Producer Frequently Asked Questions

Printable Version

License Information

How can I verify my license status?

You can access your licensing record at https://sbs-il.naic.org/Lion-Web/jsp/sbsreports/AgentLookup.jsp.

How do I obtain a certification/clearance letter?

You may request a certification or clearance letter by writing to

Producer Licensing Unit,
Illinois Department of Insurance,
320 W. Washington St.,
Springfield, IL 62767-0001

You may also use a Certification/Clearance Request Form. Your request must include: a $10.00 fee per letter, the producer's name, social security number, and return address. If the request is for a clearance letter, a written signature is also required.

How do I change my address?

Illinois law requires you to notify the Department of Insurance within 30 days of a change of residential address. You may change your address on-line by using the https://pdb.nipr.com/ACR/SignIn. Business Entity's may change their address on-line at https://sbs-il.naic.org/Lion-Web/jsp/login/login_ols.jsp. Also, you may change the individual or business entity address by writing to:

Producer Licensing Unit
Illinois Department of Insurance
320 W. Washington St.
Springfield, IL 62767-0001

What are the fees for licensing?

Licensing fees are listed in the Fee Schedule.

How will I know when it's time to renew my license?

Effective 07/26/2010, Illinois DOI will convert all producer renewals to the birth month and all business entity renewals to 05/31 when they renew the current license at the current expiration date.

The license expiration date is shown on the front of the license. The Illinois Department of Insurance mails renewal notices approximately 45 days before your license expires. If you do not receive a renewal notice, contact the Licensing Unit at (217) 782-6366.

How do I notify the Department of a name change?

To change the name on your license, send documentation showing your new name (i.e. marriage certificate or divorce decree) and a signed statement to

Illinois Department of Insurance
Producer Licensing Unit
320 W. Washington St.
Springfield, IL 62767-0001

A corrected license will be issued.

What is the term of a license?

A license is valid for two (2) years.

Can a non-resident corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship or limited liability company receive a license?

Yes. However, each licensed business entity must list a designated responsible licensed producer (DRLP) who is an officer or director of the business entity. The DRLP must hold an Illinois license. You may apply on-line at https://pdb.nipr.com/html/nrlWelcome.html.

For information on applying by paper see the following: http://www.nipr.com/state_illinois.htm

How does a producer moving from another state into Illinois become licensed?

An individual who applies for an Illinois insurance producer license and was previously licensed for the same lines of authority in his or her home state, shall not be required to complete any pre-licensing education or examination if currently licensed in good standing in your previous home state. You will need to file the following application and the fee is $180.00. Illinois no longer requires a Letter of Clearance. We will verify licensure through the Producer Data Base. It will be your responsibility to notify your previous state of your change in residency.

http://www.nipr.com/documents/indapp.doc

Fill out the form, sign it, and attach a check payable to the Director of Insurance for $180.00

Can I reinstate a cancelled license?

Resident Producers

Yes. You have one year to reinstate your license. There is a licensing fee of $180 plus a penalty fee of $180 for a total of $360 and you must also comply with the continuing education requirement. Your new license will have a new original effective date. If you do not reinstate your license within the year, you will lose your lines of authority and be required to complete pre-licensing and re-test. You are able to pay your reinstatement fee on-line at https://pdb.nipr.com/html/erlWelcome.html.

Non-Resident Producers

Yes. You have one year to reinstate your license. There is a licensing fee of $250 plus a penalty fee of $250 for a total of $500. Your new license will have a new original effective date. After one year you apply as a new applicant. You are able to pay your reinstatement fee on-line at https://pdb.nipr.com/html/nrlWelcome.html.

Is a surety bond required?

Yes. If you do not have a direct contract with the insurer you are required to maintain a bond in the amount of $2,500 or 5% of the premiums brokered in the previous calendar year, whichever is greater, but not to exceed $50,000 total aggregate liability. Non-residents are no longer required to maintain a surety bond.

How do I obtain a duplicate copy of my license?

Initial copy of the license and renewal copy are provided at no cost to the producer at https://sbs-il.naic.org/Lion-Web/jsp/login/login_lsx.jsp. Duplicate copy can be obtained from Online Licensee Services (OLS) at https://sbs-il.naic.org/Lion-Web/jsp/login/login_ols.jsp. Registration and subscription fee is required. The Department will no longer issue duplicate copies.

Options available through OLS

• Submit license renewals
• Complete address changes for both individuals and business entities
• Print duplicate copies of your license
• View detailed license information
• Review CE compliance

How do I amend my license to include Variable Contract?

To have variable contract added to your license as a line of authority fax or e-mail proof of passing either series 6 or 7. Fax number 217-557-8455 E-mail DOI.Licensing@illinois.gov.

Pre-licensing and Continuing Education

Are there any requirements to sell long-term care insurance?

Any Producer who sells or solicits Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance in Illinois must have obtained a producer license with the Health line of authority and have completed the Long Term Care (Partnership) certification course.

Resident Producers are required to complete a one-time training course of no less than eight (8) hours. Upon completion of the Long Term Care (Partnership) course the Producer will be presented with a certificate of completion. The Producer will need to retain the original certificate in their files as the Department will not have a permanent record of this required course. Further, the Producer is required to complete ongoing training of no less than four (4) hours within 24 months of the completion of the eight (8) hour course and every 24 months thereafter. Failure to complete subsequent ongoing training in a timely manner will forfeit recognition of the eight (8) hour course. Non-recognition of the eight courses by the Department will result in the eight (8) hour course having to be repeated.

Resident Producers may also apply the LTC hours to their Continuing education requirements for renewal.

Non-resident Producers who have taken a similar LTC Partnership course in any State as outlined in Illinois Administrative Code 2012 shall be deemed to satisfy the training requirements in this State. Insurance Companies accepting LTC business from the producer must ensure that their producers have completed the required training and ongoing training.

Conduct a search of approved providers who offer the LTC training requirement

Are there any requirements to sell Viatical Settlements?

Qualifications for Residents Brokers

• Must hold a valid Life Insurance Producer License for at least one year.
• Must complete a onetime four hour training course. Search for Providers who offer Viatical Settlement Broker Training.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Completed application and check payable to the Director of Insurance in the amount of $500.

Qualifications for Non-Residents Brokers

• Must apply for an Illinois non-resident Life Producer License and have been licensed as a Life Producer in your home state for at least one year.
• Certification that they have met the training requirement in their home state (minimum of four (4) hours). If no certification must complete Illinois approved course. VSB Provider List
• Completed application and check payable to the Director of Insurance in the amount of $500.

Qualifications for Providers

• A detail plan of operation.
• Evidence of financial responsibility through either a surety bond executed and issued by an insurer authorized to issue surety bonds in this state or a deposit of cash, certificates of deposit or securities or any combination thereof, or irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $125,000.
• An anti-fraud plan that meets the requirement of Section 65 of the new Act.
• The method used to determine and receive life expectancies; the applicant's intended use of life expectancies and a written plan containing policies and procedures to use when determining life expectancies.
• Any and all viatical settlement contracts, forms and disclosure statements not previously approved by the Director.

Can I repeat the same course within the same renewal period?

No, a producer will not be permitted to take a course for credit more than once in the license continuation period.

May I carry over continuing education hours?

Yes. You may accumulate a maximum of 36 credit hours. Education credit hours will be applied in the order the Department receives them.

My license cancelled because I failed to complete the required continuing education. What do I need to reinstate my license?

You have 12 months from your expiration date to complete the 24 hours of continuing education; three (3) of which must consist of classroom ethics. To reinstate by paper complete the following form Uniform Application for Individual Producer Licensing/Registration (paper) and submit it with the $360.00 fee ($180 licensing fee and $180 penalty fee) at which time you will be issued a current dated license or you may pay the $360.00 fee on-line at https://pdb.nipr.com/html/erlWelcome.html.

If you fail to reinstate within a year of your license expiration date, you will be required to complete pre-licensing and re-test.

How can I obtain a list of approved education providers?

Approved providers are listed in https://sbs-il.naic.org/Lion-Web/jsp/extcelookup/ProviderLookup.jsp.

How can I check to see if the Department has recorded my education?

You can view continuing education courses completed at www.statebasedsystems.com. It is your responsibility to maintain your education records for each course.

Contact Us

Producers may contact the Illinois Department of Insurance with questions at:

E-mail: DOI.Licensing@illinois.gov

Phone: 217-782-6366

Office location:

Illinois Department of Insurance
Producer Licensing Unit
320 West Washington Street
Springfield, IL 62767