Massachusetts Division of Insurance enters into NAIC Continuing Education Reciprocity (CER) Agreement
As part of its ongoing efforts to streamline processes and implement uniform transactions for both licensees and consumers, the Division of Insurance is announcing changes to simplify the continuing education (CE) requirements for resident licensed insurance producers and adjusters.
Effective December 1, 2020, Massachusetts resident producers and adjusters who successfully complete approved continuing education courses in reciprocal states or online will receive continuing education credit for such courses in Massachusetts. It is anticipated that these changes will reduce barriers to both resident and non-resident CE providers and will result in additional and more varied continuing education offerings in the future.
RECIPROCITY FAQS
What changes to my CE requirements should I expect as a result of Massachusetts entering into this CER agreement?
Any insurance producer licensed in Massachusetts to sell one or more lines of insurance must still complete 60 credit hours of approved instruction prior to their initial renewal date and 45 credit hours of approved instruction prior to any subsequent license renewal.
However, Massachusetts producers will no longer be required to complete only courses offered in their home state. Under this CER agreement, producers who complete approved CE courses in another reciprocal state or online will receive CE course credit in Massachusetts.
Additionally, this CER agreement changes the definition of a “credit hour” from the existing 60-minutes to a minimum of 50-minutes, as well as eliminates the requirement that CE courses be a minimum of two (2) credit hours.
When will the changes take effect?
The changes will take effect on December 1, 2020.
Does this agreement make any changes to how I am licensed in Massachusetts or how many CE credits I need for licensure/renewal?
No. Both resident and non-resident producers must continue to be approved and duly licensed by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance.
Pursuant to Chapter 139 of the Acts of 2014, in order to renew your Massachusetts insurance producer license you must have completed your required continuing education credits prior to your license renewal date. Failure to complete your continuing education credits prior to your renewal date may result in additional monetary penalties and reinstatement fees. Non-compliance with Massachusetts continuing education requirements may also result in the suspension of your license.
To be in compliance with Massachusetts continuing education requirements; all licensees required to take continuing education courses must include a three (3) hour course on ethics among those courses taken.
To assure timely renewal of your license, be sure to allow enough time for your continuing education credits to appear on your transcript prior to your license renewal date.
After December 1, 2020, will I be able to take a course in Rhode Island and receive CE credit in my home state of Massachusetts?
Yes, after December 1, 2020, Massachusetts producers who complete approved CE courses in another reciprocal state or online will receive CE course credit in Massachusetts.
After December 1, 2020, will I be able to take an Ethics course in another state for credit in Massachusetts?
Yes, after December 1, 2020 Massachusetts producers who complete 3 credit hours of Ethics training in another reciprocal state will receive CE credit in Massachusetts.
I am interested in taking a course in another state. How can I determine if that state is a reciprocal state?
Information about reciprocal states is available in the Provider Packet: https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/maceprov.
If I take a CE course but it is not credited until after December 1, 2020 how does the CER agreement impact the credits I receive?
Any approved CE courses taken on or before December 1, 2020 will be credited with the number of CE credits applicable to the course at the time it was taken regardless of when the course completion is reported to the Division’s continuing education vendor.
I am a course provider and I currently offer a CE course that meets the minimum 2-credit hours. After December 1, 2020 will I be able to offer a version of the course for 1-credit hour?
Yes, as long as the course is reviewed and approved by the Division. Information about the submission of courses for approval, including where to submit materials, is available in the Provider Packet: https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/maceprov.
I am a course provider and I currently offer a CE course approved in another state, do I need to do anything to have it be approved in Massachusetts?
Under the CER agreement, courses approved in other states will not be substantively reviewed by Massachusetts. Information about submitting courses for approval in Massachusetts is contained in the Provider Packet: https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/maceprov.
I am a Massachusetts course provider and I currently offer a CE course that is approved by Division, do I need to resubmit it for approval?
If you want your course to be eligible for credit in a reciprocal state, you must submit revised materials for review. Under the CER agreement, one credit will be awarded for every 50 minutes of instruction. Because Massachusetts is converting from a 60-minute hour to a 50-minute hour, courses previously approved need to be revised for acceptance by a reciprocal state.
I am an out-of-state course provider and I currently offer a CE course that is approved by Massachusetts for 6 credit hours (360 minutes). After the effective date, will I be able to market the course as eligible for 7 credit hours?
If your course is approved for 7 credits by your home state, the Division will not undertake a substantive review of the course and it could be marketed as a 7-credit course if approved by the Division. Information about submitting courses for approval in Massachusetts is contained in the Provider Packet: https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/maceprov.