How Do I Get an Insurance License in Montana?

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 Montana 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. Montana 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 Department of Insurance at (406) 444-2040 or email the department.

How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in Montana?

The first step is to pass the Montana Insurance Adjuster License exams. The State of Montana 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 Office of the Montana State Auditor at (406) 444-2040 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 two to four (2-4) weeks. 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 Montana?

In Montana, insurance licenses expire every two years. The expiration will be on the last day of your birth month. The State of Montana requires that resident individual licensees complete twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education every two-year renewal period. Three (3) hours must be in the subject of ethics and one (1) in the subject of Montana statutes. Credits cannot include the same course taken repeatedly in one reporting period. You may take your continuing education courses either in person in a classroom setting or <a href="https://www.kaplanfinancial.com/insurance-continuing-education/montana?utm_source=MKT-005318&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=INS_IL_Affiliate&utm_term=mtce_link&utm_content=staterequirement">online as a self-paced course</a>. The online courses usually require a reading of the subject at hand, then a test at the end. After you have completed your continuing education and you are within 90 days of your license expiration, your resident producer license will renew automatically. There is no fee to renew your producer license in Montana. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process. Once this process is complete, your license will be renewed and your new expiration date will be two years from your previous expiration date.

How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in Montana?

The State of Montana will recertify Non-Resident licenses by reviewing their license status in their respective home state; provided that they are in good standing with their given home state. Additionally, Non-residents are exempt from Montana CE requirements but are required to file a summary report form and license renewal fee by the biennial deadline. You can renew your nonresident insurance license in Montana online by using 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 $50 to renew your license.

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

Montana adjuster license renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date. Montana grants reciprocal licensing privileges to nonresidents holding an adjusters license in their home state. Montana will also accept a DHS license for adjusters whose home state does not license. Non-resident adjusters who live in a state with no continuing education requirements must complete 24 hours of continuing education as well. Non-resident adjusters must either complete Montana CE or designate a CE completion state. Continuing Education courses are reported directly to our office by the course providers within 30 days of the course completion. The courses must be reported to our office before the license renewal date. There is a $100 fee to renew your Montana adjuster license. You can renew your license online through an application on NIPRs website. For more information, contact the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance.

How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In Montana?

Montana adjuster license renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date. The expiration date of your license is set as the last day of your birth month. Resident Montana adjusters are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education before their expiration date. The 24 hours must include: At least 3 Hours of Ethics 1 Hour of Montana Legislative Updates There is a $100 fee to renew your Montana adjuster license. You can renew your Montana license through NIPR starting 90 days before the license’s expiration date. Montana grants reciprocal licenses to adjusters who hold a license in their home state. Montana will also accept a Designated Home State (DHS) license for adjusters whose home state does not license. 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 Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance.

Montana

state commissioner

Troy Downing

STATE email

producerlicensing@mt.gov

STATE phone

(406) 444-2040

STATE LICENSE DIVISION ADDRESS

Office of the Montana State Auditor

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

Initial appointment deadline rule

JIT appointments permitted. Appointments must be submitted within 15 days of the date the agent/agency contract is executed

Can be processed via nipr?

Yes

Fees for appointing a resident agency or individual?

$10

Fees for appointing a nonresident agency or individual?

$10

Appoint agencies?

Yes

Adjuster appointments via NIPR?

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 15 days old.

State requires appointment renewal?

No, perpetual

Appointment renewal fee

No fees

Appointment Terminated if license expires?

Yes

Terminations processed via NIPR?

Yes

Termination reasons

Voluntary termination; inadequate production; death; company defunct or liquidation; company indebtedness; poor policyholder service; agent moved; appointed in error; request regulatory review

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 notes

After 30 days of compliance renewal cycle, if CE is not submitted, the appointments are canceled

Termination fee

No fee

Licensing

Initial individual new license fee

Resident New License Insurance Producer: $0 Resident New License Surplus Lines Producer: $50 Non Resident New License Insurance Producer: $100 Non Resident New License Surplus Lines Producer: $50

License renewal fee

Resident Renewal Insurance Producer: $0 Resident Renewal Surplus Lines Producer: $100 Non Resident Renewal Insurance Producer: $50 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 birth

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 birth

Late renewal or reinstatement period for nonresident individual producer license?

Late renewal allowed up to one year after expiration

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

Managing General Agent, Third Party Administrator, Risk Retention Group, Viatical Settlement Broker, Motor Club Agent, Consultant, Purchasing Group, Insurance Producer, Surplus Lines Producer, Health Service Corporation, Public Adjuster, Adjuster, Crop Adjuster, Reinsurance Intermediary Broker, Funeral, Premium Finance Company, Temporary Producer, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Property and Casualty Insurer, Surety Bail, Joint Underwriter Organization, Life and Disability Insurer, Navigator, Certified Application Counselor, Certified Exchange Producer, Temporary Surety Bail

Appointment Terminated if license expires?

Yes

State broker license rule

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

Broker license notes

An insurance producer must be appointed by an insurer before the producer claims to be a representative or producer of that insurer. The following activities do not require an appointment: a. a producer may obtain and present a quotation from an insurer who has not appointed him or her; or b. the insurer may bind coverage on temporary insurance before the execution of an agency contract and policy issuance, if the insurer consents

Requires pre licensing courses?

Background Check Required?

Yes – General background check

Fingerprints Required?

Yes, for Resident Licensing

Fingerprint Submission Details

Taken at exam site.

Citizenship requirement details

Non-citizens of the U.S. must show proof of U.S. work authorization.

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?

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

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

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

90 days prior to expiration until expiration date. Late renewal ends one year after expiration date.

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?

Yes

Offers designated home state?

Yes

DHS exam required?

Yes

Reciprocity states

AK, AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NM, NV, OK, OR, RI, SC, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WY

Which states require an exam for reciprocity?

CA, HI, NY, PR

Independent adjuster LOAS

No LOA required

Independent adjuster fees

Licensing Fee: $50 Reinstatement Fee: $50 Renewal Fee: $100 Late Renewal Fee: $200

Independent adjuster exam required?

Yes

Independent adjuster renewal date

Biennially, on the first day of the birth month, in alternating years. Odd birthdays will have odd renewal years. Even birthdays will have even renewal years.

Speciality adjuster renewal date

Biennially, on the first day of the birth month. Odd birthdays will have odd renewal years. Even birthdays will have even renewal years.

Emergency adjuster details

No license is required in the event of catastrophe. Refer to the instructions issued at the time of the catastrophe announcement.

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 birth

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

What if a producer missed the renewal date?

You can reinstate your license within 12 months of its lapse in Montana. After that, you’ll need to reapply.

Ethics requirements

3 hours ethics, 1 hour Montana statutes

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

For more from agentsync

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

Regulatory Updates

Montana to Add New License Class Called Temporary Surety Bail

Effective January 1, 2024, Montana will add a new offering called Temporary Surety Bail - New offering requirements: - Temporary Surety Bail has no fee - Exam required before submitting application - License expires after 12 months if applicants is approved - Must be 21 years of age - Amendment applicants deferred for fingerprint check after 1 year - Reapplications deferred for fingerprint check

Montana Summarizes its Continuing Education Program Changes

Effective November 1, 2023, Montana provides an update to their course reporting for CE providers such that they can report an approved course as a classroom and webinar course. Please see attached document for more information.

Montana Limited Lines Travel Agent License

For Residents and Non-Residents 2023 MT H.B. 591(NS) (Effective 10/1/2023) - LIMITED LINES: TRAVEL AGENT - Added travel administrator licensing requirements.MT ST 33-17-212 (Effective 1/1/2024) - Per 2023 MT H.B. 62(NS) - REFERENCES - Revised the effective date only. MT ST 33-17-241 (Effective 5/9/2023) - Per 2023 MT H.B. 567(NS) - INDIVIDUAL NONRESIDENT LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - Revised the navigator training requirement information. MT ST 33-17-242 (Effective 5/9/2023) - Per 2023 MT H.B. 567(NS) - CONTINUING EDUCATION - Revised the Commissioner's responsibility with regard to navigator training requirements. MT ST 33-17-1401 (Effective 10/1/2023) - Per 2023 MT H.B. 591(NS) - LIMITED LINES: TRAVEL AGENT - Added the "limited lines travel insurance producer," "travel administrator," and "travel insurance" definitions. MT ST 33-17-1402 (Effective 10/1/2023) - Per 2023 MT H.B. 591(NS) - 1) WHO MUST BE LICENSED - Added "limited lines travel insurance producer" as another license type. 2) LIMITED LINES: TRAVEL AGENT - a) Added limited lines travel insurance producer licensing requirements. b) Deleted travel retailer registry requirements. MT ST 33-17-1404 (Effective 10/1/2023) - Per 2023 MT H.B. 591(NS) - LIMITED LINES: TRAVEL AGENT - a) Revised the applicability and enforcement information. b) Deleted information mentioning "unfair trade practices" and penalties.

Montana Eliminates the Insurance Advisory Council for Education Course Review

Effective October 1, 2023, Montana will eliminate the Insurance Advisory Council for education course review. See attachment for full details.

FAQs

How Do I Get an Insurance License in Montana?

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 Montana 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.

Montana 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 Department of Insurance at (406) 444-2040 or email the department.
How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in Montana?

The first step is to pass the Montana Insurance Adjuster License exams. The State of Montana 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 Office of the Montana State Auditor at (406) 444-2040 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 two to four (2-4) weeks. 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 Montana?

In Montana, insurance licenses expire every two years. The expiration will be on the last day of your birth month.

The State of Montana requires that resident individual licensees complete twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education every two-year renewal period. Three (3) hours must be in the subject of ethics and one (1) in the subject of Montana statutes. Credits cannot include the same course taken repeatedly in one reporting period.

You may take your continuing education courses either in person in a classroom setting or online as a self-paced course. The online courses usually require a reading of the subject at hand, then a test at the end.

After you have completed your continuing education and you are within 90 days of your license expiration, your resident producer license will renew automatically.

There is no fee to renew your producer license in Montana. AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.

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

The State of Montana will recertify Non-Resident licenses by reviewing their license status in their respective home state; provided that they are in good standing with their given home state. Additionally, Non-residents are exempt from Montana CE requirements but are required to file a summary report form and license renewal fee by the biennial deadline.

You can renew your nonresident insurance license in Montana online by using the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.

There is a fee of $50 to renew your license.
How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in Montana?

Montana adjuster license renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date. Montana grants reciprocal licensing privileges to nonresidents holding an adjusters license in their home state. Montana will also accept a DHS license for adjusters whose home state does not license.

Non-resident adjusters who live in a state with no continuing education requirements must complete 24 hours of continuing education as well. Non-resident adjusters must either complete Montana CE or designate a CE completion state. Continuing Education courses are reported directly to our office by the course providers within 30 days of the course completion. The courses must be reported to our office before the license renewal date.

There is a $100 fee to renew your Montana adjuster license. You can renew your license online through an application on NIPRs website.

For more information, contact the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance.
How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In Montana?

Montana adjuster license renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date. The expiration date of your license is set as the last day of your birth month. Resident Montana adjusters are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education before their expiration date.

The 24 hours must include:
At least 3 Hours of Ethics
1 Hour of Montana Legislative Updates

There is a $100 fee to renew your Montana adjuster license. You can renew your Montana license through NIPR starting 90 days before the license’s expiration date.

Montana grants reciprocal licenses to adjusters who hold a license in their home state. Montana will also accept a Designated Home State (DHS) license for adjusters whose home state does not license.
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 Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance.