Laura’s Corner

Q: What happens if continuing education (CE) is overlooked or left until the last minute?
A: CE requirements are designed to keep producers up to date on regulations, product knowledge, and ethical standards. But when compliance is rushed, it often disrupts sales, service, and operations. The real challenge isn’t the requirement itself—it’s weaving CE into everyday business practices in a way that supports both growth and compliance.

Understanding State-Specific CE Rules
Each state insurance department sets its own CE mandates, typically requiring a specific number of hours in designated subject areas before license renewal. These requirements vary by line of authority, resident state, and license type. The National Insurance Producer Registry (www.nipr.com) is an excellent reference point for reviewing state-specific mandates. Keeping an updated, accessible record for each producer’s applicable jurisdiction ensures nothing slips through the cracks when renewal season arrives.

Integrating CE into Annual Planning
Treat CE as a built-in operational milestone rather than a discretionary task. Setting aside dedicated times for CE, well in advance of license expiration, prevents the year-end rush and reduces scheduling conflicts. In practice, this can be as simple as blocking a few workdays on the calendar or including CE requirements in onboarding checklists, so new producers build strong compliance habits from the start.

Leveraging Tracking and Alerts
Centralized systems that manage license data and send automated reminders are especially valuable in CE planning. When both producers and managers receive timely alerts, course completions are spread throughout the year rather than concentrated in the final months. This reduces stress, improves accuracy, and allows compliance teams to focus on strategic work instead of scrambling to resolve last-minute issues.

Summary
CE compliance does not need to disrupt business operations. By aligning requirements with the organization’s calendar, maintaining up-to-date jurisdictional reference materials, and using reliable tracking tools, teams can meet every deadline with less stress. A proactive, structured approach protects compliance standing while preserving day-to-day productivity.

Virginia producers and agencies have a new, convenient way to handle certain service requests. The Virginia Bureau of Insurance now accepts Name Change and License Cancellation requests online through the state’s authorized licensing vendor. This update aims to simplify workflows for licensees by reducing paperwork and improving processing times.

What’s Changing?
Previously, these updates often required mailing forms or handling them manually. With this change, producers can now complete these requests digitally, reducing delays and ensuring compliance remains on track.

How to Submit Service Requests
To access these services, follow these steps:

1. Visit the state’s authorized online licensing vendor.
2. Select Additional State Service Requests.
3. Enter the required licensee information.
4. Choose the service request you want to submit, such as Name Change or License Cancellation.

Why This Matters
This enhancement aligns with the industry trend toward online processing and compliance efficiency. By moving these requests online, Virginia is making it easier for agents and agencies to manage licensing updates quickly and accurately.

Official Contact and Resources
For more details, visit the Virginia Bureau of Insurance – Agent Licensing Section or contact the licensing team directly at (804) 371-9631.