Listed below are the most frequently asked questions regarding prelicensing (PRE) and continuing education (CE) provider/course approvals.

1. How much are the filing fees for provider and course approvals?

Prelicensing:

$56 for provider certification.

$56 per course approval application.

A provider may combine a 40-hour general insurance course and a 12- hour code and ethics course and submit one course approval application for a 52-hour course. Or, submit separate applications for each of the three prelicensing courses.

 

Continuing Education:

$56 for provider certification.

$28 per course approval application.

 

2. What should I submit with my course application besides the fees?

 

You should submit the following required attachments (also refer to form LIC 446-3 for details):

a) A statement on the course objectives and benefits to be derived by the students.

b) A detailed outline/syllabus, including scheduled times for breaks, lunch periods, exams, etc. (A sample outline is enclosed with the Provider Package.)

c) Textbook, workbook, handout, audio or video cassette, and/or any other materials to be given to students.

d) A completed Class Presentation Schedule form indicating the date, time, and location for each class presentation.

e) PRE course only - attach our curriculum with page reference to each topic (every line item).

3. Where should I send the provider/course approval applications?

 

Provider/course approval applications, along with filing fees and required attachments, should be sent to:

California Department of Insurance

Producer Licensing Bureau - Education Section

P.O. Box 957

Sacramento, CA 95812-0957

 

4. What subjects will or will not qualify for CE course approval?

 

Subjects qualifying for CE course approval shall include, but not be limited to, technical insurance contract analysis, risk management techniques, rating and classification sessions.

Subjects not qualifying for CE course approval shall include, but not be limited to: sales training, office management training, communication skills, motivational training, meetings offered by insurers to launch new products or programs, or self-improvement programs.

Courses may fail to qualify for CE credit if the subject matter is deemed to be too basic, or is not at least as comprehensive as any applicable portion of the prelicensing education curriculum.

 

5. What is the deadline for submitting course approval applications?

 

Course approval applications and filing fees must be received in our office at least 30 days before course presentation date. Any applications received less than 30 days from course offering date will be returned.

 

6. Is it necessary for a provider to file a separate course approval application to offer a course that has already been approved for another provider?

 

Yes. For control purposes, each course offered by a provider is assigned a special identification number so that information associated with a particular course can be tracked.

7. Will the Department of Insurance certify instructors?

No. It is the providers' responsibility to use instructors that meet one of the qualifications stated below:

a) Three (3) years' experience within the last five (5) years in the course subject matter, which experience may include being licensed as an insurance producer; or,

b) Possess scholastic credentials, including, but not limited to, a current teaching credential from any state.

In addition, providers shall have each instructor complete an Instructor Qualification Form and maintain the form on file for a period of five years for review by the Department. Do not submit the Instructor Qualification Form(s) with your course approval application.

 

8. Can an instructor earn CE credits for teaching an approved CE course?

 

An instructor teaching an approved CE course can earn the same number of credit hours as a student who successfully completed the course. However, no course shall be taken for credit more than once during a  two-year renewal period. To receive the appropriate credits, the instructor's name should be included in the provider roster and a Certificate of Completion given to the instructor.

 

9. How should I inform the Department of new class schedules?

 

Use the standard "Class Presentation Schedule" form to report class presentations, changes and cancellations. (A copy is attached with the Provider Package.) You may use an exact reproduction of this form or computer printout of the form if all elements are arranged in the same order. Class schedules should be received by this office at least ten (10) days prior to the class presentation date.

 

10. Is it mandatory that we use the Attendance Record Sheet designed by the Department?

 

No. You may design your own attendance form as long as all the major elements such as name; signature; social security number; license number; time-in and time-out, provider name and number; course title and number; date, time, location of the course, etc. are included.

 

11. How should I report the prelicensing and/or CE hours taken by my students?

 

Within thirty (30) days from class conclusion, submit a Provider Roster to our department listing those students given Certificates of Completion. Use the standard form designed by our Department.

 

12. What are the elements that should be included in the Certificate of Completion?

 

A certificate of completion should include the provider name and approval number; course title and approval number; class beginning and ending dates, complete address (including zip code) where class is conducted; number of credit hours approved and a statement that "submitting a false or fraudulent Certificate of Completion to the Insurance Commissioner may subject any license application to denial, and any issued license to suspension or revocation". Lastly, the certificate must be signed by both the student and the instructor/provider director.

 

13. Can I give partial credit to a student who has completed a portion of the course?

 

No. Each course is approved for a specific number of credit hours. For example, if a prelicensing course is approved for 52 hours, providers should not enroll a student who only needs 12 hours of ethics & code. This person should enroll in an ethics & code course that is approved for 12 hours.

 

14. May I advertise a course prior to the Department's approval?

 

Yes, you may advertise the course as "submitted for approval with the Department of Insurance".  In addition, a disclaimer stating that "the course may be rejected and no credit given" must be added.

 

15. Can a licensee get credit for completing any approved course?

 

No. A licensee can only get credit for approved courses for the license type held.

 

16. What is the definition of "material change" as stated in Section 2188.2(c) of the California Code of Regulations?

 

"Material change" may include, but not be limited to, changes in course content, text book used, length of program, and method of instruction.

 

17. Will any of the prelicensing courses be approved as continuing education courses?

 

Only the code and ethics course (12 hours) will be approved for both prelicensing and continuing education credits. If you are providing an approved prelicensing code and ethics course, you may enroll licensees who want to take this course for CE credits.

 

18. Is it necessary to provide a copy of the prelicensing curriculum and educational objectives to students?

 

Yes. The prelicensing curriculum and educational objectives should be provided to students upon initial enrollment of a class so that they know what the Department's qualifying examinations are based on and what is expected of them.

 

19. Should a Certificate of Completion be issued to a student who attended less than 100% of a prelicensing course?

 

No. According to our current proposed regulations, a student must attend 100% of a prelicensing course in order to earn a Certificate of Completion. This requirement means that any sessions missed by a student must be made up. An instructor must work with the student to go over the missed materials before certifying that the student has completed 100% of the class and materials.

 

20. What should I write in as class beginning and ending dates on the Certificate of Completion for a student who attended make up session(s)?

 

Write in the original class beginning and ending dates as if the student would have completed the class. Attach an addendum to the Certificate indicating the make up date(s). Do not issue a Certificate of Completion until all materials/sessions have been made up. Instructor will need to mark the attendance records showing the class is completed out of sequence. This will help us follow the attendance pattern when we come out for an audit.

 

21. What kind of control do I have over students who sleep or do something else during class time?

 

As a provider, you should have your own guidelines for acceptable student conduct. These standards must be met or you should ask the student(s) to leave. Our attendance requirement for passing a course presumes that students pay attention and take part in the class as appropriate. A student who sleeps or reads a newspaper during class time should not be issued a Certificate of Completion. If we conduct an audit and find students obviously not paying attention, your provider status may be revoked.

 

22. What recourse do I have if a student's check is returned for "non- sufficient funds"?

 

Do not include the student's name on the provider roster. If the check is cleared after the roster has been submitted, send in another roster with just that student's name.

You may contact the Education Section at (916) 492-3064.

*Disclaimer - No course approved for either prelicensing or continuing education hours or any designation resulting from completion of such courses should be construed to be endorsed by the Commissioner.

Form LIC 446-11 (Rev. 03/2011)