Cape School: Professional education since 1974.

This information is intended to provide answers to commonly asked questions by insurance agents. It is not intended to replace detailed information found in your state’s statutes and regulations. Though we have made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information given is reliable and current, we cannot guarantee that it is. For more information please contact your state insurance department. See contact information below.

Hours Required

• 15 credit hours biennially for a single license
• 30 credit hours biennially for combined L/H and P/C (this requirement can be satisfied with 15 credit hours of courses that satisfy all license types, i.e. bridge courses - See "Course Subject Requirements" below)

Compliance Date
Beginning in 2009 licenses will expire on the agent's birthday in even or odd years. Agents born in even years will renew in even years. Agents born in odd years will renew in odd years. A newly issued or transitioned license will be between 24 and 48 months in duration. To look up your license renewal date you may visit the Online Producer Services page on the New York State Insurance Department's website by clicking here. 

Approved Course Delivery Methods

• Written and Online self-study courses (passing grade of 70% required on final exam)
• Interactive Online
• Classroom
• Seminar

Exam Requirements

Self-study final exams have monitor requirements. The monitor must be a state approved individual or organization. Click here for monitor information.
A New York State Approved Monitor must be present before entering the online final exam. The exam is a closed-book exam under the observation of a New York Approved Monitor.

Interactive Onine courses - The exam Monitor must complete the monitor form in its entirety before the exam is accessible. Upon completion of the exam, both monitor and student will sign an electronic attestation stating that the course was completed without assistance and observed by the monitor during the exam taking process. Upon successful completion, the student will be able to print the certificate of completion for the course. Credits will be reported the next business day to the NY DOI.

Self-study Online courses - The exam Monitor must complete the monitor form in its entirety before the exam is accessible. Upon completion of the exam, both monitor and student will sign an electronic attestation stating that the course was completed without assistance and observed by the monitor during the exam taking process. The course affidavit must be printed and completed by the Monitor and forwarded to Cape School. If the monitor is not an employee of Cape School , then a copy of the monitor approval document must also be forwarded to Cape School with the affidavit.  A passing grade of 70% or better is required on self-study exams. When you finish studying a course, click on the button at the bottom of the course to take the final exam. You will be required to register for the exam.

Self-study Textbook courses - A final exam packet will be included with the self-study textbook. The exam packet is to be opened by the state approved monitor ONLY. Upon completion of the final exam, fax or mail your paper answer form along with the affidavits of completion signed by monitor and student to Cape for processing.

Course Subject Requirements

• Courses must be approved for lines of insurance for which license is held.
• LH/PC-combined licensees must complete the full CE requirement in courses approved for LH and the full CE requirement for PC. Courses that are approved for both P/C and L/H ("bridge courses") may be simultaneously applied to the L/H requirement & the P/C requirement, if taken within the biennial licensing period.
• According to Section 207 of the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 all New York licensed resident insurance producers who sell federal flood insurance policies shall be required to complete a one time 3 hour requirement on flood insurance.

One Time Annuity Requirement - Regulation 187 (Part 224 of Title 11 of the Official Compilation of the State of New York) requires  insurers to set forth standards and procedures for recommendations to consumers with respect to annuity contracts so that the insurance needs and financial objectives of the consumers are appropriately addressed.  These standards and procedures are substantially similar to the NAIC Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation.   It is the responsibility of the producer to know the annuity training requirements of the insurance company with whom he or she works.

Carryover Credits

Excess credit hours may not be carried over to the next reporting period.

Course Repetition

Effective January 1, 2009, a licensee will no longer receive credit for any course previously completed for continuing education credit. Enforcement of this policy will begin with every license renewal or relicensing application processed after January 31, 2009. Licensees must maintain records of completed continuing education courses and will be held responsible if a course is repeated.

Exemptions

• Non-resident agents whose home state requires CE and has a reciprocal agreement with New York.
• Individuals who have limited line license for which an exam is not required in New York
• Newly licensed individuals are exempt for the 1st compliance period.

Credit Reporting

Cape will report credits to the NY Department of Insurance within 30 days of course completion. A course completion certificate is provided for the agent’s records.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions regarding renewal or credits, please contact:

New York Department of Financial Services
Licensing Bureau
One Commerce Plaza
Albany, NY 12257
(518) 486-7296
http://www.dfs.ny.gov/insurance/dfs_insurance.htm

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Cape:

Cape School, Inc.
P.O. Box 169
Buckingham, VA 23921

Phone: 800-729-7363
Fax: 888-303-1828
Or email us at the left