Washington
Mike Kreidler
Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Appointments & Terminations
Yes
Yes
Within 15 days of contract execution or first business submission; Earlier of the two
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
Yes
$20
$20
Yes
Yes
No
No
Not required and is the date the transaction is processed by the state.
Yes
Washington portal
$20 per appointment
Yes
Termination reason code is not required
Yes
Required and is the date supplied on transaction. Must not be in the future and must be less than 15 days old
No fee
Licensing
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
Resident: Insurance Producer Renewal Fee: $55 Surplus Line Broker Renewal Fee: $200 Nonresident: Insurance Producer Renewal Fee: $55 Surplus Line Broker Renewal Fee: $200
90 days before expiration
Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of first state license issue
Late renewal allowed up to 60 days after expiration; reinstatement allowed up to one year after expiration
90 days before expiration
Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of first state license issue
Late renewal allowed up to 60 days after expiration; reinstatement allowed up to one year after expiration
No
No
Residence, Business, and Mailing
Insurance Producer Surplus Lines Broker Life Settlement Broker Title Public Adjuster Crop Adjuster Independent Adjuster
Incudes under Insurance Producer license
No
Yes – General background check
Yes, for Resident Licensing
Applicants must schedule a fingerprint appointment with IDEMIA-IdentiGo no later than 1 business day prior to the examination date (https://bit.ly/49ua8sY)
NIPR Gateway
None
No
Yes
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.
Failure to timely inform the Commissioner of a change of legal name, address, or email address may result in a penalty.
Agency
Yes
Yes
No
90 days prior to expiration date until the expiration date. Late renewals end 60 days after the expiration date.
Yes
Yes
License not required but branch must be registered
Adjuster
Yes
No
N/A
None
No LOA required
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.
Yes
Biennially, on expiration date.
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.
Biennially, on the expiration date.
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.
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
24
2 years
Last day of birth month
Year of first license issuance
Prior to license expiration.
60 days prior to expiration date
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.
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.
3 hours ethics and consumer protection
3 hours of NFIP course
8-hour initial Washington-specific certification, with 4 hours of LTC-specific training every two years
One-time, 4-hour course
https://agentsync.io/blog/individual-producers/insurance-continuing-education-washington
Regulatory Updates
Washington Establishing Branch Fee for Limited Lines License Renewals
Effective April 12, 2024, Washington will be establishing a $20 branch fee for Limited Lines Resident License Renewal and Non Resident License Renewal applications.
Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner Will Require Begin Date for Affiliations
Effective January 18, 2024, Washington Resident and Non Resident applicants will be required to supply their affiliation begin date when submitting an initial application that is not found on record.
Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner to Add New License Classes for Business Entities and Individuals
Effective February 16, 2024, Washington is adding new individual and business license classes for renewal applications. Changes will also include adding a new Non Uniform Question (NUQ) for business entities to identify the number of employees.
The Washington State Office of Insurance Commissioner Adds CE Requirements for Residents and Non Residents
Effective January 1, 2024, The Washington State Office of Insurance Commissioner will require additional CE including Best Interest Standards for Residents and Non Residents.
Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner Provides Best Interest Course Update
On November 16, 2023, Washington announced a new course requirement for annuities producers effective on January 1, 2024. Sales of Annuities producer training will be updated to include Best Interest Standards. Please see attached for more information on training, CE requirements and deadlines.
Washington Department of Insurance Publishes Changes to Licensing Requirements for Residents
On November 8, 2023, Washington Department of Insurance published changes on licensing requirements for Individuals. Please see below for updated sections.
**Washington Department of Insurance Individual Resident License Requirements**
**Fee Summary**
4\. Managing General Agent Appointment (biennially): $ 200.00
Fees
b. fingerprint processing fee: $ 49.25
**Application**
2\. An applicant for a producer license must file the
uniform application and declare under penalty of refusal,
suspension or revocation of license that statements in the
application are true and complete to the best of the
individual's knowledge and belief. Applicants must:
a. submit an online application including payment
of licensing fees; and
b. submit fingerprints electronically from the
IDEMIA-IdentoGo Center.
**Fingerprints**
2\. All fingerprints must be submitted electronically from the
IDEMIA-IdentoGo Center.
3\. Applicants must schedule a fingerprint appointment with
IDEMIA no later than 1 business day prior to the examination
date.
a. To schedule an appointment, applicants must:
I. visit
Washington Eliminating Prelicensing Education Requirements for Insurance Producers
Effective November 18, 2023, Washington is eliminating prelicensing education requirements for Insurance producers. See Attachment for full details.
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
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How Do I Get an Insurance License in Washington?
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How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in Washington?
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How do I renew my insurance license in Washington?
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How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in Washington?
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How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in Washington?
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How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In Washington?