How Do I Get an Insurance License in West Virginia?

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 West Virginia 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 combined line of insurance you wish to carry. Property and Casualty are combined as one exam. The same is true for Life, Accident, and Health. West Virginia 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 passed your exams and submitted fingerprints, the next step is to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you tested 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 304-558-0610 or email the licensing department.

How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in West Virginia?

Preparation for this exam is not something to take lightly, as the average pass rate of insurance exams nationwide is around 55% for first-time test-takers, and even less for any following attempts. So after completing all your coursework, take the West Virginia Insurance Adjuster License exams. Once you have completed all your coursework and passed your examination, you can 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 three to five (3-5) 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 West Virginia?

In West Virginia, insurance licenses expire every two years/biennially. The state requires that resident individual licensees complete twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education every two-year renewal period. Three (3) of those hours must be on the subject of ethics. After you have completed your continuing education and you are within 90 days of your license expiration, you may renew your West Virginia insurance license 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. Additional fees will be added for late renewals.

How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in West Virginia?

West Virginia will recertify Non-Resident licenses by reviewing their license status in their respective home state. Your record must show compliance with continuing education requirements. Continuing education providers have thirty (30) days from course completion to file the credits with the Insurance Department. There is a fee of $50 to renew your license. Additional fees will be added for late renewals. The Department strongly encourages filing electronic applications, however, paper applications are available from the <a href="https://www.wvinsurance.gov/">WV Insurance</a> website. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process. There is a fee of $50 to renew your license. Additional fees will be added for late renewals.

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

West Virginia 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 West Virginia Non-Resident Adjusters. A nonresident adjuster who is CE compliant in his or her home state is considered to have satisfied the CE requirement for West Virginia. There is an $50 fee to renew your West Virginia Non-Resident Adjuster license. You can renew your West Virginia adjuster license online through an application on NIPR’s website. Contact the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner for additional information.

How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In West Virginia?

West Virginia adjuster license renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date (the last day of your birth month). AS of July 1, 2021, all West Virginia resident adjusters are required to complete a total of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education (CE), including three (3) hours of ethics coursework. There is an $25 fee to renew your West Virginia adjuster license. You can renew your West Virginia adjuster license online through an application on NIPR’s website. Contact the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner for additional information.

West Virginia

state commissioner

Allen L. McVey

STATE email

OICagentlicensing@wv.gov

STATE phone

(304) 558-0610

STATE LICENSE DIVISION ADDRESS

West Virginia Lottery Building

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

Initial appointment deadline rule

JIT appointments permitted. Appointment 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

Can be processed via nipr?

Yes

Fees for appointing a resident agency or individual?

$25

Fees for appointing a nonresident agency or individual?

$25

Appoint agencies?

Adjuster appointments via NIPR?

Appointment effective date can be specified?

Yes

Appointment effective date rule

May be backdated up to 15 days prior to application date, but must not precede effective date of appointee.

State requires appointment renewal?

Yes

Appointment renewals via

Via NIPR Portal

When is the state renewal period?

June 6, 2022 until Aug. 31, 2022

Appointment renewal fee

$25

Appointment Terminated if license expires?

Yes

Terminations processed via NIPR?

Yes

Termination reasons

Voluntary termination; inadequate production; cancelled by general agent; death; company defunct or liquidation; company indebtedness; poor policyholder services; agent moved; appointed in error

Termination date can be specified by carrier?

Termination Effective date rule

Effective date of an approved termination will always be the date the transaction is processed. If a requested effective date is given in the transaction, it will be ignored

Termination fee

No fee

Licensing

Initial individual new license fee

Resident New License Insurance Producer: $50 Resident New License Surplus Lines Broker: $200 Non Resident New License Insurance Producer: $50 Non Resident New License Surplus Lines Broker: $200

License renewal fee

Resident: Insurance Producer Renewal Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $50 Surplus Lines Renewal Fee: $200 Late Renewal Fee: $100 Viatical Settlement Broker Renewal Fee: $100 Late Renewal Fee: $50 Adjuster Classes Renewal Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $50 Nonresident: Insurance Producer Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $100 Surplus Lines Fee: $200 Late Renewal Fee: $300 Viatical Settlement Broker Fee: $100 Late Renewal Fee: $150

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?

N/A

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

Viatical Settlement Broker, Independent Adjuster, Surplus Lines, Property & Casualty, Life, Insurance Producer, Company Adjuster, Public Adjuster, Crop Adjuster, Risk Retention

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

Requires pre licensing courses?

Yes

Study method requirements

Supervised instruction, monitored self study

Submission of completion certificate rule

Original certificate must be presented at exam site and submitted with the license application.

How long is the pre licensing certification valid?

The applicant must appear for the licensing examination within 90 days of receiving the certificate of pre-licensing course completion.

Exemptions to pre licensing requirements

Pre-license education is not required of: a. a CLU or CPCU designee; or b. an applicant for a license that does not require an exam.

Fingerprints Required?

Yes, for Resident Licensing

Fingerprint Submission Details

Required with Application - Taken through 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.)

A licensee must notify the Commissioner of a change in name, physical address, mailing address, or email address within 30 days. a. The notification must be completed by means acceptable to the Commissioner. b. A notice of name change must include proper documentation (i.e., copy of marriage certificate, court order). 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 in legal name, residency, mailing address, or email address may result in penalty under WV ST § 33-12-24.

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

March 1st until June 30th, annually. Late renewal period 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, MT, NC, NH, NM, NV, OK, OR, SC, TX, UT, VT, WA

Which states require an exam for reciprocity?

CA, HI, NY, PR, WY

Independent adjuster LOAS

Property and Casualty Crop Workers’ Compensation

Independent adjuster fees

Licensing Fee: $50 Renewal Fee: $50.00 Late Renewal Fee: $50.00

Independent adjuster exam required?

Yes

Independent adjuster renewal date

Biennially, on the last day of the birth month.

Independent adjuster details

Non resident applicants must be a licensed resident of a state that grants reciprocal licensing to West Virginia adjusters. On July 1st. 2021, Crop adjusters will be changed to have both the company and individual crop adjuster licenses.

Emergency adjuster details

In the event of an emergency, one that is not licensed in WV can adjust claims. The fee for the application is $25 and the license will expire on the date the commissioner specifies. If none is specified, it will expire on May 31st.

Continuing Education

Total hours per renewal period

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

Producers newly licensed after July 1 of the second year of the biennium are exempt from CE requirements for that renewal period. Those holding licenses for only limited lines credit are exempt from CE. Those holding limited lines licenses for which an exam isn’t required are exempt from CE Those holding any limited or restricted licenses that the commissioner may declare exemption with the state. Adjusters are exempt from CE.

What if a producer missed the renewal date?

Licensee has one year to late renew the license and pay penalties. License is suspended until requirements are met.

CE instructors get credit for teaching courses?

Yes, a single course per renewal period.

Ethics requirements

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

For more from agentsync

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

Regulatory Updates

West Virginia Surplus Lines License and Premium Tax Updates

On September 9, 2023, West Virginia made some updates to the existing language related to Surplus Lines License and Premium Tax Changes for Resident and Non Residents. See attachment for full details.

West Virginia Adjuster Overhaul First Biannual Renewal

Effective May 1, 2023, West Virginia Individual Adjusters will now receive a $50 Biannual Renewal Fee for any adjusters with an expiration date on or after 7/31/2023.

West Virginia 2023 Company Appointment Renewals

West Virginia has released their 2023 Company Appointment Renewal dates for Insurance Producers. The renewal period is June 6 through August 31, 2023 and the termination deadline is May 31

West Virginia passes Travel Insurance Entity Producer Limited License Act

West Virginia passes Travel Insurance Entity Producer Limited License Act. Passed March 11, 2023; in effect 90 days from passage. See attachment for full details.

West Virginia summarizes its 2023 legislation

West Virginia summarizes its 2023 legislation. See attachment for details.

West Virginia Updates Surplus List to Include “Hershare” and Gun Ranges

Effective immediately, WV has made changes to their surplus lines export list to include 'hershare' and gun ranges.

West Virginia Makes Adjustments to Continuing Education Requirements

Effective immediately, the Commissioner will recognize CE credits obtained by a producer in another state if this producer was licensed and in good standing in West Virginia at the time the license was surrendered. Additionally, one may be exempt from CE if they hold any limited or restricted license that is exempted by the Commissioner. Note that these are additional rules to the currently standing law.

West Virginia 2022 Company Appointment Renewals

West Virginia announces its company appointment renewal period to be June 6th-August 31st.

West Virginia Changes Expiration Date

There was an issue that led to incorrect expiration dates on West Virginia licenses. This issue has been resolved and can be viewed on the producer database. The expiration date will now read 1/13/2022.

FAQs

How Do I Get an Insurance License in West Virginia?

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 West Virginia 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 combined line of insurance you wish to carry. Property and Casualty are combined as one exam. The same is true for Life, Accident, and Health.

West Virginia 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 passed your exams and submitted fingerprints, the next step is to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you tested 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 304-558-0610 or email the licensing department.
How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in West Virginia?

Preparation for this exam is not something to take lightly, as the average pass rate of insurance exams nationwide is around 55% for first-time test-takers, and even less for any following attempts. So after completing all your coursework, take the West Virginia Insurance Adjuster License exams. Once you have completed all your coursework and passed your examination, you can 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 three to five (3-5) 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 West Virginia?

In West Virginia, insurance licenses expire every two years/biennially. The state requires that resident individual licensees complete twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education every two-year renewal period. Three (3) of those hours must be on the subject of ethics.

After you have completed your continuing education and you are within 90 days of your license expiration, you may renew your West Virginia insurance license 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. Additional fees will be added for late renewals.
How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in West Virginia?

West Virginia will recertify Non-Resident licenses by reviewing their license status in their respective home state. Your record must show compliance with continuing education requirements. Continuing education providers have thirty (30) days from course completion to file the credits with the Insurance Department. There is a fee of $50 to renew your license. Additional fees will be added for late renewals. The Department strongly encourages filing electronic applications, however, paper applications are available from the WV Insurance website. AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.

There is a fee of $50 to renew your license. Additional fees will be added for late renewals.
How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in West Virginia?

West Virginia 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 West Virginia Non-Resident Adjusters. A nonresident adjuster who is CE compliant in his or her home state is considered to have satisfied the CE requirement for West Virginia.

There is an $50 fee to renew your West Virginia Non-Resident Adjuster license. You can renew your West Virginia adjuster license online through an application on NIPR’s website.

Contact the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner for additional information.
How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In West Virginia?

West Virginia adjuster license renewal is required of all license-holders every two (2) years before the expiration date (the last day of your birth month).

AS of July 1, 2021, all West Virginia resident adjusters are required to complete a total of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education (CE), including three (3) hours of ethics coursework.

There is an $25 fee to renew your West Virginia adjuster license. You can renew your West Virginia adjuster license online through an application on NIPR’s website.

Contact the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner for additional information.