Georgia Insurance License Requirements and Renewal Guide

Georgia Insurance License Lines of Authority

Georgia issues individual agent credentials defined by specific lines of authority. Independent producers and agency teams commonly qualify in combined major property and casualty lines, life and health coverages, or specialized surplus placements:

How to Get a Georgia Insurance Agent License

Resident candidates must complete mandatory state approved pre licensing coursework, pass designated Pearson VUE examinations, submit fingerprints for background screening, and provide proof of lawful presence:

Step 1: Finish Approved Pre Licensing Education

Georgia statutes require completion of state approved coursework through certified educational providers prior to testing:

• Required Hours: 20 hours for a single major line of authority, or 40 hours for combined qualifications such as Property and Casualty or Life, Accident and Sickness.
• Certificate Validity: Pre licensing certificates of completion remain valid for exactly 12 months from the date of issue. The state licensing exam must be completed within this window.
• Professional Exemptions: Candidates holding professional designations such as CPCU, CIC, or CLU, or applicants with college degrees in insurance, can request exemption from pre licensing study.

Step 2: Pass the Pearson VUE State Examination

All Georgia insurance licensing exams are administered by Pearson VUE at physical testing centers throughout the state.

• Passing Score: You must score 70 percent or higher to achieve a passing grade.
• School Code Entry: When registering on the Pearson VUE website, you must enter the official school code printed on your pre licensing certificate.
• Exam Fees: Testing fees are paid directly to Pearson VUE per examination session.

Step 3: Complete GAPS Fingerprinting and Background Verification

Resident applicants must submit digital fingerprints for state and FBI criminal records checks. Fingerprinting is conducted via the Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS) through IdentoGO by IDEMIA. Registration is initiated online, and fingerprint fees are paid at the appointment site.

Step 4: Execute Notarized Citizenship Affidavit (Form GID-276-EN)

Under Georgia statute O.C.G.A. 50-36-1, all individual applicants must execute a signed, notarized Citizenship Affidavit (Form GID-276-EN) confirming lawful presence in the United States. The notarized document must be uploaded to the NIPR Attachments Warehouse or Sircon portal alongside an acceptable secure and verifiable government identification card.

Step 5: File Online Application on NIPR or Sircon

Submit your completed application online via the NIPR or Sircon portals.

• Statutory State Fee: $100 for individual agent applications ($200 if applying with Variable line authority).
• Processing Schedule: Complete filings with clear background clearances and valid citizenship affidavits are usually reviewed by Georgia OCI within five to ten business days.

Georgia License Renewal and Continuing Education Rules

Individual Georgia agent licenses renew every two years. The renewal deadline falls on the last day of the licensee birth month. The electronic renewal window unlocks 60 days before the expiration date.

Continuing Education Standards

Georgia CE requirements are determined by the length of time an agent has held continuous licensing:

• Licensed Under 20 Years: You must complete 24 approved CE hours per two year cycle, strictly including at least 3 hours in ethics courses.
• Licensed 20 Years or More: Experienced producers with 20 or more consecutive years of service receive a reduced requirement of 20 total CE hours, with 3 hours dedicated to ethics.
• Multi Line Producers: Holding multiple authority lines does not increase required hours. A single 24 hour total satisfies both P&C and Life and Health lines.
• Credit Carryover: Up to 50 percent of your biennial general requirement (a maximum of 12 hours) can carry forward into the subsequent renewal cycle. Excess ethics credits roll over as general credits only.
• Course Repetition: Taking the exact same course twice within the identical renewal term is prohibited and will not earn credit.
• Flood Insurance Mandate: Property producers who write federal flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program must complete a one time 3 hour flood course.
• Annuity Suitability Training: Life agents who solicit or sell annuity products must complete a one time 4 hour annuity training course.
• Long Term Care Partnership: Agents selling LTC policies must complete an initial 8 hour training course followed by 4 hours of ongoing training during every two year renewal cycle.

Georgia Renewal and Reinstatement Fees

Check Georgia CE Status

Non Resident Agent Licensing in Georgia

Producers licensed outside Georgia who intend to transact business in the state can obtain non resident credentials via national reciprocity without taking a state examination:

• Application Fee: $100 initial state filing fee (plus portal processing fees) filed through NIPR.
• Home State Standing: The applicant must hold an active resident license in good standing for matching lines in their resident state.
• CE Reciprocity: Meeting home state continuing education requirements completely satisfies Georgia CE rules for non resident agents.
• No Resident Exam: Non resident applicants do not take the Georgia licensing exam and are not required to complete Georgia pre licensing coursework.

Georgia Insurance Agency Business Entity Licensing

Corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies acting as insurance agencies in Georgia must secure and maintain an active agency business entity license:

• Designated Responsible Producer (DRLP): The agency must designate at least one active, individually licensed Georgia producer who acts as the Designated Responsible Licensed Producer. The DRLP holds full responsibility for entity statutory compliance.
• Statutory Licensing Fees: $100 initial agency license application fee and $100 biennial renewal fee paid through NIPR or Sircon.
• Fictitious and Trade Names: Agencies conducting operations under trade names or DBAs must register the trade name with the Georgia Secretary of State and file documentation with Georgia OCI.
• Notification Rules: Any modifications to executive officers, managing partners, designated producers, or official agency addresses must be submitted to the OCI within 30 calendar days.