Key Takeaways
- North Dakota requires 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years
- At least 3 hours must be in ethics courses
- Long-Term Care requires an 8-hour initial course plus 4-hour refresher each renewal period
- Up to 12 hours of excess CE can be carried forward to the next period
- Ethics hours can be carried forward as regular hours but not as ethics hours
License Maintenance and Continuing Education
North Dakota insurance licenses require ongoing maintenance through continuing education and timely renewal.
License Terms and Renewal
Biennial Renewal System
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| License Term | 2 years (biennial) |
| Renewal Method | Through NIPR |
| Grace Period | Cannot sell during lapse |
Continuing Education Requirements
North Dakota requires 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every 2 years:
CE Breakdown
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Total CE Hours | 24 |
| Ethics (required) | 3 minimum |
| General/Electives | 21 |
CE Carryover Rules
North Dakota allows limited CE carryover:
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Carryover Allowed | Yes, up to 12 hours |
| Timeframe | Excess from last 12 months of reporting period |
| Ethics Carryover | Can be carried as regular hours (NOT as ethics) |
Example: If you complete 30 hours (6 over minimum) in your last 12 months, you can carry up to 6 of those hours to the next period as general credit.
License Types Requiring CE
| License Type | CE Required |
|---|---|
| Property | 24 hours |
| Casualty | 24 hours |
| Personal Lines | 24 hours |
| Accident & Health | 24 hours |
| Life | 24 hours |
| Variable Products | 24 hours |
Special Training Requirements
Long-Term Care (LTC) Training
North Dakota requires specialized training for LTC insurance:
| Training Type | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Training | 8 hours | One-time before selling LTC |
| Ongoing Training | 4 hours | Every renewal period |
Annuity Training
Producers selling annuity products should verify current requirements with the Insurance Department regarding suitability and best interest training.
Renewal Process
Steps to Renew
- Complete 24 hours CE (including 3 ethics) before deadline
- Verify CE credits are posted to your record
- Submit renewal through NIPR
- Pay renewal fee
CE Reporting
- Approved providers report completions electronically
- Check your transcript regularly
- Ensure all credits are posted before renewal deadline
- Contact provider if credits are missing
2026 Updates
Effective January 8, 2026, North Dakota will add Pharmacy Benefit Manager as a new license class for firms. This new license class can be processed for:
- Resident Licensing / Resident Licensing Renewal
- Nonresident Licensing / Nonresident Renewal
- Nonresident Licensing No Home State / Nonresident Renewals No Home State
Disciplinary Actions
The Insurance Department can take disciplinary action for violations:
Grounds for Discipline
- Violating insurance laws or regulations
- Fraudulent or dishonest practices
- Misappropriation of funds
- Misrepresentation to clients
- Failure to maintain CE requirements
- Criminal conviction
- License violations in other states
Types of Discipline
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Warning | Minor first offense |
| Fine | Monetary penalty |
| Probation | License continues with conditions |
| Suspension | Temporary loss of license |
| Revocation | Permanent loss of license |
Reporting Requirements
Required Notifications
Producers must notify the Insurance Department of:
- Change of business address
- Change of residence address
- Change of name
- Administrative actions by other states
- Criminal charges or convictions
How to Report Changes
- Update through NIPR
- Or contact Insurance Department directly
- Timely reporting is required
- Failure to report may result in discipline
Contact Information
- Address: State Capitol, 5th Floor, Dept. 401, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND 58505-0320
- Phone: (701) 328-2440 or (800) 247-0560
- Website: insurance.nd.gov
How many hours of continuing education does North Dakota require for license renewal?
How many excess CE hours can be carried forward to the next renewal period in North Dakota?
Can ethics hours be carried forward as ethics credit in North Dakota?
What training is required before selling Long-Term Care insurance in North Dakota?