licensure" means the issuance of the following licenses: - Certified application counselor; - Claims adjuster; - Emergency temporary producer; - In-person assistance guide; - Insurance consultant; - Insurance producer; - Life settlement broker; - Managing general agent; - Navigator; - Purchasing group broker; - Reinsurance intermediaries broker; - Reinsurance intermediaries manager; - Risk retention agent; and - Surplus lines broker. - The following individuals are eligible for automatic licensure: - A uniformed service member stationed in AR; - A uniformed service veteran who resides in or establishes residency in AR; - The spouse of a uniformed service member stationed in AR - The spouse of a uniformed service veteran who resides in or establishes residency in AR; - The spouse of a uniformed service member who is assigned a tour of duty that excludes the spouse from accompanying the member and the spouse relocates to AR; and - The spouse of a uniformed service member who is killed or succumbs to his/her injuries or illness in the line of duty if the spouse establishes residency in AR. - Automatic licensure will be granted to an individual: - Listed above requirements; and - Who holds a license in good standing with a similar scope of practice issued in another U.S. state, territory, or district. - No testing will be required. - The license expiration date for a deployed service member or his/her spouse will be extended for 180 days following the uniformed service member's deployment return date. - An individual listed in above will be fully exempted from CE requirements until 180 days following the uniformed service member's deployment return date. - To allow for the full CE exemption, the Department may require  evidence of CE completion before: - Granting a subsequent licensure, or - Authorizing license renewal. - Expedited initial licensure requirements apply to individuals who: - Have never been licensed in the insurance industry in AR or in any other U.S. state, district, or territory; and - Qualify as one of the individuals listed as eligible - All individuals listed above will be eligible for expedited initial licensure.  These individuals must: - Apply for provisional licensure on the approved form; and - Pay the application fee. - After verifying the required documentation, the Department will issue a provisional license. - A provisional license is valid for 180 days. - Provisional licensees must be supervised by an individual who is licensed with the same scope of practice as the provisional license being applied for - If needed, an individual may request an extension of the provisional license beyond the 180 days to obtain full licensure. - Relevant uniformed service education, training, national certifications, or service-issued credentials will be accepted toward licensure qualifications or requirements when  considering a uniformed service member's or veteran's provisional licensure application.

Posted August 15, 2025, FINRA released information about the annual renewal process for 2026. Firms are required to renew their registrations with FINRA, other self-regulatory organizations (SROs) and states/jurisdictions during the Annual Renewal Program, which begins in the fourth quarter of each year.  Renewal fees are provided through two statements: - The Preliminary Statement reflects registration information as of early to mid-November. - The Final Statement reflects registration information as of Jan. 1. For more information on the annual renewal process, visit [FINRA 2026 Annual Renewal Program](https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/broker-dealers/annual-renewal)

Posted August 14, 2025, Georgia has posted notice for proposed rule changes. All interested persons may participate in the proposed rulemaking process on September 10th, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Hearing Room of the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. Ninth Floor, West Tower, Floyd Building, 2 M.L.K. Jr Dr SE #716, Atlanta, GA 30334 For more information, please see the following link and attachments. [Hearing on New Rules and Regulations Scheduled for September 10, 2025](https://oci.georgia.gov/press-releases/2025-08-14/hearing-new-rules-and-regulations-scheduled-september-10-2025-0)

Effective August 14th, 2025, Nebraska will be updating the initial, renewal, and reinstatement fees for Nonresident Insurance Producers.  - Initial / Renewal Fee - $100 - Reinstatement Fee - $225

Effective September 12, 2025, Virginia will be allowing business entities to update the following data electronically. - Business Address - Mailing Address - Email - Phone number

Posted August 5, 2025, Pennsylvania is soliciting comments regarding the surplus lines export list. All comments must be submitted on or before September 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. to: Greg Elam, Esq. Associate General Counsel Greg.A.Elam@wv.gov Please see the attachment for more information.