Key Takeaways
- North Carolina insurance licenses are valid for 2 years and must be renewed before expiration
- Renewal requires 24 hours of continuing education per renewal period
- First-time renewals require additional ethics and NC law requirements
- Address changes must be reported to NCDOI within 30 days
- NCDOI can discipline licensees for violations including suspension, revocation, or fines
License Maintenance and Continuing Education
North Carolina insurance licenses require ongoing maintenance through continuing education and timely renewal.
License Terms and Renewal
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| License Term | 2 years |
| Renewal Fee | $50 |
| Late Renewal | Additional penalty fees |
| Expired License | Must retake exam if expired too long |
Continuing Education Requirements
North Carolina requires 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every 2 years:
CE Requirements
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Total CE Hours | 24 |
| Ethics (required) | 3 |
| General CE | 21 |
| CE Period | 2 years (matches license term) |
First-Time Renewal
For the first license renewal, additional requirements may apply:
- Complete 24 hours of CE
- Include required ethics hours
- May include NC law-specific requirements
CE Course Requirements
- Must be completed at NCDOI-approved providers
- Online and classroom options available
- Cannot repeat same course within 2-year period
- CE must be completed BEFORE license expiration
Exam Tip: North Carolina requires 24 hours of CE with 3 hours of ethics. This is consistent with many other states.
Renewal Process
- Complete CE before expiration date
- Submit renewal through NIPR or NCDOI
- Pay renewal fee ($50)
- Receive renewed license
Late Renewal Consequences
| Timing | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Before expiration | Normal renewal |
| 1-90 days late | Penalty fee, cannot practice |
| Over 90 days late | May need to reapply |
| Extended lapse | Must retake licensing exam |
Reporting Requirements
North Carolina producers must notify NCDOI of changes within 30 days:
- Change of business address
- Change of residence address
- Change of name
- Change of email address
- Administrative actions by other states
- Criminal charges or convictions
Failure to Report
Failure to report changes within 30 days can result in:
- Administrative penalties
- License suspension
- Fines
Disciplinary Actions
NCDOI can take disciplinary action for violations:
Types of Discipline
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Letter of Warning | Minor first offense |
| Probation | License continues with conditions |
| Suspension | Temporary loss of license |
| Revocation | Permanent loss of license |
| Fine | Monetary penalty |
| Restitution | Payment to harmed parties |
Common Violations
- Misrepresentation to clients
- Failure to disclose material information
- Mishandling of premiums
- Unauthorized transactions
- Failure to maintain CE requirements
- Felony conviction
- Violation of insurance laws
License Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Active | License current and in good standing |
| Inactive | Not actively practicing |
| Expired | License term ended, not renewed |
| Suspended | Temporary disciplinary action |
| Revoked | License permanently cancelled |
| Surrendered | Voluntarily gave up license |
Reinstating a License
To reinstate an expired or inactive license:
- Complete any outstanding CE
- Pay required fees and penalties
- Submit reinstatement application
- Pass background check if required
- May need to retake exam if lapsed too long
How many hours of continuing education does North Carolina require for license renewal?
Within how many days must a North Carolina insurance producer report an address change to NCDOI?