*These forms are also included as attachments to the Individual and Business Entity applications
Authorizing Act with definitions
Qualifications
Filing Requirements:
License Term
Renewal of License
Additional Information
Authorizing Act: California State Insurance Code Chapter 5, Part 2, Division 1
A fire and casualty licensee is a person authorized to act as an insurance agent, broker, or solicitor, and a fire and casualty broker-agent license is a license so to act. FX license authority is determined by what documents are submitted.
Effective January 1, 2003, a Fire and Casualty Broker-Agent applicant will be mailed his or her license upon application approval and passing the license examination. However, the licensee may not transact, solicit or negotiate the sale of insurance until after one of the following documents are completed and submitted to the California Department of Insurance.
- A $10,000 Bond of Insurance Broker, form 417-5, authorizes the licensee to act as an insurance broker. An insurance broker is a person who, for compensation and on behalf of another person transacts insurance other than life with, but not on behalf of an insurer.
- An Action Notice of Appointment, form 447-54, authorizes the licensee to act as an insurance agent. An insurance agent is a person authorized by and on behalf of an insurer to transact all classes of insurance, except life insurance.
- An Action Notice of Solicitor, form 417-31, authorizes the licensee to act as an insurance solicitor. An insurance solicitor is a natural person employed to aid an insurance agent or insurance broker in transacting insurance other than life.
- An Organization Endorsement, form 411-8A, completed by the sponsoring organization licensed in California.
A person authorized to act as an insurance solicitor is not eligible at the same time to act as an insurance agent or broker. A person authorized to act as either an insurance agent or broker is not eligible at the same time to act as an insurance solicitor.
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Qualifications
Minimum Age: 18 years
Residency: California residency is not required.
Entity Types: Individual and Business Entity
Prelicensing Experience/Education:
1) Require a minimum of 40 hours of approved prelicensing classroom study. A new California resident applicant who had a current casualty license in another state and completed 40 hours of prelicensing education for casualty insurance in order to obtain that license, or an applicant holding any of the following designations: Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI), Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) or Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) is exempt from the 40 hours of prelicensing education.
2) Require 12 hours of approved prelicensing classroom study on ethics and the California Insurance Code. Where an applicant seeks both the Broker-Agent license and the Life license, the applicant shall only be required to complete one 12 hour course on ethics and the California Insurance Code.
Continuing Education:
1) During each of the first four 12-month periods following the date of original issue of the license, satisfactorily complete approved courses or programs of instruction or attend seminars equivalent to a minimum of 25 hours.
2) Any licensee who has complied with the above or was licensed as of 12/31/91 shall satisfactorily complete approved courses or programs of instruction or attend seminars equivalent to 30 hours of instruction during each two-year license period.
3) Any agent that markets long-term care insurance must complete an 8-hour California specific long-term care continuing education course. Check with your insurer regarding long-term care insurance requirements.
4) Effective January 01, 1998, any person who is 70 years of age or older and who has been licensed for 30 continuous years in California as a licensee in good standing in this state, may be exempt from continuing education requirement. Any licensee that markets individual long-term care contracts is still required to meet the specific education requirements for marketing such contracts.
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Filing Requirements: Individual -- Residents
Application: Application for Insurance License, form 441-9 or use the Fast Licensing Application Service is Here (FLASH) Online Application, must be completed by applicants who do not hold an active California FX license. Effective January 1, 2003, a Fire and Casualty Broker-Agent applicant will be mailed his or her license upon application approval and passing the license examination. However, the licensee may not transact, solicit or negotiate the sale of insurance until after one of the following documents are completed and submitted to the California Department of Insurance.
Documents determining authority to act:
Bond: A $10,000 Bond of Insurance Broker, form 417-5, executed in California by a California admitted surety, completed in the name of the applicant and signed by the applicant authorizes the person to act as an insurance broker.
Action Notice:
- Action Notice of Appointment, form 447-54, completed by the sponsoring insurance company admitted to California authorizes the person to act as an insurance agent.
- Action Notice of Solicitor, form 417-31, completed by the sponsoring FX employer licensed in California authorizes the person to act as an insurance solicitor.
Organization Endorsement: Organization Endorsement, form 411-8A, completed by the sponsoring organization licensed in California.
Fingerprint Impressions: Fingerprint impressions are required for unlicensed applicants. If an examination is required, fingerprint impressions may be taken at the California examination sites.
Additional Documents: The Insurance Commissioner may require such other documents as will aid in determining whether the applicant meets the qualifications for a license.
Prelicensing Certificate of Completion: Original certificate(s) of completion signed by both classroom instructor/provider director and applicant for Fire and Casualty broker-agent course and/or Ethics and Code course.
Examination: Applicants who do not hold an active California Resident FX license and whose eligibility for that license without examination has expired must pass the written examination for FX prepared and administered by the Department.
Fees - Individual Residents:
- License filing: $144 (2-year term)
- Action Notice fee: $24 per action notice or an Organization Endorsement: $24 per endorsement
- Examination: $41 per scheduled examination date
- Fingerprint fees: Review Fingerprint Processing link for fingerprint fees.
- Renewal Fee: $144 (2-year term)
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Organization Application:
- Any legal entity, other than an individual, may qualify for a business entity license. Applicants must submit the Application for Organization license, form 441-11.
Natural Person Named On Organization:
- Organization Endorsement, form 411-8A, must be completed for each natural person who holds an active California FX license. T
- Application for Insurance License, form 441-9 or use the Fast Licensing Application Service is Here (FLASH) Online Application, and Organization Endorsement, form 411-8A, must be completed by each natural person who does not hold an active California FX license (individual filing requirements must be met).
NOTE: The organization must have at least one California resident FX endorsee to establish and maintain the license.
Organization Must File At Least One Document Determining Authority To Act:
- Action Notice of Appointment, form 447-54, completed in the organization name by the sponsoring insurance company admitted to California authorizes the organization to act as an insurance agent.
- A Bond of Insurance Broker, form 417-5, in the penal sum of $10,000 executed in California, by a California admitted surety, completed in the name of the organization and signed by the organization authorizes the organization to act as an insurance broker.
Additional Documents: The Insurance Commissioner may require such other documents as will aid in determining whether the applicant meets the qualifications for a license.
Fees - Organization Residents:
- License filing: $144 (2-year term)
- Action Notice fee: $24 per action notice
- Organization Endorsement: $24 per notice
- Renewal Fee: $144 (2-year term) Must have 1 natural person currently named on organization
Note: Natural persons filing form 441-9 or use the Fast Licensing Application Service is Here (FLASH) Online Application, refer to individual filing fees.
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Filing Requirements: Individual -- Non-Residents
Fingerprint Processing: All applicants who submit a Non-Resident Individual Application or an Individual Application, Form 441-9 or use the Fast Licensing Application Service is Here (FLASH) Online Application, for an insurance license will be required to file fingerprint impressions prior to submitting their application to the California Department of Insurance. The Non-Resident Applicants to File Fingerprint Impressions Web page lists the procedures on how to submit the fingerprint impressions.
Continuing Education: Licensed non-resident agents who comply with the continuing education requirements of their state of residence are exempt from California continuing education requirements.
Limited Lines:
- Non-resident applicants will be issued a license that provides for the same line(s) of authority that he or she holds in the home state.
- The fee for limited lines licenses will be the same as the California resident Fire and Casualty Broker-Agent license fee and are subject to retaliatory provisions.
NOTE: If licensees transact long term care products, they must meet California specific long term care education requirements.
Application: An individual application must be completed by applicants who do not hold an active California FX license. The non-resident applicant may complete the Individual Application, 441-9 or use the Fast Licensing Application Service is Here (FLASH) Online Application. Effective January 1, 2003, a nonresident Fire and Casualty Broker-Agent applicant will be mailed his or her license upon application approval the license examination. However, the licensee may not transact, solicit or negotiate the sale of insurance until after one of the following documents are completed and submitted to the California Department of Insurance.
Documents Determining Authority To Act:
Bond: A Bond of Insurance Broker, form 417-5, in the penal sum of $10,000 executed in California, by a California admitted surety, completed in the name of the applicant and signed by the applicant authorizes the person to act as an insurance broker.
Action Notice: Action Notice of Appointment, form 447-54, completed by the sponsoring insurance company admitted to California authorizes the person to act as an insurance agent.
Organization Endorsement: Organization Endorsement, form 411-8A, completed by the sponsoring organization licensed in California.
Additional Documents: The Insurance Commissioner may require such other documents as will aid in determining whether the applicant meets the qualifications for a license.
Examination: Not required except if the applicant's state, commonwealth or Canadian province of residence has no reciprocal agreement for waiving of examination.
Fees - Individual Non-Residents:
- License filing: $144 (2-year term) subject to retaliatory provisions. Please review the Non-Resident License Fee Chart to see if the retaliatory provisions effect you.
- Action Notice fee: $24 per action notice
- Organization Endorsement: $24 per notice
- Renewal Fee: $144 (2-year term) subject to retaliatory provisions. Please review the Non-Resident License Fee Chart to see if the retaliatory provisions effect you.
NOTE: The fee for limited lines licenses will be the same as the California resident Fire and Casualty Broker-Agent license fee and are subject to retaliatory provisions.
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Filing Requirements: Organization -- Non-Residents
Organization Application:
- Any legal entity, other than an individual, may qualify for a business entity license. Applicants must submit the Application for Business Entity license, form 441-11.
Limited Lines:
- Non-resident applicants will be issued a license that provides for the same line(s) of authority that he or she holds in the home state.
- The fee for limited lines licenses will be the same as the California resident Fire and Casualty Broker-Agent license fee and are subject to retaliatory provisions.
Natural Person Named On Organization:
- Organization Endorsement, form 411-8A, must be completed for each natural person who holds an active California non-resident FX license.
- Application for Insurance License, form 441-9 or use the Fast Licensing Application Service is Here (FLASH) Online Application, and Organization Endorsement, form 411-8A, must be completed by each natural person who does not hold an active California non-resident FX license (individual filing requirements must be met).
Note: A California resident cannot be endorsed on a non-resident organization.
Organization Must File At Least One Document Determining Authority To Act. Effective January 1, 2003, a fire and casualty business entity applicant may receive a license; however, the business entity may not transact, solicit or negotiate the sale of insurance until after one of the following documents are completed and submitted to the California Department of Insurance.
- Action Notice of Appointment, form 447-54, completed in the organization name by the sponsoring insurance company admitted to California authorizes the organization to act as an insurance agent.
- A Bond of Insurance Broker, form 417-5, in the penal sum of $10,000 executed in California, by a California admitted surety, completed in the name of the organization and signed by the organization authorizes the organization to act as an insurance broker.
Additional Documents: The Insurance Commissioner may require such other documents as will aid in determining whether the applicant meets the qualifications for a license.
Fees - Organization Non-residents:
- License filing: $144 (2-year term) subject to retaliatory provisions. Please review the Non-Resident License Fee Chart to see if the retaliatory provisions effect you.
- Action Notice fee: $24 per action notice.
- Organization Endorsement: $24 per notice.
- Renewal Fee: $144 (2-year term) Must have 1 natural person currently named on organization. Please review the Non-Resident License Fee Chart to see if the retaliatory provisions effect you.
Note: Natural persons filing form 441-9 or use the Fast Licensing Application Service is Here (FLASH) Online Application, refer to individual filing fees.
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License Term:
The term of the first license begins the date the license is issued and ends the last day of that same calendar month two years later. All additional licenses are issued for the balance of the established term.
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Renewal of License:
Renewal notification is mailed to the mailing address of record approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date of the license. Individuals will receive a renewal application showing total fees due for all license types held and the total number of continuing education hours completed at the time the renewal form is printed. If the continuing education requirement has not been met, the renewal will indicate how many hours are needed. If renewal application is not received, please complete the Application to Renew Individual License, form 448-29A, or Application to Renew Business Entity License, form 448-29B and mail the completed form to California Department of Insurance, P.O. Box 311, Sacramento, California 95812-0311.
All licensees that renew their licenses late will be required to file new company appointments, organization endorsements, or solicitor appointments. "Late" is defined as any renewal for which the requirements to renew (this includes completing the continuing education hours) are not met until after the expiration date of the previous license term.
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Additional Information:
Federal law (Title 18 United States Code Section 1033) prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or a breach of trust from conducting the business of insurance unless they have obtained the written consent of the Insurance Commissioner. It is a violation of this statute to conduct business of insurance without the Commissioners written consent. If you have been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or a breach of trust then you must attach a copy of this consent. If you have not obtained this written consent you must do so by filing a 1033 Short Form Application for Written Consent prior to filing your application.
Persons who hold an active California FX license are not required to file an Application for Insurance License or pay additional licensing fees each time they change authority. To act as an Insurance Broker, a $10,000 bond (form 417-5 or form 417-31) must be filed, no fee required. To act as an Insurance Agent or Insurance Solicitor, the appropriate Action Notice of Appointment (form 447-54A) must be filed with the fee of $24.00 per appointment. To be named on an organization license, an Organization Endorsement must be filed with the Organization Endorsement fee of $24.00 per appointment.
If currently licensed as a resident of another state, upon becoming a California resident, a clearance letter from the former state of residence is required.
Assembly Bill 729 (Koretz, Chapter 312, Statutes of 2005) was signed into law on September 22, 2005. Effective January 1, 2006, the bill requires limited liability companies (LLC's) to provide proof of satisfying the security requirements of Section 1647.5 of the California Insurance Code when applying for an insurance license and once licensed, must also file with the Commissioner an annual confirmation of coverage demonstrating continued compliance with the financial security requirements. Additional information regarding the new requirements is contained in the public notice linked on this page.
For additional LLC application filing information, annual certification of coverage information, and links to forms that can be used as proof of fulfilling the security requirements please go to the following link:
Business Entity Limited Liability Company Requirements
To obtain insurance licensing forms by mail, send request to: Department of Insurance, 320 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814, or you may phone Sacramento at (800) 967-9331 or (916) 322-3555, press 3.
To obtain insurance licensing information, you may phone our Sacramento office at (800) 967-9331 or (916) 322-3555.
All fees mailed to the department must be addressed to:
DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE
P.O. BOX 1139
SACRAMENTO, CA 95812-1139
All filing fees submitted are not refundable, whether or not the application is acted upon or the examination taken.
LIC 642-A (Rev 05/2008)
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