Persons Exempt from Continuing Education Requirements: A Comprehensive Overview

Continuing education (CE) is a crucial aspect of maintaining professional competency in many licensed fields. However, specific individuals may be exempt from these requirements based on various criteria. This article explores the exemptions from continuing education requirements, drawing on examples primarily from the real estate and insurance sectors.

Continuing Education Requirements: An Overview

Before delving into exemptions, it's important to understand the general framework of continuing education. In many professions, licensees are required to complete a certain number of hours of approved coursework within each renewal period. For instance, in Mississippi, real estate licensees must complete at least sixteen (16) clock hours of approved course work every two years. Similarly, Texas insurance agents and adjusters need to complete 24 hours of CE before license renewal. Georgia requires resident licensees with less than 20 years of service to complete 24 hours of CE biennially, including 3 hours in ethics. These requirements ensure that professionals stay updated on the latest laws, regulations, and best practices in their fields.

Specific Exemptions and Reductions

Several factors can lead to exemptions or reductions in continuing education requirements. These often vary by state and profession, but some common themes emerge.

Seniority and Years of Experience

One of the most common exemptions is based on the length of time an individual has been licensed. For example, in Mississippi, the provisions of mandatory CE do not apply to persons who have held a broker's or salesperson's license in the state for at least twenty-five (25) years and who are at least sixty-five (65) years of age. Georgia also offers a reduced CE requirement for resident licensees with more than 20 years of service, requiring them to complete 20 hours of CE biennially, including 3 hours in ethics, compared to the 24 hours required for those with less experience. In North Dakota, licensees who have been continuously licensed since January 1, 1969, are exempt from CE.

First-Time Renewal

Some jurisdictions offer exemptions for the first renewal of a license. In Mississippi, an applicant for the first renewal who has been licensed for not more than one (1) year is not required to comply with the continuing education requirements for their first renewal.

Read also: ACT or SAT?

Legislative Service

Service in a state legislature can also qualify for CE credit. In Mississippi, any member of the Mississippi Legislature who has a real estate license shall be credited with eight (8) hours of credit for the attendance of each year of a legislative session.

Inactive License Status

Licensees with inactive status are often exempt from CE requirements. In South Dakota, a licensee whose license is on file with the SDREC office on inactive status is not required to meet the continuing education requirements. However, to activate the license, the licensee must complete 24 hours of continuing education in the two years preceding activation.

Non-Resident Licensees

Many states offer exemptions to non-resident licensees who meet the CE requirements in their state of residence. In South Dakota, non-resident brokers and salespersons who hold a South Dakota license are exempt from the continuing education requirements if they meet the education requirements in their state of residence. North Dakota also exempts non-resident and reciprocal licensees who meet CE requirements in their state of residence.

Professional Designations

Individuals holding specific professional designations may have different CE requirements. In Georgia, individuals holding designations such as CPCU, CLU, FLMI, CIC, CEBS, ChFC, AAI, CFP, or a major BBA in Risk Management and Insurance from an accredited college are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education, with 3 of those hours being in ethics.

Other Activities

Some states allow for reductions or exemptions based on other insurance-related activities. In Georgia, a reduction or exemption in CE hours may be granted for time spent on insurance-related activities such as teaching courses in insurance-related topics, insurance-related legislative activities, journalism activities involving insurance-related topics, and projects involving research of insurance laws and regulations.

Read also: Musical Instruments for Beginners

Extensions and Waivers

In addition to exemptions, extensions or waivers may be granted under specific circumstances. In Texas, exemptions from, and extensions of time for a licensee to complete CE hours are possible, under very limited circumstances. The key to an extension being granted is proper documentation of a circumstance described in the rule that is beyond the licensee's control, such as a long-term illness or military service in a theater of war. Reasons related to business or work load are never acceptable.

Specific State Examples

To further illustrate the variations in exemptions, let's examine specific state regulations:

Texas

In Texas, the Agent and Adjuster Licensing Office ensures that licensed persons meet their required continuing education obligations under the Texas Insurance Code Chapter 4004. Exemptions and extensions are possible under limited circumstances, such as long-term illness or military service.

Georgia

Georgia's CE requirements vary based on license type and years of experience. Resident licensees with less than 20 years of service must complete 24 hours of CE, including 3 hours in ethics, while those with more than 20 years of service need 20 hours, including 3 hours in ethics. Exemptions or reductions may be granted for teaching, legislative, or journalism activities related to insurance.

North Dakota

In North Dakota, salespersons first licensed in 2025 are exempt from CE requirements for their first renewal. Additionally, licensees who have been continuously licensed since January 1, 1969, are exempt from CE. Licensees who are CE course instructors can request 1 hour of CE credit for every hour as an instructor of a unique course taught this CE cycle, not to exceed 50 percent of CE required and not to replace any mandatory CE requirement.

South Dakota

South Dakota exempts non-resident brokers and salespersons who meet the education requirements in their state of residence. A licensee whose license is on file with the SDREC office on inactive status is not required to meet the continuing education requirements.

Mississippi

In Mississippi, individuals holding a real estate license are required to complete sixteen (16) clock hours of approved course work to the commission every two years for license renewal. However, this requirement does not apply to persons who have held a broker's or salesperson's license in the state for at least twenty-five (25) years and who are at least sixty-five (65) years of age.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failing to meet CE requirements can lead to significant consequences. In Texas, if a licensee does not complete the 24 hours of CE before the expiration date of the license, the licensee will have 90 days to complete the deficient number of hours and pay a fine of $50 per deficient hour. If these two conditions are not met within 90 days of the license expiring, the license will be inactivated, and the licensee will have to apply for a new license. A new license will not be granted until the deficient CE hours are completed and the fine is paid. In North Dakota, there is no grace period to complete required CE. If required CE is not completed by Nov. 15, licensees must renew as inactive for 2026 to avoid potential disciplinary action if CE was not completed as required.

Earning CE Credits

Several methods exist for earning CE credits. Typically, credit is earned by taking courses that have been approved by the relevant regulatory body from registered course providers. In Texas, credit can also be earned by passing a part of many professional designation programs or by being an active member of a state or national insurance association. In North Dakota, licensees who are CE course instructors can request 1 hour of CE credit for every hour as an instructor of a unique course taught this CE cycle, not to exceed 50 percent of CE required and not to replace any mandatory CE requirement.

Course Guidelines and Restrictions

Continuing education courses often have specific guidelines and restrictions. In Georgia, credit will not be given for the same Continuing Education course taken multiple times within the same Continuing Education reporting period. Credit for Continuing Education earned in one filing period in excess of hours required may be carried forward to the next filing period provided that credit carried forward shall not exceed fifty (50%) of biennial Continuing Education requirement. Also, excess Ethics course hours may be carried over to the next renewal period but may not be used for Ethics course requirements. Ethics courses must be taken each renewal period and previous courses cannot complete this requirement. Carryover CE hours can only be used to reduce licensee authority CE courses, not Ethics.

tags: #persons #exempt #from #continuing #education #requirements