License Renewal & Continuing Education

Missouri requires all P&C producers to renew their licenses every 2 years and complete continuing education to maintain competency and stay current with industry changes.

License Renewal Requirements

Renewal Cycle

Example: If your birthday is March 15th and your license was issued on June 1, 2024, your license expires March 15, 2026. You can renew starting December 15, 2025 (90 days before expiration).

Exam Tip: Missouri licenses expire ON the birth date, NOT at the end of the birth month. A March 15th birthday means March 15th expiration. This is frequently tested.

Renewal Process

Step-by-Step Renewal:

1. Complete 16 CE Hours: Finish all required CE before expiration (including 3 hours ethics)
2. Verify CE Reporting: Ensure CE providers reported courses to Missouri
3. Submit Renewal Application: Through NIPR or Missouri Department
4. Pay Renewal Fee: $100 for 2-year license term
5. Receive Renewed License: New license with updated expiration date

Exam Tip: CE must be completed BEFORE the license expiration date. You cannot renew without completing the required CE hours.

Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

CE Hour Breakdown

Total Required: 16 Hours Per 2-Year Period

• Ethics: 3 hours minimum (mandatory)
• General Topics: 13 hours
• Carryover: NO carryover of excess hours to next period
• Timing: Must be completed BEFORE license expiration
• Reporting: CE providers report completions to Missouri Department

Approved CE Topics

Acceptable Insurance Topics:

• Insurance law and regulation
• Policy provisions and coverage analysis
• Ethics and professional conduct
• Risk management and loss control
• Insurance products and markets
• Consumer protection
• Claims handling and adjustment
• Underwriting principles
• Missouri-specific insurance laws

NOT Acceptable:

• Sales and marketing techniques
• Agency management (unless insurance-specific)
• General business topics
• Motivational or inspirational content
• Non-insurance topics

Exam Tip: CE courses must be insurance-related and approved by the Missouri Department. Courses on sales techniques or general business do not qualify.

Ethics CE Requirement

3 Hours of Ethics Required:

The 3-hour ethics requirement must focus on insurance ethics and professional conduct.

Ethics Topics Include:

• Unfair trade practices under Missouri law
• Producer responsibilities and duties
• Consumer protection laws
• Conflicts of interest and proper disclosure
• Fiduciary responsibilities
• Regulatory compliance
• Professional standards
• Fraud prevention

Exam Tip: The 3-hour ethics requirement is mandatory and cannot be waived. Ethics hours count toward the 16-hour total, not in addition to it (16 hours total = 3 ethics + 13 general).

Special CE Requirements

Missouri requires additional one-time CE for producers selling certain products:

Long-Term Care Insurance CE

Initial Training:

• 8 hours one-time initial training required BEFORE selling LTC products
• Must complete before first LTC policy sale
• Covers LTC policy types, benefits, suitability, and regulations

Ongoing Training:

• 4 hours every 2-year renewal period after initial training
• Required for producers actively selling LTC insurance
• Separate from the 16-hour general CE requirement

Annuity Best Interest Training

One-Time Requirement:

• 4 hours one-time Annuity Suitability and Best Interest Standards course
• Required BEFORE selling annuity products
• Covers Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) requirements
• Suitability standards and consumer protection
• Must be completed before first annuity sale

Flood Insurance Training

One-Time Requirement:

• 3 hours one-time flood insurance training course
• Required for producers selling National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies
• Covers flood insurance basics, NFIP requirements, coverage limits
• Must be completed before selling flood insurance

Exam Tip: These special CE requirements (LTC, annuity, flood) are ONE-TIME requirements before selling these specific products. They are in ADDITION to the standard 16-hour biennial CE requirement.

CE Course Approval

Course Providers

CE courses must be provided by Missouri Department approved providers:

Approved Provider Types:

• State insurance associations (Missouri Association of Insurance Agents)
• National insurance education organizations
• Online CE providers (approved by Missouri)
• Insurance company training programs (if approved)
• College and university insurance programs

Provider Requirements:

• Submit courses for Missouri Department approval
• Track student completion
• Report completions to Missouri CE database
• Provide completion certificates
• Maintain records for audit purposes

CE Delivery Methods

Missouri accepts multiple delivery formats:

All formats are equally acceptable as long as the provider is approved by Missouri Department.

CE Tracking and Reporting

CE Tracking System

• Provider Reporting: Approved CE providers report completions directly to Missouri Department
• Producer Access: Producers can check CE credits through NIPR or Department website
• Compliance Monitoring: Department tracks each producer's CE status
• Audit Risk: Department may audit CE compliance randomly or for cause

Verifying CE Credits

Check Your CE Status:

1. Log in to NIPR at www.nipr.com
2. Navigate to "Continuing Education"
3. Review reported CE hours
4. Verify ethics hours are properly designated
5. Ensure 16 hours completed before renewal

If CE Not Showing:

• Contact course provider immediately
• Provider must report completions to Missouri
• Keep completion certificates as backup documentation
• Allow 7-10 days for processing

Exam Tip: Producers are responsible for ensuring CE is reported correctly. Always verify CE hours are showing in your record before your renewal date.

CE Exemptions and Special Situations

Active Military Duty

Producers on active military duty may be exempt from CE requirements:

• Must provide proof of active duty status
• Exemption applies during active duty period
• Must complete CE before returning to selling insurance
• No penalty for missed CE during active duty

Professional Membership CE Credit

Missouri allows up to 4 hours of CE credit for active membership in qualified insurance associations:

• Local, regional, state, or national insurance associations
• Association must be approved by Missouri Department
• Membership must be active during the license term
• Documentation of membership required
• Limited to 4 hours per 2-year period

Exam Tip: Up to 4 of the 16 required CE hours can be earned through active association membership. This is specified in RSMo Section 375.029 and 20 CSR 700-3.200(4)(D).

Course Repetition Limitations

Course Repetition Rules:

• A specific CE course may NOT be repeated more than once in a 2-year license term
• Taking the same course twice only counts for credit once
• Different courses on similar topics are allowed
• Prevents producers from taking the same easy course repeatedly

Inactive and Lapsed Licenses

License Becomes Inactive

If license not renewed by birth date:

• License status changes to inactive
• Cannot transact insurance business
• Appointments are terminated
• Must complete missed CE to reinstate

Reinstatement Requirements

Within 12 Months of Expiration:

• Complete any missed CE hours
• Pay reinstatement fee
• Pay renewal fee ($100)
• Submit reinstatement application

After 12 Months:

• Must retake P&C licensing exam
• Start licensing process from beginning
• Complete new application and background check

Exam Tip: Licenses cannot be renewed late—they become inactive on the birth date if not renewed. Reinstatement within 12 months is possible but requires completing missed CE and paying fees. After 12 months, you must retake the exam.